Glossary

Public adjuster

A licensed claims professional hired by the policyholder, not the insurer, who documents and negotiates the claim for a fee, usually a share of the payout.

Also called: PA, policyholder's adjuster, licensed public adjuster

A public adjuster works for you. Where the insurer's adjuster represents the company, a public adjuster reviews your policy, measures and documents the damage, builds the estimate and contents list, prepares the proof of loss, and negotiates with the insurer's adjuster until the claim settles. Most states license public adjusters, and many regulate contract wording, cancellation rights and sometimes the maximum fee.

The fee is typically a percentage of the claim settlement and is written into the contract. Say the contract sets 10% and the insurer pays $60,000: the fee is $6,000. Contracts differ on whether it applies to the whole claim or only to what is recovered above the insurer's first offer, so read that clause. Hiring one tends to pay off on large or complicated losses, such as a fire or total loss, where careful documentation can change the result by more than the fee.

A public adjuster is not an attorney and cannot file suit, and many states bar the adjuster from also serving as your contractor on the job. After storms, be wary of door-to-door solicitations and anyone asking you to sign over your claim.

Verify the license with your state department of insurance, as described in how to check an agent's or adjuster's license. The public adjuster guide covers costs and when to hire one.

Last reviewed October 10, 2026

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Related terms

Adjuster The person who investigates a reported loss, decides what the policy covers and how much it will pay, and negotiates the settlement. Staff adjuster A claims adjuster who is a direct employee of an insurance company and handles that insurer's claims under its own guidelines and settlement authority. Independent adjuster A claims adjuster who works for an adjusting firm or on contract, hired and paid by insurers to handle claims, especially surges after storms and wildfires. Proof of loss A signed, sworn statement of what happened and what you are claiming, which most policies require within a set number of days. Appraisal clause A policy condition that lets either side demand a neutral panel to set the dollar amount of a loss when you and the insurer cannot agree on its value. Supplemental claim A request for more money on a loss you already reported, usually for damage found or costs incurred after the first estimate was written.

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