What Is a Public Adjuster — And Why You Need One

Most people don't know what a Public Adjuster is until they need one. By then, they've often already made costly mistakes. Here's what you need to know — and why having one on your side can make a massive difference in your claim outcome.

The Difference Between Adjusters

There are three types of adjusters you might encounter after a property loss:

• Company Adjuster: Employed directly by your insurance company. They represent the carrier's interests.
• Independent Adjuster: Hired by the insurance company when they need extra help. Still paid by the carrier. Still represents the carrier.
• Public Adjuster: Licensed professional hired by YOU. Works exclusively for the policyholder. Paid based on your settlement.

The key difference: only one of these three is working for you.

What a Public Adjuster Actually Does

A Public Adjuster handles every aspect of your claim:

• Assesses your loss accurately — including repair/replacement costs, business income loss, and additional living expenses that company adjusters often overlook.
• Interprets your policy — insurance policies are dense legal documents. We know where coverage lives.
• Manages the entire claim — documentation, deadlines, communications. You focus on your life.
• Coordinates experts — contractors, engineers, consultants. We bring the right team.
• Negotiates aggressively — backed by statutes, industry standards, and deep experience.

"The insurance company has experts working for them. You should have one working for you."

The Numbers Don't Lie

A government study by the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) found that policyholders who used a Public Adjuster received significantly higher settlements — in many cases 747% more than those who filed on their own.

Why? Because Public Adjusters know what to look for, how to document it, and how to negotiate it. The insurance company's adjuster works for the insurance company. Your adjuster should work for you.