Public Insurance Adjusting

A public adjuster (PA) represents the insured home or commercial property owner (the policyholder) to prepare, present and settle a property insurance claim. A qualified PA has specialized expertise that can simplify and speed up the complicated, time-consuming insurance claims process. A PA works only for you - not the insurance company, not the roofing company, not the general contractor - and serves as an important protection for your rights as a policyholder. 

A PA is your representative in dealings with your insurance company adjuster and his or her consultants (engineers, construction experts, or forensic accountants). Hiring a PA can level the playing field and make a significant difference in the final determination of your loss.

A PA will relieve you of many time consuming, tedious and difficult matters related to preparing and filing your insurance claim–and help you get a prompt and fair settlement. The PA will prepare your claim, including all estimates, inventories and other factual information that may be required to prove your loss. Your PA will make sure your claim meets all of your insurance company’s filing requirements.

Responsible PAs often base their fees on a percentage of the final settlement–based on the time, energy and expertise required to properly and effectively represent their client. Much like accountants, realtors and other professional consultants, public adjusters offset their fees in the time they save their clients and in the amount of the claim recovery.

Navigating an insurance claim can be a complex and often frustrating process. It’s natural for property owners to turn to their contractor for guidance. While contractors play a vital role in repairing your property, handling an insurance claim is a separate and specialized function. 

Representing or negotiating a property insurance claim without proper licensure as a public adjuster or attorney is known as the unauthorized practice of public adjusting (UPPA).

When contractors and public adjusters work together while remaining true to their respective roles, the property owner benefits.

Click here to learn more about UPPA.