Even though it is rarely an expected thing, most drivers will have at least a few accidents in their lifetime. Unfortunately, even if your accident is not a big one, you will be left waiting for the insurance to pick up and pay the damages so you an get your vehicle fixed. While most people will simply go through the motions and entrust the appraisal of damages to the adjuster hired or employed by the auto insurance company, you do also have the option of having the damages assessed by a public adjuster as well. Here is a little you need to know about public adjusters. 

What exactly is a public claims adjuster?

A public claims adjuster is a professional who is not affiliated with an insurance company and operates on a sole proprietor basis. This person's responsibilities include doing things like:

• evaluating the total extent of damage to your vehicle
• researching how a crash can affect your specific vehicle's operability 
• looking at your current insurance policy to determine what damages should be covered
• providing an estimate of the overall costs of repairs to your vehicle

Why would you need to hire a public adjuster?

There are a few reasons why it can be helpful to hire a public adjuster after you have been involved in an automobile accident. In  most situations, this is not necessary because an adjuster is provided for your claim by the insurer. However, hiring an outside adjuster may be useful for a couple of scenarios. For example, if :

1. you are not satisfied with the original adjusters estimate of damages and want a comparison
2. the person who caused the damage to your vehicle was uninsured and you need a documented adjustment for legal purposes

In both of these situations, having access to a public adjuster can be extremely important to ensure you are fairly compensated for the damages to your vehicle. 

Where do you find a public adjuster?

Many consumers assume that adjusters are only available that are somehow affiliated with insurance providers. However, this is simply not the case because you can actually find at least a few adjusters that operate in most locations out of their own place of business. If you do not have an adjuster in listed in your local listings, attorneys who deal with auto accidents regularly can often point you in the right direction because they work with these professionals on a regular basis. Look for an adjuster, such as from Skipton Claims Management, in your area.