Adjuster/Assessor
An insurance company employs insurance adjusters or assessors whose function is to inspect the damage after a claim is made by an insured party. The adjuster will evaluate the loss and determine the amount to be paid to the insured as settlement of the claim.
The adjuster will look at the terms of the specific insurance contract of the insured and, according to the specific risk that was covered, decide what will be required to settle the claim.
An insured party who disputes the settlement amount he is being offered by the insurance company can appoint a public adjuster who will, after making his own assessment, negotiate with the insurers on behalf of the insured to see if a better settlement can be reached. He is usually compensated by receiving a percentage portion of the claim.
Car insurance adjusters/assessors must have the appropriate mechanical knowledge and trade skills. Car assessors often find that damaged cars are not economically repairable and “write off” the car. They look at the cost of parts and labour and base their decision on that.
The adjuster will use any statements from witnesses and police reports (if the police were present at the scene of the accident) to ascertain who the guilty party is. This will determine the right of the insurance company to claim against the guilty party’s insurance. (if the other driver is the guilty party.)
Claims for passenger liability must be handled with special care as many factors needs to be taken into account, i.e. where the passenger did not wear a seatbelt is can indicate negligence and reduce the damages against the insured. Also, passenger liability is covered under the Road Accident Fund to a certain extent.