A fire can spread quickly through a home, townhouse, apartment, or condo, engulfing everything from your garage to yard. Other issues may arise due to a fire wreaking havoc on your property and possessions. Barbecues, candles, faulty wiring, gas leaks, and wildfire are all potential sources of fire.  

While a house fire can be devastating for a homeowner, dealing with an insurance agent can exacerbate the situation. You don’t have to go through this alone, though. If you have a fire claims adjuster on your side, negotiating with an insurance company will be much easier.  

If you are a Georgia resident and need a public adjuster to fight back against your insurance company, here are some tips for finding a good fire claims adjuster in Georgia.   

Always ask for the public adjusters’ credentials.  

Whenever you interview any prospective residential or commercial, public claims adjuster in Georgia, always ask for proof of their credentials or qualifications. A public adjuster must be GAPIA (Georgia Association of Public Insurance Adjusters) qualified in Georgia. Any public adjuster operating without a license is illegal and should not be considered to work your case.  

Request referrals and references from previous clients.  

It is always better to learn more about the adjuster, so ask them for references from past clients. When you speak to past clients, ask them about the amount of time it took to complete the process, the amount of compensation recovered, and the communication with the public adjuster. If the public adjuster refuses to share any details with you, it is better not to work with them.  

Avoid working with a fire claims adjuster who makes unrealistic promises.  

If a public adjuster makes unrealistic and ridiculous claims about how much money you can recover – and they haven’t even examined your insurance contract – stay away from them.  

Know how much you will have to pay  

Various factors influence the cost of hiring a public adjuster. The complexity of the loss, the size of your property, and the events surrounding your loss are all variables to consider. The majority of fire claims adjusters charge anywhere between 5% – 20% of your reimbursement. The greater your loss, the lower the percentage they charge. For example, on a $40,000 claim, an adjuster may charge you 20%, and on a $100,000 claim, they may charge you 10%. A public adjuster that charges less than this is likely to be unreliable; the adjuster may be cutting corners and not giving your case the attention it needs.  

Stay away from public adjusters who force you to make a decision.  

Recruiting and hiring a public adjuster is a significant financial investment. Your adjuster should not try to persuade you to sign an agreement on the spot or before you completely comprehend what they can accomplish for you. If they won’t back off and give you a day or two to think things over, it’s a clue that they aren’t the ideal fit for your needs.  

Things To Consider Before Entering Into A Contract  

Make sure the adjuster is a good fit for you as you’ll be working directly with this individual for several months, and they’ll be representing you with your insurance; you should feel at ease with their communication style and demeanor.  

Make sure you are content with all customer reviews and referrals. If you disagree with your public adjuster, try to address it informally with them and with the support of their state’s trade association.  

Adjusting claims is an art, not a science. You’re unlikely to get a full or fair settlement if you rely solely on your insurance carrier to evaluate the extent of damage and what you are owed. The insurance company dispatches their staff adjuster and a handpicked contractor to determine the scope of the damage and estimated costs to rebuild or repair your property. The loss is calculated for the insurer, not for you.   

This is significant because large sums of money are at stake, and your financial interests and those of the insurers are not the same. You want to measure your loss accurately and maximize your insurance coverage to get every penny you are owed. This is why a fire claim adjuster is hired, as the more compensation you receive, the more money they will make, giving you both a common interest.