Home Home insurance Disasters Why you should hire a public adjuster after a disaster Why you should hire a public adjuster after a disaster View Carriers Please enter valid zip Compare top carriers in your area Written by Nupur Gambhir Nupur Gambhir Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service. | Reviewed by Laura Longero Laura Longero Laura Longero is a content strategist and communications leader with more than 15 years of experience in content development in journalism, marketing and communications for start-ups to global companies. She started her career as a reporter and editor and honed her journalistic skills at the USA Today Network, working in several roles, as well as managing content and writing at MoneyGeek and XYZ Media. | Updated on: July 24, 2024 Why you can trust Insure.com Quality Verified At Insure.com, we are committed to providing the timely, accurate and expert information consumers need to make smart insurance decisions. All our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. Our team carefully vets our rate data to ensure we only provide reliable and up-to-date insurance pricing. We follow the highest editorial standards. Our content is based solely on objective research and data gathering. We maintain strict editorial independence to ensure unbiased coverage of the insurance industry. Navigating a homeowners insurance claim can be daunting, especially after property damage or loss. Hiring a public adjuster ensures you have an advocate on your side, working solely for you to maximize your settlement. Unlike the insurance company’s adjuster, a public adjuster meticulously assesses damage, documents losses, and negotiates with the insurer, often resulting in a higher payout. Homeowners insurance provides financial protection against unexpected events like fires and storms, but filing a claim can be complex. Public adjusters bring expertise to this process, understanding policy details and insurer tactics. They ensure every aspect of your loss is accounted for, easing your burden and helping restore your home fully while maintaining your financial stability. To hire a public adjuster, ask friends for trusted referrals or search for a public adjuster in the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA) directory. You should always check that the public adjuster you hire is licensed to provide their services to avoid any scams. Key Takeaways A public adjuster can evaluate serious damage to your home after a disaster Public claims adjusters can minimize the hassle of negotiating with your insurance company Public adjusters typically charge around 15% of the total value of your claim settlement What does a public insurance adjuster do? An adjuster can arrange for a survey of the damage, estimate its cost and help you file a complex claim. They will keep track of the countless phone calls with your insurer and attend meetings. They may also help you find new living arrangements if your home is uninhabitable. According to the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA), most states require public adjusters to be tested and licensed. In addition, public adjusters must follow state guidelines that outline their job duties and the claims process. Adjusters aren’t allowed to handle bodily injury claims, car insurance claims or third-party claims — such as a trust or an estate. You probably don’t need to hire an adjuster if your home suffers a small mishap, such as minor smoke damage from a stove-top fire. But you may want to hire an adjuster if your home experiences serious damage, such as earthquake or flood damage from a burst pipe. Pros and cons of hiring a public adjuster Public claims adjusters minimize the hassle of collecting documents and evidence, while also negotiating with your insurance company. An adjuster will file the necessary paperwork with your insurer, arrange for inspections of your damaged property and haggle with your insurance company if it refuses to pay your full claim. Public adjusters also help their clients communicate effectively with their home insurance companies to expedite claim payments. However, there are some things to look out for when hiring a public adjuster. While most adjusters will be fair and honest, every profession has a few individuals who do not live up to their industry standards, which is why it is important to work with a reputable adjuster who is licensed and can legally provide their services. A public adjuster’s fee is based on a certain percentage of your settlement’s total value, so some adjusters may be tempted to exaggerate the value of your claim to secure a larger chunk of money for themselves. How much it costs to hire a public insurance adjuster Public adjusters typically charge between 5% and 20% of the total value of your claim settlement and their fees are not covered by your insurance policy. “The thing to remember is that a public adjuster can’t get you more than you are legally entitled to and they will charge you that fee,” says Jeanne Salvatore, former spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). For example, if your insurance company reimburses you for $10,000, the public adjuster could receive $1,500 if they charge a 15% rate. QuickTake How to prepare for a hurricane Hurricanes and home insurance: How hurricane insurance works Does homeowners insurance cover a total loss to your house? How to prevent tornado damage Wildfires and home insurance: What you need to know Earthquake insurance basics Is earthquake insurance worth it? How climate change is increasing your insurance rates The 10 costliest wildfires When will FEMA buy your damaged home? 5 things you should know about FEMA's Individual Assistance Program Why won't Californians buy earthquake insurance? See more > How to hire a public insurance adjuster NAPIA can help you find a public insurance adjuster where you live, but according to Salvatore, it is also a good idea to ask your friends for referrals. It is important to make sure any public adjuster you hire can legally work in their trade. Salvatore also recommends checking their qualifications with your state insurance department. Avoid any individuals who go door to door after a major disaster to offer their services, unless you double-check their qualifications. Once you hire a public insurance adjuster, you’ll have to sign a contract with them. It will define what percentage you will pay to the adjuster out of your total settlement. If you have second thoughts, you may terminate the agreement within a certain period, generally 72 hours after signing. If the adjuster doesn’t perform the job correctly, you can file a civil lawsuit against them. The best time to hire an adjuster is at the beginning of a big claim. That will allow the adjuster the best chance to expedite your claim. However, if you didn’t hire a public claims adjuster and then find yourself in the midst of a claim nightmare, you can still bring in a public adjuster in the middle of a claim. Nupur GambhirManaging Editor | . .Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service. In case you missed it What is HO-6 condo insurance and how much does it cost? Average homeowners insurance cost by ZIP code in 2024 What is dwelling coverage and how much do you need? Personal liability insurance: What it is and why you need it Renters insurance quotes: Compare rates Hurricanes and home insurance: How hurricane insurance works How replacement cost coverage works when you file a claim How much do claims increase home insurance rates? 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By Lena Borrelli Condo insurance calculator: Estimate the cost of coverage By Jessica Olson Average homeowners insurance cost by ZIP code in 2024 By Barry Eitel How to find a homeowners insurance policy By Shivani Gite On this page What does a public insurance adjuster do?Pros and cons of hiring a public adjusterHow much it costs to hire a public insurance adjusterHow to hire a public insurance adjuster ZIP Code Please enter valid ZIP See rates