It's the single most-asked question we hear at Claim Beast: 'Wait, isn't the adjuster the insurance company sends me already on my side?' No. They're not. Here's the difference, in plain English.
The Insurance Company's Adjuster
When you file a claim, your insurance carrier (Citizens, State Farm, Universal, Tower Hill, etc.) sends out a staff adjuster or an independent adjuster they've hired. That adjuster's paycheck — directly or indirectly — comes from the insurance company.
Their job, in simple terms: minimize the carrier's payout. They're trained to find policy exclusions, depreciate damages, label issues as 'pre-existing' or 'wear and tear,' and write the lowest defensible estimate possible.
You've got the knowledge — now apply it to your specific damage. Our calculator translates everything you just read into an actual dollar range for your home. Try The Calculator →
The Public Adjuster
A public adjuster is licensed by the State of Florida and works exclusively for the policyholder — meaning you. We have zero financial relationship with any insurance carrier. We work on contingency, meaning we only get paid a small percentage of whatever increase we recover above the carrier's original offer.
Our job: independently inspect the damage, document every loss, prepare a Xactimate estimate, identify every coverage you're owed under your policy, and negotiate aggressively with the carrier until they pay you fairly.
Why the Difference Matters
Studies of Florida claims show that homeowners who hire a public adjuster recover, on average, significantly more on their claims than those who don't — even after the public adjuster's fee. Why? Because the carrier knows that without a PA, most homeowners don't have the time, expertise, or leverage to fight back. With a PA in the picture, the rules of the negotiation change.
When Should You Hire a Public Adjuster?
- ▸Before you accept any settlement offer — for a free second opinion
- ▸Immediately after a major loss (hurricane, fire, flood, pipe burst)
- ▸If your claim has been denied or partially denied
- ▸If you feel the offer is too low for the damage
- ▸If the carrier is delaying or stalling the process
What About Public Adjuster Fees?
In Florida, public adjuster fees are capped by state law — typically 20% of the amount recovered on most claims, and 10% during the first year of a declared state of emergency. There are zero upfront costs. If we don't recover more for you, you owe us nothing.
Bottom line: the insurance company already has an army of trained professionals working to minimize your claim. Hiring a public adjuster simply levels the playing field.
Joe · Lead Public Adjuster & Co-Owner
Joe is a Florida and Georgia licensed public adjuster with over a decade of insurance industry experience on both sides of the table — meaning he knows exactly how the carriers think and exactly how to beat them.
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