An insurance claim is a formal request sent to an insurance company asking for compensation for damages that are covered under the terms of the insurance policy. The claim process involves listing, describing and valuing everything that was damaged or destroyed, meeting with adjusters, and sometimes contractors, and reviewing reports and estimates.  It is very helpful to have a public adjuster on your side helping you navigate the process from start to finish.

Every insurance policy is different and there are many variables involved in determining whether your accident is covered. In the case of homeowners insurance, your insurance provider will dispatch an adjuster who will evaluate the damage and make a recommendation based on their experience, as well as the details of your policy and coverage. The process of filing an insurance claim varies depending on the type of coverage in question.

While all contracts are different, most insurance companies require that a prompt notice is given to the company. That means that if you have a loss you must notify your insurance company or agent right away.  Furthermore, you should file your claim as quickly as possible to avoid a breach of your insurance policy, which may justify your claim being denied.

If you experience any damage or loss to your home or business, it is your responsibility to mitigate the damage. You may need to contact an emergency service company to provide mitigation services. Do not dispose of your damaged belongings or reconstruct the damage before calling your insurance company. Most policies have a condition that requires you to display the damaged property.

A Public Adjuster is a highly skilled insurance professional who has extensive knowledge of insurance policies and who specializes in the adjustment of claims.  They are hired by policyholders to present, manage and negotiate their claims.

History shows that it is unlikely that you will obtain the same results.  The insurance company’s adjusters represent their interests, not yours. Many company adjusters are overworked or inexperienced and it often results in the inaccurate adjustment of your claim.  Therefore, many things you are entitled to receive are missed or overlooked.

Public adjusters are hired by individuals to represent them in their dealings with their insurance company. Our main objective is to get you paid every dollar you are owed under your policy. Our service has no upfront cost to you as we work on a contingency basis only and our fees are based solely on a percentage of the claim payments we bring you. Therefore, we are motivated to bring you the maximum amount available under your policy in the shortest amount of time.

The insurance company adjusters are employed by the insurance company and they are looking out for their interests and doing what they are told.  On the other hand, we work for you and our loyalties are to you. We are only looking out for your interest.  It is hard for insurance company adjusters not to have some sort of conflict of interest or be impartial because the insurance company pays their salary.

No, not for using the services of a public adjuster. However, you need to be aware that when you file a claim it may trigger an underwriting review which can result in a rate increase and/or other changes with your current policy and its coverage.  The California Department of Insurance has attempted to limit what is sometimes called the “use it and lose it” practices of the insurance industry.

No, we work on a contingency basis. You pay us when we provide you with payment from the insurance company.

No, you can hire us after you have received initial payments, as long as applicable time limitations have not expired. However, we strongly recommend hiring us before you receive any payments to ensure the loss is properly documented and the full value of your claim is established from the start.

Please note that we cannot represent a claim if the property owner has already started repairing the damages. If you believe you have been underpaid, contact us to review your claim and determine the best path forward for your recovery.

Your agent is not trained to adjust claims.  In general, they are not familiar with construction and what it will take to restore your home or business. In almost all cases, your agent is not involved in the actual adjustment of your loss.  In addition, they are usually not licensed to adjust claims and negotiate settlements on your behalf.

Public adjusters are not attorneys.  We specialize in the adjustment of property damage claims.  Unlike attorneys, we document the loss to support the damages and get you paid as soon as possible.  Many attorneys will hire public adjusters to help them evaluate damages so they will know the extent of the damage.  Also, public adjusters do not provide legal advice.
 
If you would like to learn more about the difference between a public adjuster and an attorney, explore our full breakdown at /attorney-vs-public-adjuster/.

Public adjusters typically work on a contingency basis, meaning Avner Gat, Inc. only gets paid when the client receives payment from the insurance claim. The fee is generally calculated as a percentage of the insurance recovery and is disclosed in the public adjuster agreement. In exchange, the policyholder receives professional representation focused on documenting, preparing, and negotiating the property insurance claim.

California provides specific consumer protections for these agreements. Under California Insurance Code §15027, a public adjuster contract must clearly disclose the compensation, including the percentage charged and the base to which that percentage applies. The law also provides a cancellation period and requires the contract to clearly state that the public adjuster represents the insured.

For homeowners and business owners dealing with significant property damage in Los Angeles or elsewhere in Southern California, the more important consideration is whether professional claim preparation and negotiation can help ensure that all covered damage is properly documented and presented to the insurance company.

Public adjusters in California generally charge a percentage of the insurance recovery rather than a traditional hourly fee. Public adjuster fees commonly vary based on the size of the loss, complexity of the claim, amount of documentation required, and stage of the insurance claim.

Under California Insurance Code §15027(b)(6) and §15027(b)(12), the public adjuster contract must state the full fee or compensation and identify both the percentage charged and the base to which that percentage applies. California law also requires the insured to initial the fee provision in the contract.

The California Department of Insurance advises policyholders to understand both the services being provided and how the fee will be calculated before signing an agreement. For a Los Angeles property insurance claim, the cost should therefore be evaluated in relation to the scope, complexity, and potential value of the claim.

A public adjuster represents the policyholder during a property insurance claim and helps prepare, document, present, and negotiate the claim with the insurance company.

California Insurance Code §15007 defines a public insurance adjuster as a professional who, for compensation, acts on behalf of an insured in negotiating or effecting the settlement of a claim involving loss or damage to real or personal property.

A California public adjuster may review the insurance policy, document property damage in an efficient manner, utilize experts to evaluate the scope of loss, manage estimates written by licensed contractors and specialists, organize supporting evidence, communicate with the insurance carrier, and negotiate covered portions of the claim.

Under California Insurance Code §15012, a public adjuster license may cover property claims involving fire and allied coverages, burglary, flood, real and personal property, and loss of income.

For homeowners and businesses in Los Angeles and Southern California, this representation can be particularly valuable when a property loss involves extensive damage, multiple coverages, detailed repair estimates, or significant documentation.

You should consider hiring a public adjuster when your property insurance claim involves significant damage, complex coverage issues, extensive documentation, a low insurance estimate, delayed payment, an underpaid claim, or a denial that requires further review.

Hiring a public adjuster early can also help establish a detailed scope of loss and organize documentation before major claim decisions are made. However, California policyholders can also seek professional representation after the claim process has already begun.

Under California Insurance Code §15027, public adjusters represent the insured, and California requires their contracts to disclose the services they will provide and the compensation they will receive.

For Los Angeles and Southern California property owners dealing with fire, smoke, water, vandalism, storm, or other covered property damage, involving a public adjuster before important documentation or settlement decisions are finalized can provide the policyholder with dedicated professional representation throughout the claim.

Hiring a public adjuster can be worth it when the value and complexity of a property insurance claim make professional documentation, estimating, and negotiation important to the outcome.

A public adjuster works for the insured rather than the insurance carrier. California law reinforces this distinction: the mandatory disclosure required under California Insurance Code §15027 specifically explains that public adjusters represent the insured and assist with the preparation, presentation, and settlement of the claim.

For a substantial property insurance claim, the value may come from identifying covered damage, developing a detailed scope of loss, reviewing the insurer’s estimate, documenting additional expenses, and presenting supporting evidence to the insurance carrier.

The results of every claim depend on the policy, coverage, documented damages, exclusions, limits, and circumstances of the loss, so a reputable public adjuster should evaluate the individual claim rather than promise a specific outcome.

Yes. A public adjuster can review an underpaid property insurance claim, analyze the insurer’s estimate and coverage position, document what may be considered covered damage under the policy language, identify potential discrepancies, and present additional evidence supporting supplemental payment. In some cases, a public adjuster may also review a denied claim to determine whether additional documentation or further evaluation is appropriate.

California insurance regulations provide important protections for policyholders. Under California Code of Regulations, Title 10, §2695.7(d), insurers are required to conduct a thorough, fair, and objective investigation of a claim. When a first-party claim is denied, §2695.7(b)(1) generally requires the insurer to provide the denial in writing and identify the policy provision, condition, or exclusion supporting its decision.

A public adjuster can use the policy, damage documentation, estimates, inventories, photographs, and other evidence to determine whether covered portions of the loss may have been overlooked or undervalued.

For denied or underpaid insurance claims in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California, this type of detailed claim review can be especially important when substantial property damage is involved.

Yes. A public adjuster can utilize experts who independently evaluate the property damage, review a detailed repair estimate, and compare that information against the insurance company’s scope and valuation.

This is particularly important in California because California Code of Regulations, Title 10, §2695.9(d) establishes specific standards for property insurance estimates. When an insurer settles a loss based on its own written scope or estimate, the estimate must be sufficient to restore the damaged property to no less than its pre-loss condition and allow repairs that meet accepted trade standards.

The regulation also requires insurers to take reasonable steps to ensure that repair and rebuilding costs are accurate and representative of costs in the local market area.

If the policyholder provides a written estimate showing that necessary repairs exceed the insurer’s estimate, §2695.9(d) establishes specific obligations for how the insurer must address that difference.

For property owners in Los Angeles and Southern California—where labor, materials, permitting, and construction costs can significantly affect repair estimates—a detailed local-market evaluation can be an important part of documenting the full scope of a covered property loss.

Yes. A California policyholder can hire a public adjuster after an insurance company has already inspected the property, prepared an estimate, issued an offer, or made certain payments, provided there are still issues with the claim that can properly be reviewed or pursued.

The public adjuster can evaluate the insurer’s estimate and prior payments, discuss remaining damage, review policy coverage, and determine whether additional covered losses or supplemental amounts should be documented.

California Insurance Code §15027(b)(7) provides an important protection when a public adjuster is hired after payments have already been made: the adjuster’s fee or commission cannot cause the insured to receive less than an amount the insurer paid before the public adjuster contract was entered into.

The California Department of Insurance also advises consumers that they retain the ability to hire a third-party professional even after initially working directly with their insurance company.

For a Los Angeles property owner who believes an existing insurance offer does not fully account for covered damage, having the claim reviewed before treating that offer as the final valuation can help identify whether additional documentation or negotiation is appropriate.

The key difference is who the adjuster represents.

A public adjuster represents the policyholder. An insurance company adjuster represents the insurer, while an independent adjuster may be hired by the insurance company on a contract basis to adjust claims on the insurer’s behalf.

This distinction is specifically addressed in California Insurance Code §15027(v). California requires public adjusters to provide consumers with a disclosure explaining the three types of adjusters that may participate in an insurance claim. The disclosure states that public adjusters work for the insured and assist in preparing, presenting, and settling the claim.

California also requires public adjusters to be licensed, and California Insurance Code §15006 prohibits a person from acting as a public insurance adjuster in the state without the required license.

For a California property insurance claim, hiring a public adjuster gives the policyholder an adjuster whose role is specifically focused on representing the insured’s interests during the claims process.

A public adjuster can help pursue additional insurance proceeds when covered property damage, repair costs, personal property, loss of income, or other insured losses have been overlooked, underestimated, or inadequately documented.

The process generally involves reviewing the policy, documenting the full scope of the loss, preparing or analyzing estimates, identifying discrepancies in the insurance company’s evaluation, and presenting supporting evidence during negotiations.

California regulations can be particularly important when the dispute involves repair costs. Under California Code of Regulations, Title 10, §2695.9(d), an insurer’s property repair estimate must reflect costs that are accurate and representative of the local market area, and the regulation establishes procedures for addressing a higher written estimate obtained by the claimant.

A public adjuster cannot guarantee that an insurance settlement will increase or promise a specific recovery. The amount ultimately available depends on the insurance policy, coverage limits, exclusions, documented damage, prior payments, and facts of the individual claim.

For homeowners and businesses in Los Angeles and Southern California, a public adjuster can help ensure that a property insurance claim is thoroughly documented and that the insurer is presented with evidence supporting all covered amounts being claimed.