A public adjuster is a licensed insurance professional who represents you, the policyholder. Not the insurance company. You.
That distinction changes everything about how your claim gets handled.
The Three Types of Adjusters
Most people don’t realize there are three different kinds of insurance adjusters. Each one works for a different party.
Staff adjusters are employees of your insurance company. They investigate your claim, assess the damage, and recommend a payout. Their employer signs their paycheck. Their loyalty follows the money.
Independent adjusters are contractors hired by insurance companies during busy periods, like after a hurricane or widespread storm damage. They work on behalf of the carrier, not you. The word “independent” is misleading.
Public adjusters work exclusively for policyholders. We are licensed by the state, and our job is to document your loss, interpret your policy, and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. We sit on your side of the table.
What a Public Adjuster Does
The claims process has dozens of moving parts. Miss one and you leave money behind.
Here’s what we handle at Hughes & Associates:
- Inspect and document the full scope of damage. We bring in specialists when needed, including contractors, engineers, and contents inventory teams.
- Review your insurance policy. Policies are dense. We identify every coverage that applies to your loss, including ones you may not know you have.
- Prepare and submit your claim. We build the claim package with detailed estimates, photos, and supporting documentation.
- Negotiate with the insurance company. We hold carriers accountable on lowball offers, denied line items, and depreciation that doesn’t hold up.
- Track the claim through to settlement. We stay on top of deadlines and follow up so nothing stalls.
You deal with rebuilding your life. We deal with the insurance company.
Public Adjuster vs. Insurance Company Adjuster
This is the question we get most often. Here’s the short answer: their adjuster works for them. We work for you.
The insurance company’s adjuster has a job to do, and that job is to evaluate your claim within the company’s guidelines. Those guidelines are designed to manage payouts. They’re not designed to ensure you receive what you’re owed.
A public adjuster starts from a different place. We look at your policy and your damage, then build the strongest possible claim for what you’re owed. We know the same estimating software, the same building codes, and the same policy language. The difference is whose interest we protect.
Insurance company adjusters are often handling 50 to 100 claims at once. They move fast. Fast means things get missed. Water damage behind walls. Smoke damage in the HVAC system. Code upgrade costs. Contents that were undervalued or skipped entirely.
We slow down and get it right.
When Should You Hire a Public Adjuster?
Not every claim needs a public adjuster. A broken window or a minor leak that your carrier handles quickly and fairly? You’re probably fine on your own.
But there are situations where hiring a public adjuster is the smartest move you can make.
Large or Complex Losses
Fire damage, major water losses, and storm damage often involve structural repairs, contents replacement, and additional living expenses. These claims have multiple coverage categories, and each one requires proper documentation. The more complicated the claim, the more likely something gets undervalued.
You Got a Low Offer
If the insurance company’s estimate doesn’t come close to covering your repairs, that’s a sign. Carriers sometimes miss damage, apply excessive depreciation, or use pricing that doesn’t reflect your local market. A public adjuster can re-inspect, re-estimate, and reopen negotiations.
Your Claim Was Denied
A denial doesn’t always mean the end. Policies are complex, and sometimes carriers deny claims based on an exclusion that doesn’t actually apply. We review the denial letter against your policy language and challenge the denial when the facts support it.
You’re Overwhelmed
A major loss turns your life upside down. You’re dealing with temporary housing, family stress, and a mountain of paperwork. Handing the insurance side to a professional gives you room to focus on recovery.
The Contingency Fee Model
Public adjusters work on contingency. That means no upfront cost to you. We get paid a percentage of the total claim value we recover. If we don’t get you a payout, we don’t get paid.
This structure keeps our interests aligned with yours. The more we recover for you, the more we earn. There’s no incentive to settle for less.
Fee percentages vary by state and by the size of the claim. In Virginia, public adjuster fees are regulated by the state. We’ll explain the fee structure before you commit, and there are no surprises. Note that third-party expert fees (such as engineers, hygienists, or forensic specialists) may be separate from the public adjuster’s contingency fee and are typically the client’s responsibility. For more details, see our FAQ page.
What to Look for in a Public Adjuster
Not all public adjusters operate the same way. Here’s what matters:
State licensing. Every public adjuster must hold a valid license in the state where they work. Ask for the license number. Verify it. Hughes & Associates holds licenses across multiple states, including Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Learn more about Rob Hughes and how we work.
Experience with your claim type. Fire claims are different from flood claims. Storm damage is different from water damage. Ask about the adjuster’s experience with losses similar to yours.
References and reviews. Talk to past clients. Check testimonials. A good public adjuster has a track record of satisfied policyholders and fair settlements.
Clear communication. You should understand what’s happening with your claim at every stage. If a public adjuster can’t explain the process in plain language, keep looking.
What This Means for You
Your insurance company has a team of professionals protecting their interests. You deserve the same.
A public adjuster levels the playing field. We know the process, we know the policy, and we know what a fair settlement looks like. If you’re facing a property damage claim and you want someone in your corner, reach out to us.
Hughes & Associates (434) 846-5555 | Contact us