What Is a Public Adjuster? Your Complete Guide

What Is a Public Adjuster?

A public adjuster is a licensed insurance claims professional who represents policyholders — not insurance companies — in the insurance claims process. When your home or business suffers damage from a hurricane, fire, flood, or other covered event, a public adjuster works on your behalf to document the damage, interpret your policy, and negotiate the highest possible settlement with your insurance company.

Unlike the adjuster your insurance company sends to assess your claim, a public adjuster has a legal obligation to represent your interests. Insurance company adjusters — whether staff adjusters employed directly by the insurer or independent adjusters hired on contract — work for the insurance company. Their goal is to settle your claim as efficiently as possible for their employer. A public adjuster's goal is to maximize your payout.

Public adjusters are licensed and regulated by state departments of insurance. They must pass examinations, meet continuing education requirements, and carry surety bonds to protect consumers. In most states, public adjusters are the only type of adjuster legally permitted to advocate for the policyholder.

What Does a Public Adjuster Do?

Public adjusters handle every aspect of the insurance claims process. Here is a breakdown of the services they typically provide:

Damage Inspection and Documentation

Public adjusters conduct a thorough inspection of your property — often far more detailed than the insurance company's initial assessment. They document every area of damage with photographs, measurements, moisture readings, and detailed written reports. This comprehensive documentation is the foundation of a successful claim.

Policy Review and Interpretation

Insurance policies are complex legal documents. Public adjusters understand policy language, coverage limits, exclusions, and endorsements. They review your specific policy to identify all coverages that apply to your loss — including coverages many homeowners do not realize they have, such as additional living expenses, code upgrade coverage, or extended replacement cost.

Claim Preparation and Filing

Public adjusters prepare your claim package, including a detailed scope of loss, repair estimates, and supporting documentation. They ensure every line item is properly categorized and priced according to current material and labor costs in your area.

Negotiation with the Insurance Company

Once your claim is filed, the public adjuster negotiates directly with the insurance company's adjuster on your behalf. They respond to requests for additional information, challenge lowball estimates, and push for a fair settlement based on the documented damage and your policy terms.

Reopening Denied or Underpaid Claims

If your claim was denied or you received a settlement that does not cover your actual losses, a public adjuster can reopen your claim. They review the denial reason, gather additional evidence, and submit a supplemental claim or formal dispute on your behalf.

When Should You Hire a Public Adjuster?

Not every insurance claim requires a public adjuster. For a simple claim with minor damage — a broken window or small roof leak — you can likely handle the process yourself. However, there are several situations where hiring a public adjuster can significantly impact your outcome:

Significant property damage — Major events like hurricanes, fires, or flooding often cause tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage. The stakes are high enough that professional representation pays for itself.
Your claim was denied — Many legitimate claims are initially denied. A public adjuster can analyze the denial reason and often get the decision reversed with proper documentation.
You received a low settlement offer — If the insurance company's offer does not cover your actual repair costs, a public adjuster can negotiate a higher settlement based on documented evidence.
You do not have time to manage the claim — The claims process involves inspections, paperwork, phone calls, and follow-ups that can stretch over weeks or months. A public adjuster handles everything so you can focus on your family and daily life.
You disagree with the damage assessment — If you believe the insurance company missed damage or underestimated repair costs, a public adjuster provides an independent assessment that can be used to challenge the insurer's findings.
You are dealing with a complex claim — Commercial property claims, claims involving multiple types of damage, or claims that require coordination with contractors and engineers benefit greatly from professional management.

The general rule: if your claim is large enough that a 10-20% fee still leaves you significantly better off than handling it yourself, a public adjuster is worth considering. Studies consistently show that policyholders who use public adjusters receive higher settlements on average than those who negotiate on their own.

How the Public Adjuster Process Works

Here is what to expect when you hire a public adjuster, from initial contact to settlement:

1

Free Consultation and Property Inspection

The public adjuster visits your property to assess the damage and determine whether they can help. This initial consultation is free and comes with no obligation. They will explain what they believe your claim is worth and how they can assist.

2

Sign the Representation Agreement

If you decide to proceed, you sign a contract that authorizes the public adjuster to act on your behalf. This agreement outlines the fee structure (typically a percentage of your settlement), the scope of services, and your right to cancel. Read this document carefully and ask questions about anything that is not clear.

3

Comprehensive Damage Documentation

The public adjuster conducts a thorough inspection, documenting every area of damage. This often includes bringing in specialists — roofers, plumbers, mold inspectors, structural engineers — to provide expert assessments. The goal is to capture the full extent of your loss.

4

Policy Review and Claim Preparation

Your public adjuster reviews your insurance policy line by line. They identify all applicable coverages, calculate the full value of your claim including items you may not have considered, and prepare a detailed claim package with estimates, photographs, and supporting documentation.

5

Claim Submission and Negotiation

The public adjuster submits your claim and negotiates directly with the insurance company. This back-and-forth may involve multiple rounds of documentation, meetings with the insurance company's adjuster, and detailed rebuttals to lowball offers. Your public adjuster keeps you informed throughout.

6

Settlement

Once a settlement is reached, the insurance company issues payment. The public adjuster's fee is deducted from the settlement per your agreement. In many cases, the net amount you receive — after the public adjuster's fee — is still significantly higher than what you would have received negotiating on your own.

Public Adjuster Licensing Requirements

Public adjusters are regulated professionals. Every state that allows public adjusters requires them to be licensed through the state department of insurance. Here is what licensing typically involves:

Pre-licensing education — Completion of an approved educational program covering insurance law, claims handling, and ethics.
State licensing examination — Passing a written exam administered by the state or its testing vendor.
Background check — Most states require a criminal background check as part of the application process.
Surety bond — Public adjusters must obtain a surety bond (typically $10,000 to $50,000) that protects consumers in case of misconduct.
Continuing education — Ongoing education credits are required to maintain the license in most states.

In Florida, public adjusters are licensed by the Department of Financial Services (DFS). Florida has some of the most active public adjuster licensing in the country due to the state's high frequency of hurricane and weather-related claims.

In Texas, public adjusters are licensed by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). Texas requires both individual and company licenses for public adjusting firms.

Always verify that your public adjuster holds a current, active license in your state. You can check license status through your state's department of insurance website, or use the PublicAdjustHQ directory where all listed adjusters have verified licenses.

How Public Adjusters Charge (Fees and Cost)

The most important thing to know about public adjuster fees: there is no upfront cost. Public adjusters work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid when you receive a settlement from your insurance company. If your claim is unsuccessful, you owe nothing.

Contingency fees typically range from 10% to 20% of the claim settlement, depending on the state, the complexity of the claim, and when the public adjuster is brought in. Claims that are already in dispute or have been denied may command higher fees because they require more work to resolve.

State	Typical Fee Range	Statutory Cap	Notes
Florida	10% – 20%	Yes — 20% standard, 10% during declared emergency	Most regulated market; fee cap is strictly enforced by DFS
Texas	10% – 15%	No statutory cap	Market-driven pricing; negotiate your fee before signing

Is the fee worth it? Consider this: if a public adjuster negotiates a $100,000 settlement on a claim the insurance company initially offered $40,000 for, even after a 15% fee ($15,000), you still receive $85,000 — more than double the original offer. Research consistently shows that public adjuster-managed claims settle for significantly more than self-managed claims.

For a detailed breakdown of costs and value, see our guide: How Much Does a Public Adjuster Cost?

Benefits of Hiring a Public Adjuster

Higher Settlements

Studies by the Office of the Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) have found that public adjuster-managed claims in Florida result in significantly higher payouts compared to self-managed claims — often 30% to 700% more depending on the type and severity of the loss.

Expert Policy Knowledge

Public adjusters understand insurance policy language that most homeowners find confusing. They know which coverages apply, how to calculate depreciation correctly, and which additional coverages (like code upgrades or debris removal) are included in your policy.

Thorough Documentation

Insurance claims live and die by documentation. Public adjusters bring professional-grade documentation skills — thermal cameras, moisture meters, drone photography, and detailed scoping software — that capture damage homeowners might miss.

Reduced Stress

Dealing with property damage is already stressful. Adding a complex insurance negotiation on top makes it worse. A public adjuster takes the claims burden off your shoulders so you can focus on your family, your job, and getting your life back to normal.

Level Playing Field

Insurance companies have trained professionals working on their side. Without a public adjuster, you are negotiating against experienced claims professionals who handle thousands of claims per year. A public adjuster evens the playing field.

No Upfront Cost

Because public adjusters work on contingency, there is zero financial risk. You only pay if they successfully recover money for you. If the claim is unsuccessful, you owe nothing.

How to Choose the Right Public Adjuster

Choosing the right public adjuster is an important decision. Here are the key factors to evaluate:

Verify their license. Check your state's department of insurance website to confirm the adjuster holds a current, active license. On PublicAdjustHQ, all listed adjusters display their license status.
Check their experience with your claim type. A public adjuster who specializes in hurricane damage may not be the best choice for a commercial fire claim. Ask about their experience with your specific type of loss.
Read reviews and ask for references. Google reviews, Better Business Bureau ratings, and direct references from past clients give you insight into the adjuster's track record and professionalism.
Understand the fee structure upfront. Get the fee percentage in writing before you sign anything. Ask whether the fee is calculated on the total settlement or only the amount above what the insurance company already offered.
Ask about their process and communication. A good public adjuster keeps you informed throughout the claims process. Ask how often you will receive updates and what their preferred method of communication is.
Beware of storm chasers. After major weather events, unlicensed or unscrupulous individuals may go door-to-door offering public adjusting services. Always verify licensing and never sign a contract under pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a public adjuster?

A public adjuster is a licensed insurance professional who works exclusively for policyholders — not insurance companies — to negotiate and settle insurance claims. They inspect damage, review your policy, document losses, and advocate for the maximum settlement you are entitled to under your policy.

How much does a public adjuster cost?

Most public adjusters work on a contingency fee basis, typically charging 10% to 20% of the claim settlement. In Florida, fees are capped at 20% for most claims and 10% for claims related to a declared state of emergency. You pay nothing upfront and only pay if they recover money for you.

When should I hire a public adjuster?

Consider hiring a public adjuster when you have significant property damage, your claim has been denied or underpaid, you are overwhelmed by the claims process, or you disagree with the insurance company's damage estimate. The sooner you hire one after a loss, the better the outcome typically is.

Do I need a public adjuster for a small claim?

For minor claims under a few thousand dollars, you may be able to handle the process yourself. Public adjusters are most valuable for complex or high-value claims where the difference between their negotiated settlement and what you might receive on your own significantly exceeds their fee.

Can I hire a public adjuster after my claim is denied?

Yes. Public adjusters frequently help policyholders reopen denied claims. They can review the denial reason, gather additional documentation, and submit a supplemental claim or formal appeal. Many denials are overturned with proper documentation and professional advocacy.

What is the difference between a public adjuster and an insurance adjuster?

An insurance adjuster (also called a company adjuster or staff adjuster) works for the insurance company and represents their interests. A public adjuster works exclusively for the policyholder. Independent adjusters are hired by insurance companies on a contract basis but still represent the insurer, not you.

Are public adjusters licensed?

Yes. Public adjusters must be licensed by the state department of insurance in every state where they operate. Licensing requires passing an exam, meeting education requirements, and carrying a surety bond. You can verify a public adjuster's license through your state's department of insurance website.