Do you need a public adjuster? Real-life claim success stories.

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When you file a property damage claim, the insurance company sends a claims adjuster to assess the damage and estimate the payout. However, this adjuster — whether an insurer employee or an independent contractor — ultimately works for the insurance company.

Because their goal is to protect the insurer’s financial interests, this may result in a lower payout than expected. If you disagree with their estimate or want a second opinion, you can hire a public adjuster to negotiate on your behalf.

Unlike the insurer’s adjuster, a public adjuster works for you, advocating to secure the highest possible claim payout.

Key Takeaways

Public adjusters survey the damage to your property and negotiate a claim payout with your insurance company on your behalf.
Insurance companies also send out adjusters to the damaged property.
Public adjusters work for you, whereas the insurance company’s adjusters work for the insurer.
Public adjusters usually charge on a contingency basis, typically 5% to 25% of your settlement.

When do you need a public adjuster?

If your property is damaged and you feel your insurance company did not offer you a fair claim reimbursement, consider hiring a public adjuster. You might also consider one if the claim process is taking too long or if you’d prefer a public adjuster to negotiate on your behalf.

“If someone has been through an insurance claim before, they’re probably going to contact their public adjuster right away, especially if they’ve used a public adjuster before in the previous claim,” says Rick P. Tutwiler, president and CEO of Tutwiler & Associates Public Adjusters, an insurance claim adjusting firm in Tampa, Florida.

Even if someone’s never filed a claim, circumstances may lead them to public adjusters.

“Some people will wait to hear back from their insurance company, and when they get the numbers, they might not be happy with the offer, or it might not be what they expected,” Tutwiler says. “That’s when they start looking for someone who can help get them a fair payout, like a public adjuster. It’s really a mix for us.”

If you’re considering a public adjuster, reach out sooner rather than later in the claim process.

“The biggest decisions get made within the first 48 to 72 hours in the claims process,” Tutwiler says. “The claim will either get off to a good start, or it’ll get off to a really bad one.”

Winning the claim battle: A Hurricane Ian flood damage success story

Damage from Hurricane Ian is estimated to exceed $50 billion in insured and uninsured losses, and rebuilding efforts are ongoing.

Though insured for flood and wind, a property owner in Sanibel Island sought help from Tutwiler & Associates to negotiate a claim payout after their rental properties had 8 feet of flood damage.

Once the contract was signed, public adjuster Thomas Long visited the property to assess the damage. He thoroughly reviewed all damage and paperwork — including insurance contracts, fine print, elevation certificates and home inventories — to build a strong case for the claim.

After months of negotiations with the flood insurance adjuster, collaboration with contractors and coordination with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the property owners secured more than double the initial claim offer.

How a family fought for a fair payout after wind damage

After sustaining wind damage from a hurricane — and growing frustrated with delays — a family contacted a public adjuster for assistance. The initial claim payout fell far short of their repair costs and the coverage they had paid for.

With slow communication and stalled repairs, they brought in Tutwiler’s team to reopen the claim and reassess the damage. The public adjusters conducted a second on-site inspection and documented the losses.

After extensive negotiations, the homeowners ultimately received $70,895 in claim payouts and an additional $164,574 — a significant increase from the insurer’s original offer.

From chaos to compensation: A family’s journey after a house fire

You can hire a public adjuster for most claims, not just for natural disasters like the examples above.

For instance, one family reported the damage to their insurance company after a house fire. The insurance company quickly called them back, stating they would send a preferred contractor to secure the property by boarding it up. However, the contractor didn’t arrive until 9:30 p.m. — many hours after the fire.

When the contractor finally arrived, they had the homeowners digitally sign paperwork that was difficult to read, especially because of the late hour and the fact that the homeowners were still in shock from the fire.

The next day, the contractor showed up to begin the cleanup process, bringing in equipment and starting work inside the fire-damaged house. However, the contractor did this before the cause-and-origin expert had even arrived to determine what caused the fire. When the expert finally showed up, he became frustrated at the homeowners for “messing up his report.” Naturally, the homeowners were extremely stressed and upset.

After this, the homeowners decided to hire a public adjuster. The fire was severe and extensive, but despite all the challenges, the public adjusters were able to help the homeowners navigate the situation and receive a fair claim payout.

How to work with a public adjuster

Do your research before hiring a public adjuster. Here are a few tips:

Check credentials and read reviews. Ensure your public adjuster is licensed in your state by a credible organization, like the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA) or your state’s insurance department. You should also check online reviews or ask neighbors and family members for recommendations.
Verify their experience. Consider speaking with the public adjuster about what kind of claims they typically work on and if your claim fits their expertise.
Ask about fees. Many public adjusters work on a contingency basis, but it’s a good idea to find out what all the costs will be, as you are responsible for paying them, not your insurance company.
Read the contract. Before signing, make sure you thoroughly read your contract. Check that there are no hidden fees and that all the details (timelines, scope of services, fees) meet your expectations.
Compare adjusters. It’s a good idea to compare quotes and scopes from multiple adjusters to understand what services are offered at what cost.

Is hiring a public adjuster a good idea?

Public adjusters advocate and negotiate for you when it comes to claim payouts. However, you’re responsible for paying them. Public adjusters usually charge on a contingency basis, typically 5% to 25% of your settlement, but the cost varies on the complexity of the claim and your location, amongst other factors.

Some instances when you may want to hire a public adjuster:

You simply want a second opinion or someone working on your behalf
Your claim is complex or large
Your claim was denied
Your settlement offer was low
You find the process overwhelming

Public adjusters work on your behalf to secure the best possible claim payout. Before signing any contracts, thoroughly research the adjuster you hire. If your claim is straightforward or you’re satisfied with your insurer’s offer, hiring a public adjuster may not be necessary.

However, if you’re seeking a higher payout or feel shorted, a public adjuster can help ensure you receive what you’re owed. Remember, you’re responsible for paying the public adjuster’s services, not your insurance company.

Sources:

National Centers for Environmental Information. “Hurricane Ian.” Accessed April 2025.

Kara McGinley

Kara McGinley has over 6 years of experience writing, editing, and reporting on insurance and the insurance industry. She's been a licensed property and casualty expert in New York since 2021. Kara has been featured in several national publications, including USA TODAY, MSN, LifeHacker, Kiplinger, PropertyCasualty360, Policygenius, Rental Housing Journal, and WRAL.