Loss Adjuster vs. Loss Assessor: Know the Difference
The insurer appoints one professional to protect their position. Who is protecting yours?
Two similar titles, two different jobs
The names are close enough that most people use them interchangeably, and insurers rarely go out of their way to explain the distinction. A loss adjuster is appointed and paid by your insurance company. A loss assessor is appointed and paid by you, the policyholder. Both are qualified professionals doing legitimate work. The difference is whose interest they represent.
What the loss adjuster does
When you report a claim of any size, your insurer will usually instruct a loss adjuster to inspect the damage, establish whether the policy responds, and recommend a settlement figure. They are independent of the insurer in the sense that they are a separate firm, and a good adjuster will deal with you fairly and courteously. But their client is the insurer, their fee comes from the insurer, and their recommendation is made to the insurer.
What the loss assessor does
We work only for policyholders. We inspect the damage, read the policy properly, identify every head of claim available to you, prepare and cost the schedule of loss, attend the joint inspection with the adjuster, handle the correspondence and negotiate the settlement. In practice we take the administrative weight of the claim off you entirely, which matters when you are also trying to get a house dried out or a business trading again.
Do you need one?
Not for every claim. A small, clear-cut claim with an obvious figure often settles perfectly well on its own. Where an assessor earns their fee is on larger or contested losses, on claims involving business interruption, subsidence or under-insurance, and on any claim where the offer does not match what the repairs actually cost. If you are unsure which category yours falls into, ask. We will tell you if we do not think you need us.
A note on regulation
Loss assessors in Ireland are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Before appointing anyone, ask for their registration number and check it. McCormack & Associates Property Loss Assessors Limited is registered under C561371.
Dealing with a claim right now?
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