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Is a public adjuster worth the fee?
A public adjuster's fee comes out of your claim payment. This shows how much more they would have to get before you end up with more money than you have on the table now.
The math behind the answer
If the fee is a percentage of the whole payment, you keep the rest. So the payment has to grow enough to cover the fee on the money you already had coming.
| Fee | Payout must rise by more than | On a $40,000 offer |
|---|---|---|
| 5% | 5.3% | $42,106 |
| 10% | 11.1% | $44,445 |
| 15% | 17.6% | $47,059 |
| 20% | 25.0% | $50,000 |
| 25% | 33.3% | $53,334 |
The formula is fee ÷ (100 − fee). This is arithmetic, not a prediction. Nobody can promise what an insurer will pay, and an adjuster who promises a result is a warning sign.
What the numbers leave out
- What the evidence says. Only one government study compares claims with and without a public adjuster. See what official data shows.
- Your time. Documenting a large loss can take weeks. Some people hire help for that reason alone.
- Free options. Asking for a re-inspection and filing a complaint with your state insurance department cost nothing. See the ways to dispute a claim.
- Your mortgage company and deductible. Both affect what reaches your account, and neither changes the comparison above.
Questions about fees
How do I know if a public adjuster is worth the fee?
Compare what you would keep after the fee with what the insurer is offering now. If the fee is a percentage of the whole payment, the adjuster has to raise the payout by more than the fee before you gain anything. At a 10% fee the payout has to rise by about 11.1%. At 20% it has to rise by 25%.
Is the fee charged on the whole settlement or only the extra money?
It depends on the contract. Many contracts charge the percentage on everything the insurer pays, including money it had already offered. Some charge only on the increase. The difference is large, so read that clause before you sign and ask for it in writing.
Can I negotiate a public adjuster's fee?
A state cap is a maximum, not a set price. The percentage, what it applies to, and whether money already offered is excluded are all contract terms you can ask to change before signing.
Other free tools
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Check the clock Contract CheckWhat must the contract say?
A checklist of what your state says a public adjuster contract must contain.
Check a contract Do I need one?Do I need a public adjuster at all?
Six questions. An honest answer, including when the answer is no.
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