What is a Public Insurance Adjuster?

A public insurance adjuster is a professional claims handler claims adjuster who advocates for the policyholder in appraising and negotiating a claimant’s insurance claim. Aside from attorneys and the broker of record, public adjusters licensed by state departments of insurance are the only type of claims adjuster that can legally represent the rights of an insured during an insurance claim process.

 

A public insurance adjuster is most beneficial when it is clear that the insurer will pay the claim and the only issue is the proper identification and valuation of the loss. Most public insurance adjusters charge a percentage of the settlement. Primarily they appraise the damage, prepare an estimate and other claim documentation, read the policy of insurance to determine coverages, and negotiate with the insurance company’s claims handler.

 

A public insurance adjuster is a representative of the policyholder who advises, manages, and submits a claim to the policyholders insurance company.

 

There are three classes of insurance claims adjusters:

1. staff adjusters, who are employed by an insurance company or self-insured entity;

2. independent adjusters, who are independent contractors hired by the insurance company; and

3. public adjusters, who are employed by the policyholder.

 

“Company” or “independent” adjusters can only legally represent the rights of an insurance company.

 

Outside the United States adjusters are commonly called, or translated into English as, “insurance loss assessors”, or simply “loss assessors”.  Staff adjusters or independent adjusters are called or translated as “insurance loss adjusters”, or simply “loss adjusters”. However, there is a clear distinction between a loss adjuster, who works on behalf of an insurance company, and a loss assessor who works on behalf of a policyholder.