3 Types of Claims Adjusters

When you go to file your insurance claim, you will be assigned an adjuster. But who is that adjuster? And who are they working for? Did you know you are able to hire your own adjuster, too? You will hear various types of adjusters thrown around as possibilities for who will evaluate your damage and help submit your insurance claim. They are not all the same, though. Even as you go to hire your own adjuster, you may think an Independent Adjuster, for example, works completely separate from the insurance company. That is not the case, though. Learn more about the different types of adjusters and who they work for.

When a staff adjuster sees your homeowner’s insurance claim, saving the insurance company money is their priority.

Staff Adjuster

As the name implies, the staff adjuster is an employee of the insurance company. They work full time and are paid on a salary or hourly basis for any claim that comes the insurance company’s door. In short:

  • Employed By: Insurance company as an employee
  • Works For: One insurance company
  • Motive: Save insurance company money

 

 

 

Don’t be fooled into thinking independent adjusters work for your interest. They are still doing everything they can to save the insurance company money.

Independent Adjuster

Sometimes insurance companies don’t want to hire full-time, in-house adjusters because of how much it costs to pay them. The alternative is to hire an independent adjuster and contract them on a case-by-case basis. In short:

  • Employed By: Themselves or their firm
  • Works For: Any number of contracted insurance companies
  • Motive: Save insurance company money

 

 

 

Unlike the others, public adjusters work directly for you to ensure your claim goes smoothly and you get a payout to restore your home.

Public Adjuster

Unlike other types of adjusters that may or may not need to be licensed depending on the state, public adjusters are licensed and trained to assist with the insurance claim process. Since they don’t work on behalf of an insurance company, they don’t have ulterior motives. They are simply there to help the insured. In short:

  • Employed By: Themselves or their firm
  • Works For: Their client, the insured
  • Motive: Help the insured get a quick, fair settlement

 

It’s important to note that of the three types of adjusters, only one is actually working for you, the insured. When you go to submit your insurance claim and are given either a staff or independent adjuster, know that you also have the right to your own public adjuster.