Public adjuster vs insurance company: what changes when you hire one?
Short answer. Hiring a public adjuster puts a licensed advocate between you and your insurance company, but the insurer still inspects the property, still applies the policy, and still decides what it will pay. What changes is who prepares the claim and who negotiates. If the two sides cannot agree on the amount, the appraisal clause or a lawsuit is where it ends up.
What the insurance company still controls
- Its own inspection by a staff or independent adjuster, and sometimes an engineer.
- Coverage decisions: whether the cause of loss is covered and which exclusions apply.
- The timing of payment, within the deadlines Georgia's claim rules set.
- Its right under many policies to ask for documents, a recorded statement, or an examination under oath.
What the public adjuster takes over
- Preparing the estimate and the inventory of damaged items.
- Calls, emails and meetings with the insurer's adjuster.
- Pushing for reinspections and, where needed, invoking appraisal.
Where the friction comes from
Insurers often ask for more documentation once a public adjuster is involved, which can slow things down. Estimates that pad items invite pushback and can make a reasonable adjuster dig in. The best results come from an estimate that matches the real cost to repair, with photos for every line.
Where a dispute goes
Disputes about the amount of loss go to appraisal. Disputes about coverage, such as wear and tear versus hail, are usually not decided in appraisal and may end with a written denial review, a complaint to the Commissioner, or a lawyer.
You still have a role
The policy is your contract, so you still sign the proof of loss, endorse checks and answer questions under oath if asked. Stay copied on every email, and ask for a copy of each estimate the public adjuster sends.