Category: Public Adjuster Phoenix Arizona

Can a Public Adjuster increase My Insurance Settlement?

How Much More Money Can a Public Adjuster Get Me?

One of the most common questions we hear is:

“How much more money can you get me?”

It’s a fair question. If you’re considering hiring a public adjuster, you want to know whether the cost is worth it.

The honest answer is that no ethical public adjuster can guarantee a specific increase in your settlement. Can a public adjuster sometimes help increase a settlement? Absolutely.

We often see situations where damages were overlooked, not fully documented, or not included in the original estimate. When covered damages are properly identified and presented, the settlement may increase.

However, every claim is different. That is why no ethical public adjuster can predict a specific outcome before reviewing the property, the damages, and the insurance policy.

In fact, if someone promises they’ll get you 300%, 500%, or 700% more before they’ve even reviewed your property, policy, and damages, you should ask a few more questions.

Why No One Can Predict the Outcome

Every insurance claim is different.

Every property is different.

Every insurance policy is different.

Every loss is different.

To accurately compare claim results, you would need the exact same:

  • Property
  • Insurance policy
  • Damages
  • Documentation
  • Timing
  • Insurance company
  • Insurance adjuster

That almost never happens.

The moment a public adjuster becomes involved, the claim changes.

Damages may be documented differently.

Additional covered damages may be identified.

Estimates may be more detailed.

Personal property losses may be better documented.

The claim may be presented and negotiated differently.

Because of that, nobody can know what the final settlement would have been if the public adjuster had never been involved.

The Problem With Percentage Claims

You may see advertisements that say:

  • “We get policyholders 300% more.”
  • “Our clients receive 523% higher settlements.”
  • “We increase claims by an average of 700%.”

The real question is:

Compared to what?

Was the original insurance estimate complete?

Had all damages been identified?

Were code upgrades included?

Was personal property accounted for?

Were additional living expenses considered?

Had the claim been fully documented?

Without knowing the details of every claim, those percentages don’t tell the whole story.

Insurance claims are not standardized products. They are unique situations with dozens of variables. Reducing every claim to a single percentage can be misleading.

What a Public Adjuster Actually Does

A public adjuster’s job is not to create money.

Our job is to properly document, prepare, and present the claim under the terms of the insurance policy.

For example, a homeowner may report damage from a water leak, and the insurance company may estimate repairs only for the visible drywall. During a detailed inspection, damage to flooring, cabinetry, insulation, or personal property may also be discovered. When covered damages are properly documented and presented, the settlement may increase. That isn’t because the public adjuster created money. It’s because additional covered damages were identified and documented, and presented to the insurance company.

That includes:

  • Reviewing the policy
  • Inspecting and documenting damages
  • Preparing detailed estimates
  • Documenting personal property losses
  • Identifying potentially overlooked damages
  • Communicating with the insurance company
  • Negotiating based on facts, documentation, and policy language

The goal is to help ensure that all covered damages are identified, documented, and properly evaluated.

A Better Question to Ask

Instead of asking:

“How much more money can you get me?”

Consider asking:

  • Have you handled claims like mine before?
  • How will you document my damages?
  • What is your process?
  • How often will you communicate with me?
  • Will I be able to reach you directly?
  • How involved will you be throughout the claim?

The answers to those questions often tell you much more about the value a public adjuster provides.

When Should You Hire a Public Adjuster?

Many policyholders don’t realize that the best time to involve a public adjuster is often at the very beginning of the claim.

Once a claim is reported, important decisions start being made. Damages are documented, inspections are scheduled, estimates are prepared, and information is submitted to the insurance company.

Bringing in a public adjuster early can help ensure the claim is properly documented from the start and may help avoid issues that can arise when damages are overlooked or when incomplete information is provided.

Remember, the insurance company has professionals representing its interests throughout the claims process. Having your own professional representative can help level the playing field and provide guidance through what is often a stressful and unfamiliar process.

While a public adjuster can become involved at various stages of a claim, many policyholders find that engaging one early helps reduce confusion, avoid unnecessary headaches, and ensure the claim is thoroughly prepared from day one.

Final Thoughts

No public adjuster can honestly guarantee a specific settlement amount or percentage increase.

What we can promise is that we will thoroughly review the loss, document the damages, and advocate for the policyholder throughout the claims process.

At AJR Public Adjusters, we believe communication is just as important as documentation. Our clients are kept informed throughout the claims process and are copied on communications, so they always know where their claims stand.

That commitment to service has helped us maintain an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and earn numerous positive reviews and testimonials from homeowners and business owners who have trusted us to represent their interests.

Every claim is unique, and the outcome depends on the facts, the policy, and the damages involved.

If someone promises a specific percentage increase before reviewing your property, policy, and loss, ask how they could possibly know that.

What matters isn’t a promised percentage. What matters is whether your claim is being properly documented, thoroughly presented, and fully evaluated under the terms of your policy.

At AJR Public Adjusters, our focus is simple: help policyholders understand their coverage, thoroughly document their damages, keep them informed throughout the process, and advocate for every dollar supported by the policy and the facts of the claim.

When a Water Loss Happens While You’re Away: What This 5-Star Review Gets Right

A recent review from David on Yelp says a lot about what can go wrong with a property claim and what can go right when it’s handled correctly.

“After a water line failed while we were on vacation, our troubles would have been a lot worse when the first contractor who came on the scene wasn’t performing on mitigating the water damage in the home. Thankfully we found AJR at that moment. Bruce came and took one look and from there on we were in his excellent care…”

Water losses are one of the most common claims in Arizona. They also move fast. Damage spreads behind walls, under flooring, and into cabinets before you even realize it. If the initial mitigation is not done right, the cost and scope can grow quickly.

That’s where most problems start.

What went wrong at the beginning

In David’s case, the first contractor was not doing proper mitigation. This happens more than people think.

Common issues we see:

  • Equipment not set correctly or not enough equipment used
  • Moisture not fully tracked behind walls and cabinets
  • Drying stopped too early
  • Poor documentation of what was damaged and why

When this happens, two problems show up. First, the property is not fully dried. Second, the insurance company may not get a clear picture of the damage.

Both affect how the claim gets paid.

What changed when AJR got involved

David mentioned that Bruce came out, assessed the situation, and took over from there.

That step matters.

At AJR, we focus on a few things right away:

  • Inspection and documentation: We look at the loss as a whole. Not just what is visible. We document all affected areas with photos, notes, and measurements so nothing is missed.
  • Review of mitigation work: We assess whether the drying process was done correctly and what still needs to be addressed.
  • Policy review: We go through the insurance policy and apply it to the actual damage. This is where many claims fall short. Coverage is there, but it is not applied correctly.
  • Clear scope of work: We build out what needs to be repaired and why. This becomes the foundation of the claim.
  • Communication with the insurance company: We handle the back-and-forth. The goal is to keep things moving while making sure the claim is fully documented.

David also pointed out something important. He did not have to deal with the insurance company on his own. That alone removes a lot of stress during an already difficult situation.

Why documentation makes or breaks a claim

You’ll notice David said Bruce made sure they were covered for everything the policy stated.

That does not happen by accident.

Insurance companies base payments on what is documented. If something is missed, it usually does not get paid.

Good documentation includes:

  • Photos before cleanup
  • Detailed estimates
  • Moisture readings and drying logs
  • A full list of affected materials and contents

Without that, parts of the claim can be overlooked or undervalued.

Timing matters more than people think

The best time to bring in a public adjuster is early. Before decisions are made that affect the claim.

That said, many people call after things have already started. Like David did.

If you are already in the middle of a claim:

  • There is no guarantee we can step in
  • But we are willing to look at where things stand
  • We can give clear direction on next steps, whether we get involved or not

Sometimes small changes in how a claim is handled can make a big difference in the outcome.

What a public adjuster actually does

A lot of property owners are not sure what a public adjuster does.

Simple answer. We represent you, not the insurance company.

Here’s what that looks like in a real claim:

  • We inspect and document the damage correctly
  • We prepare the estimate and support it with detail
  • We apply your policy to the damage
  • We communicate with the insurance company
  • We keep you informed the entire time

You stay involved. You are copied on communication. You understand what is happening and why.

Situations where this matters most

We see the biggest impact in claims involving:

  • Water damage from broken pipes or appliance failures
  • Fire and smoke damage
  • Storm damage
  • Claims where mitigation or repairs were not handled properly at the start

In these cases, missing something early can affect the entire claim.

Keywords people search when this happens

If you’re dealing with a loss, you’ve likely searched things like:

  • water damage insurance claim help
  • public adjuster Phoenix Arizona
  • how to handle a homeowners insurance claim
  • water leak damage insurance coverage
  • help with insurance claim after water damage

Those searches usually come after the stress has already started.

Final thought

David’s review highlights something we see often. The situation started off wrong, but it was caught in time and handled correctly.

Not every claim starts clean. What matters is how it’s handled once the problem is recognized.

If you own a property and something happens, slow down and make sure the damage is documented the right way from the beginning. If you’re already in the middle of it, it’s still worth getting another set of eyes on the claim.

We appreciate David taking the time to share his experience and trusting AJR to step in when it mattered.