After a fire, flood, or other disaster, most people act instinctively – they immediately call the insurance company. But that very first call can determine how much money they receive… or whether they receive anything at all.
An insurance company is a business. Its goal is to minimize payouts, not to help the insured restore their property. Any phrase, even something said casually, can be used against the claimant.
So who is truly on their side? It’s an independent property claims adjuster. This professional documents damages correctly, communicates with the insurance company, and helps the policyholder get the maximum possible compensation under the policy.
In this article, readers will learn how public adjusters protect them from critical mistakes, uncover hidden coverages, secure full compensation – and why their fees always pay for themselves.
Why Hiring a Public Adjuster Early Makes All the Difference
A poorly chosen word, an incorrect date, or even an unconsidered answer to an insurer’s “innocent” question can reduce the payout. In many cases, such mistakes lead to complete claim denials.
To prevent this, an accredited claims adjuster is essential. Acting on the claimant’s behalf, they:
- Guide what to say and how to say it to avoid harming the claim.
- Document both visible and hidden damages in compliance with the policy requirements.
- Negotiate the settlement offer with the insurance company.
- Ensure that the coverage is fully utilized.
- Apply any additional coverage.
Sound unclear? Let’s look at a few real-life cases showing how one careless answer can erase compensation to zero.
Feeling stuck with your claim? You don’t have to fight alone.
Reach out to us — we will review your claim for free and help you understand your options
Case #1. “My Stuff Is Old”
Last year, an interesting case occurred. The insurance company sent its own adjuster claim, who asked the client: “Oh, you’ve probably been collecting these things for 30 years?” The client replied, “Yes, it’s all old.”
Sounds innocent, right? But that response proved fatal. A $200,000 contents total loss claim was depreciated by 90%, leaving the homeowner with nothing.
In reality, most household items are under ten years old and retain full value. The best public adjuster knows how to perform a proper home contents inventory and describe the age and condition of each item to ensure full compensation.
Case #2. “My Son Pays the Bills”
Another common question: “Your son is 22. Does he pay rent here or contribute to any bills?” Proud parents often answer, “Yes, of course he does.” Then the insurance representative states: “Since he pays, he is not a dependent. Therefore, his belongings are not covered under your policy.”
Hiring a professional from adjuster companies helps prevent such pitfalls. The expert knows which answers can cause harm, prepares clients for conversations, and ensures the insurer cannot twist their words.
The Hidden 10–20% Additional Coverage Most Homeowners Miss
With a policy in hand, everything seems simple: there’s main coverage and a payout amount. In reality, the document contains additional sections that can increase the total payout by 10–20% – but only if the claimant points them out; the insurer won’t.
These include:
- Ordinance and Law: Covers costs when local building codes require updates.
- Debris Removal: Compensation for debris cleanup
- Landscaping: Extra funds for damaged landscaping within property boundaries.
- Additional Replacement Cost: Receiving compensation for the full replacement of property, even if its market value has increased since purchase.
Adjusters on demand know how to uncover and claim these benefits. In fact, these extra 10–20% coverages alone often cover the adjuster’s fee several times over – and the client still walks away with a larger payout.
But that’s not all. Many policies include an Additional Replacement Cost clause, allowing 10–50% more than the base limit, as well as Inflation Guard Protection, which compensates for increased rebuilding costs since the policy was issued.
Without home and business public adjusters, these opportunities are often lost. With them – the claimant receives the full amount they’re entitled to.
How Public Adjusters Ensure Full Replacement, Not Patchwork Repairs
After a disaster, insurance companies often propose “patching up” the damage:
- replacing a single tile,
- repairing only part of the roof,
- repainting a section of wall.
- mismatching paint colors.
However, this is unacceptable when the original materials are no longer available (discontinued or out of stock).
What should be done? According to the policy, the insured has the right to demand full replacement. This is known as the Matching Clause, which obligates the insurer to cover the entire surface or structure.
To make this work, someone must prove that “patch” repairs are not an option. That someone is the independent public adjuster. This professional provides advocacy – speaks on the client’s behalf, represents their interests, presents arguments, and insists on restoring fairness.
Landscaping and Other Overlooked Coverages
Suppose a fire occurs. What do most property owners think about after residential or commercial fire damage? The building – the walls, the roof, the interior. However, few realize that insurance policies often include separate coverage for landscaping, which can include:
- trees;
- fences;
- flower beds;
- decorative elements.
Usually, this amounts to an additional 5% of the total claim. These funds can be used to restore the yard – yet they almost always remain untouched.
Why? Because the insurance company is under no obligation to remind the policyholder about them. But the best independent adjuster firms, such as On-Site Adjusting, automatically include these coverages in their review. So if both the house and the yard are damaged, this coverage can significantly increase the final compensation. And the adjuster knows exactly how to activate it.
“But I Don’t Want to Pay a Percentage…” — Why Hiring a Public Adjuster Still Pays Off
This is one of the most common objections: “Why should I pay an adjuster if the insurance company will pay me anyway?” The answer is simple: with a public citizens adjuster, the payout is often 50% to 300% higher on average. Impressive, right?
For example, the insurance company offers $20,000. The adjuster analyzes the policy, adds forgotten coverages, argues for full replacement – and secures $50,000. That’s more than double the claim payout. Even if their fee is 10%, you still receive $45,000. That’s $25,000 more than you would have gotten without them.
So, adjuster services from the On-Site Adjusting team are not an expense – they’re an investment. The client pays a specialist to obtain a fair settlement, not the minimal one the insurance company is ready to offer. And most importantly – there are no out-of-pocket expenses: we only collect when we secure the desired settlement. In the end, you still come out ahead.
Final Thoughts — Get a Professional on Your Side from Day One
In insurance matters, the worst approach is acting blindly. One careless phone call, one wrong phrase – and part of the compensation is already lost.
That’s why the client needs not just a consultant, but a representative who acts entirely on their side. On-Site Adjusting is one of those adjuster companies that refuse to settle for the minimum and never play by the insurer’s rules.
Why do people choose us as one of the best public adjusters near me? Because our team:
- Handles both residential and commercial claims, including fire, water, storm, and other types of damage.
- Includes all available coverages, even those the insurance company might “accidentally” forget to mention.
- Manages insurance claim negotiations on the client’s behalf — professionally, strategically, and all the way through to the final check.
We are licensed in three states — Illinois, Wisconsin, and California. However, only in Illinois do we provide both restoration and public adjusting services within the same claim. In Wisconsin and California, we offer public adjusting only, but we’re always happy to recommend a trusted contractor for fire & water damage restoration.
The biggest and most costly mistakes happen at the beginning of the claim process. Don’t take that risk – contact the on-site adjusting team today!
Want to find out how much money is truly available in your case and how to claim it? Call the On-Site Adjusting team at (866) 861-4992 or (866) 933-0404, or fill out the contact form on their website.
READY TO GET YOUR PROPERTY BACK TO NORMAL?
Fill in this form, and we'll get back to you shortly
