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Imagine this: a Category 3 hurricane barrels through your Florida neighborhood. Trees are down, power lines are tangled in the street, and your roof is peeled back like a sardine can. A few days later, an adjuster arrives with a clipboard and a smile. You breathe a sigh of relief—help is finally here. But what you may not realize is that this adjuster isn’t necessarily there to help you. They’re there to protect the insurance company.
This is the part of the insurance process most policyholders don’t understand until it’s too late. The adjuster assigned to your claim works for the insurer—not for you. And that can make a huge difference in how much money you receive.
In this article, we’ll explain:
When you report property damage, your insurer dispatches its own adjuster to inspect the scene, assess the loss, and estimate the value of repairs. They may seem helpful and courteous. But they aren’t there to maximize your settlement—they’re there to protect the insurer’s financial interests.
Insurance company adjusters often:
During widespread disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes, insurance claim adjusters are often overwhelmed by the volume of claims and must inspect properties rapidly — which can lead to critical damages being overlooked.
A public adjuster is a licensed claims professional who represents you—the policyholder—through the insurance claims process. Their role is to document, file, negotiate, and settle your claim for the highest legal amount possible under your policy.
Feature
Insurance Company Adjuster
Public Adjuster
Who they work for
Insurance company
You, the policyholder
Primary objective
Minimize payout
Maximize payout
Cost to you
None directly (but often costs you in underpayment)
Usually a % of settlement
When they’re involved
Automatically assigned after filing
You choose when to hire
Specialized in policy language?
Limited
Yes
Trained to handle complex claims?
Rarely
Yes
Most importantly, public adjusters are your advocate. They read the fine print of your policy, account for hidden or future damages, and negotiate with the insurance company to make sure you’re fully compensated—not just patched up.
One of the most cited studies in the public adjusting industry comes from the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA). The data was clear:
Homeowners who used a public adjuster received settlements that were higher than those who did not.
Average payout without a public adjuster: $2,029
Average payout with a public adjuster: $17,187
(Source: OPPAGA Report No. 10-06)
Even accounting for adjuster fees, policyholders walked away with significantly more money to repair damages. That’s money for rebuilding—not compromising.
Let’s break down specific cases where relying solely on the insurer’s adjuster is a costly mistake:
Florida sees more hurricanes than any other state. After Hurricane Michael, thousands of claims were delayed, denied, or underpaid. Many insurers were overwhelmed—adjusters rushed inspections and missed damage hidden behind walls or under roofing.
Public adjusters conduct full inspections, document each issue with photos and repair estimates, and ensure storm-related damage (even if delayed, like mold) is properly linked to your claim.
Water damage might seem straightforward—until it leads to mold growth that insurers deny as "maintenance-related." A public adjuster can help connect mold growth to a covered event like a pipe burst or storm intrusion.
Mold remediation in Florida or Georgia can run into tens of thousands of dollars, especially if it spreads to HVAC systems or behind cabinetry.
Insurer adjusters may cover obvious damage but neglect secondary issues like structural warping from heat or smoke contamination in air ducts. Public adjusters often bring in environmental experts to support a fuller settlement.
In Georgia, where heating systems are used more frequently, fires can cause deep hidden damage not visible on a surface inspection.
Restaurants, retail stores, and multi-unit buildings often involve business interruption, loss of income, and specialty equipment. Insurer adjusters may not consider these factors—or may lowball them.
A public adjuster helps you calculate time-value losses, inventory depreciation, and code compliance costs to secure a complete payout.
In both states, insurance companies face regular scrutiny for mishandling claims during natural disasters. Having a licensed public adjuster on your side means having someone who knows the local insurance landscape, legal protections, and industry loopholes.
Not all adjusters are created equal. When hiring someone to handle your claim, look for:
Pro tip: A great public adjuster will never pressure you to sign quickly. They’ll offer a free review and answer your questions clearly.
Some things to watch for that suggest your insurer’s adjuster may not have your best interests in mind:
You have the legal right to representation. Use it.
When disaster strikes in Florida or Georgia, your first call might be to your insurance company. But your second call should be to someone who works for you—not the insurer.
A licensed public adjuster can:
Don’t leave your settlement up to someone whose paycheck depends on keeping it low. Get someone in your corner who knows the game and plays for your team.
