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APPRAISALS & PUBLIC ADJUSTING

 

 

Unhappy with your insurance claim offer?  Do you have a dispute with your insurance company for a settlement that is less than you think it should be? You may need to hire a public adjuster that can help you dispute it. For experienced insurance advocacy and expert appraisal representation, take your claim settlement to a higher level of competence and hire Kevin Aguilar, our licensed Public Adjuster.   We offer a free consultation appointment.  Please give us a call if we can help you!

Colorado Public Adjuster License 421188

 

STEPS OF PUBLIC ADJUSTING

If we fail to agree on the actual cash value, amount of loss, or cost of repair or replacement, either the insurance company or the insured policyholder can make a written demand for appraisal.
Each will then select a competent, independent appraiser and notify the other of the appraiser’s identity within 20 days of receipt of the written demand.
Then, the two appraisers will choose an umpire. If they cannot agree upon an umpire within 15 days, the insurance company or the insured policyholder may request that the choice be made by a judge of a district court of a judicial district where the loss occurred.
The two appraisers will then set the amount of loss, stating separately the actual cash value and loss of each item.
If the appraisers fail to agree, they will submit their differences to the umpire.
An itemized decision agreed to by any two of these three (i.e., the appraiser, the umpire, the policyholder) and filed with the insurance company will set the amount of loss. Such award shall be binding on the insured policyholder and the insurance company.
Each party (the insurance company and the insured policyholder) will pay its own appraiser and bear the other expenses of the appraisal and umpire equally.

PUBLIC ADJUSTING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a public adjuster?
A public adjuster is a professional who has expert knowledge on loss adjustments. He is employed by the general public to assist them in preparing, filing, and negotiating equitable adjustments of insurance claims.
Are public adjusters in any way affiliated with insurance companies?
No. Their services are engaged exclusively by the policyholder and not the insurance company.
What could a public adjuster do for me?
We will advise and assist you in the preparation of building damage assessment reports, estimates, inventories, and other factual proofs of loss. We will handle all the necessary details for compiling and filing claims, as required by the terms of your insurance policies. We will also meet and confer with the insurance company representatives and handle all negotiations essential to proper, satisfactory, and equitable adjustment of your claim.
How can a public adjuster better serve me over an insurance company adjuster?
The insurance company adjuster is employed exclusively by the insurance company where his loyalties are. He must strike a balance between your interests and those of his company. We work for your best interests exclusively.
Why should I hire a public adjusters to get what's rightfully due me?
Do you really know what is rightfully due you? We do! We are your exclusive representatives. With our experience and knowledge, we are far more capable or bringing about a favorable, satisfactory, and equitable adjustment.
Why can't my insurance agent or broker handle my claim?
An agent or broker is well trained in determining your insurance needs and placing or writing insurance programs, but they are not well trained in detailing insurance losses. You cant expect an agent or broker who is not paid to adjust losses, to try and “adjust” one. They generally don’t have the time, training, or facilities to render the highly specialized service of insurance adjusting.
Can I Prepare my own claim better than a public adjuster?
No! It stands to reason that professional public adjusters, who are experienced in professionally handling and preparing claims every day, can do it more competently and efficiently than the average insured, who may only have one or two losses in there lifetime.
Why should I engage a public adjuster?
To properly adjust an insurance claim, highly skilled professional insurance experts with a vast knowledge of insurance policies, coinsurance, depreciation, inventories, building damage assessments, repair and replacement costs, and negotiation are all necessary to secure the maximum recovery from your insurance policy. Only an experienced professional public adjuster or public adjusting firm has these qualifications.
Why do I need help in filing an insurance claim?
The typical insurance policy contains many provisions, complex details, and technical language about your requirements and the complicated procedures you must adhere to in case of loss. Many people do not know or understand these policy provisions and do not realize that the burden of proof is on them, the policyholders. In fact, most insurance company representatives actually prefer to work with a professional public adjuster rather than an inexperienced insured. Al professional public adjuster not only has your confidence, but the insurance company adjusters as well because they recognize that they are working with a professional. Professional public adjusters are well trained in what to look for in an insurance policy and fully understands the procedures necessary in preparing and filing a claim in accordance with policy requirements.
What is the extent of a public adjusters responsibility?
We assist you with every phase of preparing and presenting your claim, as well as accomplishing an adjustment for you which is equitable and includes everything to which you are entitled to under your insurance policy.
How do public adjusters determine the actual loss?
We take a physical inventory of your damage with your assistance, prepare the estimate of damages to your building, and obtain other pertinent documentation to determine your loss of rents, business interruption or additional living expenses. We make certain that all provisions in your insurance policy are properly fulfilled. This often involves numerous steps of which you may know little or nothing about, but can make a significant impact on the outcome of the amount for your final settlement.
Will my loss be settled quicker with the services of a public adjuster?
We know exactly what is necessary to provide to the insurance company in order to expedite the settlement of your claim. A great deal of time can be saved by having Aguilar Construction Services handle your loss. Inspections are done immediately, estimates are prepared, inventories completed, and time elements losses are implemented. Accumulation of evidence and substantiation begins without delay. With your cooperation, we will quickly have your claim filed and the settlement process underway.
How do the public adjusters charge a fee?
We charge a small percentage of what the insured received in settlement. We don’t receive any fee until the insurance company actually issues the check to you. It is to our benefit to get the maximum settlement possible for you in as little time as possible. We also guarantee that the benefits gained from engaging our services will more than compensate the cost of our fee, at the very least. Or fees are usually “contingent” and similar to how attorneys and realtors charge their fees.
In Summarizing, The Public Adjuster will:
Complete a precisely detailed estimate of what is required to repair or rebuild your premises. Assist in the preparation of inventories on your damaged personal or business property, contents, and related items. With your help in providing correct documentation, and determining ages and descriptions, a professional public adjuster can evaluate and determine the approximate current values. Prepare your time element losses, such as business interruption, loss of rents, or additional living expenses. Establish a professional line of communications with the insurance adjuster. Present estimates, inventories, and other valuations to the insurance adjuster. Meet with the insurance company to negotiate and adjust your claim fairly  and equitably, thus resulting in an acceptable settlement to you. Aguilar Construction Services works for you, we are on your side, to achieve these results.

TESTIMONIAL

On June 24, 2014, our home was damaged by a massive hailstorm that came through Fort Collins, CO. Our roof was destroyed, as was the siding on 3 sides of our house. We contacted our insurance company and their adjustor estimated the damages for the repairs. We contacted three different contractors for estimates; all three were much higher than what the insurance had estimated. Working with our chosen contractor we tried to come to an agreement with our insurance company, but could not.

At this point we had to go to the “Appraisal process,” where we and the insurance company hire each hire independent professional appraisers, who meet and come to a fair conclusion on the damages. My wife and I have never been through anything like this, but a friend of ours had and recommended Kevin Aguilar and Aguilar Construction Services. Mr. Aguilar came to Fort Collins, reviewed the damage and the insurance estimate, and said he would represent us.

Mr. Aguilar set up a meeting with the other appraiser and informed me of the date. I was present at their walk around and was very impressed by Mr. Aguilar’s professionalism dealing with the insurance co’s appraiser. When their negotiations were completed, Mr. Aguilar had convinced the other appraiser that our house needed to be completely resided and painted, adding $30,000 to the original insurance estimate. Mr. Aguilar submitted a revised estimate to the insurance company appraiser, the appraiser would sign it and send it on to the insurance company.

The story does not end their though. The appraiser for the insurance company had serious health problems and did not get the paperwork submitted to the insurance company. When Mr. Aguilar learned what had occurred and our settlement was in limbo, he went to our insurance company and worked directly with them to secure our settlement.

I would whole-hearted recommend Mr. Aguilar to anyone needing the services of a professional appraiser. He is detailed oriented, and kept us well informed as our case progressed. He looked out for us and made sure that our house can be restored to the condition it was before the storm. He knew that we had never been through this process and explained every step as we progressed. When the process met a roadblock, Mr. Aguilar stepped in and worked it out for us.

Dan & Rita St. John - Fort Collins, Colorado

ACS Customer