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Public Adjusting Services For Contractors

Empowering Contractors: How Our Public Adjusting Firm Compliments Your Operation & Builds Your Reputation

In the insurance construction and renovation industry, every detail matters, from the initial sale to the reconstruction.  As a public adjusting firm supporting contractors, we seamlessly step in, ensuring that damages are scoped and properly priced, insurance policies are meticulously reviewed to move the claim along so you can focus on the build back.

The Utility of a Good Public Adjuster Partner:

Seven Ways Good Public Adjusters Are A Valuable Resource To Contractors

  1. Initial Evaluation and Expedited Claims Handling:  Our public adjusters are available while you’re evaluating damage to receive texts with photos or facetime to confirm what damages you may be seeing.  Not all damage a contractor finds relates to a claim and thus a claim should not be filed.  When you do have a proper claim, time is money in the construction business.  We expedite the claims process, ensuring you can properly perform the build back on your clients’ properties.

  2. Compensation:  Our public adjusters dive deep into the intricacies of every insurance policy. We fight for every dollar, ensuring your clients receive what they’re rightfully owed under their policy. This not only benefits your clients but underscores the value you bring to the table. Additionally, public Adjusters can assist in ensuring funds are routed correctly and you have the funds available to begin work as soon as possible.

  3. Reducing Job-Related Overhead:  With a trusted public adjuster representing a client, contractors can get back to doing what they do best: crafting, building, and renovating rather than spending unnecessary time and energy attempting to make appeals to insurance carrier representatives without any assurance they will even be considered. Additionally, a good public adjuster will produce a comprehensive representation of damages and handle any reasonable supplements.

  4. Transparent Collaboration:  We pride ourselves on clear, consistent communication. By keeping you and your client informed at every step, we ensure you always appear well-informed and proactive in your clients’ eyes.

  5. Education and Guidance:  We extend our expertise to provide trainings and insights tailored for contractors. This empowers you to offer preliminary advice on insurance matters, solidifying your role as a comprehensive service provider. Public adjusters also take the worry of UPPA and legal exposure off of contractors who want an advocate for their customers.

  6. Building Trust:  Quick, fair claim resolutions foster trust. When clients see that insurance matters are addressed efficiently under your watch, it enhances their overall confidence in your contractor services.

  7. Preserving Your Reputation:  In an industry where word-of-mouth and reputation are paramount, our seamless claim handling ensures positive feedback and referrals, cementing your place as a reputable contractor.

UPPA And Contractors: Understanding The Do’s And Don’ts When It Comes To Claims

It is important to preface this section by stating that Prime Adjustments whether or not we agree or disagree with UPPA, it’s the law and we follow it.  We work and educate our contractor partners to ensure they are following the guidelines set forth by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) so they don’t get in trouble or are made an example of UPPA.  We believe that contractors should be able to advocate for their clients every way possible.

 

What Is UPPA?

UPPA stands for the unlicensed practice of public adjusting. UPPA laws have been established in nearly all states, with their stated goal to eliminate a conflict of interest that arises from a contractor playing a double role in the claims process, attempting to increase the claim value which would hypothetically in turn increase their profits upon doing the work. These laws effectively prohibit anyone other than a licensed public adjuster from doing anything beyond simply writing and answering to an estimate related to a claim.

 

What States Have UPPA Laws?

Every state that has licensing for public adjusters, and definition of what a public adjuster does has explicit penalties for the unlicensed practice of public adjusting.  Under the applicable statutory and case law, public adjusters are licensed to represent policyholders in the preparation of first-party property claims in 45 of the 50 states, plus the District of Columbia. This is due in no small part to the efforts of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) in the drafting and passage of the NAIC Model Bill #228, passed on October 28, 2005. Of the 45 states plus D.C. that license public adjusters, at least 20 have enacted, in whole or in part, the Model Bill, either as an original statute or to revise a previously existing law. Public adjusting is a licensed profession regulated under the auspices of each state’s insurance department, and those who are licensed are the only professionals permitted to prepare first-party property claims for insureds.

 

What Are Contractors Allowed To Do And Not Do With Respect To Working Property Insurance Claims?

The definitions, applications, and enforcement of UPPA vary by state, with states more prone to frequent disasters (TX, FL, IA, MO) employing more definitive and expansive legislation to combat UPPA. Generally speaking, there are some general guidelines contractors can follow to try to avoid being accused of UPPA.

 

Contractors Without A Public Adjuster License Can:

  • Solicit home or business owners for repair or reconstruction services.

  • Provide their opinion to whether observed damage is from a storm or give an opinion on cause of damage.

  • Prepare an estimate and scope of work for the loss.

  • Discuss the estimate or scope of work with their customer.

  • Recommend that the policyholder file an insurance claim with his or her insurer.

  • Be present when an insurer’s adjuster inspects the damage.

  • Answer questions the insurer or the insurer’s adjuster has about the estimates.

Contractors Without A Public Adjuster License Should Not:

  • Investigate, appraise, evaluate, give advice, advocate on behalf of or assist their customer in adjusting a claim.

  • Prepare the insurance claim for their customer.

  • Negotiate the claim with the insurance company on their customer’s behalf.

  • Offer to review the insurance policy or advise their customer on the insurance policy’s coverage.

  • Advertise or provide written materials that state they can negotiate or investigate a claim on their customer’s behalf. This includes advertising to be “claim specialists” or “claim analysts,” or any other similar terms, or advertising or claiming that they can “deal with insurance companies” or in any way increase the claim settlement amount for the policyholder.

By partnering with our public adjusting firm, contractors can truly offer a better service experience. From the brick and mortar to the nuances of insurance claims, together we ensure that your clients always see you in the best light. Let us be the support that underscores your commitment to excellence in every facet of your work.

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