frequentlyaskedquestions

Q. What is a Public Insurance Adjuster?

A Public Insurance Adjuster is an authority on loss adjustments, who YOU, the
insured, can retain to assist you in the preparing, filing, and the adjusting of
your loss.

Q. Is a Public Insurance Adjuster connected with the
insurance companies?

No!!! They are employed exclusively by YOU, the policy holder, NOT BY AN
INSURANCE COMPANY!

Q. Are Public Insurance Adjusters licensed?

In Massachusetts, Public Insurance Adjusters have been carefully tested and
licensed by the Insurance Commissioner and approved by the Attorney
General's office. This insures that you are dealing with a knowledgeable
professional, a licensed Massachusetts Public Insurance Adjuster. The
Insurance company's representatives are not even licensed in this state.

Q. Can I prepare my own claim?

Sure, but it stands to reason that an accredited Public Insurance Adjuster
who has years of experience and training can do so with more understanding
and competence than a policy holder. More specifically, a Public Insurance
Adjuster will assist you in the in the preparation of inventories, estimates,
other factual proofs of loss and all necessary documents. He or she will
handle all the necessary details for compiling and filing claims, as required by
the terms of your insurance policies. Your Public Insurance Adjuster will also
negotiate, on your behalf, with the insurance company's representatives to
handle all matters essential to a proper and satisfactory adjustment for you.

Q. Why should I employ a Public Insurance Adjuster to obtain
what is rightfully due to me?

Insurance companies offer to pay only what is due to you
as they choose to see it. Public Insurance Adjusters are your exclusive
representatives. With their experience and knowledge they are better able to
obtain a more favorable adjustment for YOU, the insured.

Q. How do they determine the actual loss?

They take a physical inventory, obtain all pertinent appraisals and make sure
all provisions in your policy are properly fulfilled. This often involves
numerous steps of which you may know little or nothing, but can make a
significant difference in the amount of the final adjustment.

Q. Will a Public Insurance Adjuster help me receive a more
prompt and satisfactory settlement?

Yes. They lose no time in complying with the policy requirements to obtain
and evaluate the facts and prepare the claim. The knowledgeable and prompt
service they provide is by documenting evidence that may otherwise be over
looked or destroyed, through digital photography and itemized inventories.
The more thoroughly and completely your claim is compiled and prepared, the
faster your Public Insurance Adjuster can accomplish an equitable and proper
settlement in your best interest. Once a policy holder has witnessed the skill
and knowledge of the licensed Public Insurance Adjuster, he or she will rarely
attempt to settle a claim without the benefit of their specialized assistance.
The Public Insurance Adjuster's most frequent source of new clients are the
recommendations of those they have previously served.

Q. In the event of a loss, what steps should I take?

Promptly report the loss to the agent or broker, or directly to the insurance
company and immediately retain the services of Brian Birmingham, Public
Insurance Adjuster, a licensed Public Insurance Adjuster, waiting to serve
you.

Q. Do Public Insurance Adjusters take care of claims other
than fires?

Yes. They will assist you in claims you may have due to windstorm, explosion,
and any other insured losses that are sustained (inland marine, homeowners,
business interruption, rental and income property, improvements and
betterments, commission and profit, reporting forms,additional expenses,
etc.). See Services Page

Q. Do Public Insurance Adjusters sell insurance or act as
insurance agents?

No! If they were to do so, they would become representatives of the
insurance company and would no longer represent you exclusively and
independently. Further, they are not affiliated with any cleaning, repair or
building companies.

Q. I have suffered a loss and have been approached by
someone claiming they will be able to help me with my claim.
What should I do?

Fact: Fire Restoration and Cleaning companies have been illegally soliciting people after they
suffer a loss, saying they will represent you, that they know the adjusters and can help you out
with your claim. However, they work together to do just what the insurance adjuster allows and
nothing more, then are paid directly by your Insurance company. They often learn of your loss by
the company adjuster or even the agent you bought the policy from.

NOTE: ONLY an Attorney or Licensed Massachusetts Public I nsurance Adjuster can Represent
you.

IF YOU ARE CONTACTED OR HAVE BEEN APPROACHED BY SOMEONE OTHER THAN A PUBLIC
INSURANCE ADJUSTER OR ATTORNEY, CALL YOUR LOCAL POLICE or THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S
OFFICE or YOUR LOCAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND REPORT THIS TO THE CONSUMER
PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.

MASS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE # 1-617 -727-8200 or
1-888-830-6277 or click here

Q. How much do Public Insurance Adjusters charge for their
services?

Your Public Insurance Adjuster's charge is a percentage of the insurance
company's settlement with you. By seeking to maximize your settlement, your
Public Insurance Adjuster's professional services can save you the cost of
their fees, at the very least.