(904) 544-3001
Handling Claims Throughout The St Johns County Area
What do you do when the worst happens to you or your home? Trust that the insurance carriers have your best interests at heart? Let us say for a moment that the insurance company does want to treat you fairly. What is fair? To you it may be the complete restoration of your property or business. To the insurance company it may mean a minimum repair and you carry the rest of the burden. Remember that insurance companies are in the business of making money. This means they will always look out for their interests before yours.
You hear stories all the time of Insureds (you) getting treated unfairly by their insurance companies. These can sometimes turn into large legal battles that can last for years. Most of the reason why is due to the insureds not knowing the process and the insurance companies taking advantage of this lack of knowledge. That is why Public Adjusters exist.
St Johns County Public Adjuster (Coastline Claims) is your representative working to ensure you get paid correctly under the policy. We work solely for you, NOT the insurance company. The insurance company will have their own adjuster. You should have one protecting you and ensuring you get everything afforded to you under the policy. We know the process and what obligations you have to meet. We handle the entire process from start to finish. That way you don’t have to deal with the Insurance company and can trust the claim is being handled properly.
Public Adjuster vs. Carrier Representative
A “public adjuster” is any person, except a duly licensed attorney at law as exempted under s. 626.860, who, for money, commission, or any other thing of value, directly or indirectly prepares, completes, or files an insurance claim for an insured or third-party claimant or who, for money, commission, or any other thing of value, acts on behalf of, or aids an insured or third-party claimant in negotiating for or effecting the settlement of a claim or claims for loss or damage covered by an insurance contract or who advertises for employment as an adjuster of such claims. The term also includes any person who, for money, commission, or any other thing of value, directly or indirectly solicits, investigates, or adjusts such claims on behalf of a public adjuster, an insured, or a third-party claimant.
An “independent adjuster” is a person licensed as an all-lines adjuster who is self-appointed or appointed and employed by an independent adjusting firm or other independent adjuster, and who undertakes on behalf of an insurer to ascertain and determine the amount of any claim, loss, or damage payable under an insurance contract or undertakes to effect settlement of such claim, loss, or damage.
As you can see from the above definitions, there are vast differences in these two aspects of claims handling. The carrier’s adjuster is not wholly independent, since he works on behalf of the carrier. He is there to ensure their interests are protected, not yours. So, why would you trust they are on your side?
Therefore, you should have someone on your side, representing your interests in the claim. You should have someone to protect your financial interest and make sure you meet your obligations under the policy and do not waive any rights. The claims settlement process can be a very arduous and tedious process.