What Is a Public Adjuster?
“How does anyone understand any of this?”
That was my first thought when I started working in the insurance industry. I started out years ago as an assistant with a public adjusting firm, and I felt like I was drowning in unfamiliar terminology. Policy limit? Deductible? Like-in-kind? Reservation of rights? What in the heck does ISAOA/ATIMA stand for? Why are these company adjusters so difficult to work with? And maybe the most important thing of all: why does insurance - something that every homeowner, renter, business owner, and driver has to have - feel like it was designed to be impossible for the average person to understand?
That last question is the one that led me to becoming a Public Adjuster.
If you ask the state of California, they would define a Public Adjuster as an adjuster hired directly by a homeowner to act as their representative in the claims process. For me, it runs a little deeper. As a Public Adjuster, I want to empower homeowners during one of the most difficult, overwhelming times in their life. It’s my goal to ensure that every client I work with comes out on the other side of their claim feeling confident, secure, and knowledgeable - and that they receive every dollar of the settlement they deserve with as little stress as possible.
What does a Public Adjuster actually do?
Public Adjusters handle every step of the claim process on behalf of the policyholder or homeowner. This includes:
Submitting your claim to your insurer
Evaluating and documenting the loss
Organizing all claim-related documentation
Handling correspondence from your insurer or adjuster
Negotiating claim settlements on your behalf
Pursuing supplements when claims are underpaid or under-scoped
My insurer has already assigned an adjuster to my claim. What’s the difference between this adjuster and a Public Adjuster?
There are three (3) types of insurance adjusters.
Public Adjusters are hired by the policyholder or homeowner to advocate for their claim. They DO NOT work for the insurance company. Their only obligation is to the homeowner, and their only goal is to advocate for the best settlement possible.
Company Adjusters (sometimes called Inside Adjusters or Desk Adjusters) are employed by your insurer. Company Adjusters are experienced, competent professionals who understand the insurance - but their loyalty is to your insurer, not to you.
Independent Adjusters (sometimes called Field Adjusters) can be employed by your insurer or contracted through a third party. Their primary responsibility is inspecting the loss and providing their scope to the insurance company. At some smaller insurers, your Company Adjuster and Field Adjuster may be the same person.
When trying to get your business, some Public Adjusters might frighten you with horror stories about company adjusters. “They’re the big, bad boogeymen determined to steal every penny you deserve!” That’s not the truth (and the fearmongerers know that) - but it is true that a Company Adjuster is never going to advocate for your claim or enlighten you about the claims process. The less you understand, the better. The insurer’s interest will always come first.
That’s why hiring a Public Adjuster can be critical: you will have a knowledgeable, experienced advocate on your side whose only loyalty is to YOU.
Why do I need a Public Adjuster?
By hiring a Public Adjuster to handle your claim, you can…
Even the playing field. Public Adjusters are well-versed in policy interpretation, claim-handling procedures, terminology, and industry regulations. They can catch little details others might miss - and those little details can sometimes be the difference between a good settlement and bad settlement.
Reduce stress. Insurance companies are notoriously difficult to deal with. Adjusters go silent. Voicemails go unreturned. Emails go unanswered. When you’re trying to put your life back together, chasing down your adjuster for an update is the last thing you want to do. A Public Adjuster can handle all claim-related communication to take this stress off your plate.
Negotiate better settlements. Public Adjusters know what insurance companies are likely to undervalue in their settlements, or, in some cases, what they are likely omit from it entirely. They’ll make sure no money you’re entitled to is left on the table.
Handle disputes and discrepancies with confidence. This is one of the most important skills a Public Adjuster can have. If your insurance company underpays - or even outright denies - your claim, a skillful dispute can make all the difference.
Why work with me?
I’m glad you asked! Here’s what sets me apart from other Public Adjusters:
Deep knowledge of the claims process. I spent many years working for a public adjusting firm in various roles. Damage scoping, claim submissions, settlement negotiations, drafting disputes, all manner of documentation and correspondence… if you can imagine it as part of the claims process, I’ve done it.
Skill with complex claims. My area of expertise has been properties undergoing foreclosure. These properties are often severely damaged or distressed and come with complex coverage issues other Public Adjusters may never encounter in their entire career. I’m deeply familiar with all of the possible tactics an insurer might use to deny or underpay a claim - and I know exactly how to push back and advocate for my clients.
Insurer familiarity and industry knowledge. While I now work as a Public Adjuster exclusively in California, I’ve handled thousands claims against nearly every major carrier for properties in all 50 states. This has given me a unique familiarity with how different insurers handle claims, their escalation processes, the best ways to work around snags in the claim-handling process, and what they tend to omit or undervalue in their settlements.
Unique knowledge of mortgage company and lender processes. Receiving your claim settlement isn’t always as simple as cashing your insurer’s check. Oftentimes, your mortgage company may be involved. You may need their endorsement on a check, or your claim funds may only be gradually released as you complete repairs. I’ve spent years working on mortgagee insurance claims and mortgagee-controlled claim funds. I have firsthand experience with the documentation requirements, draw processes, inspection procedures, and administrative hurdles that can delay repairs after a claim has been settled.
Local connection. I’m a lifelong California resident and proud to call the Inland Empire my home. I understand the neighborhoods, the people, and the unique challenges that California homeowners face. That's why I take pride in personalized service, clear communication, and genuine commitment to helping families recover after a loss. When you work with me, you're working with someone who is invested in this community and proud to serve the people who call it home.