Benefits for Contractors Working with a Public Adjuster (PA)

Save time.

The PA handles all aspects of the insurance process so that the policyholder and their contractor don’t have to. The phone calls, emails, back-and-forth, negotiation, re-inspections, and arguments become the responsibility of the PA.

This allows the policyholder to know everything is handled for them without worrying whether the right things were said, creating peace of mind. This in turn allows the contractor to free up more of their time to concentrate on their own business, e.g. generating more leads, selling more projects, getting the projects completed. 

When the claim is paid, you simply schedule the build and get it done. 

Policy/coverage arguments.

The PA’s license allows them to represent the policyholder’s interest for all matters concerning the claim. The PA can not only argue scope and amount of loss as a contractor can do, but is licensed to bring matters of policy and coverage into the negotiation. The license gives the PA the right to obtain a copy of the policy from the insurance company and interpret coverage when discussing the claim. 

It can be tempting as a contractor to bring up these topics when discussing the claim with an insurance adjuster, without realizing a line can be crossed into the unauthorized practice of public adjusting (UPPA). Without telling the contractors, the insurance companies often keep track of contractors who make a habit of crossing this line in a kind of informal list, in case they need to use this information against contractors later.

The insurance companies also know that you cannot be both the contractor and a public adjuster on the same claim, regardless of whether you also possess a PA license. You cannot wear both hats. 

Save money.

The PA’s scoping and estimating expertise will leave no money on the table when determining coverage and costs of the project. 

The contractor is not responsible for paying the PA anything. In fact, no money can legally change hands between the PA and a contractor. The PA contract and all paperwork is signed by the policyholder, and the PA becomes the policyholder’s representative on the claim.

Since the PA does the inspection and writes the estimates, the contractor does not need to pay a supplement company on PA claims. 

Though every claim is unique and results may vary, claims using a PA often settle more quickly and for significantly more money. The PA understands and anticipates each step in the claim process, is prepared for the various games insurance companies like to play, and knows how to combat the tactics they use to confuse policyholders and delay claims. 

Talk to your prospects about the benefits of using a public adjuster today.