Public Adjuster vs. Insurance Company Adjuster

  When a property is damaged, the insurance company may assign an adjuster to inspect the loss and evaluate the claim.

A property owner can also choose to work with a licensed public adjuster who represents the policyholder during qualifying property insurance claim activities.

Understanding the difference between these roles can help homeowners, landlords, investors, and businesses better understand the property insurance claim process.

Roof Claim Adjusting is a licensed Florida public adjusting firm representing policyholders throughout Orlando and Central Florida.

 An insurance company adjuster works on behalf of the insurance carrier.

The adjuster's role can include evaluating the reported loss, inspecting the property, reviewing documentation, determining the scope of damage, and preparing or reviewing an estimate for the insurance company.

Depending on the carrier and claim, the adjuster may be a company employee adjuster or an independent adjuster working for the insurer.

The insurance company adjuster's role is connected to the carrier's handling of the claim.

 A public adjuster works on behalf of the policyholder in qualifying property insurance claim activities.

Florida law defines a public adjuster as a person who, for compensation, prepares, completes, or files an insurance claim for an insured or assists an insured in negotiating or effecting the settlement of a covered property loss. 

A public adjuster may assist with areas such as:

• Documenting reported property damage 
• Organizing photographs and supporting records 
• Preparing claim information 
• Reviewing available claim documentation 
• Preparing estimates and supporting documentation 
• Communicating with the insurance carrier 
• Discussing the scope of the reported loss 
• Assisting with claim negotiations within the scope permitted by law 

The public adjuster's relationship is with the policyholder, rather than the insurance company.

 An insurance company adjuster works on behalf of the insurance carrier.

The adjuster may inspect the property, review evidence, evaluate the reported damage, and prepare or review information used by the insurer when handling the claim.

The presence of an insurance adjuster does not mean a claim is automatically approved or denied.

The insurance carrier ultimately makes coverage and payment decisions according to the policy and circumstances of the claim.

 Depending on the circumstances, Roof Claim Adjusting may assist a policyholder with several parts of the claim process.

We help organize photographs, measurements, estimates, reports, and other available information concerning the reported loss.

Available insurance documents, estimates, correspondence, and other claim information can be reviewed to understand the status of the claim.

Supporting information can be organized into a clearer presentation of the reported property damage.

We communicate with the insurance carrier regarding documented property damage and claim information within the scope of public adjusting services.

If the policyholder believes the insurance estimate does not account for all documented damage, the available information can be reviewed and discussed.

 Roof claims can involve more than the visible condition of the shingles or roofing material.

Depending on the loss, a roof insurance claim may involve:

• Wind damage 
• Hail damage 
• Hurricane damage 
• Missing or damaged roofing materials 
• Flashing 
• Gutters 
• Soffits and fascia 
• Roof penetrations 
• Water intrusion 
• Interior ceiling damage 
• Drywall 
• Insulation 
• Flooring 
• Other documented property damage 

Learn more about Florida Roof Insurance Claims.

 Severe weather can create multiple categories of property damage.

Wind and hail claims may involve the roof, exterior components, windows, doors, gutters, detached structures, and interior areas affected by water intrusion.

Roof Claim Adjusting assists policyholders with qualifying property insurance claims involving reported wind and hail damage.

Learn more about Hail Damage Public Adjuster Services.

 A roof opening or other storm-related damage can allow water to enter a property.

The resulting damage may extend beyond the initial point of entry.

A claim may involve:

• Ceilings 
• Walls 
• Drywall 
• Insulation 
• Flooring 
• Cabinets 
• Trim 
• Personal property 
• Other affected building components 

The cause and circumstances of the water intrusion can be important when evaluating coverage.

 A denied claim can leave a policyholder with questions about the insurance company's coverage determination.

Depending on the circumstances, a denied claim may be reviewed using:

• The insurance policy 
• The denial correspondence 
• Insurance estimates 
• Photographs 
• Inspection reports 
• Repair estimates 
• Claim correspondence 
• Other available documentation 

Roof Claim Adjusting can review available information and discuss the claim process with the policyholder.

A review does not guarantee that coverage will be changed or that additional payment will be made.

  A policyholder may believe that an insurance payment or estimate does not account for all documented property damage.

When that occurs, available information can be compared, including:

• The insurance estimate 
• Photographs 
• Measurements 
• Repair estimates 
• Documented damage 
• Interior damage 
• Roofing damage 
• Previous claim correspondence 

Learn more about Potentially Underpaid Property Insurance Claims.

The existence of a difference between estimates does not by itself establish that additional insurance benefits are owed.

 A public adjuster and a roofing contractor perform different functions.

A roofing contractor generally performs roofing construction or repair work.

A public adjuster assists the policyholder with qualifying property insurance claim activities.

Roof Claim Adjusting is a licensed Florida public adjusting firm. We are not presenting ourselves as a roofing contractor, restoration company, or mold-remediation company.

If your roof has been damaged, our role is to assist with the insurance claim process, not sell you a roof.

 Property owners may consider public adjusting services when they want professional assistance with a property insurance claim.

Situations may include:

• A significant property loss 
• Extensive roof damage 
• Wind or hail damage 
• Hurricane damage 
• Water intrusion 
• Fire or smoke damage 
• A complicated commercial loss 
• A claim that has been denied 
• A claim that may be potentially underpaid 
• Difficulty organizing claim documentation 
• Questions about the scope of the reported damage 

Whether a public adjuster is appropriate depends on the circumstances of the individual claim.

 Before entering into a public adjusting contract, a property owner can ask questions such as:

Ask for the adjuster's Florida license information and verify it through the Florida Department of Financial Services.

Understand whether the professional represents the policyholder, the insurer, or another party.

Ask what the public adjuster will actually do during the claim process.

Review the written public adjuster contract and understand the applicable fee structure and Florida limitations.

Ask how the public adjuster handles claims that have already been opened, inspected, partially paid, or denied.

Understand what photographs, estimates, policy documents, receipts, reports, and other records may be requested.

 Public adjuster compensation is regulated by Florida law.

The current Florida statute establishes limits on public adjuster compensation and contains different provisions depending on the type and timing of the claim. For example, the statute provides a 20% limit for claims not based on a gubernatorial state-of-emergency event and a 10% limit for certain claims based on events subject to a state of emergency during the applicable period. Other statutory limits can apply in specific circumstances. 

Public adjusting contracts must also satisfy Florida's statutory requirements. 

For a detailed explanation, visit How Does a Public Adjuster Get Paid in Florida?.