What Does a Public Adjuster Do?

A public adjuster is an independent insurance professional that a policyholder can hire to help them resolve an insurance claim. They are employed by the landlord and paid a percentage of the claim amount. A public adjuster is a claims professional who works only for the policyholder, not for the insurer. They can evaluate the damage to property, determine the extent of repairs, and assess the replacement value of those repairs.

They can also evaluate other types of losses, such as business revenue. Generally, they charge a percentage of what the insurance company pays for the claim. If you have problems with your insurance company or if your personal or professional situation makes it difficult to manage all the details, you can hire a claims assistance professional. The key is to find an experienced public adjuster with good references who will accept you as a customer for a fair price.

According to the report, those who used public adjusters for non-catastrophic claims received settlements that were 584% higher. Or anyone who, in exchange for some form of compensation and working on behalf of another public adjuster, is responsible for adjusting losses, advising an insured person, or investigating first-party claims in an insurance contract. If you're facing a major claim with a potentially high payment, consider the price before choosing to hire a public adjuster. If you go directly to an attorney, your lawyer will likely hire a public adjuster to investigate the claim.

If a disparity in the agreement is found, the public adjuster can reopen, renegotiate, or provide guidance on the next best path to achieving a fair and favorable agreement for the insured. A public adjuster is a state-licensed insurance professional who specializes in managing all aspects of an insurance claim on behalf of the policyholder (claimant or insured). They speak the language and can take the burden off you because the process is time consuming and there is a lot of technical terminology that can be difficult to understand. You can find a public adjuster by getting a recommendation from friends or family. The other way to find one is to look for an authorized public adjuster at a “contingent” (percentage) fee who will handle the processing of your claim and negotiate a settlement on your behalf.