UNDERSTANDING PUBLIC ADJUSTERS

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WHAT IS A PUBLIC ADJUSTER?

A public adjuster is a claims professional hired by the policyholder to assist with a property insurance claim.

Unlike an insurance company adjuster, who represents the insurer, a public adjuster represents the homeowner or business making the claim. Public adjusters may assist with documenting damage, preparing estimates, organizing supporting records, reviewing claim-related information and negotiating with the insurance carrier.

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WHO DOES A PUBLIC ADJUSTER REPRESENT?

A public adjuster represents the policyholder, not the insurance company.

Advocate Claims Services works on behalf of homeowners and businesses throughout the insurance claim process.

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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PUBLIC ADJUSTER AND AN INSURANCE COMPANY ADJUSTER?

An insurance company adjuster works for or on behalf of the insurance carrier.

A public adjuster is hired by the policyholder and represents the policyholder's interests during the claim.

Both may inspect the same property loss, but they represent different parties.

WHY WOULD SOMEONE HIRE A PUBLIC ADJUSTER?

Property insurance claims often require detailed documentation, estimates, inventories, inspections and ongoing communication with the insurance carrier.

A public adjuster can help organize and manage that process so the policyholder does not have to handle every aspect of the claim alone.

This can be especially valuable with large, complicated or disputed losses.

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WHEN SHOULD I CONTACT A PUBLIC ADJUSTER?

You can contact a public adjuster soon after discovering a property loss.

You may also want assistance if:

• The damage is extensive.

• The claim is complicated.

• You are unsure whether all damage has been documented.

• The carrier's estimate appears too low.

• The claim has stalled.

• You disagree with the insurance company's evaluation.

• You own a commercial property with a significant loss.

• The claim involves business interruption or lost income.

You do not necessarily have to wait until there is a disagreement with the insurer.

 

 

PROPERTY CLAIMS ACS HANDLES

 

DOES ACS HELP WITH RESIDENTIAL INSURANCE CLAIMS?

Yes. Advocate Claims Services assists homeowners with property insurance claims involving damage to homes and residential property.

Residential claims may involve fire, smoke, water, storms, wind, hail and other covered causes of loss.

 

DOES ACS HANDLE COMMERCIAL INSURANCE CLAIMS?

Yes.

ACS represents businesses and commercial property owners with complex property insurance claims.

Commercial claims may involve building damage, contents, equipment, inventory, business interruption, loss of income and other claim-related losses depending on the policy and circumstances.

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WHAT IS A LARGE-LOSS INSURANCE CLAIM?

A large-loss claim generally involves significant property damage or financial exposure and often requires extensive documentation, estimating and coordination.

Examples may include:

• Major commercial fires

• Large water losses

• Severe storm damage

• Manufacturing facility losses

• Multi-building losses

• Significant residential property losses

• Business interruption claims

ACS handles complex and large-loss property insurance claims.

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CAN ACS HELP WITH FIRE AND SMOKE DAMAGE CLAIMS?

Yes.

Fire losses can involve much more than visible burned materials. Smoke, soot, water used during firefighting, structural damage, contents damage and other related losses may also need to be documented.

ACS helps policyholders develop and document the scope of the loss and communicate with the insurance carrier during the claim.

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CAN ACS HELP WITH WATER DAMAGE OR BURST-PIPE CLAIMS?

Yes.

Water losses can affect walls, flooring, cabinetry, electrical systems, insulation, contents and other parts of a property.

ACS assists homeowners and businesses with documenting water damage and preparing the property insurance claim.

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DOES ACS HANDLE STORM, WIND, HAIL AND TORNADO CLAIMS?

Yes.

ACS assists with property claims involving severe weather, including wind, hail, tornado and storm-related damage.

The specific insurance coverage available depends on the policy and cause of loss.

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DOES ACS HANDLE HURRICANE CLAIMS?

ACS is based in Michigan and primarily serves Michigan policyholders.

For certain significant catastrophe or large-loss claims outside Michigan, ACS may consider representation where permitted and appropriate.

Contact ACS to discuss the specific location and circumstances of the loss.

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CAN ACS HELP WITH BUSINESS INTERRUPTION CLAIMS?

Yes.

A major property loss can affect more than the physical building. A business may also experience interrupted operations, lost income or additional expenses.

Where applicable under the insurance policy, ACS can help organize documentation relating to business interruption and other financial components of a commercial property claim.

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UNDERPAID, DISPUTED AND EXISTING CLAIMS

 

CAN A PUBLIC ADJUSTER HELP IF MY CLAIM HAS ALREADY STARTED?

Yes, depending on the circumstances.

Policyholders sometimes contact ACS after inspections have occurred or after the insurance company has issued an initial estimate or payment.

ACS can review the available claim information and discuss whether additional assistance may be appropriate.

 

CAN ACS HELP WITH AN UNDERPAID INSURANCE CLAIM?

Potentially.

If you believe the insurance company's estimate or payment does not account for the full extent of covered damage, ACS can review the claim information and documentation.

That may include estimates, photographs, reports, inventories, carrier correspondence and other available records.

 

CAN ACS HELP WITH A DISPUTED CLAIM?

Yes, depending on the nature of the dispute.

ACS can help policyholders document the loss, organize supporting information and communicate with the insurance carrier regarding disputed claim issues.

Coverage determinations ultimately depend on the policy, facts and applicable law.

 

CAN A CLOSED INSURANCE CLAIM BE REOPENED?

In some circumstances, additional damage or unresolved claim issues may justify further review of a previously handled claim.

Whether a claim can be reopened depends on the policy, timing, applicable deadlines and specific facts.

ACS can review the situation and discuss possible next steps.

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WHAT IF MY INSURANCE COMPANY DENIED THE CLAIM?

A denial does not automatically mean that a public adjuster can overturn the insurer's decision.

However, ACS can review available claim documentation and help determine whether additional property-loss documentation or claim assistance may be appropriate.

Certain coverage disputes may require advice from a qualified attorney rather than, or in addition to, a public adjuster.

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HOW ACS HANDLES A CLAIM

 

WHAT DOES A PUBLIC ADJUSTER ACTUALLY DO?

The work depends on the individual claim, but may include:

• Inspecting and documenting property damage

• Reviewing available insurance policy information

• Developing the scope of loss

• Preparing or reviewing repair estimates

• Documenting damaged contents

• Organizing supporting records

• Coordinating inspections

• Communicating with the insurance carrier

• Reviewing carrier estimates

• Assisting with claim negotiations

The goal is to present the loss clearly and thoroughly on behalf of the policyholder.

 

DOES ACS DETERMINE WHETHER SOMETHING IS COVERED BY MY POLICY?

Insurance coverage is determined by the terms, conditions, exclusions and endorsements in the policy.

ACS can help review claim-related information and assist with documenting the loss, but complex legal coverage disputes may require an insurance attorney.

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WILL ACS COMMUNICATE WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY?

Yes.

Communication and claim coordination are important parts of public adjusting.

ACS can communicate with insurance company representatives regarding inspections, documentation, estimates and other aspects of the property claim.

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WILL I STILL BE INVOLVED IN MY CLAIM?

Yes.

It is still your insurance policy and your claim.

ACS manages significant portions of the claim process while keeping the policyholder informed and involved in important decisions.

 

HOW DOES ACS DOCUMENT PROPERTY DAMAGE?

Documentation varies by claim and may include photographs, measurements, estimates, inventories, reports, invoices and other supporting records.

Large commercial losses may require considerably more documentation than a smaller residential claim.

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FEES AND TIMING

 

HOW DOES A PUBLIC ADJUSTER GET PAID?

Public adjusters commonly charge a fee based on a percentage of the insurance claim recovery.

ACS generally works under a written agreement describing the applicable fee and terms.

Fees and contractual requirements may vary based on the claim, location and applicable law.

 

DO I HAVE TO PAY ACS BEFORE MY CLAIM IS SETTLED?

The exact payment terms are explained in the public adjusting agreement before representation begins.

Ask ACS about the fee structure for your particular claim during the initial consultation.

 

HOW LONG DOES AN INSURANCE CLAIM TAKE?

There is no single timeline for a property insurance claim.

The length of a claim can depend on factors such as:

• Size of the loss

• Type of property

• Amount of documentation required

• Number of inspections

• Complexity of the insurance policy

• Contractor or expert involvement

• Carrier response times

• Disagreements regarding scope or value

A large commercial loss may take considerably longer to document and resolve than a smaller residential claim.

 

WILL HIRING A PUBLIC ADJUSTER MAKE MY CLAIM SETTLE FASTER?

No public adjuster can guarantee how quickly an insurance company will resolve a claim.

However, organized documentation, accurate estimates and timely communication can help keep the claim process moving.

 

 

WORKING WITH ADVOCATE CLAIMS SERVICES

 

DOES ACS ONLY HANDLE CLAIMS IN MICHIGAN?

Michigan is ACS's primary service area and home base.

ACS may also consider select large-loss claims outside Michigan where permitted and appropriate.

Contact the team with the location and size of the loss to determine whether ACS may be able to assist.

 

DOES ACS REPRESENT HOMEOWNERS OR BUSINESSES?

Both.

ACS represents homeowners with residential property claims and businesses or commercial property owners with commercial and large-loss claims.

 

SHOULD I CONTACT ACS BEFORE I FILE MY CLAIM?

Yes, getting guidance early may help you understand what information and documentation should be preserved as the claim develops.

You can also contact ACS after the claim has already been reported.

 

WHAT SHOULD I HAVE READY WHEN I CONTACT ACS?

Whatever information you already have is fine.

Helpful items may include:

• Insurance policy information

• Claim number

• Date of loss

• Photographs

• Insurance company estimates

• Contractor estimates

• Carrier letters or emails

• Previous payments

• Reports or inventories

You do not need to have everything organized before contacting ACS.

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WHAT HAPPENS DURING A FREE CLAIM REVIEW?

ACS will discuss the property loss, the status of the insurance claim and the issues you are experiencing.

The purpose of the initial review is to better understand the claim and determine whether public adjusting services may be appropriate.

There is no obligation to hire ACS simply because you request a claim review.

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STILL HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR PROPERTY INSURANCE CLAIM?

Every property loss is different.

Whether you are dealing with a residential fire, commercial water loss, storm damage, business interruption issue, underpaid claim or major large-loss event, Advocate Claims Services can review the situation and discuss possible next steps.

Based in Michigan, with select out-of-state large-loss representation where permitted.

Call 855-ACS-2-WIN

REQUEST A FREE CLAIM REVIEW