Understanding home insurance adjusters

If an adjuster has been assigned to your home insurance claim, you may be wondering, "What does a home insurance adjuster do?" In a nutshell, the adjuster is in charge of investigating the loss, assessing the damage, and determining a reasonable settlement. If you have an active home insurance claim, it is critical to prepare for the adjuster's visit and follow up afterwards to keep the claim process moving forward.

How to prepare for a home adjuster’s visit

When you file a claim, your home insurance company will usually schedule a visit from a home insurance adjuster. Understanding what to expect from home insurance adjusters can assist you in preparing. Here's a quick guide to preparing for a home adjuster visit:

1. Document the damage: Before the adjuster arrives, make a note of the exact time and date of the incident, as well as any other details that may be useful. Taking photos of the damage or loss to provide to the adjuster will also be beneficial.
2. Gather useful documents: Collect documents that will be used as evidence by the adjuster during the decision-making process. Witness statements and contact information, photos or videos of the damage, and receipts or estimates for repairs or items lost, stolen, or damaged are all documents you should have on hand.
3. Make plans to stay at home during the visit: Although you are not required to be present for the visit, it is a good idea to be home to answer questions and ensure that nothing is overlooked by the adjuster. You should prepare some estimates to compare to the adjuster's findings.
4. Inquire about the next steps: Before the adjuster departs, be sure to inquire about the next steps. Most states require insurance companies to respond to a claim filing within a certain time frame, so inquire with the adjuster about how long it typically takes to receive a response about your claim.

What to do after a home adjuster’s visit

You'll probably have some "homework" to do after the insurance adjuster leaves. It is critical to take action quickly and respond to any requests as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the longer it will be before you get paid.

1. Send your list of damaged property

Depending on the extent of the damage, you may be required to provide a list of lost or damaged property to the adjuster. Making a list is usually the most effective way to itemize your losses.

Include the estimated value of each item, as well as any photos or receipts. It may appear to be a lot of work, but keep in mind that insurance companies require detailed information in order to replace or reimburse you for your items. If you don't already have one, it might be a good idea to start one to help with future claims.

2. Submit other requested documents and paperwork

Additional receipts or documentation may be requested by the insurance adjuster. For example, the adjuster may request paperwork to determine when the roof was last replaced or when the electrical system was last inspected in order to determine whether there is any evidence of homeowner negligence. If you attempt to use your medical payments coverage, you may be required to provide medical records from recent doctor's visits if the traumatic event resulted in injuries. Remember to send your records as soon as possible; failing to do so can cause your entire claim to be delayed.

3. Respond to the home insurance adjuster as soon as possible

Keep an eye out for additional phone calls or emails from the adjuster in case he or she has additional questions. When responding to additional questions, make sure you are confident in discussing the incident and what happened. Prepare the necessary documentation to demonstrate that the claim was the result of a covered loss rather than homeowner negligence or an accident.

4. Follow up

Please do not hesitate to contact us after submitting any requested documents or around the time you believe a claim decision should have been made. The insurance adjuster should tell you how long it will take to investigate and settle the claim, but there is no set time frame. If you haven't heard back from the adjuster, follow up once a week to see how things are going and if they require any additional information from you.

How much does a home adjuster cost?

A home adjuster usually works for an insurance company. They do not charge you a fee because they are paid by the carrier.

If you hire an independent home insurance adjuster, they usually take a percentage of the claim (around 10 to 15%) rather than an upfront fee. If your home was destroyed in a fire and you refused your insurance company's offer, eventually agreeing to a $300,000 payment to rebuild, the independent adjuster could earn a fee of $30,000 to $45,000. Although the fee appears to be high, it may be worthwhile if you are unable to obtain a fair settlement offer from the insurance company.

How to dispute an insurance claim

As previously stated, there are times when you may want to hire your own independent adjuster. The main reason is that you did not accept the insurance company's offer, or the company outright rejected your claim. You are not required to accept an offer that you believe is unfavorable. You could decline the offer and counter it instead.

To dispute a home insurance claim, first contact your insurance company's customer service and request a written breakdown of how they arrived at the amount. Give the information to the independent adjuster so that they can build a case for you.

The adjuster may be able to provide a second, more objective opinion that will assist you in negotiating a better settlement with your insurance company. Keep in mind that they will require time to investigate the claim and prepare a response based on their professional findings to assist you in potentially winning a larger payout.