A: A public adjuster works exclusively for you — the policyholder, not the insurance company. They assess property damage, interpret your insurance policy, document losses, and negotiate with your insurer to help you get a fair settlement.

Yes. In Arizona, public adjusters must be licensed by the state regulatory agency. Always verify license status before hiring.

You can hire a public adjuster immediately after damage occurs — ideally before filing your claim. But you can also hire one after you’ve filed, if you received a low payout, or even if your claim was denied.

No. Reputable public adjusters in Arizona work on a contingency basis — they only get paid if you receive an insurance settlement.

Typically the fee is a percentage of the final settlement amount (often in the range of 5%–15%, depending on the claim’s size and complexity) rather than an upfront or hourly rate.

Public adjusters handle a wide range of residential and commercial claims — from water damage, fire damage, storm or wind damage (hail, windstorm, monsoon) to roof damage, structural damage, contents loss, and more.

It’s often not too late. A public adjuster can sometimes reopen partially paid or denied claims, review your documentation, identify overlooked damage, and negotiate for additional compensation — provided a release hasn’t been signed.

Not necessarily. A good public adjuster can actually help streamline and speed up the process by ensuring documentation is complete, accurate, and properly submitted — reducing delays, disputes, and back-and-forth with the insurer.

Expect them to handle the entire claims process: inspect the damage, document and photograph losses, interpret your policy, prepare and submit the claim, negotiate with your insurer, and advocate for maximum compensation. You should receive clear communication and transparent documentation throughout.

Ask about their license, how long they’ve been practicing, whether they’ll handle your claim personally (vs. handing it off), their past claim results, and how their fee structure works. Also request references or case results to ensure they have a solid track record.