We know insurance claims can be stressful if you’re dealing with a big, expensive or complicated issue.
This is where loss assessors can come in handy. But what’s a loss assessor for, and do you need one for your insurance claim?
What’s a loss assessor?
A loss assessor is someone you can hire to help manage your insurance claim.
They’ll:
- help work out the key figures, like the cost of the damage and your excess
- give you advice
- organise your documents
- help with progressing your claim
Are loss assessors and loss adjusters the same?
No, they're two different roles.
Loss assessors work for you, while insurers might use a loss adjuster to help decide how to settle your claim.
To do that, loss adjusters will look at your claim’s details, including:
- the type of incident
- when and where it happened
- your evidence
- your type of policy
What's the difference between an independent assessor and a loss assessor?
If you've got car insurance with us, you might have heard of 'independent assessors' too.
Independent assessors are engineers who check over your car in some situations. We bring them on board if we need support with your claim, but they're completely impartial.
They're different from loss assessors, who work for you.
Do I need a loss assessor?
It depends on your type of claim and whether you feel comfortable handling it yourself.
Loss assessors are usually hired for claims where the loss is big or complicated. For example, if your house needs to be totally rebuilt.
These types of claims can get very complicated, with lots of different things affecting the outcome.
For smaller claims, it's probably not worthwhile using a loss assessor. For example, if your windscreen had a chip or you needed to replace your phone.
That's because you need to consider how much you might need to pay them versus how much you might get in a settlement.
Sensitive cases
Loss assessors can be useful for claims that might be emotional or distressing for you, like if someone’s been badly injured or passed away.
This can take the weight off you having to deal with everything yourself if you find it upsetting.
Will a loss assessor definitely get me a better payout?
There's no guarantee a loss assessor will get you a better payout.
Also, there are lots of factors that can affect the outcome of your claim. Sometimes, these things are out of your (or your loss assessor's) control.
How much does a loss assessor cost?
It depends on which company you choose, how long your claim goes on for and how big your claim payout is.
A lot of loss assessors take a percentage of your claim payout, while others charge an hourly rate for their services.
It’s important to figure out how a loss assessor charges you before agreeing to anything.
How do I find a loss assessor?
It’s like finding a solicitor or contractor. You can look online to find highly rated loss assessors through sites like Trustpilot and Yelp.
Or you can use the Institute of Public Loss Assessors to find the right one for you. This is an FCA-approved list of loss assessors around the UK.
