If you have an Ohio PA license, please reach out. I need one asap. Thank you.

what for?

Mike, I don't get it. As of this morning you have 7 posts on this forum, and appear to be a new adjuster who just turned in 2 claims, and getting some advice on other threads. Your profile says this:

I am 23 years old and I have only just began my adjusting career. I worked in restoration for 5 years as both an inside contents manager and a project manager in the field. I love cat work and I love working for myself essentially. That is why I left restoration and I am now pursuing adjusting.

If you are working as an adjuster, and the homeowner decides they want to get a PA that's one thing.  But I can't imagine why you would personally be searching for a PA unless you have decided to make a career change or something...

Bob,

I have the understanding that I cannot act as a PA without a license, obviously. It is for auto, both myself and my fiance totaled our cars within days of each other. I want to make sure she gets a fair amount. Am I allowed to act as a PA for her? If so, I will not need one. If not, I want to be able to get what it is worth.

What would you do in this situation considering 1. I dont have my PA license 2. Im not related/it is not my policy

Sorry for the confusion! I really appreciate all your help!

Mike

Consumers do that all day long. You seem like a very alert consumer, and I'm confident you will not be taken advantage of.

I am an "all-lines" adjuster and have done a lot of total-loss settlements on vehicles, in addition to property claims.  It is not unusual to have a family member (or friend) take an active role in working with the adjuster.  For example an elderly policy-holder asks that her adult son help her with phone calls to the adjuster.  Or a husband who may be more versed in vehicle issues than the wife - who is a great cook but can't understand the math on an ACV settlement less salvage, plus license fees, etc.

Personally as an adjuster I would have no problem at all talking with a fiancé - boyfriend of the Insured.  We are all working together to get a fair settlement without delays.  I wouldn't yell "fire" till you see smoke, and I trust that your carrier will give you a fair settlement on both your cars.

Just look at it like you sold both vehicles.  You put them in the classified, and someone paid their fair market value.  That is what is going to happen with your claim.  The grief occurs when you owe more on the loan than the car is worth, and sometimes you can get the lender to accept the settlement - those are details you encounter once you get the carrier's valuation.  Till then, stop worrying and have a good 4th of July.

A Public Adjuster deserves to be paid for his time, just like anyone else.  You open that door, you are taking their time - and you don't even know if you need them yet.  Like calling a plumber before the leak.  You are opening yourself up to giving away part of your total loss settlement to solve a problem that doesn't exist yet.  You didn't mention that they gave her a bad offer, so I am assuming that it is still in progress.

If they do give her a bad offer, you just help her do what any consumer would do.  Get your own market value quotes for Like Kind and Quality vehicle and document your claim.  Everything in this world is negotiable.

I don't think I have ever seen a public adjuster involved in a total loss settlement of an automobile. An automobile settlement is very simple, its worth what its worth and 99% are ACV settlements. Thats why attorneys or public adjusters never get involved. No $$ to be made. Follow Bob,s advise.

I haven't either, but heck, my 18 years at this job is less than 1/2 of yours.

That's why I assumed he was talking about a PA for a property claim - which is odd if you are a property adjuster.

Mike, most adjusters will talk to anyone who contacts them politely and offers to clarify things toward a settlement.  Even if you are "just the boyfriend". I personally will talk to anyone, and I don't care how loud they yell because they are just embarrassing themselves.

Anytime I have witnessed another adjuster "refuse to talk to someone because they aren't the policy-holder" it is usually after that person burned a bridge by being confrontational and accusative, and unpleasant to talk to.  So the reaction is to get the person out of your life - but I see it as a means to negotiate with whatever issue is brought up, and get-R-done.

A public adjuster is never hired to "get what's fair."  We all know that.  When a PA is hired, it is to get more than what is fair.  We all know that.

If all you want is the "fair" ACV for your vehicle, then you're willing to accept only 90% of the fair ACV?  That's what you're going to get by using a PA.

The ACV of an auto is extremely easy to establish in almost all cases.

You sound like someone who doesn't know what he is talking about.

Does that comment help him - or does it help you feel superior to him?

His earlier thread started out with a title "am I an idiot?" so I kind of look at this like a 23 year old guy who admits he doesn't know it all.