Key takeaway: Company and independent adjusters represent the insurer; public adjusters represent you.

An independent adjuster is hired by the insurance company to protect their interests. A public adjuster is hired by you, the policyholder, to protect yours. Both adjusters do similar tasks (inspect, document, negotiate), but their loyalty lies on opposite sides.

Insurance claims are complex and often overwhelming, especially after a disaster. Without professional help, many policyholders:

• Miss out on hidden coverages.

• Under-document losses.

• Accept settlements that are less than full value.

A public adjuster levels the playing field by bringing industry expertise, construction cost knowledge, and claim strategy to your side of the table.

Example: After a wildfire, homeowners often think only of their house structure. A public adjuster ensures additional living expenses (ALE), landscaping, personal property, and code upgrades are also claimed if covered.

Dealing directly with the insurance company often means you’re negotiating against professionals trained to minimize payouts. A public adjuster levels the playing field. If your loss is small, you may be fine handling it yourself. But for medium to large losses, or if you feel overwhelmed, a public adjuster ensures your claim is fully documented and fairly negotiated.

Public adjusters typically charge a success fee — a percentage of the final settlement.  In most states, the fee depends on the claim size and complexity. Some states cap fees by law. Importantly, fees are only due if you get paid.

The earlier, the better. Hiring a public adjuster immediately ensures all damage is documented correctly and no coverage is overlooked. However, you can bring in a public adjuster even after the insurance company has made an offer — many times they uncover additional coverages and significantly increase settlements.

Yes. Independent studies show public adjusters consistently recover substantially higher settlements than policyholders alone. Why? They know construction costs, insurance policy language, and negotiation tactics. They make sure every dollar owed is claimed.

Most U.S. states require licensing. Licensing ensures a public adjuster meets education, testing, and ethical standards. You should always verify your adjuster’s license with your state’s Department of Insurance or regulatory body before hiring.

Public adjusters calculate lost profits, extra expenses, and timeframes for restoration. They work with accountants and industry experts to create a financial picture of “what would have been” had the loss not occurred. This ensures your business receives proper compensation to cover payroll, rent, lost sales, and more.

Yes. Public adjusters regularly handle multi-million-dollar commercial claims for manufacturers, hotels, HOAs, hospitals, and more. Large claims often involve multiple coverages (buildings, machinery, inventory, income). A public adjuster coordinates everything to maximize recovery and reduce downtime.

Absolutely. Public adjusters are often hired by associations to manage complex claims involving shared property and multiple unit owners. They navigate bylaws, governing documents, and layered insurance coverage to ensure the community receives the full settlement.

It depends on complexity and insurer responsiveness. A small claim may resolve in months; large commercial or business interruption claims can take a year or more. Hiring a public adjuster usually shortens the process, since claims are organized and pressure is applied on the insurer to respond.

Industries with large property, specialized equipment, or complex operations benefit most. Examples:

• Manufacturing & processing plants

• Agriculture & farming operations

• Hospitality & restaurants

• Cannabis & specialty industries

• HOAs & multi-family properties

• Course of construction claims

• Lumber & hardware industries

• Religious & nonprofit organizations

Attorneys often rely on public adjusters for their technical expertise in measuring losses. Public adjusters document damages and prepare claims, while attorneys handle legal disputes. Together, they create a strong case for policyholders.

Yes. Public adjusters can serve as expert witnesses in appraisals, mediations, and litigation. Their detailed claim documentation and professional experience often strengthen a policyholder’s case in formal proceedings.

They prepare the claim file, supply damage valuations, and often participate in negotiations. In appraisals, they serve as your representative to argue valuation differences. For litigation, their reports and testimony can substantiate damages in court.

If the insurer’s offer doesn’t cover your loss, or is denied, ask for a written explanation with the specific policy provisions and the documents/estimates used. Then consider hiring a licensed public adjuster to review your policy and damages and submit a supplemental claim to seek any additional amounts owed.

Public adjusters create a comprehensive claim file including:

• Photographs, drone imagery, or 3D scans to establish the extent of structural and property damage.

• Detailed repair/replacement estimates prepared using industry-standard software and contractor input.

• Inventory lists of damaged contents, often the most time-consuming and important part of a claim. This includes:

  • Room-by-room documentation of all personal property and business contents.

  • Item descriptions, brand names, model/serial numbers, and purchase dates where available.

  • Supporting evidence such as receipts, credit card statements, appraisals, or photographs of items before the loss.

  • Categorization of each item (repairable, cleanable, or total loss).

  • Depreciation schedules and replacement cost values cross-referenced against policy provisions (ACV vs. RCV).

  • Organized spreadsheets that insurers can review, often running hundreds or thousands of line items in a major claim.

• Financial records for lost income, such as profit and loss statements, tax returns, or payroll data, to substantiate business interruption claims.

• Policy analysis cross-referenced with damages to connect each category of loss with the specific coverage section, exclusions, or endorsements that apply.

Yes, for most medium-to-large claims. While fees reduce your settlement percentage, public adjusters typically increase the overall payout so significantly that policyholders end up with more money after fees than they would alone.

• Consultation – Free review. The adjuster examines your policy and claim to identify coverage and issues.

• Engagement – Sign contract. A licensed agreement formalizes representation and fees.

• Inspection – Document damages. Photos, scans, and inventories capture the full scope of loss.

• Preparation – Build claim package. Estimates, contents lists, and financials are organized to present to the insurer.

• Negotiation – Direct with insurer. The adjuster manages communication, disputes, and valuation.

• Settlement – Maximize recovery. They secure a fair payout and handle any needed supplemental claims.