• About
    • Who We Are
    • How We Work
    • Leadership
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • Community
    • Careers
    • Locations
  • Solutions
    • Employee Benefits
    • Executive Risk Solutions
    • HR Services
    • M&A Advisory
    • Private Client Services
    • Property & Casualty
    • Retirement Services
    • Wholesale Benefits
    Menu
    • Employee Benefits
    • Executive Risk Solutions
    • HR Services
    • M&A Advisory
    • Private Client Services
    • Property & Casualty
    • Retirement Services
    • Wholesale Benefits
    Services
    • ABD Total Solution
    • Claims Management
    • Contract Review
    • Global
    • Occupational Health & Safety
      and Workers’ Compensation
    • Surety
    Menu
    • ABD Total Solution
    • Claims Management
    • Contract Review
    • Global
    • Occupational Health & Safety
      and Workers’ Compensation
    • Surety
  • Industries
    • Cannabis
    • Clean Technology
    • Construction
    • Entertainment
    • Financial Institutions and Fintech
    • Food and Beverage
    • Healthcare
    • Life Science
    • Maritime
    Menu
    • Cannabis
    • Clean Technology
    • Construction
    • Entertainment
    • Financial Institutions and Fintech
    • Food and Beverage
    • Healthcare
    • Life Science
    • Maritime
    • Nonprofit and Social Enterprise
    • Private Equity and Venture Capital
    • Public Sector
    • Real Estate
    • Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)
    • Sharing Economy
    • Technology
    Menu
    • Nonprofit and Social Enterprise
    • Private Equity and Venture Capital
    • Public Sector
    • Real Estate
    • Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)
    • Sharing Economy
    • Technology
  • ABD Insights
    • Events
    • Blog
    • Press
    • Resources
  • Contact
  • ABD Connect

Contact

Menu
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • How We Work
    • Leadership
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • Community
    • Careers
    • Locations
  • Solutions
    • Employee Benefits
    • Executive Risk Solutions
    • HR Services
    • M&A Advisory
    • Private Client Services
    • Property & Casualty
    • Retirement Services
    • Wholesale Benefits
  • Services
    • ABD Total Solution
    • Claims Management
    • Contract Review
    • Global
    • Occupational Health & Safety & Workers Compensation
    • Surety
  • Industries
    • Cannabis
    • Clean Technology
    • Construction
    • Entertainment
    • Financial Institutions and Fintech
    • Food and Beverage
    • Healthcare
    • Life Science
    • Maritime
    • Nonprofit and Social Enterprise
    • Private Equity and Venture Capital
    • Public Sector
    • Real Estate
    • Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)
    • Sharing Economy
    • Technology
  • ABD Insights
    • Events
    • Blog
    • Press
    • Resources
  • Contact
  • ABD Connect
  • ABD Home
  • Blog

Navigating the Wildfires: Claims Adjusters and Other Players in Claims Handling

  • September 29, 2020
  • The ABD Team
  • Occupational Health & Safety, Private Client Services, Property & Casualty
Share
Share on linkedin
Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on email

In our previous blog post about the aftermath of this year’s destructive start to wildfire season, we discussed the importance of understanding the process of filing an insurance claim. Here, we’ll break down what happens after you initiate your recovery and file a claim.

Upon notification of a claim, a carrier will assign an adjuster to handle that claim from investigation to evaluation to settlement.  Adjusters are not all the same and understanding the type of adjuster you are working with is important.

Typically, a carrier will assign a staff or in-house adjuster to work on a claim.  It is up to that carrier adjuster to determine whether or not the policy will respond and if so, how much will be covered.  Carrier adjusters will often talk to witnesses, collect police reports, and gather documentary evidence to adjust a claim.  There are different levels of staff adjusters with varying levels of authority, typically based on their experience or expertise.  Don’t be surprised if your loss is reassigned to another adjuster if damages exceed a certain amount.

Most often, a carrier will assign a staff adjuster but during times of high demand or for claims requiring specialized expertise, a carrier may hire an independent adjuster.  Like a staff adjuster, an independent adjuster works for the carrier, but it is on a contracted, case-by-case basis.  This means independent adjusters may work for multiple carriers at the same time.

A carrier may assign an independent adjuster to investigate a site if it is outside of their territory or they cannot get a staff adjuster there quickly.  The independent adjuster may also be called a field adjuster.  A field adjuster is often tasked with doing a thorough examination/investigation of the premises and reporting their findings to the carrier adjuster.

A public adjuster does essentially the same things as a carrier adjuster and independent adjuster only the public adjuster performs these duties on behalf of an insured and not a carrier.  Public adjusters can only handle first-party property claims.  Public adjusters are often hired by insureds to represent their interests and ensure they are getting a fair payout from their carrier.  They can prepare, present, and negotiate first-party claims for their clients.  Public adjusters typically work on contingency, collecting a percentage of the final settlement amount as payment.

While hiring a public adjuster as an advocate may seem like the best decision, insureds should remember there are other sources of advocacy.  ABD offers a robust claims handling team that can serve as your advocate with the carrier.  As a broker, we have relationships with carriers, but our obligation is to our insureds.  We are available to assist our insureds through the entire claims process.

In the event of a complex coverage issue, an insurance coverage attorney may be the best solution for advocacy.  The right insurance coverage attorney can effectively pursue an insured’s rights under the policy contract.  ABD was founded on the principle of delivering on behalf of our clients, colleagues, and community. Our team of 365+ employees are here to support our community during this difficult time. Please contact us if we can be of help 1-866-266-5223.  ABD can assist in matching you with an insurance coverage attorney that meets your needs.

The ABD Team

The ABD Team

ABD Insurance and Financial Services provides risk management, insurance brokerage, human resources, and retirement consulting services. Our advisors offer guidance and craft innovative solutions to help address risk for clients of varying sizes, growth stages, and industries.
The information provided is of a general nature and an educational resource. It is not intended to provide advice or address the situation of any particular individual or entity. Any recipient shall be responsible for the use to which it puts this document. ABD shall have no liability for the information provided. While care has been taken to produce this document, ABD does not warrant, represent or guarantee the completeness, accuracy, adequacy, or fitness with respect to the information contained in this document. The information provided does not reflect new circumstances, or additional regulatory and legal changes. The issues addressed may have legal, financial, and health implications, and we recommend you speak to your legal, financial, and health advisors before acting on any of the information provided.
Stay connected.
Anytime, anywhere.
LEARN MORE
ABD Global Reach
Worldwide Broker Network

500 offices • 100 countries • 6 continents

About
  • Who We Are
  • How We Work
  • Leadership
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Community
  • Careers
  • Locations
Menu
  • Who We Are
  • How We Work
  • Leadership
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Community
  • Careers
  • Locations
Solutions
  • Employee Benefits
  • Executive Risk Solutions
  • HR Services
  • M&A Advisory
  • Private Client Services
  • Property & Casualty
  • Retirement Services
  • Wholesale Benefits
Menu
  • Employee Benefits
  • Executive Risk Solutions
  • HR Services
  • M&A Advisory
  • Private Client Services
  • Property & Casualty
  • Retirement Services
  • Wholesale Benefits
Industries
  • Cannabis
  • Clean Technology
  • Construction
  • Entertainment
  • Financial Institutions and Fintech
  • Food and Beverage
  • Healthcare
  • Life Science
  • Maritime
Menu
  • Cannabis
  • Clean Technology
  • Construction
  • Entertainment
  • Financial Institutions and Fintech
  • Food and Beverage
  • Healthcare
  • Life Science
  • Maritime
 
  • Nonprofit and Social Enterprise
  • Private Equity and Venture Capital
  • Public Sector
  • Real Estate
  • Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)
  • Sharing Economy
  • Technology
Menu
  • Nonprofit and Social Enterprise
  • Private Equity and Venture Capital
  • Public Sector
  • Real Estate
  • Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)
  • Sharing Economy
  • Technology
ABD Insights
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Press
  • Resources
Menu
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Press
  • Resources
Contact
  • Contact
  • hello@theabdteam.com
Menu
  • Contact
  • hello@theabdteam.com
ABD Connect
Facebook-f
Twitter
Linkedin-in

ABD Corporate Headquarters: 777 Mariners Island Blvd., Suite 250 | San Mateo, CA  94404 | 650-488-8565

©2021 ABD Insurance and Financial Services. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | License #OH55918