When to hire a Loss Assessor

When to hire a Loss Assessor

When your life is affected by a disaster such as a flood or a fire, the aftermath can leave you feeling isolated, vulnerable and unsure about what to do next. Dealing with an insurance company often adds to the stress, leaving you even more overwhelmed, and leaving you less time to concentrate on the important things.

When dealing with an insurance claim, navigating the complexities of the process can be paralysing, especially during stressful times. At this point, you would hope that your insurance company is there to help, but unfortunately this is not always the case. This is where appointing a loss assessor, like Harris Balcombe, becomes valuable as you gain an ally from the outset - someone firmly on your side to guide you through the process.

Navigating an insurance claim can be complex and time-consuming, especially if the claim is significant or contentious. Many people make the mistake of only appointing a loss assessor when they are in dire need or when things go wrong, however this may be too late.

For the best results, it’s recommended that you enlist the services of a loss assessor as early as possible when you know there will be an insurance claim, in order to get the optimal settlement. Early involvement allows the loss assessor to take charge from the outset, guiding you through the entire process and negotiating the fairest outcome on your behalf.

Through appointing our loss assessors as early as you possibly can, not only will you increase your chances of making a successful claim, you will also free yourself from dealing with your insurers during this long-winded process. This will enable you to get on with your life, and with recovery, as soon as possible.

There are a plethora of key benefits to hiring a loss assessor when you make a claim which cannot be overemphasised. Their involvement from the get-go means you’re free to focus on recovering from the loss, while they handle the heavy lifting.

Distinguishing and differentiating between a loss assessor and a loss adjuster is a common challenge when it comes to claiming, especially if this is the first time you’re presented with such a claim. Both play crucial roles in the claims process, but their responsibilities and allegiances differ significantly.

In simple terms, loss adjusters are employed by your insurance company and are responsible for investigating claims to assess the overall damage and determine liability while protecting the insurer's best interests, often with an aim to minimise the insurer’s payout.

By contrast, loss assessors work exclusively for the policyholder and solely for their benefit. Their role is to ensure you get the maximum settlement by presenting the strongest possible case to the insurer.

While a loss adjuster may scrutinize your claim to find ways to reduce its value, a loss assessor actively advocates on your behalf, fighting to secure a fair and full compensation that reflects the extent of your loss. Understanding this difference is essential for navigating the claims process with confidence and ensuring that your best interests are fully represented.

The primary role of a loss assessor is to represent the policyholder throughout the claims process, or from the moment they are instated. A qualified loss assessor will use their expertise to handle every aspect of the process, from assessing the damage, preparing the necessary documentation, to negotiating with the insurance company for the greatest possible settlement.

A loss assessor will provide a thorough assessment of the damage both internally and externally, ensuring that no aspect of your claim is overlooked. They also have the expertise to interpret the fine print in your policy, ensuring that your claim covers everything you’re entitled to. Where possible, they strive to obtain interim payments for when the claimant needs them most. This hands-on approach can be the difference between a speedy, comprehensive settlement and a prolonged, reduced payout.

When disaster strikes, uncertainty and worry are inevitable. For many, making an insurance claim is already overwhelming, and following significant loss or damage - especially when disputes arise over the cause or extent of the damage - this can be the tipping point that determines the success or failure of the claim.

This is where a loss assessor can help guide and streamline the process on your behalf. They take on the full burden of gathering evidence to compile reports, liaising and negotiating with the necessary departments, and dealing with the back-and-forth communication with insurers. This is no small feat. If the claim is rejected or disputed, they’ll provide expert advice and even manage the process of challenging the insurer’s findings, ensuring that you don’t miss out on what you’re entitled to.

As already mentioned, the best time to contact a loss assessor is as soon as you realise that you’ll need to file an insurance claim, typically right after the disaster itself, a time which will be extremely stressful.

Early involvement can make a significant difference to the outcome of your claim, however it may not always be possible to appoint a loss assessor right there and then for different reasons. The later this happens, perhaps after an unsatisfactory offer has been made, it may become more difficult to challenge the insurer’s findings.

Below are other points post the disaster at hand when one could get in touch and appoint a loss assessor:

In summary, appointing a loss assessor, like Harris Balcombe, as soon as you know you’ll be making an insurance claim can greatly improve your chances of receiving a fair settlement. Their specialised expertise, negotiation skills, and ability to manage the entire claims process on your behalf mean that you can focus on getting back on your feet while they work to secure the payout you rightly deserve, following your disaster. Whether you’re dealing with a fire, flood, theft, or another type of loss to a domestic or commercial property, having a professional loss assessor in your corner can make all the difference.

As the UK’s leading insurance claims consultants, you can be confident you have the best team of loss assessors representing your interests from commencement. The team at Harris Balcombe have over 140 years of unrivalled, extensive experience in managing insurance claims on behalf of clients following any disaster, so do get in touch with us and start you claim now.