Loss Assessor Vs Loss Adjuster

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Graham Crumb
Claims Director
Last Updated
5 September 2024

Loss Adjuster Vs Loss Assessor  – Dealing with the claims process after experiencing property damage or business interruption can be daunting, particularly when dealing with loss adjusters. These professionals play a crucial role in determining the outcome of your insurance claim, as they are employed by your insurer and tasked with assessing the damage, ensuring conditions have not been breached and recommending the settlement amount.  If this is your first time making an insurance claim, you might not know where to start, and this is where an insurance loss assessor can help.

Loss assessors are independent insurance claim experts who work only for you, the policyholder, to prepare and manage your claim to ensure you get the full settlement you deserve.

Loss assessors use their expertise, knowledge, and skills to remove all the stress involved in an insurance claim and get you everything you are entitled to. Furthermore, they will conduct meetings and handle all communications with the insurance company on your behalf.

It is important to engage a loss assessor as early as possible as they can ensure the entire process proceeds in the correct manner and your claim is not prejudiced negatively.

Loss Adjuster Vs Loss Assessor

Here are some key facts about loss adjusters and loss assessors in the UK:

  • Loss adjusters are specialists who investigate insurance claims on insurance companies’ behalf.
  • As the insurer appoints them, they are generally inclined to protect the insurer’s interests.
  • Loss adjusters write comprehensive reports for insurers, including a description of the damage, the evidence and recommendations for settlement.
  • Claimants have the right to challenge these reports if they disagree.

Here are some key facts about UK loss assessors:

  • Loss assessors are professionals who help guide policyholders through the claims process, reduce stress, and fight to get a fair deal from the insurer.
  • They can help with various types of claims, including domestic fires and commercial fires, floods, water leaks, storms, cyber attacks, and theft damage.
  • Loss assessors can be particularly helpful for large-scale, costly claims, where policyholders may struggle to navigate the process independently.
  • They are independent from insurance companies and aim to get the best possible settlement for the policyholder.
  • Loss assessors differ from loss adjusters, who work for your insurance company to assess the validity and value of your claim.
  • They are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for claims handling and must adhere to the FCA Code of Conduct.
  • It’s recommended that a loss assessor be appointed as early as possible in the claims process for the best results.
loss adjuster vs loss assessor

Understanding the Role of a Loss Adjuster

At the heart of every insurance claim process lies the loss adjuster, a professional employed by the insurance company to:

  • assess the damage,
  • determine the payout,
  • and negotiate settlements.

Their primary responsibilities encompass:

  • visiting the claim site,
  • assessing the damage first-hand,
  • and making judgments on the claim’s validity and value.

By understanding what loss adjusters do and what their duties entail, policyholders can better prepare for and engage in the claims process, ensuring a fair and smooth resolution.

After you notify your insurance company of the incident, they will send their loss adjuster. Although they might seem like they are there to help, loss adjusters are employed and paid for by the insurance companies.

The Loss Adjuster Represents The Insurance Company’s Interests

The purpose of the loss adjuster your insurance company will send is to:

  • protect the insurance company’s interests,
  • check the validity of your claim
  • and mitigate your insurer’s exposure to cost.

As the policyholder, it is important to understand the following:

  • The loss adjuster’s only role is to represent your insurer’s interest and investigate the cause of the incident
  • They will try to interrogate you and find any possible faults that might be used to deny the claim
  • If you say the wrong thing, you risk jeopardising your claim, and as a result, you will receive nothing.

Repudiation

Frequently, insurance claims are rejected due to the loss adjuster’s interpretation of the policyholder’s non-disclosure of material facts presented at the commencement or renewal of the insurance contract. This can be for a breach of a relevant condition or warranty in the small print. The insurance company-appointed loss adjuster is trained to look for these errors, and your insurance company pays their fees for doing so.

Loss Adjuster: Summary

Loss adjusters are insurance claim professionals who work for your insurer and are focused on reducing the settlement you may receive or rejecting the claim altogether.

Let’s now look at the role of loss assessors, like Oakleafe Claims, that work only to represent the interest of you, the policyholder.

loss assessor vs loss adjuster

The Role of the Loss Assessor – Representing You!

Changes in the UK insurance industry now mean that you, the policyholder, are able to appoint a loss assessor, such as Oakleafe Claims, to represent your interests in the claim process.

  • Loss assessors provide the same professional service as loss adjusters but represent YOUR side of the claim.
  • A loss assessor will use their professional knowledge and experience to work on your claim and secure the best possible settlement from your insurer.
  • As your professional representative, a loss assessor will challenge any attempt by the insurance company to reject or repudiate a claim.
  • Your loss assessor will prepare and present your claim, including all relevant affected policy items and any business interruption or material damage claims, as appropriate.
  • Depending on the available evidence, the loss assessor might also pursue the recovery of uninsured or underinsured losses.
  • The Financial Mail reported that a loss assessor can often obtain between a 30% – 40% higher settlement than if the claim were handled personally by the policyholder.

What’s the Difference Between Loss Assessors and Loss Adjusters

Although loss assessors and loss adjusters are both insurance claim professionals and sound quite similar, they sit on opposite sides of the fence.

Loss Assessors are there to help and stand shoulder to shoulder with you, representing only you, the policyholder, and working to get you your full entitlement under your policy terms.

Loss Adjusters are the opposite. They essentially work against your best interests and are there to find problems and any noncompliance with the claim, to seek ways to pay out the minimum settlement, or even to refuse the claim altogether, which is called a repudiation.

How Oakleafe Claims loss assessors will assist with your insurance claim:

Oakleafe Claims are experienced loss assessors and are members of the industry governing body The Institute of Public Loss Assessors. With Oakleafe managing your residential or commercial insurance claim, you will enjoy the following benefits:

  • Access to experienced and qualified loss assessors who will deal with your insurer’s adjusters on your behalf.
  • Chartered surveyors, structural engineers, environmentalists and building contractors to support your claim.
  • Oakleafe will handle all meetings, communications, and negotiations to fully protect your interests and ensure you receive the best possible payout.
  • We can even provide post-incident prevention guidance, helping with fire safety and smoke alarms.
  • You can also use our online claims portal, Claimtrack, to view live communications between all parties and keep up to date with all developments in real-time.

For Residential Claims:

  • Compiling a list of contents
  • Quantifying and managing building claims
  • Preparing and presenting the claim
  • Organising alternative accommodation

For Commercial Claims:

  • Compiling a list of stock and plant damage
  • Quantifying and presenting the building claim
  • Calculating Business Interruption
  • Organising interim payments

Book a complimentary claims management consultation with one of our expert loss assessors.

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Our insurance claim professionals will explain the claim process to ensure you understand your options.
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Loss Assessor Costs

Usually, no upfront fees are required when employing a loss assessor.

Loss assessors generally work on the success fee principle, charging a small percentage of the settled claim. Depending on the claim value and complexity, this is typically set at 10% of the claim settlement or less.

Often, a loss assessor will provide services for free if the policyholder agrees to use the appointed contractor network to complete the repairs.

Read more about loss assessor fees.

what do loss adjusters do

Preparing for a Loss Adjuster’s Visit

If you are going it alone and not employing the services of a professional loss assessor, you’ll need to prepare for your meetings with your insurer’s loss adjuster. Preparation ensures that your interaction with a loss adjuster progresses smoothly. Here are essential steps to prepare for their visit:

  • Documenting Damage: Take comprehensive photos or videos of all damaged areas and items. This visual evidence can support your claim and provide a clear basis for discussions.
  • Listing Damaged Items: Compile a detailed inventory of damaged property, including descriptions, the age of items, and, if possible, their replacement cost.
  • Effective Presentation: Organise your documentation so it can be easily presented to the adjuster. This preparation can help streamline the assessment process.

Interacting with Loss Adjusters

Communication is crucial when interacting with loss adjusters. Here’s how you can ensure effective dialogue:

  • Be Hospitable: Though it may be stressful, greeting the adjuster politely can set a positive tone for the visit.
  • Ask Questions: If you are unclear about any part of the process, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. A good understanding will help you follow the proceedings and make informed decisions.
  • Handling Disputes: If disagreements arise, remain calm and present your concerns logically. It’s beneficial to have your facts, documentation, and supporting evidence ready to discuss any points of contention.

Ethical Considerations and Impartiality

A common concern surrounds the impartiality and ethics of loss adjusters. While insurance companies pay adjusters, they are bound by strict industry standards to act impartially.

However, suppose you feel that your treatment isn’t fair?

In that case, there are steps you can take, including seeking a second opinion or consulting a professional loss assessor to represent your interests.

Disputing a Loss Adjuster’s Decision

Should you disagree with the assessment or decision made by a loss adjuster, there are mechanisms to dispute it. These include:

  • Filing an Appeal: Most insurance companies offer an internal appeals process.
  • Hiring a Loss Assessor: Consider hiring your own professional to evaluate the damage independently.
  • Accessing Support: Legal advice and the services of consumer advocacy groups can also be instrumental in pursuing your claim further.

Loss Assessor Vs Loss Adjuster: Conclusion

Interacting with loss adjusters is a pivotal aspect of navigating insurance claims. Being thoroughly prepared for their visit, understanding your rights and responsibilities, and knowing how to communicate effectively and, if necessary, dispute decisions can all empower you as a policyholder. Remember, the goal is to ensure a fair evaluation of your claim, leveraging the expertise of loss adjusters while actively participating in and understanding the process.

We Can Help

Oakleafe Claims have represented policyholders and managed their insurance claims since before the First World War. We have vast expertise and experience in both domestic and commercial insurance claims, including riot claims, with thousands of satisfied policyholders who have received their deserved insurance settlement. With no upfront fees required, our internal data shows that insurance claims managed by professional loss assessors like Oakleafe can expect a settlement up to 40% higher than claims managed by the policyholder.

What Oakleafe Clients Say:

Book your complimentary consultation with our insurance claim professionals.

Our insurance claim professionals will explain the claim process to ensure you understand your options.
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Loss Assessor FAQs

Can I Hire My Own Independent Loss Assessor?

Yes. All policyholders retain the right to appoint an independent loss assessor to support their commercial or domestic insurance claim. A loss assessor will guide and assess your claim, providing you with the knowledge and skills to reach a successful outcome. This is particularly important as your insurer will contract a loss adjuster to work on their behalf. Utilising a loss adjuster usually indicates the claim’s complexity. If your insurer has one on their side, it would be wise for you to appoint a loss assessor to represent you also.

An independent loss assessor can coordinate emergency work, prepare details of your claim, negotiate with all representatives, and settle an agreed-upon payout. This is all highly beneficial when competing against insurers and loss adjusters.

Should I Appoint An Independent Loss Assessor?

Loss assessors such as Oakleafe Claims are independent insurance experts who work solely on behalf of policyholders. We have the same knowledge and proficiency as loss adjusters, yet their purpose explicitly supports policyholders.

We only ever work on your behalf. For this reason, we can be trusted to handle your claim expertly and correctly.

Loss assessors work like independent loss adjusters, with the added value of experience and authenticity representing policyholders. We know the common mishaps, pitfalls and biases that loss adjusters and insurance companies use.

We have the skills to guide and support you through a complex claims process.

Contact Oakleafe Claims today for your complimentary, no-obligation consultation with our insurance claim professionals.

What Oakleafe Clients Say:

Book your complimentary consultation with our insurance claim professionals.

Our insurance claim professionals will explain the claim process to ensure you understand your options.

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