How to Choose a Public Adjuster

More than 285,000 claims adjusters work within the United States.[1] Which one should you choose to work on your home insurance loss? It’s critical to take your time, interview plenty of candidates, and do your homework to help you make the best choice. 

Public adjusters will work directly with your insurance company, ensuring you maximize your homeowner insurance claim after a covered event like a fire or hailstorm. Here’s what you need to know to choose the right person to do this critical work.

Key Facts

Consider These Tips When Choosing a Public Adjuster 

Your public adjuster is your partner in a homeowners insurance claim. Follow these tips when selecting someone to fill this important role:

Check for a Valid License 

In 46 states, a public adjuster is required to hold a valid license before representing homeowners.[1] A licensed professional has paid a fee, met your state’s educational requirements, carries insurance, and more. Proof of a license also demonstrates that your public adjuster is a true professional committed to the work. 

Always ask your public adjuster for a valid license number you can confirm. If you live in a state that doesn’t require a public adjuster license, ask about your professional’s small business license and insurance status. 

Check With Your State’s Officials 

Every state has an insurance department responsible for administering licenses and investigating complaints. Before you hire a public adjuster, contact your local agency to confirm the person’s license and ask about prior complaints or investigations. 

Use a tool like this one from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to find the appropriate agency in your state.[3] 

Determine Legal Pricing Structures 

When you contact your state’s agency, ask about legal billing methods for public adjusters. For example, in Florida, public adjusters can’t charge more than 20% of a claim payment (or 10% of a claim caused by a state of emergency).[4] 

Know exactly how much professionals are legally allowed to charge, and steer clear of anyone who wants more money for the work. 

Ask for a Written Contract

In states like Florida, a public adjuster is required to provide you with a contract that details your relationship.[4] Your adjuster must offer a signed copy of that document to your insurance company. 

In other states, a written contract isn’t required. But ethical public adjusters will tell you what is and isn’t part of the scope of work, so you can make a smart decision. 

Beware of public adjusters who won’t give you a contract. You could end up with a negative surprise at the end of your claim. 

Review Before You Sign 

Qualified claims adjusters have plenty of work available, and they don’t need to use tricky sales techniques to get new clients. These public adjusters will give you a written contract and give you time to review it before you sign. 

An unethical public adjuster will bully you into signing a contract, even if you haven’t read it yet. Consider this a red flag. 

Beware of Promises 

A public adjuster can work for you, reducing stress and hassle. But despite their professionalism and expertise, they may not get the results you want. Beware of any adjuster that promises a larger settlement or quicker process. 

Ask About Prior Work Experience

Some public adjusters worked for insurance companies previously. This expertise is invaluable, as these professionals understand how insurance companies keep costs low and reject claims where they can. Finding a public adjuster with this background could be very useful. 

A public adjuster you’re considering may have no insurance company experience. But this person may have decades of experience working with homeowners in your area. This history could be a good sign too. 

Determine Local Experience 

Homeowner threats can vary from location to location. A public adjuster from Montana may understand fires intimately, but this person may not have experience in hurricane damage. 

Ask your candidates how long they’ve worked as public adjusters in your location. And ask how often they’ve worked on claims similar to yours. Ideally, you want an adjuster with experience in your specific type of claim. 

Ask for References 

An experienced public adjuster should have a list of prior clients willing to discuss their experience. Some offer written case studies about their work, while others are willing to provide names and phone numbers. 

Check any references you’re given. Ask these prior clients how the experience worked and whether they’d be willing to hire this person again.