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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.

Bob, you shouldn't try to read between the lines.   I haven't posted much here, so neither you or anyone else would know that I'm straightforward and direct with what I have to say. 

Now, the fact is, if he has an iota of qualification for his current job as an IA, then he ought to know that PAs don't get hired on auto claims and PAs don't serve the purpose of getting "fair" settlements.  Based on what he posted in *this* thread, not his other thread/s, he sounds like someone who doesn't know what he's talking about.  PAs aren't needed on t/l settlements, unless one's real objective is to profit.

Okey dokey.

Michael, you do not need a public adjuster to help resolve a  total loss on an automobile. It will be paid on actual cash value, or like kind quality replacement. Shop around at dealers and used car lots and find a similar auto and get the prices to buy it. Use those figures to compare to NADA or Black book prices. Have her present this in writing to her carrier or third party carrier, whoever is involved. I doubt you will find a public adjuster that would handle that for you as there is not enough money involved. You must realize that if one were to take it on, they are going to charge you for that service, which reduces your settlement amount, sometimes, considrably. Do the work yourself, it's not difficult, it just takes a little research.

Let me sum this up nice and easy for you...

Number one, I don't appreciate being ridiculed for something I am clearly asking help for. I don't claim to know it all nor do I believe I know it all. Also, what I "ought" to know is property claims, which I have a relatively firm grasp on. I am not an expert, yet I am not incompetent by any means.

Number two, respect isn't earned. You should extend courtesy and respect to all you interact with until they give you a reason to show disrespect. In general, people who believe they are above others are typically far below them.

Number three, as Mr. Harvey said "Rude is rude". I haven't been on these boards very long and I already know that Bob Harvey is an outstanding human as well as a very experienced and knowledgable professional. He has provided me with numerous resources and advice that I reckognize and appreciate. If you had an iota of decency you wouldn't attack newbies like myself, as you were a newbie once too.

I am college educated, well versed in construction and I have extensive restoration experience. I am getting married and I lead a morally sound and comfortable life. I am far from being underqualified and I am not a moron. As cliche as it may sound "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all" I used these forums for advice, learning to be a better adjuster and for support, not so I can be someones humorous fodder. Good day, sir.

I would suggest that you use the suggested resources to determine the FAIRNESS of the offer for girlfriends car..  If the offer does not correspond to the realistic values tht you have previously determined. Invoke the appraisal provisions of the policy and represent her as her appraiser with your documentation of the facts.  The same process can be used for your own vehicle but you must select somone other than you or a family member to act as your appriaser.  Perhaps you can retain  Micahel L as an advisor, he seems to have superior knowledge and appears to be a rising star in the CADO community.

William S Cook

Florida Licensed Public Adjuster

Michael, some people are straight forward, some harsh, and hopefully, most are diplomatic and enjoy helping other adjusters. I agree Mike L. has a sharp tongue, which is his right, although I diagree with that concept of communication. I believe you have enough information now to proceed with your attempt to help your lady friend. Mr. Cook also has made a valuable contribution to your question. Good luck with your venture.

It isn't necessarily that I had that particular mindset, I just wanted to be active in the process and maybe learn a thing or two. I am very honest, nearly to a fault, and I wouldn't dream of demonstrating anything BUT integrity and ethical behavior. Like I said, I am just inexperienced with anything related to auto damage and maybe I have paid a bit too much attention to horror stories I have heard in the past. I appreciate all of your advice, and I thank you for taking the time to reach out to a novice adjuster.