Know What Assessors Look For and How to Protect Your Claim.
Written by Darren Carter. Last Updated on October 12, 2026
Dealing with an insurance claim can feel unfamiliar, particularly when you are already managing damage to a home, rental property or business. Policy wording, evidence, repair costs and insurer communication can all add to the pressure.
At Independent Loss Adjusters, we provide policyholder-side insurance claim support. As Insurance Assessors and Loss Assessors, we can review the claim, explain the available information and help you understand the position before deciding what to do next.
The term Insurance Assessor can be used in different ways. In UK property claims, a Loss Assessor is commonly appointed by the policyholder to help prepare, present and progress the claim. A Loss Adjuster may be appointed by an insurer, but loss adjusters can also work for policyholders.
The important question is therefore who appointed the professional and whose claim they are supporting. When Independent Loss Adjusters is appointed, we work for the policyholder rather than the insurer.
We can review the policy wording, damage, evidence and settlement position. We can also communicate with the insurer and help present the claim clearly. Our guide to what “independent” means in an insurance claim explains this distinction in more detail.
Q: What is the difference between a Loss Assessor and a Loss Adjuster?
A: A Loss Assessor is usually appointed by the policyholder to help prepare, present and progress an insurance claim. A Loss Adjuster is often appointed by the insurer to investigate and assess a claim, although loss adjusters can also work for policyholders. The key point is to understand who appointed the professional and who they represent.
Q: When should I get an Insurance Assessor involved?
A: You can seek advice at any stage of a property insurance claim. Early guidance may be useful before detailed evidence or repair information is submitted. However, support can also be appropriate later if the claim becomes delayed, disputed, rejected or difficult to manage.
Q: How do you get paid?
A: Initial insurance claim advice from ILA is free. If you appoint us to manage and negotiate your claim, our standard fee is 10% plus VAT of the relevant settlement amount.
If you choose an ILA-recommended contractor to carry out reinstatement work, that contractor may cover our fee for the proportion of work they complete. You remain free to appoint your own contractor. We explain the applicable fees before you decide whether to proceed.
Q: Are all Insurance Assessors independent?
A: The term Insurance Assessor does not by itself tell you who the professional represents. Check who appointed them, who they report to and how they are paid. When ILA is appointed, we work for the policyholder rather than the insurer.
Q: What if my claim’s already been rejected?
A: A rejected claim may still be worth reviewing. First, check the insurer’s stated reason, the policy wording and the evidence relied upon. Our rejected insurance claim guide explains what to check before deciding whether further evidence, a complaint or independent support may be appropriate.
Owning a home is a dream for many, but when that dream collides with a burst pipe or fire damage, it can quickly become a logistical nightmare. We’ve helped countless families during these moments.
For homeowners, we can review the property damage, policy wording, available evidence and proposed settlement. Where we are appointed, we can also communicate with the insurer and help organise information relevant to the claim.
Underinsurance can affect a settlement in some circumstances. If you are unsure whether your buildings sum insured reflects the current rebuild cost, a Rebuild Cost Assessment can help provide a more informed estimate.
If you’re a landlord, you already know – things go wrong, tenants move out unexpectedly, and sometimes, you get caught in the crossfire. That’s where we come in.
Landlords may seek help at different stages of a claim. Early advice can be useful where the damage, evidence or policy position is unclear. However, ILA can also review an existing claim that has become delayed, disputed or difficult to manage.
Running a business is hard enough without fire, flood, or theft grinding operations to a halt. That’s why we offer commercial claim support that’s both strategic and compassionate.
If you want to know more about how we support business owners, take a look at our Business Interruption Claims page.
Property insurance claims can involve detailed policy wording, repair evidence, valuations and repeated communication with the insurer. Managing that alongside damage to a home, rental property or business can be difficult.
Independent Loss Adjusters works for policyholders rather than insurers. Depending on the claim and the service you appoint us to provide, we can review the evidence, organise claim information, communicate with the insurer and help assess settlement proposals.
If you would like help managing the claim, our Insurance Claims Management page explains the service and current fee position in more detail.
Call 0800 002 5178 for free initial insurance claim advice, or request a callback below. The initial conversation is free and does not commit you to appointing ILA.
Head of Marketing & Technology, Independent Loss Adjusters
Posted by Darren - Over 15 years' experience in online marketing within the insurance claims sector and works with ILA's loss adjusters and claims professionals to turn practical claims knowledge into clear, useful guidance for policyholders.
What Our Clients Say After Working With ILA
When your property claim feels uncertain, it can help to hear from people who have already been through the process. These testimonials show how Independent Loss Adjusters has helped clients deal with insurers, evidence, delays, settlement concerns and the practical steps needed to move a claim forward.
“The insurer was being a nightmare and dragged the case on for months, but in the end, with Glenn’s help and guidance, we received the payout needed to rectify the damage. Without Glenn, we would have only received 20% of the actual costs to restore the damage!”
“From the first call they just knew what they were doing. They were easy to talk to, always kept me updated and nothing ever felt like too much trouble.”
“Thoroughly investigated my issues with my insurers and loss adjusters. Took all the pressure off, kept us informed on every step along the way. Suggested corrections to the loss adjusters, which were accepted, and finally achieved a settlement figure almost twice the amount originally offered.”
“ILA are superb at engaging, on your behalf, with insurance companies. They take ownership of the situation for you and work with you to deliver a tremendous outcome. If your insurance claim has stalled, I would recommend you contact Glenn and Sue at ILA - You will be in exceptionally capable hands.”
“Michael dealt with our case in such a very professional manner, providing excellent advice and valued assistance. What really mattered here was Michael had a real connection to us, offering true empathy to our case and real sincere desire to help us to the best of his ability.”
“Michael will do the job to the end he is a professional in his work. Thanks to his team all my problems were solved.”
These testimonials describe individual clients’ experiences. Outcomes depend on the policy wording, evidence and circumstances of each claim.
Property insurance explained in plain English, covering common insured events, policy limits, excesses, exclusions and the key terms homeowners, landlords and businesses should understand.
Property damage can create costs beyond repairs, including temporary accommodation, storage, drying, loss of rent and business interruption where the policy may provide cover.
Guidance for policyholders seeking FCA-authorised support with an existing insurance claim, including what to review before appointing another firm to assist with the claim.
Claim rejected, delayed, under investigation or offered a settlement you’re unsure about? Our guide covers what to check next, underinsurance and help with an existing claim.
Explore Common Claim Problems
Understand the difference between insurer-appointed and independent loss adjusters, what each role involves and when independent claim support may be appropriate.
Loss Adjuster Guides
Practical guidance on preparing, documenting and progressing an insurance claim, including what to do when questions, delays or disputes arise.
Making a Claim Guides
Clear explanations of common insurance terms, policy wording and claims terminology to help you understand correspondence, decisions and the claims process.
Insurance Terminology GuidesCLEAR, PROFESSIONAL CLAIM SUPPORT
A difficult claim often involves policy wording, technical evidence, repair costs and several parties. Our Loss Adjusters help policyholders understand the position and approach the next step with clearer information.
ILA is appointed by homeowners, landlords and businesses, not by the insurer handling their claim.
Our team brings experience across insurance claims, loss adjusting, damage assessment and settlement review.
We review the policy, correspondence and available evidence before explaining what appears clear and what may need further work.
Our regulated status supports clear information, appropriate conduct and fair treatment throughout the customer journey.
Independent Loss Adjusters Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for insurance distribution activities.
Tell us what has happened and where the claim currently stands. We will review the initial information and explain whether ILA may be able to help.
Every claim depends on its individual circumstances, supporting evidence and policy wording. No particular outcome can be guaranteed.
PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAIMS
Different types of damage bring different questions about evidence, repairs and cover. Choose the claim type below to see how ILA may be able to help.
We can help assess water damage, organise the evidence and present the claim under your policy.
Flood Damage Claim Help
We review the damage, repair scope and reinstatement costs to help you understand the claim position.
Fire Damage Claim Help
We assess the interruption, financial records and policy position when insured damage affects trading.
Business Interruption Help
We review the damage, circumstances and evidence after vandalism or deliberate damage.
Malicious Damage Claim Help
We can assess collision or impact damage and review the repair evidence and settlement position.
Impact damage claim help
We help organise supporting evidence and review the claim position after burglary or theft.
Theft Claim Help
Tell us what happened and where your claim stands. The initial conversation is free and without obligation. We’ll ask a few questions and explain whether ILA may be able to help. You can call us or complete the form; we’ll contact you using the details you provide.
If you choose ongoing support, we’ll explain the service and fee before work begins. Our general fee is 10% plus VAT of the overall settlement. Where you appoint ILA’s recommended contractors for the agreed reinstatement works, our fee is generally covered through that contractor route. The position depends on your claim and the proposed work.
What Happens After You Request a Callback?
When we speak, we’ll ask a few initial questions about the damage, your insurance policy and the current position of your claim.
You don’t need to have every document ready. The first conversation is simply to understand what has happened and whether we may be able to help.
If you’d prefer to speak to us directly, call 0800 002 5178.
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