Public Insurance Adjusters
What Is a Public Adjuster?
A public adjuster is a licensed insurance professional who works for the policyholder—not the insurance company. When your property is damaged, a public adjuster helps you understand, document, prepare, and manage your property insurance claim.
The insurance company has an adjuster representing its interests. A public adjuster represents your interests as the policyholder.
For complex property damage, particularly commercial property insurance claims, having an experienced professional on your side can help ensure that the damage, scope of work, and applicable coverages are properly documented and presented to the insurance company.
This page answers questions you may have about Public Adjusters. Use quick links below, or scroll to learn more.
What does a Public Adjuster do?
What is the Difference Between a Public Adjuster and an Insurance Adjuster?
When should you hire a Public Adjuster?
Why hire a Public Adjuster for a Commercial Property Claim?
What Does a Public Adjuster Do?
A public adjuster manages the claim process from the policyholder's side. Depending on the claim, that can include:
- Inspecting and documenting property damage
- Reviewing the insurance policy and applicable coverages
- Preparing detailed property damage estimates
- Identifying damage that may not be immediately visible
- Documenting building contents and other covered property
- Preparing business interruption and loss-of-income claims
- Organizing supporting claim documentation
- Reviewing the insurance company's estimate and settlement
- Communicating with the insurance company and its representatives
- Identifying potential discrepancies or omissions in the claim
- Assisting with appraisal and other claim resolution processes
- Reopening claims that may have been underpaid or improperly denied
The goal is to develop a complete, well-supported insurance claim based on the policy, the documented damage, and the applicable coverage.
What Is the Difference Between a Public Adjuster and an Insurance Adjuster?
The biggest difference is who the adjuster represents.
An insurance company adjuster works on behalf of the insurance carrier. Their role is to investigate the loss and evaluate the claim for the insurer. The insurance company serves the insurance company's interests.
A public adjuster works on behalf of the policyholder. Their role is to help the property owner document the loss, understand the policy, prepare the claim, and present the claim to the insurance company. The objective for the public adjuster is optimizing the claim for the policyholder.
This distinction is important to understand when navigating any complicated property loss with significant damage that could substantially affect a business or policyholder.
When Should You Hire a Public Adjuster?
There is no single type of loss that requires a public adjuster. However, professional claim assistance can be especially valuable when a claim is large, complex, disputed, or difficult to document.
You may want to consider a public adjuster after:
- Commercial property damage
- Storm or wind damage
- Hail damage
- Roof damage
- Fire or smoke damage
- Water damage
- Large-loss property damage
- Business interruption or loss of income
- A denied insurance claim
- An underpaid insurance claim
- A claim involving extensive repairs or multiple areas of damage
- A claim where you are unsure what your insurance policy covers
You do not have to wait until your insurance company denies your claim to seek professional help. In fact, many times it is most beneficial to bring a public adjuster early on in the claim process, when damage is being documented and the claim is being developed.
Why Hire a Public Adjuster for a Commercial Property Claim?
Commercial insurance claims can involve much more than repairing a roof or replacing damaged building materials.
A commercial property loss may involve:
- Building damage
- Roofing and exterior damage
- Contents and business personal property
- Equipment and machinery
- Code-related costs
- Debris removal
- Extra expenses
- Business interruption
- Loss of income
- Additional documentation and financial records
Determining the full scope of a commercial property claim requires more than simply identifying visible damage. The claim needs to be properly documented, estimated, supported, and presented.
That is where an experienced public adjuster can provide significant value.
Click here to see some case highlights.
How Building Damage Consultants Helps
At Building Damage Consultants, we specialize in Public Adusting for commercial property insurance claims and are built for better outcomes.
Our team works directly for the policyholder—not the insurance company.
In addition to public adjusting, our team brings together experience in property damage consulting, damage appraisal, and estimating for complex property claims to help clients navigate the claim process.
Do You Need a Public Adjuster?
If you're dealing with a commercial property insurance claim, you don't have to navigate the process alone.
A public adjuster can provide an independent perspective on your claim and help you understand what documentation, estimating, and claim support may be needed.
Before accepting a settlement, it may be worth having your claim reviewed by an experienced public adjuster.
Get Your Property Insurance Claim Reviewed
If you have experienced property damage or are already dealing with an insurance claim, Building Damage Consultants can review your situation and help you understand your options.
We specialize in commercial claims and we're built for better outcomes.
833-61-CLAIM (833-612-5246)
info@bdc.claims