A Public Adjuster is a licensed professional who represents policyholders—not insurance companies—in negotiating and settling insurance claims after property damage from disasters such as hurricanes, fires, floods, or other covered events. Insurance claims often involve hundreds of pages of policy language, strict filing deadlines, and adjusters hired by the insurer whose goal is to minimize payouts. This stacked system results in many policyholders receiving far less than they’re entitled to—sometimes only a fraction of the true cost to repair or replace their property. A Public Adjuster levels the playing field by handling the entire process for you, from assessing damages and documenting losses to negotiating directly with the insurance company to secure the maximum settlement possible.

In most states, any policyholder with a valid property insurance policy can hire a licensed Public Adjuster to represent them in a claim—but there are important guidelines and restrictions to be aware of:

- The damage must be from a covered event under your insurance policy (coverage and exclusions vary).

- You must be the named insured or an authorized representative on the policy.

- In many states, Public Adjusters can only be hired after a loss has occurred, not in advance.

- Some states have strict deadlines—often as short as 30–90 days—to file or supplement a claim after damage.

- Certain types of policies, such as federal flood insurance, may have different rules for representation.

Because every policy and state regulation is different, most people miss critical steps that cost them thousands. We navigate these rules for you to ensure your claim is filed correctly, on time, and positioned for the maximum payout.

A Public Adjuster can help you recover every dollar you’re entitled to under your property insurance policy, but insurers have strict rules about what’s covered and how it must be documented:

- Structural repairs (requires detailed estimates, contractor bids, and damage reports)

- Contents and personal property (must be inventoried with descriptions, values, and proof of ownership)

- Business interruption losses (requires financial statements, profit/loss reports, and expense records)

- Additional living expenses (must show receipts and proof these costs were necessary due to displacement)

- Code upgrades (if covered, requires proof of compliance with new building codes)

Missing documentation or misclassifying damages is a common reason insurers underpay or deny claims. We handle the full documentation and negotiation process to ensure every eligible loss is identified, valued accurately, and paid in full.

Yes, you can hire a Public Adjuster even if you’ve already filed a claim, but the process becomes more complex the further along your claim is. If your insurer has already made an offer, we can still step in to review the settlement, identify underpaid or overlooked damages, and negotiate for additional funds. However, there are strict timelines in many states for reopening or supplementing a claim—sometimes as short as 30 days from the date of payment or denial. Once those deadlines pass, your ability to recover additional funds may be lost. We specialize in stepping into active or stalled claims, correcting documentation errors, and pushing for the full payout you’re entitled to before the window closes.

In many cases, yes—but it depends on your policy, the type of damage, and how long it has been since the claim was settled. If new damage is discovered, repair costs are higher than initially estimated, or your insurer overlooked covered losses, you may be able to reopen or supplement your claim. However, deadlines for doing this are strict—sometimes as short as 30–90 days from the date of settlement—and the process requires detailed documentation to justify additional payment. Attempting this alone often results in denials or delays that permanently close the door on more funds. We handle the entire supplemental claim process, ensuring every eligible loss is identified, documented, and pursued without jeopardizing your original payout.

Yes. In every state, hiring a Public Adjuster requires signing a written contract that clearly outlines the scope of work, fees, and your rights as the policyholder. These agreements are regulated by state law and often include mandatory disclosures to protect consumers. While most Public Adjusters work on a contingency basis—meaning they only get paid if you get paid—there are strict rules about when and how fees can be charged. Understanding these terms is critical, as signing with the wrong adjuster or under unfavorable terms could limit your options later. We ensure your agreement is transparent, compliant with all state regulations, and designed to protect your interests while maximizing your payout.

Insurance companies often promise quick payouts, but the reality is very different—especially after large-scale disasters when adjusters are overloaded. While some claims may be settled in weeks, many drag on for months or even years due to incomplete documentation, lowball estimates, or disputes over coverage. In complex or high-value claims, insurers may intentionally delay payments to pressure policyholders into accepting less. By preparing a complete, well-documented claim from the start and aggressively managing the process, we help our clients secure fair settlements in a fraction of the time—often in weeks instead of months—without the endless back-and-forth that stalls most claims.

Public Adjusters typically work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you get paid. The fee is usually a percentage of the settlement—capped by state law—ranging from about 5% to 20% depending on the state, the size of the claim, and whether it’s a new, ongoing, or reopened claim. Because the adjuster’s payment is tied directly to your payout, their incentive is to maximize your settlement. While some policyholders try to avoid fees by handling claims themselves, most end up with significantly lower settlements—often far less than the increase a skilled Public Adjuster can secure, even after fees. We ensure our clients get the highest possible net payout while keeping our process fully transparent and compliant with all state regulations.

There’s no fixed “term” for receiving an insurance payout—it depends on the complexity of your claim, the responsiveness of your insurer, and how well the damages are documented. Simple, undisputed claims can sometimes be paid within weeks, but large or contested claims often take months or longer. In many cases, insurance companies intentionally delay payments to pressure policyholders into accepting less. We work to shorten this timeline by preparing a fully documented claim from day one, pushing back against unnecessary delays, and negotiating aggressively so you receive your full settlement as quickly as possible.

No—and in most cases, you shouldn’t. Insurance companies often make initial settlement offers that are far below the true cost of repairing or replacing your property. Once you accept and sign a release, you may lose the ability to claim additional funds, even if new damage is found or costs increase. A Public Adjuster can review the offer, compare it to actual repair estimates, and negotiate for a higher payout before you agree to anything. We ensure you don’t leave money on the table and that every dollar you’re entitled to is accounted for before you sign.

Insurance settlements are intended to restore your property to its pre-loss condition—not to fund upgrades or improvements. If you choose to make renovations or enhancements, your insurer will typically only pay what it would have cost to repair or replace the damaged property as it was before the loss. However, certain policies include “ordinance or law” coverage, which can pay for upgrades required to meet current building codes. We ensure every eligible cost is documented and claimed so you receive the maximum payout under your policy, and we help you understand which expenses are covered versus those you’ll need to fund yourself.

Yes. You can still apply for FEMA assistance, disaster recovery grants, Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans, or other relief programs while a Public Adjuster is handling your insurance claim. However, coordinating multiple sources of recovery funding is complex—using the same expenses for both insurance and other aid can create “duplication of benefits” violations that may require you to repay funds. We work with you to ensure your insurance settlement, government aid, and any other recovery resources are strategically coordinated so you maximize total compensation while staying in full compliance with all program rules.

Your maximum payout is typically capped by the coverage limits in your insurance policy, which are set when you purchase or renew your coverage. These limits vary for different categories, such as dwelling, personal property, business interruption, or additional living expenses. However, many policyholders receive far less than their limits because they don’t fully document all covered damages or understand the scope of their coverage. We carefully review your policy, identify every potential source of recovery, and prepare the detailed documentation needed to ensure you collect the maximum amount your policy allows.

Yes, you can settle your insurance claim at any time, but doing so too early can cost you thousands. Once you sign a release, you may lose the ability to claim additional funds—even if hidden damage is discovered later or repair costs increase. Insurance companies often push for quick settlements to minimize their payout, especially after large-scale disasters. We advise on the best timing to settle, ensuring all damages are identified, documented, and included in your claim before you agree to final terms. That way, you maximize your payout and avoid being stuck with unexpected repair costs.

No—hiring a Public Adjuster does not negatively impact your insurance rates, coverage, or policy standing. Your right to hire a licensed representative is protected by state law, and insurance companies cannot penalize you for using one. The only thing that changes is that you now have a professional advocating for your best interests instead of the insurance company’s. In fact, by helping you secure a fair and fully documented claim settlement, a Public Adjuster can prevent disputes or underpayments that might otherwise lead to costly litigation or delays.