Your insurance company provides an adjuster at no charge to you. Adjusters who have no relationship with your insurance company and charge a fee for their services also may contact you. These are known as public adjusters. You may use a public adjuster to help you in settling your claim.
Public adjusters may charge you as much as 15% of the total value of your settlement for their services. The fee isn’t covered by your insurance policy. Sometimes after a disaster, your state’s insurance department sets the percentage that public adjusters may charge.
If you decide to use a public adjuster, first check his or her qualifications by calling your state insurance department. Ask your agent, a lawyer, or friends and associates for the name of a professional adjuster they can recommend. Avoid individuals who go from door-to-door after a major disaster, unless you are sure they are qualified.