A public adjuster in Charlotte, NC, works for the policyholder, meaning the person or business filing a property claim with their own insurance company. The public adjuster’s job is to document the loss and negotiate with the insurer so you are paid everything your policy covers.
While not every claim needs a public adjuster in Charlotte, NC, hiring one can mean a better settlement than you would get negotiating with an insurer on your own! Before you decide on a public adjuster, note 7 tips to remember and questions to ask, so you know you’ll be happy with their work.
1. When You Don’t Necessarily Need a Public Adjuster in Charlotte, NC
Not every claim requires a public adjuster in Charlotte, NC! A public adjuster is usually paid a percentage of the money the insurer pays on your claim and, in some cases, the insurance company is already offering a fair settlement.
Consider an example, and remember that these are not real numbers but simply an illustration of when you might not need a public adjuster. Suppose you’ve had a small stovetop fire at home, and you submit a $5,000 claim for repairs and a new stove. Your insurance company offers $3,500.
You could hire a public adjuster who might negotiate with your insurer up to $4,500, and then keep, say, 10%, or $450, as their fee. That leaves you with $4,050, only $550 more than your insurer offered. That extra $550 might not be worth the wait while an adjuster researches and negotiates on your behalf.
2. When You Do Need a Public Adjuster in Charlotte, NC!
While not every insurance claim requires a public adjuster, their help can be vital when the gap is large! Using the same example, suppose your estimated repair and replacement costs are $10,000, but your insurance company is offering only $5,000, or is denying the claim altogether.
In a case like that, hiring an adjuster can be well worth it. Large and complicated losses are where a public adjuster earns their fee: a pine tree through the roof in a windstorm, a pipe that bursts in an ice storm and soaks two floors, or a house fire. They also take on the hassle of negotiating with your insurer, leaving you free to recover.
3. Ask What Claims a Public Adjuster in Charlotte, NC, Handles
Public adjusters work on property claims, for homes and businesses, and some focus on certain kinds of loss, such as fire and smoke, water damage, or wind and hail. That experience matters. A fire claim, for instance, can include smoke damage in rooms the flames never reached, and an adjuster who handles fires will know to look for it.
It also helps to choose someone who knows the Charlotte area’s weather and the claims it brings: hail across Cabarrus and Union counties, wind and fallen trees from hurricane remnants like Helene, and burst pipes when a hard freeze reaches the Piedmont.
4. Ask What a Public Adjuster Charges
The percentage a public adjuster in Charlotte, NC, charges varies from adjuster to adjuster. Ask for it in writing before you sign, and ask exactly what it applies to: for example, whether it’s charged on money the insurer had already offered before you hired them.
Remember that you don’t want to base your hiring decision on price alone! An adjuster’s experience and skill in negotiating with insurance companies can matter more than a small difference in the fee.
5. Be Cautious About Unrealistic Promises!
Your public adjuster should work hard for you, but be cautious about unrealistic promises! For example, an adjuster can’t get you more than your policy limits, and should never promise an “instant” or guaranteed payout, as an insurance company is allowed time to review a claim. Avoid any adjuster making promises like these.
6. Ask to See Their North Carolina License
North Carolina licenses public adjusters through its Department of Insurance, so ask any adjuster you’re considering for their license number and check it with the Department before you sign anything. A licensed adjuster should be happy to show it.
Membership in a professional group such as the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters, which has its own code of ethics, is a plus, but it isn’t a substitute for a current North Carolina license.
7. Ask About Their Background and Experience
As with any professional, it’s good to ask a potential public adjuster about their background and experience. Ask how long they’ve been an adjuster, whether they’ve worked for insurance companies, and what kinds of claims they’ve handled. This can tell you if they have the skills and experience needed to manage your claim.
Melo Public Adjusters Charlotte is happy to share these tips with our readers, and we hope you found them helpful. Ramon Melo, who leads our team, has been a licensed adjuster since 2011 and a North Carolina public adjuster since 2019, license #8627837. If you need a public adjuster in Charlotte, give us a call to talk through your claim.
