If you're considering hiring a public adjuster after property damage, one of your first questions may be: How does a public adjuster get paid?

In Florida, public adjusters commonly work for a fee connected to insurance claim payments or settlements obtained through their work, subject to Florida law and the terms of the written public adjusting contract.

Unlike an insurance company adjuster, who works for the insurance carrier, a public adjuster represents the policyholder during the property insurance claim process. The Florida Department of Financial Services describes public adjusters as professionals who represent consumers in adjusting and presenting claims to their insurance companies for a fee. 

Understanding how those fees work can help Florida homeowners make an informed decision before signing a public adjuster agreement.

 A public adjuster works on behalf of a policyholder in connection with a property insurance claim.

Depending on the circumstances of the claim and the services agreed upon, the work may include reviewing available policy and claim information, documenting reported property damage, preparing estimates and supporting documentation, communicating with the insurance carrier, and assisting with the adjustment and presentation of the claim.

Florida law defines a public adjuster as a person who, for compensation, performs specified insurance-claim activities on behalf of an insured or third-party claimant, including preparing or filing claims or assisting in negotiating or effecting settlement of covered losses. 

Internal link: Link the words “public adjuster” above to your Orlando Public Adjuster page.

 Public adjusters are often compensated through a percentage-based fee associated with insurance claim payments or settlements obtained through their work.

That means the public adjuster isn't simply an employee of the insurance company.

The policyholder hires the public adjuster under a written agreement, and the public adjuster's compensation is governed by that agreement and applicable Florida law.

Florida law also contains specific restrictions on what payments can be used to calculate a public adjuster's compensation. 

This is why homeowners should read the public adjusting contract carefully and understand the fee before signing.

 Florida regulates public adjuster fees.

For claims that are not based on an event covered by a qualifying state-of-emergency declaration, Florida law generally provides a maximum public adjuster fee of:

For claims based on an event that is the subject of a declaration of a state of emergency by Florida's Governor, the general maximum during the applicable one-year period is:

After that period, the generally applicable 20% limitation may apply.

There are also circumstances where Florida law imposes a 1% maximum, as well as circumstances where a public adjuster may receive 0% of particular insurance payments—for example, certain payments or written commitments made before the public adjusting contract is executed. 

The exact fee applicable to a particular claim can therefore depend on the circumstances.

Important: A fee cap is a legal maximum; it does not mean every public adjuster necessarily charges that amount.

For the current statutory requirements, homeowners can review Florida Statute §626.854 and the Florida Department of Financial Services public-adjuster guidance.

 Here's a simplified hypothetical example.

Suppose an insurance claim results in $50,000 in qualifying claim payments attributable to the public adjuster's work, and the written public adjusting agreement provides for a 10% fee applicable to those payments.

A simplified calculation would be:

$50,000 × 10% = $5,000

This example is only for illustrating the math. Actual compensation depends on the contract, applicable Florida law, the nature and timing of payments, and the circumstances of the individual claim.

Florida law also states that public-adjuster compensation cannot be based on the deductible portion of a claim. 

 Homeowners should not assume that hiring a public adjuster means the insurance company is separately paying the public adjuster's fee.

Florida's Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate explains that the public adjuster's salary, fee, commission, or other consideration is the insured's responsibility and must be addressed in the contract disclosures. 

This is an important question to discuss before signing an agreement.

Ask:

What percentage or fee will I be charged?

Which insurance payments will the fee apply to?

When does the fee become due?

Are there any separately agreed third-party expenses?

A licensed public adjuster should be able to explain the agreement before you sign it.

 Florida law places important restrictions on this.

A public adjuster's compensation generally must be based on claim payments or settlements obtained through the public adjuster's work after the public adjusting contract is entered into, subject to the statutory provisions.

Florida also provides a 0% limitation for certain claim payments or written agreements to pay that occur before the public adjusting contract is executed. 

This is particularly important for homeowners who have already received an insurance payment and are considering hiring a public adjuster because they believe the claim may be underpaid.

Internal link: Link “underpaid insurance claim” to your Underpaid Claims page.

 Receiving an insurance payment doesn't necessarily mean every issue involving the claim is resolved.

A homeowner may have questions about the carrier's estimate, scope of documented damage, covered portions of the loss, or other claim information.

A public adjuster can review the circumstances of the claim and determine whether public adjusting services may be appropriate.

This can be particularly relevant after:

• Roof damage 
• Hurricane damage 
• Wind damage 
• Hail damage 
• Water damage 
• Fire and smoke damage 
• Potentially underpaid property claims 
• Denied property claims 

Internal links to add here:

Roof damage → your Florida Roof Insurance Claims page
Hurricane damage → Hurricane Claims page
Water damage → Water Damage Claims page
Fire and smoke damage → Fire & Smoke Insurance Claim page
Underpaid property claims → Underpaid Claims page
Denied property claims → Denied Claims page

This section can become an excellent internal-link hub for the entire website.

 A denied property insurance claim is another situation in which a homeowner may consider speaking with a licensed public adjuster.

The first step is understanding why the insurer denied the claim.

Review the denial letter, policy information, carrier communications, estimates, photographs and other available claim documentation.

Depending on the circumstances, a public adjuster may be able to review the property damage and claim documentation and assist the policyholder within the scope of the public adjuster's licensed role.

A public adjuster is not a substitute for an attorney and should not provide legal advice.

Internal link:
Link “denied property insurance claim” to your Denied Claims page.

 This distinction is extremely important.

An insurance company adjuster works for or on behalf of the insurance carrier in handling the claim.

A public adjuster is hired to represent the policyholder in the adjustment of the property insurance claim.

The Florida Department of Financial Services specifically notes that a public adjuster does not work for or represent the insurance company. 

At Roof Claim Adjusting, we represent the policyholder—not the insurance company.

Internal link: Link that sentence to your homepage or Orlando Public Adjuster page.