FAQs

As the name suggests, public adjusters help members of the public navigate the claims process with insurance companies. Public adjusters are licensed professionals that work exclusively for the policyholder, not the insurance company. They advocate for you, leveraging their knowledge and expertise to maximize your insurance claim settlement while allowing you to focus more on your day-to-day activities.

Their primary role is to protect the interests of the consumers they represent. This means working to secure the highest possible settlement for your claim along with many other aspects. A Public Adjuster will review your policy in depth to understand all coverages available to you, will provide access to industry experts if and when required, and will also manage the negotiations with the insurance company to alleviate you from the stress of handling the claim on your own.

Yes. The adjusters at Sobel Adjusting are licensed throughout most provinces in Canada, including but not limited to Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Prince Edward Island. Make sure your representative is fully licensed and legally able to represent you.

It depends. If you are well educated in property insurance, construction, negotiations and have a relatively simple claim, you may not need a public adjuster. If you do not have the required experience and are faced with a large complicated loss, it will be in your best interests to ensure you are property represented.

Think of it this way: If you were sued, would you hire a lawyer to represent you or would you represent yourself? If you were to purchase or sell a home, would you utilize the experience of a local realtor? The answer to both of those scenarios is that you would likely retain the services of an expert to assist.

If you have suffered property damage, you should strongly consider retaining an experienced public adjuster to represent your best interests. Your insurance company hires experts to protect their best interests. You should do the same.

There are many reasons why you should consider hiring a public adjuster.

• You want to ensure that you are getting the settlement you deserve.

• You don’t have insurance expertise or time to handle your claim alone.

• Your insurance company isn’t taking your claim seriously and is delaying or not responding.

• You don’t fully understand your insurance policy.

• You don’t have time to deal with your insurance company.

• You don’t have experience in handling a property loss.

• Damage to your property is significant.

• The insurance company has offered you a lowball settlement.

• You are concerned about the lingering smoke odours after a fire.

• Your insurance company has discouraged you from hiring a public adjuster.

• Your claim has been wrongfully denied.

If any of the above reasons sound familiar, you will likely benefit and appreciate the involvement of a public adjuster.

Like any complex situation, it is always best to consult a professional as early as possible. It is not uncommon for a public adjuster to be retained on the date of loss.

The benefit and greater claim payment that often comes with hiring a Public Adjuster generally justifies the cost of doing so, however, no two claims are alike. That’s why Sobel Adjusting provides no-obligation consultations to policyholders to assess your situation and determine if our involvement is warranted.

A public adjuster charges a small percentage of the total value of your claim. As no two claims are identical, the percentage is determined individually. Several factors are considered when determining an appropriate fee, including the size and complexity of the loss. Policyholders who work with a public adjuster often claim that the substantially higher claims settlement accompanied and the decreased stress in their lives has substantially justified the fee of retaining a public adjuster. It has been said that “a public adjuster is worth their weight in gold.”