Frequently Asked Questions

---

Adjusters are responsible for investigating and evaluating claims under the terms of an insurance policy in order to determine coverage.  They are also tasked with assessing any claim-related damages and determining how much an insurance company owes for those damages in the event the loss is covered by the policy.  

There are three types of adjusters that can be involved in a claim:

1.)  Company or Staff Adjuster.  These are adjusters who are employees of the insurance company and represent the interests of the insurance company.  They are paid by the insurance company.  

2.)  Independent Adjuster.  These are adjusters who are hired on a contract basis by the insurance company.  They are not employees however, they too represent the interests of the insurance company.  They are paid by the insurance company.  

3.)  Public Adjuster.  These are adjusters who do not work for the insurance company and instead work for the insured, representing the insured's interests.  They assist insureds with preparation, presentation, and settlement of their claim.  They are paid by the insured.   

As noted above, both staff and independent adjusters represent the insurance company's interest and are paid directly by the insurance company.  As a result, their claim evaluations are often reflective of this relationship.  Public adjusters, on the other hand, solely and exclusively represent the interests of the insured.  They are licensed and bonded insurance professionals that can provide an unbiased, expert opinion on the merits of your claim and the amounts owed to you by your insurance company in the event of a covered loss.  

This is dependent on the specifics of the claim and the amount of time necessary to process it.  The charges can be an hourly rate, a flat fee, or as is most often the case, a predetermined percentage of the total settlement amount.