7 Things You Need to Consider Before You Hire a Public Adjuster

When disaster strikes—whether it’s a hurricane, a flood, a fire or any other type of calamity—filing an insurance claim can feel overwhelming.

Your insurance company has experts in their camp to lower payouts, which is why you need an expert on your side as well.

That’s where a public adjuster comes in.

A good public adjuster will work for you, helping the insurance company give an honest assessment of just how much of your property was damaged, interpreting your policy fairly, and getting you the best possible settlement.

But, unfortunately, all adjusters are not created equally.

In this guide, we will dissect the seven things that matter most before hiring a public adjuster.

From licensing and expertise to fees and communication, this advice will help you select someone who will protect your interests, not the insurer’s.

1. Licences and Qualifications

• Ensure the adjuster is licensed in your state: All states have their own standards and licensing requirements for public adjusters. Always check licensure (in your state) before making the call. You can usually verify this with your state’s Department of Insurance website.
• Find out about professional affiliations and certifications, like NAPIA: Professional groups, such as the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA), require members to adhere to predetermined ethical and professional benchmarks. Memberships, certifications or further education designations are good signs that an adjuster considers their career an important one and they are up-to-date with the field’s best practices.
• Anyone who cannot give you license verification is someone to avoid: The good public adjuster is transparent and will be able to offer you a license verification without any hesitation. If someone dodges the question, makes vague responses, or tries to pressure you into signing right away, it’s a red flag.

2. Type of Claim Experience

Does this public adjuster have experience with your typer of claim–residential, commercial, fire, hurricane, etc.? All claims are unique. Whether you have a house with a hurricane-damaged roof or a commercial building suffering after a fire or flood, you want a public adjuster who’s had direct experience filing claims in your type of situation. Specialized experience means that they’ll understand what they’re looking for, how to value damages correctly and how to present your case effectively. Inquire about their success rate negotiating with similar insurers. Every insurance company has its unique processes, documentation standards, and blocking and tackling strategy. An adjuster who has worked with your particular insurance company in the past will have the tools and experience to more efficiently work through the process, and work on your behalf to get you the most for your claim. Do not be shy about asking for examples or case studies that demonstrate their success with claims like yours.

3. Pricing and Contact Transparency

Know how your public adjuster does business. Most work on contingency (a percentage of your settlement). They usually do not charge an upfront fee. Instead, they are paid on a contingency basis, with a cut of the final settlement amount. This may be helpful in that it makes what you want (your settlement check) in their best interest. They only get paid if you do. Make sure the fee is highlighted in the contract. Before signing on the dotted line, read the contract and make sure the fee percentage is clear, when it is applied and whether it is calculated before or after other costs are taken off. A good adjuster will walk you through the deal and ensure that you understand it completely. Watch out for hidden fees or vague language. Contracts must be transparent, easy to read, and free of cryptic legal terms. Beware of anything that could allow you to be charged extra, vague descriptions of services, or stipulations that will bind you to unnecessary terms. If anything is obscure, ask questions — or even have a lawyer review it before signing.

4. Contact and Availability

Inquire about the frequency you will be updated on the status of your case. Good communication is key throughout the claims process. A reputable public adjuster must keep you in the loop about where your claim is, next steps and any new developments. Up front, ask how often you should expect to hear from them — weekly, biweekly or as milestones are met. Know who you’re dealing with. In larger firms, the person you talk to on the phone might not be the person handling your claim. Specify who your main point of contact will be and how he can be reached. Working directly with your adjuster means you get to avoid the middle man and stay informed every step of the way. Pick someone responsive and available, particularly in emergency situations. Claims involving storm damage typically have tight deadlines and require time-sensitive decisions. What’s more, you want an adjuster who picks up the phone, responds quickly to emails, and is available in the case of emergencies. If communication is slow or spotty during your initial interactions, that may be an early warning of how they will treat your claim.

5. References and Reviews

Research online reviews on Google and other trusted platforms. Look at Google, BBB, and others to see what past clients have to say. Find comments regarding communication, results of claims, professionalism and finally if clients are happy with service received. Several positive reviews can mean a reliable and helpful adjuster. Get first-hand references. If you’re able to obtain references from past clients, do not shy away because that will help you. Getting on the phone with references allows you the opportunity to ask very specific questions about their experience. Did the adjuster get back to you right away? How seamless was the process? Did you feel supported the entire time? Find patterns in the good and bad. One bad review does not necessarily mean there’s a problem—but a pattern of complaints should lead you to a different firm. Similarly, if you see nothing but glowing reviews in certain categories (for, say, well-documented code or successful negotiations), that can make you more confident in your decision.

6. Scope of Services Provided

Will deposits, inspections, and documentation all be the responsibility of the person handling who is managing the transactions? A good public adjuster should handle all aspects of the claims process, inspecting the property, photographing/reporting on all damages, generating comprehensive estimates and negotiating in person with the insurance carrier. This holistic strategy ensures you receive every detail and offers the best possibility of settling on fair terms. Will they assist with disputes or insurance appraisals? Occasionally insurance companies don’t pay up on valid claims or they deny them. In those instances, a savvy public adjuster can help with the fight, whether it’s the appraisal clause, mediation, or some other fashion of resolution. Inquire whether they have successfully resolved similar disputes. Know what is actually covered in their service. Before signing a contract, be certain you know exactly what the adjuster is going to do — and not going to do. Among those offerings: some may bundle some post-settlement support — contractor referrals, for example, or the coordination of rebuilds — while some may not. It’s best to get clarity upfront and spare yourself frustrations and unfulfilled expectations.

7. Local Knowledge and Reputation

Do they know your local building codes and most common damage? A public adjuster who is familiar with your region’s prevailing weather, construction methods and applicable ordinances and regulations, will be much better prepared to recognize damages and calculate repairs effectively. Their local knowledge will ensure that they don’t overlook the subtle signs of storm, wind or flood damage in the type of architecture specific to your area. Do they have local contractor and inspector relationships? This is where being well-connected in the community can help make the process much easier and faster. A seasoned adjuster will have a network in place with trusted contractors, roofers, engineers and inspectors—you will have immediate entry to estimates, second opinions and professional documentation if you need it. Determine if they are known and trusted in the community. Reputation is a valuable thing. Choose an adjuster who is known in the area by homeowners, business owners, and the local real estate community. Community participation, word-of-mouth references and local establishment over time are good evidence of trust and reliability.

Bonus: Questions to Ask Before Hiring

Here’s a quick checklist of questions to ask any public adjuster before signing a contract:

• Are you licensed in my state?
• What types of claims do you specialize in?
• How is your fee structured?
• What is your availability and typical response time?
• Can you provide references from recent clients?
• What exactly will you handle in the claims process?
• How well do you know my area?