frequentlyaskedquestions

Q. What is a Public Insurance Adjuster?

A Public Insurance Adjuster is an authority on loss adjustments,
who YOU, the insured, can retain to assist you in the preparing,
filing, and the adjusting of your loss.

Q. Is a Public Insurance Adjuster connected with
the insurance companies?

No!!! They are employed exclusively by YOU, the policy holder,
NOT BY AN INSURANCE COMPANY!

Q. Are Public Insurance Adjusters licensed?

In Massachusetts, Public Insurance Adjusters have been
carefully tested and licensed by the Insurance Commissioner
and approved by the Attorney General's office. This insures that
you are dealing with a knowledgeable professional, a licensed
Massachusetts Public Insurance Adjuster. The Insurance
company's representatives are not even licensed in this state.

Q. Can I prepare my own claim?

Sure, but it stands to reason that an accredited Public
Insurance Adjuster who has years of experience and training
can do so with more understanding and competence than a
policy holder. More specifically, a Public Insurance Adjuster will
assist you in the in the preparation of inventories, estimates,
other factual proofs of loss and all necessary documents. He or
she will handle all the necessary details for compiling and filing
claims, as required by the terms of your insurance policies.
Your Public Insurance Adjuster will also negotiate, on your
behalf, with the insurance company's representatives to handle
all matters essential to a proper and satisfactory adjustment for
you.

Q. Why should I employ a Public Insurance
Adjuster to obtain what is rightfully due to me?

Insurance companies offer to pay only what is due to you
as they choose to see it. Public Insurance Adjusters are your
exclusive representatives. With their experience and knowledge
they are better able to obtain a more favorable adjustment for
YOU, the insured.

Q. How do they determine the actual loss?

They take a physical inventory, obtain all pertinent appraisals
and make sure all provisions in your policy are properly
fulfilled. This often involves numerous steps of which you may
know little or nothing, but can make a significant difference in
the amount of the final adjustment.

Q. Will a Public Insurance Adjuster help me receive
a more prompt and satisfactory settlement?

Yes. They lose no time in complying with the policy
requirements to obtain and evaluate the facts and prepare the
claim. The knowledgeable and prompt service they provide is
by documenting evidence that may otherwise be over looked or
destroyed, through digital photography and itemized
inventories. The more thoroughly and completely your claim is
compiled and prepared, the faster your Public Insurance
Adjuster can accomplish an equitable and proper settlement in
your best interest. Once a policy holder has witnessed the skill
and knowledge of the licensed Public Insurance Adjuster, he or
she will rarely attempt to settle a claim without the benefit of
their specialized assistance. The Public Insurance Adjuster's
most frequent source of new clients are the recommendations
of those they have previously served.

Q. In the event of a loss, what steps should I take?

Promptly report the loss to the agent or broker, or directly to
the insurance company and immediately retain the services of
Brian Birmingham, Public Insurance Adjuster, a licensed Public
Insurance Adjuster, waiting to serve you.

Q. Do Public Insurance Adjusters take care of
claims other than fires?

Yes. They will assist you in claims you may have due to
windstorm, explosion, and any other insured losses that are
sustained (inland marine, homeowners, business interruption,
rental and income property, improvements and betterments,
commission and profit, reporting forms,additional expenses,
etc.). See Services Page

Q. Do Public Insurance Adjusters sell insurance or
act as insurance agents?

No! If they were to do so, they would become representatives
of the insurance company and would no longer represent you
exclusively and independently. Further, they are not affiliated
with any cleaning, repair or building companies.

Q. I have suffered a loss and have been
approached by someone claiming they will be able
to help me with my claim. What should I do?

Fact: Fire Restoration and Cleaning companies have been illegally soliciting
people after they suffer a loss, saying they will represent you, that they know
the adjusters and can help you out with your claim. However, they work
together to do just what the insurance adjuster allows and nothing more, then
are paid directly by your Insurance company. They often learn of your loss by
the company adjuster or even the agent you bought the policy from.

NOTE: ONLY an Attorney or Licensed Massachusetts Public I nsurance Adjuster
can Represent you.

IF YOU ARE CONTACTED OR HAVE BEEN APPROACHED BY SOMEONE OTHER
THAN A PUBLIC INSURANCE ADJUSTER OR ATTORNEY, CALL YOUR LOCAL
POLICE or THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE or YOUR LOCAL DISTRICT
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND REPORT THIS TO THE CONSUMER PROTECTION
DEPARTMENT.

MASS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE # 1-617 -727-8200 or
1-888-830-6277 or click here

Q. How much do Public Insurance Adjusters
charge for their services?

Your Public Insurance Adjuster's charge is a percentage of the
insurance company's settlement with you. By seeking to
maximize your settlement, your Public Insurance Adjuster's
professional services can save you the cost of their fees, at the
very least.