Public Adjusters Washington (PCAN)

What Is The Public Claims Adjusters Network (PCAN)?

The Public Claims Adjusters Network (PCAN) is a national network of pre-vetted, licensed, and verified public adjusters who specialize in residential and commercial property damage insurance claims. Our member adjusters cover over 30 different claim types and are located in 40+ states.

PCAN operates through our education-focused platform for policyholders, PublicClaimsAdjusters.io, which provides educational resources and answers to the most frequently asked questions policyholders have after disaster strikes.

The Public Claims Adjusters Network (PCAN) aim to help educate policyholders on their rights, and spread awareness of the numerous benefits for policyholders in working with a licensed public adjuster when it comes to their damage claims.

1. Expertise in Insurance Claims: Washington Public adjusters are licensed professionals with extensive knowledge of the insurance claim process. They understand the complexities of policies and can help you navigate the intricacies of your claim.

2. Maximizing Your Settlement: Public adjusters in WA work on your behalf to ensure that you receive a fair settlement. They can help identify all covered damages and losses, often uncovering additional compensation that you might not have realized was available. In fact, the landmark OPPAGA study shockingly found that policyholders who used a public adjuster saw up to 800% higher settlement amounts, compared to policyholders who did not. 

This is a rather disturbing figure when you take into consideration that less than 5% of all policyholders in the country have even heard of a public adjuster, let alone have been informed that it is their legal right to retain one to protect their rights, and ensure the insurance company plays fair.

3. Time-Saving: Handling an insurance claim can be time-consuming and stressful. A public insurance adjuster can manage the claim process for you, allowing you to focus on other priorities, such as recovery or business operations.

4. Objective Assessment: Washington public claims adjusters provide an unbiased assessment of your damages. They can help ensure that your claim is not undervalued by the insurance company, which may have a vested interest in minimizing payouts.

5. Negotiation Skills: Public insurance claims adjusters are experienced negotiators. They can advocate on your behalf and negotiate with the insurance company to achieve a better settlement than you might be able to secure on your own.

6. Understanding of Local Laws: Washington has specific laws and regulations governing insurance claims. Public adjusters are familiar with these laws and can ensure that your claim complies with all legal requirements.

7. Support During Disputes: If your claim is denied or underpaid, a public adjuster can assist you in appealing the decision and provide the necessary documentation and evidence to support your case.

8. Contingency Fee = No Upfront Costs: Nearly all Public adjusters in WA work on a contingency fee basis (usually between 10-25%, with the national average being around 18-20%), meaning they only get paid when you receive your settlement.

 This makes their services accessible without upfront costs. 

Some public adjusters may charge an hourly fee for very small claims (under $5k), on a case-by-case basis. The reason why most public adjusters only work on claims with damages of $10k or more, is that smaller claims (even at 20% of the claim) would not cover the actual hard costs & time required by the public adjuster to work on the claim (time, vehicle & gas, paperwork, filing fees, software fees, assessment & estimating tools & software, state fees, licensing fees, business licenses for every city they operate in, etc.). 

Typically, a public adjuster is looking at roughly $1k-$1.8k in hard costs for every claim they work on (that they have to pay up-front), and those hard costs increase considerably the higher the claim amount (for example, their hard costs might be around $1.3k for a $10k water damage claim, but $8-10k for a $50k water damage claim).

Those are hard costs, that's costs before calculating the cost for the many, many hours they put in on each claim. On a smaller claim (usually $10k-$25k) an adjuster typically puts in 20-30 hours of dedicated work (inspecting your property, assessing damage, meetings with your insurance company adjuster, insurance policy reviews, compiling + formatting + organizing claim packets (with arguments as to why you should be compensated under your policy), negotiations with your insurance provider, sending legal demand letters, sending escalation reminders, dealing with claim denials, making sure the insurance company actually pays you on time, etc.).

*And that's assuming you have an "easy claim". 

If it's a severe damage claim, or a total loss claim, that requires them to meet with engineers, general contractors, plumbers, electricians, lawyers, umpires, expert witnesses, etc. ... an adjuster is looking at putting in 80-120+ hours, if not more.

Most public adjusters will also help their clients find temporary housing if the damage in question requires them to evacuate or leave the home, and help them get insurance to pay for it. Most public adjusters do this to help their clients in distress, but most clients don't realize, public adjusters never actually get paid or compensated for that. They just do it to help.

So, while a public adjuster will usually get 15% - 20% of the claim as their fee ... believe us, by the time everything is said and done ... they have definitely earned it.

9. Comprehensive Documentation: Public adjusters are skilled at documenting damages and losses, which is crucial for a successful claim. They will gather evidence, take photographs, and compile reports to strengthen your case.

10. Peace of Mind: Knowing that a professional is handling your claim can reduce stress and provide peace of mind during a challenging time.

Cities In Washington That We Serve:

1. The members shall conduct themselves in a spirit of fairness and justice to their clients, the Insurance Companies, and the public.

2. Members shall refrain from improper solicitation.

3. No misrepresentation of any kind shall be made to an assured or to the Insurance Companies.

4. Commission rates shall be fair and equitable, and strictly in accordance with the prevailing custom in the locality, and must, where laws or regulations of insurance departments exist, comply fully with such laws or regulations.

5. Members shall conduct themselves so as to command respect and confidence. They shall work in harmony with one another, with their clients, and the Insurance Companies’ representatives, so as to foster a cordial and harmonious relationship with all branches of the insurance business, and with the general public.

6. Members must be fitted, by knowledge and experience, for the work they undertake. They must not endanger the interests of the public adjusting profession, or risk injustice to assureds or to the Insurance Companies, by attempting to handle losses or claims for which they are not qualified, and for which they cannot find competent technical assistance.

7. Members shall not engage in the unauthorized practice of law.

8. Public adjuster members shall not act as a contractor in the mitigation, repair, restoration of, or act as a salvor of damaged property (as related to First Party Property Insurance Losses).

9. Members shall be cooperative and assist one another in every possible way.

10. Members shall not disseminate or use any form of agreement, advertising, or any printed matter that is harmful to the profession of public adjusting, or which does not comply with the rules and regulations of the Insurance Department of the state in which such member is professionally engaged, or which might subject public adjusting and public adjusters to criticism or disrespect.

11. Members will communicate clearly, friendly, and professionally with all policyholders on the status of their claims throughout the process. Members commit to clearly explaining to their clients the claim process and expected timing of claim events, to ensure clients are provided with realistic expectations of the claim process and timing.

12. Members commit to updating their clients every ten (10) days (or sooner) during the claim process, in order to maintain open lines of communication with the client, and ensure the client’s mental and emotional health during their time of crisis is also made a priority.

13. Members commit to maintaining all CE requirements & credits (if required) in their respective markets

14. Last Updated: September 1st, 2024