Three kinds of adjuster
When you have a property loss, there are three types of adjuster who might be involved, and only one of them works for you:
- The company (staff) adjuster works for the insurance company as an employee.
- The independent adjuster is hired by the insurance company on contract — still representing the insurer’s interests.
- The public adjuster is licensed to represent you, the policyholder, and is the only one of the three whose duty runs to you.
What a public adjuster does
A public adjuster handles your claim end to end: inspecting and documenting the loss, interpreting your policy, preparing and presenting the claim, and negotiating with the insurance company for a full, fair settlement. The goal is to level a playing field that is otherwise tilted — the insurer has professionals working the claim from their side, and a public adjuster puts equivalent expertise on yours.
How they’re paid
Public adjusters are typically paid a percentage of the settlement they recover — so there are no upfront fees, and the adjuster’s incentive is aligned with yours: the largest fair recovery. Public adjusters are licensed and regulated by the states they practice in.
When it makes sense
A public adjuster is most valuable on significant or complex losses, on claims that have been underpaid or denied, and any time you feel outmatched by the process. If you’re not sure, a free claim review will tell you whether professional representation is worth it in your case.
Illustrative — the coverage carriers most often leave out of a first offer.