What Does a Public Adjuster Do?
A public adjuster represents you — not your insurance company — when filing or disputing a property insurance claim. Here's exactly what that means and what we do at every stage of your claim.
A Public Adjuster Works for You — Not the Insurance Company
A public adjuster is a licensed insurance professional whose sole job is representing policyholders in property insurance claims. We inspect damage, interpret your policy, document losses, prepare claim estimates, negotiate with your insurance company, and — when needed — invoke formal dispute processes like the appraisal clause. Everything we do is in service of one goal: getting you the full settlement your policy actually owes.
This is fundamentally different from the adjuster your insurance company sends to inspect your property. That adjuster is an employee or contractor of the insurance company, paid by the insurer, and their assessment — however well-intentioned — happens within an organization that has a financial interest in minimizing claim payouts.
| Role | Who They Work For | Who Pays Them |
|---|---|---|
| Public Adjuster | You (the policyholder) | You — typically a % of your settlement |
| Insurance Company Adjuster | Your insurance company | Your insurance company |
| Independent Adjuster | Whichever insurer hired them for that claim | The insurance company |
A Public Adjuster's Job, Step by Step
Inspect Your Property
We perform a complete inspection of your damaged property — roof, attic, interior, exterior, and any affected structures — documenting everything with photos, measurements, and professional assessment.
Review Your Insurance Policy
We read your full policy — not just the declarations page — to identify every coverage that applies to your loss, including provisions you may not know you have.
Document & Estimate Damage
We build a professional, line-item damage estimate (typically using Xactimate, the same software insurance companies use) that captures the true cost of repair.
Submit & Negotiate Your Claim
We submit the claim on your behalf and handle all communication and negotiation with your insurance company — so you don't have to.
Invoke Appraisal If Needed
If your insurer won't agree to a fair settlement, we can invoke the policy's appraisal clause — a formal, binding dispute resolution process — to push for the value your claim deserves.
What's Outside a Public Adjuster's Role
It's just as important to understand what we don't do. Public adjusters do not perform physical repairs — that's the job of a licensed contractor. We don't provide legal representation or litigate lawsuits — that requires a licensed attorney. And we don't guarantee specific outcomes — we represent your interests aggressively and professionally, but final settlement amounts depend on policy language, documented damage, and negotiation or appraisal results.
The team approach works best: The strongest outcomes typically involve a public adjuster maximizing your insurance settlement, a qualified contractor performing quality repairs once that settlement is secured, and — in rare cases involving bad faith or coverage denial — an attorney handling litigation. We coordinate with all of these professionals as needed.
Common Questions
Is a public adjuster the same as an insurance agent?
No. An insurance agent sells you the policy. A public adjuster helps you file and dispute claims under a policy you already have. They serve completely different functions.
Do I need a public adjuster for every claim?
Not necessarily — simple, low-value claims may not require professional representation. Public adjusters add the most value on complex, high-value, denied, or disputed claims.
How much does it cost to hire a public adjuster?
Most, including First Call, work on contingency — a percentage of your settlement with no upfront cost. See our full cost breakdown for details.
Is First Call licensed to do this?
Yes. Ryan Lancon holds Texas Public Adjuster License #1921679, plus Haag Certified Inspector and CPAU (Certified Public Adjuster Umpire) credentials.
See What a Public Adjuster Can Do for Your Claim
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