When a claim goes wrong, you’ll hear all three suggested. They are not interchangeable. Picking the right one first saves time and fees.
An insurance appraiser
An appraiser works within the policy’s appraisal clause on one question: the amount of a covered loss. If coverage is accepted and the dispute is about how much the repair costs, an appraiser is the specialist. The result is a binding award on the amount once two of three panel members sign.
A public adjuster
A public adjuster is licensed to represent the policyholder in presenting and negotiating the whole claim, usually for a percentage of the recovery. Public adjusters are licensed through the Wyoming Department of Insurance. They can be helpful early, when a claim is complex and you don’t have time to manage it.
An attorney
An attorney handles legal problems: coverage denials, disputes about policy interpretation, deadlines to sue, and claims of bad faith. If your claim was denied outright, or the carrier is raising coverage defenses, a Wyoming-licensed attorney should be your first call.
A quick guide
| Your situation | Usually start with |
|---|---|
| Covered, but the estimate is too low | Estimate review, then appraisal |
| Just filed, complex claim, no time to manage it | Public adjuster |
| Denied, or coverage disputed | Attorney |
| Suit deadline approaching | Attorney, right away |
We will always tell you if your situation calls for one of the others instead of us.