Understanding the Role Adjusters Play During a Claim

Nearly every adult in the United States has some type of insurance. It may be only health insurance or the minimum coverage on a vehicle, but it is there to provide financial security. Most people deal with only a single agent in a local insurance office or they obtain their insurance online and never actually speak to a representative. The first contact the client may have is when an insurance adjuster arrives after they have filed a claim. Here is what everyone needs to know about adjusters.

They Work Quickly

An adjuster is usually at the location of the damaged home or vehicle within a couple of days, and many arrive in less than 24 hours. Their efficiency helps to get the claim filed faster, but their speediness is for the benefit of the company. Adjusters want to only see the damage from the incident. For example, a home damaged by a fallen tree could experience water damage if it is left exposed for days or weeks after an incident. Whatever future destruction occurs is the responsibility of the homeowner, so the adjuster wants to be certain their estimate is only based on what happened the moment the tree landed.

They Ask Questions

An Insurance claims adjuster will often have a lot of questions for the property owner or witnesses. They look at the damage, take pictures and interview anyone involved in the incident. The adjuster also collects police reports and other documents related to the claim. They do not do this to delay the response or harass the client. It is what they have to do to make certain the client receives the benefits they have paid for as well as to protect their employer from fraud.

Some are Independent

Not every adjuster sent to a claim scene is an employee of the insurance company. An Independent Adjuster is someone that is contracted to review an incident or a previous claim. Individuals can hire an independent to work for them if they do not feel the insurance company is offering a fair settlement. Insurance companies also hire these types of adjusters when they have too many claims to process in a short period of time. This is a common event during a natural disaster.

The adjuster at an insurance company is typically someone that understand the insurance industry as well as the items they are reviewing. An adjuster for an auto accident will be familiar with vehicles, vehicle crashes and common injuries for all types of accidents, for example. Adjusters take their work very seriously and aiding them in completing their report will always help to speed up the claims process.