Claims & Disputes

Public Adjuster

A public adjuster works exclusively for the insured—not the insurance company—to document losses, interpret policy language, and maximize claim settlements.

Last reviewed: May 2026 · Editorial methodology

Definition

A public adjuster is a state-licensed claims professional retained and paid by the policyholder to represent their interests throughout the insurance claims process. Unlike staff adjusters or independent adjusters who work for or are assigned by the insurer, a public adjuster's sole duty is to the insured. They assess property damage, prepare detailed loss estimates (often using tools like Xactimate), negotiate directly with the carrier's adjuster, and advocate for a fair settlement. Fees are typically a percentage of the settled claim amount—commonly 10%–15% for standard claims and up to 20%–25% in some states, with Florida capping public adjuster fees at 20% for non-declared-disaster claims and 10% during a declared state of emergency. Studies suggest policyholders who use public adjusters on homeowners claims receive settlements 19%–747% higher than those who do not, though outcomes vary significantly. Public adjusters must be licensed in the state where the loss occurred; they are regulated by the state insurance commissioner and prohibited in some states from soliciting during declared disasters.

Where this term matters

Claims Help Center →/claims/homeowners-insurance-claim →/claims/public-adjuster →/claims/bad-faith-insurance →

Tip

Glossary definitions are educational. Always check your own policy language — insurers can define common terms differently from one another. When in doubt, request a written explanation from your agent.

Related terms

AdjusterA licensed professional who investigates and settles insurance claims for the insurer or for the policyholder.Independent AdjusterIndependent adjusters are self-employed or work for independent adjusting firms, hired by insurance companies to investigate and evaluate claims without being on the insurer's permanent payroll.Staff AdjusterStaff adjusters are W-2 employees of a single insurer, handling claims for that carrier's policyholders as their primary job function.Appraisal ClauseThe appraisal clause provides an alternative dispute resolution mechanism for disagreements about the dollar value of a loss—without going to court.Scope of LossThe scope of loss is the comprehensive inventory of all damaged items, affected areas, and required repairs that forms the foundation of a property insurance claim estimate.XactimateXactimate, developed by Verisk (formerly Xactware), is the dominant estimating tool in property insurance claims, used by insurers, independent adjusters, public adjusters, and contractors to price repair scopes.
Source: Cover Forge USA editorial team|Last verified: May 2026|Methodology
Definitions are educational and may be simplified. Always refer to your policy contract and consult a licensed agent for terms that affect coverage decisions.
CF

Cover Forge USA Editorial Team

Editorial Lead

This article was researched and written by the Cover Forge USA editorial team against federal sources (NAIC, CMS, FEMA, DOL, SSA, state DOIs) and standard policy forms. Bylines organize content by topic — they do not assert individual licensure. See our editorial-policy for details.

Reviewed June 2026

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