QUESTIONS MOST ASKED BY OUR CLIENTS

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What is a Public Insurance Adjuster?

A Licensed Public Adjuster is an insurance professional working for the general public. The adjuster holds expert knowledge on the loss adjustments and is an expert at filing and negotiating the fair settlement of an insurance claim. Simply stated a Licensed Public Adjuster is employed by the general public and works for his or her client’s best interest. This independent nature is a direct contrast with insurance companies who retain adjusters with a fiduciary duty to look out for their employer’s best interest.

 

How can we as accredited public insurance adjusters help you?

You will have the advantage of our expert assistance based on extensive experience in handling numerous technical problems. We relieve you of the many time consuming, and difficult matters involved in preparing and filing a claim while receiving a prompt and fair settlement.

 

Can I prepare my own claim?

Absolutely, however we have had years of experience and training and can do so with more competence than the policy holder. Often insurance companies take unfair advantage of their policyholders’ lack of knowledge. As your Public Insurance Adjuster we will assist you in the preparation of inventories, estimates and other factual proofs of loss. We will handle all the necessary details for compiling and filing claims, as required by the terms of your policy. We will also confer, on your behalf, with the insurance company representatives and handle all matters essential to a proper and satisfactory settlement.

 

Why do you need our help in filing an insurance claim?

The typical policy contains several provisions and stipulations and various forms that are constantly changing, ad numerous complex details about your requirements in case of loss. Most people do not know or understand these policy provisions. In many instances, insured’s do not realize that the burden of proof is on them, the policyholder.

 

In the event of a fire or water damage loss, does my insurance pay the entire loss?

It depends upon the type and amount of insurance you carry. It also depends on your expertise or the expertise of your representative, not that of the insurance companies adjuster. Many insurance policies may pay more than the amount shown on the declaration page. As your representative we will determine everything to which you are entitled.

 

Why should I engage Duane E. Martin L.L.C as my public insurance adjuster?

The insurer is represented by a professional adjuster; you can level the playing field by retaining our services. The benefit of this equality is that you the insured are assured that your insurance contract will be honored and will receive a fair settlement. We understand the parameters of the insurance industry. We recognize that all policy holders do not need the services of a Public Insurance Adjuster. We will review an insured’s file and the offer they have received from their insurer and we will provide our recommendations without cost or obligation. In the event you retain our services we work on a contingency fee which is a percentage of the amount we recover above the insurer’s offer. Because of this fee arrangement you can be assured that we will provide you a fair and accurate assessment of the offer you have received.

 

How do public insurance adjusters determine the actual loss?

We as Public Insurance Adjusters will take a physical inventory, obtain all pertinent estimates and make sure all provisions in your policy are properly fulfilled. This often involves numerous steps which you may know little or nothing, but which can make a significant difference in the amount of the final adjustment.

 

What is the extent of my public insurance adjuster’s responsibility?

Duane E. Martin L.L.C as your public adjuster would assist with every phase of preparing and presenting your claim, as well as accomplishing an adjustment for you that is equitable and includes everything to which you are entitled under your insurance policy.

 

Is it possible to collect additional money after my claim is settled?

Just because your insurance company has told you the claim is settled, and they have paid you the money, it does not mean your file is closed. This is the time a large portion of our clients retain our services. We evaluate their file and ascertain if they’ve received a proper and fair settlement. Unbelievably in most cases they have not and we recommend they retain our services to recover all that they are due.