Public Adjuster Fees and Hiring Questions
Updated October 30, 2026 · California property insurance claims
The policyholder hires and pays a public adjuster. Fees are commonly based on a percentage of the settlement, but the written agreement must explain the actual charge and services. Ask for the proposed fee and services in writing so you can evaluate them for your own claim.
What is the difference between an insurance adjuster and a public adjuster?
| Role | Who engages them? | What to clarify |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance-company adjuster | The insurer | How the insurer evaluated the loss and what information it still needs. |
| Independent adjuster assigned by the insurer | The insurer, through an outside adjusting firm | “Independent” does not mean the adjuster was hired to represent you. |
| Public adjuster | The policyholder under a separate agreement | The scope of representation, fee calculation, communication process, and any expenses. |
You can communicate with your insurer and pursue a claim without hiring a public adjuster. Hiring one is a decision about the help you need, the proposed services, and their cost. The California Department of Insurance explains these distinctions in its public-adjuster disclosure.
What should I ask about the fee before signing?
Ask for an explanation tied to your own claim, rather than relying on a percentage mentioned in an advertisement. Write down the answers and compare them with the proposed agreement.
- What amount or percentage is charged, and which payments are included in the calculation?
- How are payments already received from the insurer treated?
- Are there expenses in addition to the fee? Who approves them?
- When does payment become due, and how will I receive an accounting?
- What services are included, and what would require separate authorization?
- What happens if the claim outcome differs from expectations?
- What termination or cancellation terms apply?
The Department of Insurance cautions that public-adjuster fees come from the policyholder’s recovery funds. Read its consumer guidance on hiring a public adjuster. A free initial review is different from a no-cost representation agreement.
How do I compare the proposed services?
Use the same questions with each provider. Ask who will handle the file, how updates will be delivered, what documents are needed first, and how disagreements about the scope of work will be addressed. Ask for clarification of any promised result. A claim’s value depends on its evidence and coverage; a larger settlement or a particular completion date cannot be assured.
What should I bring to the initial discussion?
Have the policy, claim number, insurer letters, estimates, photographs, and a short timeline available. Identify your main question: understanding coverage, documenting damage, comparing an estimate, or addressing a denial. Our claim document checklist provides a simple way to organize the file.
If the issue involves legal advice or litigation, speak with an attorney about that issue. Public-adjusting services do not replace legal representation. For an existing disagreement, see denied or underpaid property claims.
Discuss your claim with Claims Nation
Request a free initial review through our claim-review form. Share a brief description of the loss, the property location, and the current claim status. Services and fees require a separate written agreement; an inquiry does not establish representation or guarantee an outcome.