Public Adjuster FAQs: Your Essential Guide to Insurance Claims

When your property is damaged, the insurance claims process can feel daunting, confusing, and overwhelming. You likely have many questions about your rights, what to expect, and who you can trust to help. At 21st Century Public Adjusters, we believe in empowering you with knowledge. This FAQ page is designed to answer your most pressing questions about public adjusters and the insurance claims journey, helping you understand exactly what does a public adjuster do and how we can make a difference in your recovery.


We're committed to transparency and clarity, ensuring you have all the information you need to make informed decisions for your home or business in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

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Understanding the Role of a Public Adjuster

Let's start with the fundamentals. Many policyholders are unsure about the various roles involved in an insurance claim. We're here to clarify.

  • What Exactly is a Public Adjuster?

    A public adjuster is a licensed and regulated insurance claims professional who works exclusively for you, the policyholder, not the insurance company. Our job is to advocate for your best interests, interpreting your policy, assessing property damage, preparing and submitting your claim, and negotiating with your insurer to secure the maximum settlement you're entitled to. Think of us as your personal claim expert, ensuring you don't get shortchanged.


  • How Does a Public Adjuster Differ from My Insurance Company's Adjuster?

    This is a crucial distinction. An insurance company adjuster (often called a staff adjuster or independent adjuster) is employed by your insurance company. Their primary responsibility is to protect the insurer's financial interests, which often involves minimizing the payout on your claim.


    A public adjuster, like Ronnie Gelfont, works solely for you. Our fiduciary duty is to ensure you receive a fair and comprehensive settlement. We act as your advocate, challenging low offers, uncovering hidden damages, and applying pressure to the insurance company to meet their obligations. Our loyalty is 100% to you, the policyholder.


  • When Should I Consider Hiring a Public Adjuster?

    You should consider hiring a public adjuster at any point after experiencing property damage, ideally as early as possible. This is particularly true if:

    • The damage is significant: Large losses (e.g., severe fire, extensive flood, major storm damage) are complex and require expert valuation.
    • You're overwhelmed: The process is time-consuming and stressful. We take the burden off your shoulders.
    • Your claim was denied or undervalued: If you're not happy with the insurance company's offer or they've outright denied your claim, we can step in to fight for you.
    • You don't understand your policy: We'll clarify confusing jargon and ensure you understand your rights.
    • You lack time or expertise: Most people aren't experts in construction costs or policy language. We are.

    Even if you've already started the claim, it's not too late. Many clients hire us after initially struggling with their insurer.


Navigating the Insurance Claim Process with an Expert

The journey from property damage to settlement can be complicated. Here's how 21st Century Public Adjusters simplifies it for you.

How Does 21st Century Public Adjusters Help with My Claim?

We provide comprehensive insurance claims process management from start to finish. Our services include:


  1. Free Consultation & Policy Review: We analyze your policy and discuss your loss at no cost or obligation.
  2. Thorough Damage Assessment: We conduct a meticulous inspection, documenting all visible and hidden damages.
  3. Detailed Estimate Preparation: We prepare a professional, comprehensive estimate of your damages.
  4. Claim Filing & Management: We handle all paperwork, deadlines, and communications with your insurance company.
  5. Expert Negotiation: We engage in direct, aggressive negotiations with your insurer to ensure a fair settlement.
  6. Settlement Review: We ensure the final settlement covers all your losses.


Our goal is to maximize your payout and expedite your recovery, taking the burden off your shoulders.

How Do I Document Property Damage for My Claim?

Proper documentation is crucial for any successful claim. Here are key tips:


  • Take Photos & Videos: Capture clear, dated, and time-stamped images/videos of all damage before any cleanup or repairs begin. Show close-ups and wide shots.
  • Create an Inventory: List all damaged or destroyed personal property, including descriptions, estimated age, and original cost.
  • Keep Receipts: Save receipts for any temporary repairs, emergency services (e.g., water extraction), or temporary living expenses.
  • Don't Dispose of Damaged Items: Unless instructed by a professional (e.g., hazardous materials), keep damaged items until they can be inspected.
  • Maintain Records: Keep a detailed log of all communications with your insurance company, including dates, times, names, and summaries of conversations.


While this guide helps, a public adjuster will ensure your documentation is comprehensive and presented optimally to the insurer.

Can a Public Adjuster Help with ALL Types of Property Damage?

Yes, a skilled public adjuster can assist with a wide range of property damage claims for both residential insurance claims and commercial insurance claims. This includes:


  • Water Damage: Burst pipes, floods, leaks, sewage backups, storm surge.
  • Fire & Smoke Damage: Direct fire loss, smoke contamination, soot.
  • Storm Damage: Wind, hail, lightning, tree falls, ice, snow, hurricanes, tornadoes.
  • Vandalism & Theft: Malicious mischief, stolen property.
  • Collapse: Structural failures.
  • And more.


If your property has been damaged, regardless of the cause, it's worth having a free consultation with a public adjuster to understand your options.

Addressing Claim Denials & Undervalued Settlements

One of the most frustrating experiences for a policyholder is a denied claim or an offer that doesn't come close to covering their losses. We specialize in turning these situations around.

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My Insurance Claim Was Denied. What Are My Options?

If your insurance claim was denied, don't lose hope. A denial is not necessarily the final word. Your options typically include:


  • Review the Denial Letter: Understand the specific reasons for the denial.
  • Gather More Evidence: Provide additional documentation or expert reports that refute the insurer's reasons.
  • Demand Reconsideration: Formally request that your insurer re-evaluate your claim.
  • Hire a Public Adjuster: This is often the most effective step. A public adjuster can review your denial, identify its weaknesses, gather the necessary evidence, and formally appeal on your behalf.
  • Consult an Attorney: In some cases, legal action may be necessary, but a public adjuster can often resolve the issue without litigation.

How Can I Appeal an Insurance Claim Denial?

Appealing a denied claim typically involves:


  • Understanding the Basis of Denial: Your denial letter should state the specific policy language or facts the insurer used.
  • Collecting New or Additional Evidence: This could include contractor estimates, engineer reports, expert testimony, or more detailed documentation of damage.
  • Drafting a Formal Appeal Letter: This letter should clearly state why you believe the denial is incorrect, reference specific policy language, and include all supporting documentation.
  • Submitting the Appeal: Send it to the appropriate department at your insurance company, preferably via certified mail.


A public adjuster can manage this entire process for you, ensuring your how to appeal an insurance claim denial is handled professionally and strategically, greatly increasing your chances of success.

What if My Insurance Company's Offer Seems Too Low?

If you feel your insurance company's offer is too low, you're likely right. Insurers often make initial offers designed to minimize their payout. This is a common situation where a public adjuster provides immense value.


Ronnie Gelfont will:

  • Conduct an Independent Assessment: We'll perform our own detailed inspection and create an accurate estimate of your damages, often uncovering losses missed by the company adjuster.
  • Review Your Policy: We ensure no coverage is overlooked and that all applicable benefits are included.
  • Negotiate Aggressively: Armed with our comprehensive assessment, we engage in direct negotiations with your insurer, providing substantiated arguments to justify a higher settlement.


We consistently help policyholders receive significantly higher payouts than their initial offers, ensuring they get the funds needed for proper repairs and recovery.

Common Questions About Public Adjuster Services

Let's address some practical aspects of hiring a public adjuster.

How Much Does a Public Adjuster Cost? (Understanding Fees)

Public adjusters typically work on a contingency fee basis. This means:


  • No Upfront Costs: You don't pay us anything out-of-pocket.
  • Paid Only Upon Settlement: Our fee is a small percentage (usually 10-15%) of the final settlement we secure for you.
  • Increased Net Payout: In almost all cases, the increase in your settlement amount due to our expertise far outweighs our fee, meaning you receive more money in your pocket than you would have without us.


For example, if your insurer offered $10,000 and we get you $30,000, our fee of 10% ($3,000) means you walk away with $27,000 instead of $10,000 – a significant net gain.

Will Hiring a Public Adjuster Delay My Claim?

A common misconception is that hiring a public adjuster will delay your claim. In reality, while we take the time to conduct a thorough assessment, our expertise often expedites the overall process. We know the steps, the documentation requirements, and how to communicate effectively with insurers, preventing common roadblocks and ensuring deadlines are met. By presenting a comprehensive and well-substantiated claim upfront, we can reduce back-and-forth negotiations and disputes, often leading to a quicker and more favorable resolution than if you handled it alone.

Will Hiring a Public Adjuster Affect My Insurance Premiums or Policy?

No, hiring a public adjuster will not cause your insurance premiums to increase or lead to your policy being canceled. Insurance companies cannot legally penalize you for exercising your right to hire a public adjuster. Premium increases are typically based on factors like widespread claims in your area, changes in risk profiles, or individual claims history, not on who helps you manage your claim. Our goal is to simply ensure you receive what you are rightfully owed under your existing policy.

Still Have Questions? Get Personalized Answers from Ronnie Gelfont

We hope this FAQ has shed light on the vital role of a public adjuster and how 21st Century Public Adjusters can help you navigate your insurance claim. We understand that every situation is unique, and you may have specific questions not covered here.


Don't hesitate to reach out. Ronnie Gelfont is always available for a free consultation to discuss your specific property damage claim, review your policy, and answer any questions you have with clarity and honesty.

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