Fire in our house--need info on public adjusters
Would appreciate anyone’s advice on whether or not to use a public adjuster to advocate for us with the insurance company’s adjuster (Brownstone Agency; Plan thru Aspen insurance). Advice from anyone who did not use a PA Recommendations for PAs from anyone who did and advice as well. Damage is significant. Appreciate the wisdom and experience of the brownstone community.
Guest User | 10 years and 7 months ago
12
Please log in, in order to post replies!
12 replies
katejohnson | 10 years and 2 months ago
I think you should hire trusted professionals like [Public Adjuster boca raton](http://isaclaims.com/public-adjusters-boca-raton/ “public adjuster boca raton”) they can help you with the claiming process.
boredatwork | 10 years and 7 months ago
We had a flood in our house and also insure with Brownstone Agency. The estimates the “independent adjuster” provided were not too far off from what I ended up paying a contractor to complete the repairs. As another poster mentioned, getting Brownstone to cut a check and then a second check to get the amount they held back to ensure I completed the work took multiple phone calls. They do not pay unless forced.
Guest User | 10 years and 7 months ago
Everyone’s feedback is greatly appreciated. It has helped us a lot, and we did decide to go with a public adjuster. I guess next time a Brownstoner had this same inquiry, I’ll have my own stories to tell. Again, thank you!
no-permits | 10 years and 7 months ago
somebody wrote “good insurance company” above. there’s no such thing. they are all out to screw you. and as someone else said, state farm is terrible. they are by far the worst when it comes to paying out and customer service, but for some reason still have a good reputation because they are a big name. for big issues like a fire – you absolutely need an adjuster. smaller stuff, people can handle themselves.
bedstuytownhouse | 10 years and 7 months ago
We have State Farm…literally the worst people in the industry…plan on changing to Chubb once we finish our renovation. We had significant water damage during that horrible rain storm just before Sandy hit. The SF adjuster put down $14 to re-paint the hallway…$14!! Anyway, we looked into a public adjuster but, on the advice of a colleague at work, I reached out to our elected officials and sent a letter to the state Insurance Commission. Senator Gillibrand took on our cause and, while I don’t exactly know what happened behind the scenes and how she informed the Commission that she supported our complaint but all of the sudden, State Farm gave us what our GC told us was required to make all of the repairs. But, like Housepoor mentioned, I have paid for going this route. Similar to a credit score, there is a calculated number attached to you which insurers analyze risk which impacts how high your premiums are and after this debacle, mine is equivalent to like a 620 credit score. And, of course, I have gotten letters from SF saying I had to make my window bars on the ground floor of our brownstone a fire escape friendly one and comply within ten days or we’ll cancel your policy. I’m in their cross hairs, that’s for sure. Best of luck and I’m very sorry for the added trauma these bottom-feeders are causing you.
200line | 10 years and 7 months ago
I am really sorry to hear about the fire. That is a terrible thing to deal with. Public adjusters are very expensive, especially when you compare their fee to the *incremental* amount of money you get from the insurer (if any). Of course, if you have a terrible insurance company that resists paying claims at every step, an advocate may be worth it. If you have a decent insurance company that pays claims fairly, then a public adjuster will be a huge waste of money. The only large claim I have dealt with was with a very good insurance company. The public adjusters were trying hard to sign my family up, but we told them to wait. The initial offer from the insurer was generally very fair. We pointed out a couple of things they missed. They quickly adjusted the settlement and then paid it promptly. A public adjuster would have been a huge waste in this circumstance.
200line | 10 years and 7 months ago
I am really sorry to hear about the fire. That is a terrible thing to deal with. Public adjusters are very expensive, especially when you compare their fee to the *incremental* amount of money you get from the insurer (if any). Of course, if you have a terrible insurance company that resists paying claims at every step, an advocate may be worth it. If you have a decent insurance company that pays claims fairly, then a public adjuster will be a huge waste of money. The only large claim I have dealt with was with a very good insurance company. The public adjusters were trying hard to sign my family up, but we told them to wait. The initial offer from the insurer was generally very fair. We pointed out a couple of things they missed. They quickly adjusted the settlement and then paid it promptly. A public adjuster would have been a huge waste in this circumstance.
no-permits | 10 years and 7 months ago
another recommendation for anton. very disorganized but got good results.
samba | 10 years and 7 months ago
Do you mind sharing which kind fire damage did you have?
tm07 | 10 years and 7 months ago
Use the public adjustor. My building a major flood over a year ago. We did not use one and it is still unresolved. My management company decided to use a public adjustor, based on our situation, for another building, and had a much easier time with everything.
housepoor | 10 years and 7 months ago
I had a public adjustor after a flood. There was no question in my mind that, even after the PA’s cut, I was able to get a much better result than I could have by dealing with the insurance company directly. I also had a policy through Brownstone. One word of caution — it took Brownstone over 6 months to pay (after the numbers were agreed) and that was only after threatening to go to the Insurance Commissioner. You are now in an adversarial position with the insurer (and their rep). They want to pay as little as possible. I used Joe Anton, Anton Adjustment, http://www.antonadjustment.com/
jockdeboeraia | 10 years and 7 months ago
I’ve had clients that had success both ways. You are going to give a chunk to a PA but it would be less pain and work on your end. I think I have the number for at least one local guy. Will look.