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Consider the benefits of getting a professional public adjuster involved. Don’t let yourself be taken advantage of in an unfamiliar insurance adjusting process. You probably have more important life details to deal with during a loss rather than dealing with the demands of a claim.
Insurance companies are legitimate business and just like any other business some are good and some are not so good. The insurance company sends out adjusters and others on their behalf. These folks are representing the insurance company. You cannot serve two masters in this world so the biggest mistake policyholders make it to assume their best interests are being represented or they try and represent themselves. It all starts at the beginning, the policyholders take a very big chance by starting the adjusting process on their own.
Most businesses should primarily be concerned about resuming operations. Customers are depending on you, contracts are in place, and competitors are looking to grab market share. Plans are changed and new goals may need to be set. Businesses with employees depending on them for their livelihood have a heavy burden following a loss. Getting the business up and running is priority number one. Running a business and managing an insurance claim is inefficient and non-productive. A business needs a professional claims adjuster on their side just as they need legal and accounting help.
Most people would not know. Some take whatever offer is made as they do not know what or how to ask for what they are entitled to. The claim adjusting process is part art form and science. Most claims are negotiable as to both scope and price of a loss. While much of the claim adjusting process is driven by computer programs and spread sheets, keep in mind that someone has to enter all this data to get these reports. Adjusting is like a business. Buy low, sell high. While some of my colleagues on the other side may disagree I cannot recall a loss where the insurance company paid on the highest estimate. It always seems to be the lowest!
This is something often overlooked by the new landlords the housing mess has created. If a private home is rented, and as a result of that rental there is a loss, the insurance carrier may very well raise a coverage issue and could deny the claim. Not only will the insurance application play a part (what did the property owner say the home was to be used for when they applied for insurance) but also the language in the policy will be a factor such as exclusions for business operations etc. Anyone going down this road looking for a short term profit should have a conversation with their insurance agent including providing them with a copy of the rental contract to review. If the agent say the house is fully covered make sure you confirm that statement in writing back to the agent.