A public adjuster represents you, the policyholder. The adjuster your insurer sends represents the insurer. They are not the same job, and the difference matters when a claim is disputed.
What a public adjuster does
- Documents and values the loss, often in more detail than the insurer's adjuster
- Prepares and negotiates the claim with your insurer
- Advises you through the process
What a public adjuster cannot do
- Give legal advice. That is a lawyer's role, and the statutes are explicit about it.
- Guarantee a settlement amount.
- Charge a fee above the cap Florida law sets, or take a share of money you already received for a prior settlement of the same loss.
- Charge on the deductible portion of your claim, or base a fee on amounts attributable to additional living expenses unless you agree to that separately and in writing.
- Compensate anyone other than another public adjuster for referring your business to them.
Before you sign a contract with one
- Verify the licence at licenseesearch.fldfs.com. A public adjuster must be licensed and appointed by the Florida DFS.
- Read the fee and the cancellation terms. Florida requires a written contract with specific cancellation rights, including a longer period when the loss relates to a declared state of emergency. Confirm the current terms on the contract itself.
- Ask what happens if the claim is denied.
- Be wary of anyone who contacts you first, offers a guaranteed amount, or asks you to sign on the spot. Florida restricts how and when public adjusters may solicit.
Our public adjuster listings come from the DFS licensee register, and every record links to the state lookup so you can confirm the licence and its status yourself.
General information, not legal or insurance advice. Fee caps, contract terms and solicitation rules are set by Florida statute and change — confirm current requirements with the Florida Department of Financial Services.