What is a public adjuster?
A public adjuster represents the homeowner in the event of a damage loss to their home or building. A public adjuster has only the policyholder’s interests at hand and is responsible for reviewing and interpreting coverage, assessing and estimating the damages to their property, then negotiating a settlement with the insurance company. Public adjusters are licensed at the state level.
Why do I need a Public Adjuster?
The insurance company has their own adjusters who will represent the interests of the insurance company. That’s right, they are called company adjusters. They earned the word adjuster to signify what they do, they “adjust” the settlement amount, to favor the insurance company. A public “adjuster’s” job is to “adjust” the settlement amount to favor the insured. So you may think well it’s just presenting a higher figure. No that won’t work, remember the company adjuster will be completing their own assessments and estimates, it is much more complicated than just adding a higher estimate number. To start we have to interpret coverages to find what we can argue and add to your potential coverage and then secure evidence to support the scope of repairs or replacement that we create. Besides determining an operation scope on how the repairs should be completed.
In addition an insurance policy is actually a long complicated, detailed legal contract between the insurance company and you the policyholder. A policy that most policy holders do not read or understand, it usually ends up in a drawer until a claim arises, then you the policy holder are forced to depend on the insurance companies adjuster.
I call the policy, “the best contract in the world, every property owner needs one, very few ever attempt to read it, and even fewer understand what they are reading once they do”. By just reading a coverage on a declaration page does not mean all losses related to that coverage will be covered. Besides that policies are always changing, the insurance policy has a condition in it that is called the “liberation clause”. This clause allows them to make changes to coverages at their leisure, that’s right they can change your contract after you sign it. This complicates things even more for you the policy holder.
A public adjuster will be more experienced adjusting large and complicated claims and will be able to determine the full amount that is owed to you the policyholder.
Why should I hire G.F.Gallo & Associates instead of someone else?
Gary Gallo, the founder and owner, has over thirty-five years’ experience in the insurance adjusting industry. He has team of adjusters and a network of remediation experts and contractors who will be able to represent you better than any other adjusting company.
Our record speaks for itself, we are very successful and extremely good at what we do. In addition we are passionate advocates for our clients, that’s how we fight for you, with passion.
When should I hire a public adjuster?
It is imperative that you retain a public adjuster immediately after a loss occurred. Our job is to protect you and make sure to receive an equitable settlement. Right after a loss we will facilitate mitigation measures, whether its retaining a restoration company or other experts to handle damages and emergency situations. We also confirm coverage and secure a certified copy of your policy, and most of all look out for your interest prior to you making mistakes that can cost you thousands based on policy conditions.
Negotiating with insurance companies becomes much more difficult as time goes by and they dig into their positions.
Compensation for Services…
We do not get paid until you get paid.
We are paid on a contingency basis and our fee is a percentage of your settlement. This means we are paid nothing until you have received your check from the insurer. We have shown repeatedly that our services and expertise pays for itself. We always get you more. The policyholder receives a more satisfactory and timely settlement than otherwise would not have happen without our assistance.
Can I reopen a previous claim that was already settled, I was not happy with the settlement?
Yes you can, every state varies for a time frame but in most cases you can reopen claims after you have received payment and years later. Also if there was a breach of contract on your carries behalf there maybe additional compensation your owed.
Reopening claims can be tough to turn them around and get you more money because of the time frame that has gone by and evidence lost. But we have been successful on many old losses to do just that.
We at G. F. Gallo and Associates have the experience, knowledge and tenacity to reopen you claim, find supporting evidence, identify missed scope, research policy coverage and insurance laws to strategically use to ultimately increase the value of your claim.