Public adjuster vs. insurance adjuster — what's the difference?
Homeowners often meet two or three different 'adjusters' during a single claim. This guide explains who works for whom, how each is paid, and where their interests align or diverge. Education only — not legal advice.
Educational content only — not legal, tax, or licensed insurance advice. For binding guidance on your specific claim, speak with a licensed Georgia public adjuster or attorney.
The carrier's adjuster (staff or independent)
The carrier's field adjuster represents the insurance company. They may be a staff employee or an independent adjuster contracted by the carrier. Their job is to investigate the loss, write a scope of damage, and recommend a payment amount under the policy. They are bound by the carrier's procedures and pricing.
The public adjuster
A public adjuster is hired by — and works for — the homeowner. In Georgia they must be licensed by the Office of Commissioner of Insurance. They prepare their own scope and estimate, submit the claim, and negotiate with the carrier's adjuster on the homeowner's behalf.
Side-by-side comparison
- Who they work for: carrier vs. homeowner
- Who pays them: carrier (salary or fee) vs. homeowner (contingency, typically 10%–15%)
- When they show up: after the first notice of loss vs. when the homeowner engages them
- What they produce: carrier-side scope and estimate vs. independent homeowner-side scope and estimate
- Authority: bound by carrier procedures vs. independent and bound by the homeowner's contract
Where interests align — and where they don't
Both adjusters generally want the claim resolved efficiently and supported by evidence. Where they diverge: the carrier's adjuster works inside the carrier's pricing and procedures; the public adjuster's job is to identify missing scope, code upgrades, matching, and hidden damage the carrier's first estimate may have omitted.
Frequently asked questions
Can the same person serve as both?
No. A single individual cannot ethically represent both the carrier and the homeowner on the same claim.
Is the carrier's adjuster trying to lowball me?
Not necessarily. Most are honest, but they work inside the carrier's database, pricing, and procedures, which is why underpayments often surface as missing line items rather than bad intent.
Do I have to talk to the carrier's adjuster?
Your policy requires cooperation. If you have hired a public adjuster, communication usually flows through them. Keep written records of every interaction.
How do I know which adjuster is which?
Ask for a business card and a written disclosure of who they represent. Georgia public adjusters must provide a written contract identifying themselves as the homeowner's representative.
Public adjuster guidance by city
City-specific homeowner pages for North Georgia communities.
Related homeowner guides
Get matched with a Georgia public adjuster
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