Hiring a public adjuster
The fee is capped by statute at 20%†, and drops to 10%† for claims arising from a declared state of emergency made within the following year. That second figure is not widely advertised, and after a named hurricane it is usually the one that governs.
A contract written at the ordinary rate on a claim that falls under the emergency cap is asking for more than the law allows. On a six-figure settlement the difference between the two ceilings is tens of thousands of dollars, and it takes one question to establish which applies.
Who they are, against everyone else at your claim
| Role | Works for | Paid by |
|---|---|---|
| Company adjuster | Your insurer | The insurer |
| Independent adjuster | Your insurer, on contract | The insurer |
| Public adjuster | You | You, from the settlement |
| Contractor with an AOB | Themselves | Not applicable — no longer permitted |
The first two are frequently helpful people, and they are not your representatives. The last row matters because it used to be the informal alternative: a policyholder may not assign, in whole or in part, any post-loss benefit under a residential property insurance policy† for policies issued from 1 January 2023†. A public adjuster is now the regulated way to have someone on your side of a claim.
Do you even need one?
- Large or complex losses. Where the gap between a fair and an unfair settlement is real money, the percentage earns itself.
- A denial or a serious underpayment you do not know how to challenge on its own terms.
- You cannot manage the documentation — because you are displaced, working, or simply overwhelmed by a wrecked house.
- A disputed cause of loss, where the argument is technical rather than about the number.
On a small, clean claim the percentage frequently costs more than the adjuster adds. If your insurer has accepted the claim and the number looks broadly right, paying a fifth of it to have someone else agree is a poor trade. Nobody selling the service will tell you that, which is why it belongs here.
Before you sign
- Verify the licence. Public adjusters are licensed by the Department of Financial Services and must post a surety bond. The licence is public and checkable.
- Establish which fee cap applies — ordinary or emergency — and confirm the contract matches.
- Ask what the fee is calculated on. Payments actually received, and exclusive of attorney fees and costs.
- Read the cancellation terms. Understand what happens if you change your mind, and within what window.
- Ask what they will do that you cannot. A specific answer is a good sign; a general one about “maximising your claim” is not.
- Do not sign on the doorstep. Anyone who needs your signature before you have read the contract has told you something about the contract.
The deadlines they are working inside
- Notice of a claim is due within 1 year† of the loss, for all perils rather than just hurricanes.
- A supplemental claim within 18 months†.
- The insurer must pay or deny within 60 days† of notice — not the 90 days still widely quoted.
An adjuster who quotes the old figures is telling you how current their practice is. It is a quick and useful test.
Warning signs
- Door-knocking immediately after a storm with paperwork ready.
- Any assignment of benefits, which is not permitted on modern policies.
- An offer to waive your deductible. That is fraud and it makes you a participant.
- A contract at the ordinary cap on a claim that plainly arises from a declared emergency.
- Reluctance to give a licence number, or one that does not match the name on the contract.
- Guaranteeing an outcome or a figure. Nobody can.
Related
Common questions
How much does a public adjuster cost in Florida?
The fee is capped by statute at 20% of claim payments, dropping to 10% for claims arising from a declared state of emergency and made within the year after the declaration. After a named hurricane the lower cap usually applies.
Is a public adjuster worth it?
On a large, complex, denied or underpaid claim, usually. On a small clean claim the percentage often costs more than the adjuster adds — paying a fifth of a settlement to have someone agree with it is a poor trade.
What is the difference between a public adjuster and the insurance company’s adjuster?
A public adjuster works for you and is paid from your settlement. Company and independent adjusters work for the insurer, however helpful they are in person.
Are public adjusters licensed in Florida?
Yes, by the Department of Financial Services, and they must post a surety bond. The licence is public and checkable, and verifying it before signing is worth the two minutes.
Can a contractor handle my claim instead?
Not by taking an assignment of benefits — that is no longer permitted on residential policies issued from January 2023. A licensed public adjuster is the regulated route to having someone on your side.
Public adjuster licensing and compensation limits sit in §626.854 of the Florida Statutes; claim deadlines in §627.70131 and §627.70132. Which fee cap applies depends on whether the claim arises from a declared emergency and when it was made.