Category: News

What is a public adjuster? What is the difference between the adjuster my insurance company provides and a public adjuster? Who does a public adjuster help? These are all common questions we see when helping our clients. It’s important to educate yourself on these topics because when the time comes it could save you thousands down the road following a disaster.

What is a Public Adjuster?

What is the difference between the adjuster my insurance company provides and a public adjuster? The most important thing to know is a public adjuster works directly for you. This is to ensure you receive the maximum value from your claim and policy. Some  types of adjusters you may come across include:

• Staff Adjuster
• Public Adjuster
• Independent Adjuster

The main difference between a public adjuster and the adjusters stated above is a public adjuster works on YOUR behalf throughout the entire claims process. Other adjusters usually work for the insurance company or are working as a subcontractor for the company.

Who does a Public Adjuster Help?

At Guardian Public Adjusters we have the knowledge and experience to help a wide variety of clients. From commercial to residential claims, we make sure our clients receive everything they’re entitled to. We help business owners, homeowners, retail shops, schools, hotels, hospitals, and more! To learn more about the different industries we’ve helped click here.

Your Trusted Public Adjuster

Guardian Public Adjusters is your trusted public adjuster throughout central Illinois. We will work on your behalf to make sure you receive everything you’re entitled to. We pride ourselves in our reputation of personalized one-on-one service and unmatched attention to detail. Contact us to learn more!

Unfortunately, Illinois can get hailstorms from time to time. When the hail hits, it can damage many of your personal possessions- your roof, car, and possibly other things. Luckily, most homeowner insurance policies cover hail damage!

Hail Damage Indicators

Different types of homes or businesses can appear different when they get damaged by hail. Depending on if you have an asphalt, slate tile, or metal roof can depend on how it appears after it is damaged. Some common signs of hail damage we see on the exterior of homes include:

• Signs of Dents in Roofing Material
• Roof Tiles Completely Broken (Most Common in Slate Roofs)
• Damaged Siding
• Dented Gutters

If these signs seem familiar, your home may have been damaged by hail! If you are unsure if your insurance policy covers hail damage- contact the professionals at Guardian Public Adjusters. We will help you throughout the entire insurance claim process!

Our Hail Damage Claims Services

At Guardian Public Adjusters, we work on YOUR behalf to make the insurance process go as quickly and efficiently as possible. Some common hail damage claims services we provide include:

• Hail Damage Inspections
• Create Inventory of Damages & Replacement Values
• Assist With Paperwork
• Insurance Negotiation

When you work with Guardian Public Adjusters, you will receive quality hail damage insurance claims services. We will negotiate with your insurance company for you to make sure you receive the payout that you are entitled to. Have you been affected by hail damage? Contact us today!

There’s nothing worse than discovering water damage in your home. One common source of water damage is busted pipes. Some signs that you might have a busted pipe include:

• Water damage
• Discoloration Marks
• Bulging Walls
• Odors

Ahh, cue the stress. But have no fear, some homeowner insurance policies cover plumbing and burst pipes! Although a lot of policies do cover this situation, it does depend on your specific type of policy as well as the sequence of events leading up to the broken pipe.

What do I do now?

When you have water damage in your home and you aren’t sure what the next step would be, we always recommend hiring a public adjuster. A public adjuster is your top choice because they will work on YOUR behalf and make sure you are compensated fully. Not only will they help you understand your policy, but they will walk you through the process of filing your claims.

Guardian Public Adjusters is your top choice of a public adjuster in Peoria and surrounding communities. We will work with you every step of the way to help you understand what your policy does and does not cover. We will also negotiate with your insurance company to maximize your payout. If you have water damage or a broken pipe in your home- contact us today!

When your home has been affected by a disaster it’s hard to get past the damage it caused. That’s why it’s important to hire a professional with the right experience to help you sort through your home insurance claims. Below are some quick insurance claim tips we have for anyone who is suffering after a disaster.

1. Report the incident to the authorities. Although not all damage to your home necessarily needs authority help, sometimes it’s vital (vandalism, fire, etc). You will need copies of the reports that are filed on your behalf.
2. Call your insurance. Don’t wait too long to call your insurance after a disaster, this could cause your claim to get denied.
3. Document everything. It’s important to record all the damages (with images) to help make the claims process go more smoothly.
4. Work with a trusted public adjuster. We understand the stress that follows a disaster. That’s why it’s important to work with someone who has your best interests in mind. A public adjuster works for YOU. So you can ensure you get everything your entitled to.

At Guardian Public Adjusters we will work through your homeowner insurance claims. We can help you understand your policy as well as important steps to take following a disaster. With Guardian Public Adjusters we will make sure the process goes as quickly and smoothly as possible. Contact us today to learn more!

When it comes to vandalism insurance claims, you might not be aware of what counts as vandalism and if your policy covers vandalism in the first place. That’s why at Guardian Public Adjusters we will work with you to understand your policy and if you would be covered if you fall victim to acts of vandalism.

What is Vandalism?

Vandalism means someone intentionally doing an action to damage your property without your approval. There are quite a few things that can count as vandalism, but some common things we see in homes and businesses include:

• Spray Painting
• Breaking Windows & Lights
• Smashed Mailboxes

Although not all homeowner’s insurance policies cover vandalism, a lot of them do! If your home’s been damaged, and you’re not sure if your covered, that’s a clear sign you need to hire a professional to review your policy. This will ensure that you’re compensated for any damages that resulted from the vandalism.

Your Vandalism Insurance Claims Experts

After you contact the authorities, the next thing to do is to hire a professional to evaluate your policy. If you are covered, you can then begin the process of filing your claims. If your property has been vandalized, contact the professionals at Guardian Public Adjusters! We will work on your behalf and make sure you receive everything your entitled to. Don’t just assume you are at a loss- contact us today!

At Guardian Public Adjusters we understand that mold within your property is unsightly. Not only can mold damage your property, but it can cause health risks over long term exposure. In some cases, mold can make you sick and make your allergies or asthma flare-up. That’s why it’s important to assess the situation before it gets worse. At Guardian Public Adjusters we are here to help walk you through your insurance policy, and help you determine the correct plan of action to get your property back to normal. The first thing we look at when it comes to mold insurance claims is your homeowner insurance policy. This will determine if you are covered or not.

Homeowner insurance policies sometimes include mold in their coverage, but some coverages exclude it. Each policy is different, so at Guardian Public Adjusters we will work with you to help you understand your coverage. For example, mold coverage can depend on the cause of the mold. If the mold was after a disaster like a fire or a burst pipe, then there’s good change remediation is covered by your policy. Mold insurance claims can get confusing, that’s why it’s important to hire a professional to work with you. When you work with us, we will provide you the following mold damage claims services:

• Review your policy
• Explain your coverage
• Negotiate with your insurance company
• Work with you to file paperwork correctly and timely

 

Guardian Public Adjusters is your top choice of public adjuster throughout Central Illinois. We have experience helping both residential and commercial clients with their insurance settlements. If you have mold in your home and are unsure of your next step, contact the professionals at Guardian. We are here to help!

Many people decide to hire a public adjuster after they have incurred property damage. Listed below are the top four reasons to hire a public adjuster to handle your claims process.

1. Experience – A good public claims adjuster handles numerous claims each year. This valuable experience means that a public adjuster knows what damages can  be claimed and how to expedite the claim process. Some property damage is obvious but other damages are unseen or only become apparent weeks or months after the incident. A public adjuster is aware of these unseen damages and can assist property owners in filing claims for all damages, even damages the property owner is unaware of.
2. Expertise – Public claims adjusters have knowledge regarding insurance claims that the average property owner may not have. This expertise includes valuable knowledge about insurance regulations, industry standards, and insurance contracts that may seem overwhelming to the average consumer. This expertise, in combination with valuable experience, can help a public claims adjuster cut through red tape and receive a larger settlement in a more timely manner.
3. Advocate for the property owner – A public claims adjuster is an advocate for the property owner. These advocates seek to ensure that the property owner receives fair compensation for any and all damages covered under the insurance policy. Additionally, a public claims adjuster can help a property owner successfully negotiate any settlements and ensure that the settlement protects the property owner’s best interests.
4. Time and Emotional Energy – Damage to your property is often very traumatic. If you have been forced out of your house due to property damage, you may not have the time or emotional energy to properly advocate for yourself. In such a case, a public adjuster is likely to be able to not only properly assess damages and file a claim on your behalf, but also shield the property owner from any further emotional distress that may result from viewing their damaged property only from a financial perspective.

If you have suffered property damage, it is wise to at least consider seeking out professional assistance with your insurance claim.

When spring and summer roll around, the potential for strong thunderstorms greatly increases.   With these thunderstorms, comes the potential for hail, which can severely damage the roof, siding, and windows of your home or property.   If you experience hail damage and need to file an insurance claim, follow these simple steps

1. Review Your Insurance Policy
   If you receive hail damage to your home or property, it’s important that you understand what kind of insurance coverage you have for this type of damage.  Some homeowner policies do not have coverage for hail damage, so it’s imperative that you determine your eligibility before filing a hail damage insurance claim.  If you aren’t sure if you are covered, contact Guardian Public Adjusters today for a free professional review of your insurance coverage.
2. File A Hail Damage Insurance Claim
   If it has been determined that you have insurance coverage for hail damage, contact your insurance company right away.  Hail damage can sometimes be hard to see, but can cause big problems such as leaking roofs or moisture getting in through holes in your siding.  Repairs cannot be started prior to making an insurance claim, so time is of the essence.
3. Settle Your Claim
   When you file a hail damage insurance claim, your insurance company will send an adjuster to your home to survey the damage.  It can be beneficial for you to hire a public adjuster that is working on your behalf.  A public adjuster will inspect your home or property for hail damage and take an inventory of any damage and assign replacement values to that damage.    They will also negotiate with the insurance company to ensure that you get the payout that you are entitled to.
4. Repair the Hail Damage
   Once your claim has been settled, now is the time to have the repairs done to your home or property before any further damage has occurred.  Hire a reputable contractor that will do the job right and in a timely manner.

If you do experience hail damage, take the time to review your insurance policy and understand your coverage.  If you need assistance, Guardian Public Adjusters is here to review your plan, file insurance claim paperwork, inspect your property, and work on your behalf.  Located in central Illinois, we are your trusted public adjuster. Contact us today for a free insurance claim review!

House fires often leave more homes damaged during the winter season. This catastrophic situation can even make people celebrate the holiday season out of their homes.  The winter season can’t be avoided, but you can take extra precautions to prevent fires in your home. Below are five major tips to preventing this home afflicting disaster.

Maintain Fire Safety Equipment 

You should place smoke and carbon detectors in all sleeping spaces, around valuables and flammable materials in your home. These detectors should be checked monthly to ensure they are fully functional. Also, you should have a fire extinguisher on standby to eliminate small fire incidents in your home.

Keep Decor Away From Heat Sources

Holiday decorations are highly flammable and can be another source of fire disaster in winter. Your decorating items should be placed at least 5 feet away from your heat sources. If you are decorating with string lights, check their conditions and dispose of all wiring that has been exposed to keep your home and decorating items safe.

Inspect Your Heat Supply

If your heating supply is powered electrically or with gas, you should always remember that heating equipment is flammable and can be disastrous if not handled with caution. No matter what type of heating method you have in your home, it is a good idea to keep a weekly check on them to make sure they are safe to keep around.

Light Candles With Caution

You should know that it is dangerous to light a real candle around your holiday decorations. Never leave candles burning when you leave your home and when you are home, make sure candles are away from any flammable items. You should have a fire extinguisher to put out any fire incident that may be caused by candlelight.

Monitor Your Kitchen

Never leave your kitchen unattended either you are frying or baking. Keep your pot holders and dish towels away from your appliance, and immediately turn off appliances when not in use. Don’t leave any flammable materials near the stove or oven. Make sure your curtains don’t hang over the stove, and never leave towels or a cookbook on the stove.

It is safe to understand the potential fire risks associated with this time of the year and taking precaution is a safe thing to do. House fires can be devastating, but you can reduce the risk of fire in your home. Make the above tips part of your fire safety plan and review them regularly. Keep your home safe while you enjoy the holiday season. If you should have a house fire and need help through the insurance process, contact Guardian Public Adjusters.