Nerdy takeaways
- A public adjuster is someone you can hire to manage an insurance claim for you.
- Public adjusters typically work on large, complicated claims.
- They may be able to save you time or get you a larger claim payout.
Anyone whose house is damaged in a disaster will be thankful to have home insurance. But filing a claim can be a grueling experience, with hours of painstaking paperwork — and if you leave anything out, you could get a lower payout. That’s where public insurance adjusters can help.
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A public adjuster is an insurance expert you can hire to manage your claim for you. Their job is to represent you and get you all the money your policy entitles you to.
A public adjuster is different from the adjuster an insurer will assign to your claim. The insurer’s adjuster may be a company employee or an independent contractor. Either way, they’re working on the company’s behalf, not yours.
What does a public adjuster do?
A public adjuster will assess the damage to your home and determine how much coverage you’re eligible for under your policy. They’ll also estimate the cost of fixing the damage and document what you’ve lost. An adjuster can work with the insurance company on your behalf to negotiate a settlement.
Public adjusters generally handle large, complex claims. For example, hurricane recovery can be difficult because it often means filing claims on different policies. Say the wind ripped your roof off as floodwaters rose. You might have to file a homeowners or windstorm insurance claim plus a flood insurance claim.
That could lead to tricky questions. How much of the water damage was from rain coming in through the torn-up roof, and how much was due to flooding? The water damage related to the roof would fall under a homeowners or windstorm policy. The flood damage would fall under a flood insurance policy.
A public adjuster can help you figure out the answers and get the most from each available policy.
Pros and cons of hiring a public adjuster
Hiring a public adjuster isn’t the right choice for every claim. Here are some pros and cons to consider.
Pros
💰 They may be able to get you a larger settlement. The main advantage of hiring a public adjuster is to have an expert negotiating for the highest possible claim payout. They can help you document everything you’ve lost and spot potential damage the insurance company’s adjuster might have missed.
Policyholders who hire a public adjuster get higher claim payouts than those who don’t, according to a 2010 Florida study. The study looked at two years of claims. The difference was 19% the first year and more than 700% the second year. (Keep in mind that the adjuster’s fee will eat into a larger settlement.)
🕜 They can save you time. Filing a large insurance claim requires a lot of time and energy, between filling out forms and communicating with the insurer. If you already have a demanding full-time job or caretaking responsibilities, hiring a public adjuster may be well worth the money.
🤝 They can guide you through the claims process. Insurance policies are full of legalese and nitty-gritty details, which can be difficult for the average person to follow. A public adjuster can help you understand your coverage and how the claims process works.
💲 They can help you dispute a settlement. If you initially filed your own claim and are unhappy with your insurer’s settlement offer, consider hiring a public adjuster. They can review the case and try to negotiate a higher payout.
Keep in mind...
The best public adjusters are knowledgeable and good at what they do, but they aren’t miracle workers. A public adjuster can’t get you more money from the insurer than your policy entitles you to receive.
Say your home burns down in a fire and all your belongings are destroyed. It’ll cost you $200,000 to replace everything, but your personal property limit is only $150,000. In this case, a public adjuster probably can’t get you that extra $50,000 in coverage.
Cons
❌ They’re not suitable for every claim. For small, straightforward claims, you may be better off filing on your own and saving yourself the adjuster’s fee. (Some adjusters won’t even work on certain claims if the potential payoff is too low.)
💵 Their fee will reduce your payout. Public adjusters usually charge anywhere from 5% to 20% of the total settlement. However, in some cases you’ll pay a flat or hourly rate. Some states cap the fees, and they may be negotiable — but one way or another, you’ll have to pay for the adjuster’s time and expertise.
⏳ The process may take longer. Claims involving public adjusters take longer to close than those without, according to the 2010 Florida study. New claims without a public adjuster took 10 to 53 days to settle. When a public adjuster was involved, that time span was 306 to 328 days.
There are several potential reasons for this. Public adjusters tend to be involved in larger and more complicated claims, which take more time to resolve. They may also pursue options such as appraisal and mediation rather than accepting an insurer’s initial offer.
📍 They’re not available everywhere. There are certain parts of the U.S. where public adjusters can’t help with home insurance claims. For example, public adjusters aren’t permitted at all in Arkansas.
⚠️ They’re not all legitimate. Disasters bring out scam artists who pose as public adjusters and take advantage of vulnerable people. Follow the tips below to avoid this type of scenario.
Do you need a public adjuster?
Consider hiring a public adjuster if:
- Your claim is large and complex.
- You don’t have time to complete all the documentation on your own.
- You have already filed a claim yourself but are unhappy with the insurer’s settlement offer.
- You’re confused by your coverage or having trouble communicating with your insurer.
You probably don’t need a public adjuster if:
- Your claim involves relatively minor damage (less than $10,000 or so).
- You’re comfortable advocating for yourself in the claims process.
- You’re happy with the service and payout your insurer is providing.
How to find a good public adjuster
Not all public adjusters are equally qualified and experienced, so it’s important to do your research before hiring one. Follow these tips:
- Get referrals. You can find adjusters in your area through the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters.
- Check whether the adjuster is licensed in your state. Many state insurance departments let you verify licenses online. (Note that certain states, such as Alaska, don’t provide licenses for public adjusters.)
- See if any complaints have been filed with the Better Business Bureau.
- Ask for references and speak with at least three if possible.
- Read the contract and understand the fees before hiring the adjuster.
- Stay away from anyone who comes to your door unsolicited, demands an upfront fee or pressures you to sign a contract.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are public adjusters legitimate?
A good public adjuster understands the insurance industry and can help you navigate the claims process. However, some people pretend to be public adjusters after a disaster to get some of your claim payout for themselves. Avoid such scams by checking references and confirming the adjuster is licensed.
How much should a public adjuster charge?
Most public adjusters take a percentage of your claim settlement, which could range from 5% to 20% or more. Others charge a flat or hourly fee. Be sure you fully understand the fee structure before signing a contract with a public adjuster.
When is it too late to hire a public adjuster?
You can hire a public adjuster at almost any point as long as your claim is still open and you haven’t signed a final release. Getting an adjuster involved earlier may help prevent disputes later in the process. Also keep in mind that a statute of limitations may apply to your claim.
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Article sources
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- 1.Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability. Public Adjuster Representation in Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Claims Extends the Time to Reach a Settlement and Also Increases Payments to Citizens’ Policyholders. Accessed Jul 10, 2026.
