Public Adjuster FAQ — Texas
Every question Texas homeowners ask us about public adjusters, insurance claims, and the claims process — answered in one place.
30 Questions, Organized by Topic
General Questions About Public Adjusters
1. What is a public adjuster?
A public adjuster is a licensed insurance professional who represents policyholders — not insurance companies — in the claims process. We inspect damage, document losses, interpret policy language, and negotiate settlements on your behalf, working exclusively in your interest.
2. How is a public adjuster different from my insurance company's adjuster?
Your insurance company's adjuster works for and is paid by the insurance company — their job includes managing the insurer's claim costs. A public adjuster works for and is paid by you (typically via contingency fee), with the sole job of maximizing your settlement.
3. Do I need a public adjuster, or can I handle my claim myself?
Many homeowners handle straightforward, low-value claims successfully on their own. Public adjusters add the most value on complex claims, high-value losses, disputed claims, denials, and situations where you're unsure what your policy actually covers or suspect the offer is too low.
4. Is First Call Public Adjusters licensed in Texas?
Yes. Ryan Lancon holds Texas Public Adjuster License #1921679, along with Haag Certified Inspector (HCI-R/C) and CPAU (Certified Public Adjuster Umpire) designations.
5. What areas does First Call Public Adjusters serve?
We're based in the Trophy Club/Southlake corridor and serve all of North Texas — including Tarrant, Dallas, Denton, Collin, and Rockwall counties — as well as licensed representation across the broader state of Texas and Oklahoma.
Cost & Fee Questions
6. How much does a public adjuster cost in Texas?
First Call works on contingency — typically 10-15% of your final settlement for standard residential claims. There's no upfront fee, no hourly billing, and no cost for your initial inspection. See our full public adjuster cost page for complete details.
7. Do I pay anything if my claim is denied entirely?
No. Under our contingency model, you owe nothing if there's no recovery. We only get paid when you get paid more.
8. Is the public adjuster's fee worth it compared to handling the claim myself?
For most disputed or complex claims, yes. Professional representation typically results in significantly higher settlements than self-negotiation, even after the fee is deducted — because insurance companies negotiate differently with experienced, credentialed representation than with an individual homeowner.
Claims Process Questions
9. How long does a public adjuster claim take in Texas?
Straightforward storm claims typically resolve in 30–90 days. Complex claims, large losses, or claims that go to appraisal can take longer. We provide realistic timeline expectations specific to your claim type from the start.
10. What happens during the initial inspection?
We perform a complete property inspection — roof, attic, gutters, siding, windows, HVAC, and interior — documenting all damage with photos and measurements. This is free and comes with no obligation to hire us.
11. Will you review my insurance policy?
Yes. We read your full policy — not just the declarations page — to identify every applicable coverage, including provisions you may not know exist like ALE, code upgrade coverage, and loss of rent.
12. Do I still need to deal with my insurance company directly?
Once you hire us, we handle all communication and negotiation with your insurer on your behalf. You don't need to take adjuster calls or respond to claim correspondence yourself.
13. How quickly should I file a claim after storm damage?
As soon as reasonably possible. Texas policies generally require "prompt" notice of loss, and delays can sometimes complicate documentation and coverage. File promptly, and get a public adjuster involved early for the best results.
14. Can I hire a public adjuster after I've already filed my own claim?
Yes. We frequently take over claims that are already in progress — reviewing what's been submitted, identifying gaps, and taking over negotiation from that point forward.
15. What if the insurance company already inspected my property?
That's fine — and very common. We perform an independent inspection regardless of what the insurance company has already done, since their findings frequently miss or undervalue damage.
Denied & Underpaid Claim Questions
16. My claim was denied — is that final?
No. A denial is a starting point for further action, not a final verdict. We review every denial to identify its specific basis and determine the best strategy for challenging it. See our denied claims page for more detail.
17. How do I know if my settlement was underpaid?
The clearest sign is when professional contractor estimates significantly exceed what your insurance company offered. Other signs include excessive depreciation, missing items like gutters or AC units, and settlements that only address visible damage. See our underpaid claims page for full details.
18. Why do insurance companies deny or underpay claims so often?
Insurance companies are profitable businesses, and minimizing claim payouts directly affects profitability. Common tactics include excessive depreciation, generic regional pricing, "cosmetic damage" determinations, and wear-and-tear reclassification of storm damage.
19. Should I sign the release my insurance company sent with my check?
Not without review. Many release documents waive your right to additional recovery once signed. Call us before signing anything your insurer sends — once signed, your options often narrow permanently.
20. How long do I have to dispute a denial or low settlement in Texas?
Texas has statutory deadlines that vary by claim type and policy — generally up to two years, but acting quickly preserves the most options. Call us as soon as possible after any denial or low offer.
Appraisal Clause & Dispute Questions
21. What is the appraisal clause?
A provision in virtually every Texas homeowner's policy that allows formal dispute resolution of a covered loss's value — without litigation. Each side selects an appraiser; if they disagree, a neutral umpire decides. The result is binding. Full details on our appraisal page.
22. Is Ryan Lancon licensed to handle the appraisal process?
Yes — Ryan Lancon is licensed as both a Texas public adjuster and functions as an insurance appraiser, meaning First Call can represent you through the full process from initial claim to appraisal without hiring a separate appraiser.
23. When should I choose appraisal instead of a lawsuit?
Appraisal works for valuation disputes where coverage is acknowledged but the amount is contested. Litigation is generally needed for coverage denials or bad-faith claims. See our full appraisal vs. lawsuit comparison.
24. How long does the appraisal process take?
Typically weeks to a few months — significantly faster than litigation, which can take years.
25. Does First Call provide legal representation?
No — we are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice or litigation services. When a claim's circumstances suggest litigation is appropriate, we refer clients to qualified Texas insurance coverage attorneys.
Damage-Specific Questions
26. My insurer says my roof damage is "cosmetic only" — what does that mean?
A cosmetic determination means the insurer believes your roof has aesthetic damage but no functional impairment — a frequently contested call. We document functional damage using Haag-certified methodology to challenge cosmetic-only denials. More on our roof damage page.
27. Is water damage from a burst pipe covered in Texas?
Generally yes, as a sudden and accidental loss — but insurers sometimes try to reclassify it as gradual damage to deny or limit coverage. See our pipe burst claims page for more.
28. Does homeowner's insurance cover flooding in Texas?
No — standard homeowner's policies exclude flooding from external water sources. Flood coverage requires separate flood insurance (NFIP or private). See our flood damage page for the full breakdown.
29. Is foundation damage ever covered by insurance in Texas?
Sometimes — if the damage resulted from a specific covered peril (like a plumbing leak) rather than normal soil movement. See our foundation damage page for details on causation requirements.
30. I'm a landlord — does my policy cover lost rent during repairs?
Most landlord policies include loss of rent or fair rental value coverage — a provision many landlords don't know exists until it's identified during a policy review. See our landlord claims page for full details.
Still Have a Question?
Call us directly — we're happy to answer anything specific to your situation, with no obligation.