With respect to property and value, insurance companies rely heavily on documentation provided by the policyholder to prove ownership and justify value. This documentation can consist of videos, photographs, receipts, credit card statements, appraisals, insurance policy endorsements, etc. Try to provide as much documentation as possible to help substantiate the theft claim with your insurance company. An independent appraiser is any person, firm, association or corporation that acts in this state on behalf of an insurer by investigating and adjusting claims that arise under insurance contracts issued by the insurer.
There are some negative aspects to consider, and many are related to the reputation of public appraisers. Many homeowners decide to hire a public appraiser if the damage is extensive or if it is difficult to determine the magnitude of the damage that has occurred. For example, if the claim is resolved and additional damage is discovered during repairs, you may want to hire a public appraiser to assess the total cost. A public appraiser is any person, firm, association, or corporation that acts on behalf of an insured in negotiating the settlement of a claim or claims for loss or damage to the insured's property.
If you go directly to a lawyer, your lawyer will likely hire a public appraiser to investigate the claim. Thanks to their experience and determination to find everything possible, the public appraiser can help ensure that nothing is omitted in the claim or in the resolution of the claim. It's probably too late to go to a public appraiser if you've signed a definitive authorization or if your claim period has been extended beyond the statute of limitations. A landlord may decide to hire a public appraiser if they have a potentially significant claim and are worried that they will cover everything.
For many, hiring a public appraiser means that they have someone to think and negotiate on their behalf. Often, public appraisers are members of their professional organization, which requires certain standards of aptitude. Insurance agencies generally understand the desire to hire an additional lawyer and respond in a professional manner when hiring a public appraiser.
