How to Work with an Insurance Adjuster

Insurance adjusters are kind of like police detectives for insurance companies that insure homes and vehicles--also called property and casualty. When a claim is filed, the adjuster takes pictures of the damaged vehicle or home, interviews any witnesses if there are any and speaks with law enforcement or any other professionals that may be able to provide information for the claim. Adjusters also investigate claims relating to business and worker's compensation but are primarily involved with home and auto claims.

Instructions

1. File a claim immediately for damage to your home or vehicle. When you are contacted by the insurance company, make sure the adjuster comes to the site to investigate the claim. Always remember that an insurance adjuster works for your insurance company, and his primary function is to protect his employer by investigating claims and ensuring the claims are not fraudulent.

2. Relax and stay calm around an insurance adjuster. Not only is he evaluating the damage to your home or auto, he is also evaluating you. Even if you were involved in an auto accident which was not your fault, remain calm and say as little as possible. An insurance adjuster takes notes all the time he is with a claimant and all notes go into the claimant's file.

3. Determine whether you would like to hire a public insurance adjuster. A public insurance adjuster works for you and not the insurance company and helps you to prepare all the necessary paperwork to file a claim.

4. File a worker's compensation claim if you are hurt on the job and need medical attention. If your doctor advises you are unable to work, you then become eligible for worker's compensation. An insurance adjuster may contact you to get additional information relating to how you were hurt. Doctors are also interviewed by insurance adjusters to determine if the claim is valid. In the event of suspected insurance fraud on a worker's compensation claim, the insurance adjuster will go undercover to observe the claimant to see if they are performing any activities that would go against the injury claimed on the worker's comp reports.

5. Know that insurance adjusters perform their observations by taking photographs or using a video recorder where the claimant will not see them.

6. File all claims in a timely manner whether it be for damage to your home, your car or yourself. If you delay filing a claim, that may possibly alert an insurance adjuster to suspect you of filing a fraudulent claim.

Tips & Warnings

• Insurance adjusters have a job to do. They work to protect the insurance company from those who aren't insured whose intent is to commit fraud. This is why adjusters investigate and conduct themselves in the way that they do.