THE SHORT ANSWER
An insurance company adjuster handles your claim for the insurer. A public adjuster is licensed to represent you, the policyholder. You pay a public adjuster, usually a percentage of the claim payment set in a signed contract. You do not have to hire one for your insurer to pay a claim.
Three adjusters, two sides
After you report a loss, your insurer sends an adjuster to inspect the damage and estimate the repairs. That person may be on the insurer’s staff or an independent adjuster the insurer hires. Either way, they handle the claim for the insurance company.
A public adjuster is the one you hire. They review your policy, document the damage, prepare an estimate, and present and negotiate the claim for you.
| Adjuster | Hired by | Paid by |
|---|---|---|
| Staff adjuster | The insurance company | The insurance company |
| Independent adjuster | The insurance company | The insurance company |
| Public adjuster | You, the policyholder | You, usually from the claim payment |
Read the Pennsylvania Insurance Department’s guide to public adjusters
When a public adjuster can help
A public adjuster is most useful when the claim is large, complicated, or stuck. Time matters too. A claim can take weeks of photos, estimates, calls, and letters. Some owners would rather hand that work to someone who does it every day.
- The damage is extensive or spread across the property
- The insurer’s estimate leaves out repairs you can see
- The claim was underpaid or denied
- You are not sure what the policy covers
- You do not have time to manage the claim yourself
When you may not need one
For a small, simple claim, the insurer’s offer may already cover the repair. If the insurer’s estimate matches a written repair quote and the payment covers the work, a public adjuster’s fee may cost more than it adds.
Compare the two estimates first. If they line up, you may be able to settle the claim on your own.
How to check a public adjuster
Public adjusters are licensed by each state. Ask to see the adjuster’s own license for the state where your property is, and confirm it with your state insurance department. United Policyholders, a nonprofit for policyholders, also suggests asking who will actually work on your claim and calling references.
- Their individual license in your state
- Who will handle the claim day to day
- How the fee is calculated and what it applies to
- How and when you can cancel the agreement
Read United Policyholders’ advice on hiring a public adjuster
Where Hiraya fits
Hiraya’s team has trained estimating and negotiation teams inside public adjusting firms. For homeowners and property owners, we review the policy, document the damage, prepare the estimate, and present the claim. Public adjusting is licensed state by state, so tell us where the property is and we’ll confirm whether we can take the claim.
Public adjusting
For homeowners and property owners with an insurance claim. We document the damage, prepare the estimate, and present the claim for you.
See Hiraya’s public adjusting