Consumers maintain multiple insurance policies to help mitigate financial risk in the event of an accident. Some of the more common types of insurance include car insurance, homeowners insurance, and renters insurance.

Making a claim against one of these insurance policies can be a stressful process. Most insurance companies will require that you submit an estimate for repairs before they will pay for any damages. If this estimate is high, the help of an insurance adjuster will be required to validate the cost of your claim.

Both independent and public insurance adjusters serve the needs of insured consumers. It's important to know the difference between these two types of adjusters so that you can streamline the claim process and begin making repairs to your damaged property quickly.

Independent Insurance Adjusters

An independent insurance adjuster will evaluate any damage to your property and draft an estimate without charging you any money. Although their name might suggest that independent adjusters work for themselves, these professionals are typically paid by your insurance company to vet your claim.

All adjusters are required to follow a strict code of ethics, but an independent adjuster may not go out of his or her way to maximize the value of your damages.

For example, an independent adjuster will likely include the cheapest replacement option in his or her estimate when the brand name of your damaged appliances or electronics isn't visible. This could end up costing you money and result in the replacement of your valuable items with an inferior alternative.

Public Insurance Adjusters

A public insurance claim adjuster performs the same basic tasks as an independent adjuster, but these professionals are dedicated to working on your behalf throughout the claims process.

You pay for the services of a public adjuster, and the adjuster takes action to maximize the amount of your insurance settlement.

Public insurance adjusters are able to get large settlements for their clients by going through the legal requirements of a policy to ensure all obligations are met by the insurance company. You can rely on a public adjuster to act as a liaison between you and your insurance company.

Since public adjusters are paid by receiving a percentage of any settlement awarded to their clients, it is in their best interest to ensure you receive all of the financial compensation afforded to you in your insurance policy.

Working with a public insurance adjuster can alleviate much of the stress associated with filing an insurance claim.

Maximize your potential settlement by reaching out to an experienced public adjuster before you submit your claim to the insurance company.