Electrical Fire @ Duplex--Do I need a Public Adjuster?

[Alex Smith]

Hi BP!

Today my duplex caught on fire. Thankfully, only one of my tenants was there and she was able to get out safely and call the fire department. So thankful this didn't happen in the middle of the night. It could have been so much worse. 

Turns out that it was an electrical fire originating from the breaker box in the basement. The place is currently uninhabitable. I've contacted insurance and secured the home, however, I've been getting many calls from "Public Adjusters." I even had some show up at the property immediately after, when the fire company was still there and everything (which I thought was pretty rude). I'll be honest, until today I didn't even know what a public adjuster was, but from what I learned today, it's someone who is there to represent me to the insurance company to help us maximize the money we receive for renovations? These guys made it seem like the adjuster from the insurance company will have the insurance companies best interest in mind. Meanwhile, if I were to hire a public adjuster, they would have my best interest in mind and make sure that I'm treated fairly? 

Does anyone have any experience with this that could provide some insight? I have the adjuster from the insurance company coming out this Thursday. What should I do? Thanks!