Types of Claims Adjusters
There are three different types of insurance claim adjusters. Here’s why knowing the difference matters.
The term “insurance adjuster” may not be foreign, but knowing what an insurance adjuster does is something that many are unclear about. In the wake of Hurricane Ian, South Florida residents had to become well-versed in the different aspects and roles within the insurance industry. Whether you or someone you know experienced property damage, Hurricane Ian raised awareness around insurance policy claims and the people and the processes involved. Unfortunately, this has also led to misinformation and confusion.
When educating yourself on the insurance adjusters work and their role in an insurance damage claim, it’s essential to understand that although the job itself is the same, there are three very different types of insurance claims adjusters – knowing the difference between them can have a drastic impact on the fair settlement of your claim.
Three types of Adjusters Deal with Insurance Claims Processes
Public Adjusters
Public adjusters work and fight for you. We are your voice, your advocate, and your hired representative. Our mission is to protect your rights and ensure that you receive a fair settlement amount for any damage to your property. Hire a public adjuster and rest easy knowing that we’ve got your back. Trust public claims adjuster to fight for what’s rightfully yours.
Company adjusters
Are insurance adjusters who work exclusively for one insurance company. Therefore, a company adjuster serves the interests of the insurance company.
Independent adjusters
An independent insurance adjuster is an “independent agent” who is paid a commission by an insurance company for claims settlement on behalf of the insurance company. They can work for multiple adjusting firms. However, an independent adjuster still serves the interests of the insurance company.
Why does this matter? Consider this parallel relative to different types of “lawyers” in a criminal case:
Defense Attorneys: They fight for justice. As advocates for individuals accused of criminal activity, they tirelessly uphold their liberties and fundamental rights within the justice system.
Prosecuting attorneys: They stand for the government. They fight against alleged crimes. Local, state, federal – they cover it all.
The people in both of these roles are “lawyers.” The difference is in who they are working for. The same applies to “insurance adjusters”. An insurance adjuster who works for you matters significantly to you when negotiating your insurance damage claim.
Public adjusters are paid a percentage of the claim amount for their work, which is capped by Florida law. In Florida, 10% is the maximum amount a public adjuster can charge for services rendered in a declared state of emergency. The payment structure of a public adjuster inherently motivates them to utilize their expertise in the claims process to secure the highest possible amount for you.
