Question 1

Why hire a public adjuster instead of using my insurer's adjuster?

Accepted Answer

Carrier-employed adjusters represent the insurance company. We're state-licensed professionals who represent only you. The result is consistently more accurate scopes, more complete documentation, and stronger settlements.

Question 2

How much does a public adjuster cost?

Accepted Answer

Nothing up front. We work on contingency, so the fee comes out of what we actually recover for you, and only after the carrier pays. If we don't recover, you don't pay. The fee for your claim is set out in the written contingency agreement you review before you sign.

Question 3

My claim was denied or underpaid. Can you still help?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes. Much of our work involves denied, delayed, or underpaid claims. We re-inspect the loss, rebuild the documentation the carrier said was missing, and pursue a supplement, the policy's appraisal clause, or mediation. A denial is rarely the end.

Question 4

What types of damage do you handle?

Accepted Answer

Residential and commercial property losses: wind, hurricane, water, roof, fire, smoke, mold, theft and vandalism, plumbing, A/C leaks, and business-interruption claims.

Question 5

What is a public adjuster?

Accepted Answer

A public adjuster is a state-licensed insurance professional who works only for the policyholder, never the insurance company, to document, file, and negotiate a property damage claim for the largest fair settlement the policy owes. Public adjusters are licensed and regulated by each state's insurance department and are paid on contingency.

Question 6

What's the difference between a public adjuster and the insurance company's adjuster?

Accepted Answer

The company (staff) adjuster and the independent adjuster both work for, and are paid by, the insurer; their job is to settle the claim in the carrier's interest. A public adjuster works only for you and is paid on contingency from what we recover. You're never required to accept the carrier's adjuster's figure.

Question 7

Are public adjusters worth it?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the claim, and we'll tell you honestly. A public adjuster tends to add the most value on larger, complex, denied, or underpaid losses, where a complete scope and proper documentation move the settlement well beyond a first offer. Because we work on contingency, there's no upfront cost to find out whether we can help. Results vary by claim.

Question 8

Does hiring a public adjuster mean I'm suing my insurance company?

Accepted Answer

No. A public adjuster is not a lawyer and does not file a lawsuit. We document and negotiate your claim, and can pursue the policy's appraisal clause or state mediation to resolve a dispute, all without litigation. If a claim ever needs legal action, that's a separate decision involving an attorney.

Question 9

Do I pay anything up front?

Accepted Answer

No. There are no upfront fees and no out-of-pocket cost to start. Our fee is contingency-based and only earned after the carrier pays. If there's no recovery, there's no fee. The fee for your claim is set out in the written contingency agreement before you sign.

Question 10

Is hiring a public adjuster the same as an Assignment of Benefits (AOB)?

Accepted Answer

No. They're opposites. With an AOB you sign your claim rights and insurance proceeds over to a contractor, who then deals with the insurer and keeps the proceeds. A public adjuster is the reverse: you keep all your rights, your claim, and your money, and we simply advocate for you. (AOB rules differ by state; see the Florida and South Carolina sections below.)

Question 11

What's the difference between ACV and RCV?

Accepted Answer

Actual cash value (ACV) is replacement cost minus depreciation, which is what your damaged property is worth today. Replacement cost value (RCV) is what it costs to replace it new. On a replacement-cost policy, the carrier often pays ACV first and holds back 'recoverable depreciation,' releasing it after repairs are completed. Many homeowners never claim that withheld amount back; we make sure it's recovered.

Question 12

What is recoverable depreciation?

Accepted Answer

On a replacement-cost policy, the insurer may first pay the depreciated value and withhold the depreciation, releasing it only after the work is actually done and documented. That 'recoverable depreciation' is money you're owed. We track it and make sure it's released so you receive the full replacement cost.

Question 13

Do I have to use my insurer's preferred contractor?

Accepted Answer

No. You're free to choose your own licensed contractor, and a public adjuster works independently of any contractor; we represent you, not a repair company. Our role is to scope and value the loss accurately and negotiate the settlement, separate from who does the repairs.

Question 14

Will hiring a public adjuster slow down my claim?

Accepted Answer

Usually the opposite. By delivering a complete, well-documented claim up front and handling the back-and-forth with the carrier, we cut down on the repeated requests and re-inspections that stall claims. Complex and disputed claims can still take time, but the goal is a faster path to a fair, fully documented settlement.

Question 15

How fast can you start?

Accepted Answer

Most inspections are scheduled within a couple of days. For active losses, we move quickly across our Florida and South Carolina service area and aim for a same-day callback.

Question 16

Do you handle commercial and business-interruption claims?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We handle commercial property losses and business-interruption claims alongside residential work, documenting structural damage, contents, code upgrades, and lost income so the claim reflects the full cost of getting your business back to operating.

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