How Non-Certified Insurance Adjusters Can Undermine Your Recovery

​When a property suffers damage, whether from a burst pipe that floods a commercial building or smoke that spreads through a school, owners and managers depend on their insurance policies to help them recover. But what many do not realize is that the person evaluating the loss can be just as critical as the policy itself. Working with non-certified insurance adjusters can have a serious effect on the accuracy of a claim and ultimately reduce the recovery that property owners receive.

Why Training and Knowledge Matter

Insurance claims are highly detailed. They involve identifying the cause of loss, understanding construction modes of proper repair, recording evidence, preparing cost estimates, and aligning everything with the policy language. An adjuster who lacks certification often does not have the training to recognize all categories of damage. As a result, claims may be undervalued.

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A report found that policyholders who worked with professional public insurance adjusters consistently received higher settlements than those who did not. Training and recognized credentials play a direct role in whether property owners are compensated fairly.

Other shortcomings of non-certified adjusters include:

1) Incomplete Damage Assessments

Non-certified adjusters may focus only on what they see on the surface. With water damage, moisture can travel into drywall, insulation, flooring, and support beams. If those areas are not inspected with proper tools and knowledge, much of the damage goes undocumented. This leads to settlements that fall short of covering actual repairs.

2) Failure to Connect Coverage to Real Losses

Policies outline specific duties after a loss, such as taking steps to prevent further damage, submitting prompt notice, and keeping receipts for temporary repairs. Non-certified adjusters sometimes overlook these requirements or fail to stress their importance to property owners. When carriers later argue that policyholder duties were not met, claim payments are reduced.

3) Misunderstanding Complex Losses

Commercial claims are rarely simple. Business interruption coverage, code upgrades, and equipment breakdowns all need to be properly connected to the event. An adjuster without proper certifications or construction knowledge may not recognize how these areas fit into a claim. For example, if a fire damages production equipment in a factory, the claim may also involve lost revenue during downtime. Missing these connections results in owners receiving less than they are entitled to.

Carrier-Employed Insurance Adjusters and Conflict of Interest

Insurance companies often assign their own adjusters to inspect losses. These adjusters represent the carrier, not the policyholder. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) reports that carriers often benefit from the complexity of claims, using it to justify delays or reductions in payment. Property owners who rely solely on carrier-employed adjusters may find that their claims are not fully recognized or valued. Without certification and independence, these adjusters have little incentive to pursue the maximum recovery.

Add as new sentence/paragraph: “Never Trust The Company That Owes You Money To Tell You If Or How Much They Owe You”

The Importance of Professional Standards

Professional organizations such as the American Policyholder Association (APA) and the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA) consistently warn property owners about the dangers of relying on unqualified claim representation. Their advocacy emphasizes that public insurance adjusters should have professional training and credentials to properly evaluate losses. Industry experts agree that without strong representation, property owners are at a disadvantage against carriers that routinely delay, deny, and underpay claims.

Real-World Consequences for Property Owners

The difference between a certified and non-certified adjuster can have long-lasting consequences. Inadequate drying of a water-damaged building can lead to microbial contamination, resulting in health concerns and future repair bills. A fire claim that fails to address smoke residue in mechanical systems can leave behind ongoing air quality issues. In both cases, if an adjuster misses these elements, property owners face additional costs out of pocket. For property managers overseeing large facilities such as hospitals, schools, and multi-family housing, the financial impact can be severe.

Advocacy in the Claim Process

Industry experts often stress that the claim process is not designed with fairness in mind. Carriers draft the policy, interpret its terms, and issue payment. Without an independent advocate, property owners have limited control. Certified public insurance adjusters rebalance this process by documenting every element of damage, aligning it with coverage, and presenting a comprehensive claim package to the carrier. Their role is to make sure no detail is overlooked.

Why Property Managers and Contractors Should Care

Commercial contractors and facility managers are often responsible for coordinating insurance claims after a loss. Choosing non-certified insurance adjusters introduces risks that can slow down projects, increase repair costs, and leave gaps in recovery.

A properly documented water damage claim, for instance, ensures that structural drying is complete and compliant with standards. In contrast, a poorly managed claim can result in lingering damage that threatens long-term building performance. For contractors, this means warranty disputes, rework, and dissatisfied clients.

Protect Recovery with Certified Insurance Adjusters

The quality of claim representation directly affects how much property owners recover after a loss. Non-certified insurance adjusters can miss hidden damage, overlook policyholder requirements, and fail to connect all aspects of a claim to coverage. The result is often an underpaid settlement that leaves owners carrying the financial burden.

At Velocity Public Insurance Adjusters, we combine nearly 40 years of experience with certifications through the IICRC in Water Damage, Structural Drying, Fire Damage, and Smoke Damage. These credentials ensure that every claim is managed with the highest technical standards. Property owners can be confident that their losses are fully documented and fairly represented. Schedule a call today for a free claim and policy review.