When you file a property claim, you'll hear the word "adjuster" a lot — but not every adjuster is on your side. In fact, most of them work for the insurance company. Understanding who's who is one of the most valuable things a Florida homeowner can learn, because it directly affects how much of your claim actually gets paid.
The company (staff) adjuster
A company or staff adjuster is a salaried employee of your insurer. When you report a claim, this is often the person who inspects your property. Their job is to evaluate the loss on the carrier's behalf — and the carrier's interest is in controlling costs. They aren't villains, but their estimate reflects what the company wants to pay, which is frequently less than what it actually costs to make you whole.
The independent adjuster
After a hurricane or major event, insurers can't handle the volume with staff alone, so they hire independent adjusters on contract. Homeowners sometimes assume "independent" means neutral. It doesn't. Independent adjusters are paid by — and represent the interests of — the insurance company that hired them, not you.
The public adjuster
A public adjuster is the only adjuster licensed to represent you, the policyholder. A public adjuster inspects the damage, identifies losses the carrier's adjuster missed, reviews your policy for every applicable coverage, prepares a fully documented claim, and negotiates directly with the insurer until you reach a fair settlement. In Florida, public adjusters are licensed and regulated by the state.
Why the difference matters in dollars
The gap shows up in the settlement. The insurer's adjuster may overlook hidden water damage, compromised roof decking, code-required upgrades, smoke and soot in distant rooms, or matching costs for discontinued materials. A public adjuster's job is to find and prove every one of those covered losses. That's why represented claims so often settle for more than the carrier's first offer.
What about your agent or attorney?
Your insurance agent sells policies and is a great resource, but they don't manage claims or negotiate settlements. An attorney becomes important if a claim heads toward litigation. A public adjuster fills the gap in between — handling the day-to-day claim work, valuation, and negotiation so most claims never need a lawyer at all.
How public adjusters are paid
Most Florida public adjusters, including People Claims, work on contingency — a percentage of what they recover for you, with nothing upfront and no fee if there's no recovery. Florida also caps these fees, with stricter limits during declared states of emergency. Because adjusters frequently secure more than the first offer, homeowners often net more even after the fee.
FAQs
Is hiring a public adjuster worth it?
For larger or disputed claims, usually yes. Public adjusters frequently recover more than their fee, and you typically pay nothing unless they recover money for you.
Do public adjusters work on denied claims?
Yes. Re-opening denied and underpaid claims is one of the most common things they do — many large recoveries start as a denial.
Can I hire a public adjuster after I've already started the claim?
Yes. You can bring one in at any stage, including after you've received an offer you suspect is too low.
