“The average claim handled with a public adjuster is paid out 747% higher than those handled without one.” — OPPAGA Report (Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability). That’s a staggering number. And if you own a home or business in Texas, you know how fast the weather can turn your world upside down. Hail. Hurricanes. Tornadoes. Fire. Flooding. When disaster strikes, you turn to your insurance company for help. But who exactly is helping you? If you’re thinking the adjuster they send is on your side—think again. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the real difference between public adjuster vs independent adjuster, with a Texas twist. Whether you’re in Dallas, Houston, Austin, or somewhere in between, this is information every Texas policyholder needs to know.
What is a Public Adjuster? What is an Independent Adjuster?
Let’s make this clear right out of the gate.
A public adjuster works for you, the policyholder.
An independent adjuster works for your insurance company.
It’s that simple. But the impact is massive.
Public adjusters are hired directly by Texas homeowners and business owners after a loss. We (because yes, TX Public Adjusting is one of them) inspect your damage, file your claim, and fight to get you every dollar you deserve.
Independent adjusters? They’re hired by your insurance company to inspect your damage and recommend how much the insurer should pay—while protecting the company’s bottom line.
See the difference between Public Adjuster vs Independent Adjuster?
What Each Adjuster Actually Does (and Why It Matters)
Public Adjusters: Your Advocate
We work only for you. That means we:
- Dig into every inch of your policy (the fine print, the exclusions, the hidden benefits).
- Document and photograph every scrap of damage.
- File your claim from start to finish.
- Push back when the insurer lowballs you.
- Negotiate until the settlement actually covers your real losses.
We have skin in the game because we only get paid if you do. Our fee? It’s usually 10% of your final settlement here in Texas.
Independent Adjusters: The Insurance Company’s Contractor
Independent adjusters do not work for you. They work for your insurer.
Independent Adjusters:
- Inspect the property on the insurer’s behalf.
- Create a report that fits the insurer’s guidelines.
- Recommend a payout amount (often on the lower end).
- May even overlook certain damages to minimize the payout.
They are not evil. They are not villains. But they are paid to protect the insurance company’s money—not yours.
Licensing and Training in Texas (It’s Not the Same)
Public Adjusters: Strict Standards
To become a public adjuster in Texas, we have to:
- Pass a state exam.
- Complete required coursework.
- Pass a background check.
- Keep a bond active (to protect you in case we mess up).
We know insurance policies inside out—but we also understand the stress, frustration, and uncertainty that Texas homeowners feel after a disaster. Our training focuses on helping real people get real results.
Independent Adjusters: Focused on Insurers
Independent adjusters are licensed in Texas too, but their training focuses heavily on insurance company procedures.
They learn how to:
- Stick to company claim guidelines.
- Evaluate damage using pre-set formulas.
- Protect the carrier from overpayment.
How They Get Paid (and Why It Drives Everything)
Public Adjusters: Performance-Based Pay
We only get paid if you get paid. Simple. Our fee (usually 10% of your settlement) comes out after you get your money. That’s a big reason we fight for every penny. Your win is our win.
Independent Adjusters: Fee Schedule or Daily Rate
Independent adjusters get paid by the insurance company. Sometimes it’s a flat daily rate. Sometimes it’s a fee tied to the claim size. Either way, they are incentivized to close claims quickly and cheaply.
The faster they work, the more claims they can handle, and the more they make.
Why Payouts Are (Usually) Bigger with Public Adjusters
Numbers don’t lie. Studies show that policyholders who hire public adjusters end up with significantly larger settlements than those who go it alone—or who rely only on the insurer’s adjuster.
Why?
Because we look for everything. Not just the obvious roof damage. We find the hidden moisture inside your walls, the damage to your landscaping, the compromised HVAC system. Independent adjusters aren’t looking for extra damages—they’re looking for ways to minimize the claim.
Bias, Objectivity, and Why You Need to Know
Independent Adjusters: Built-In Bias
Independent adjusters work for the party paying their check—the insurance company. Even the most honest adjuster knows who signs their paycheck.
That bias affects:
- How they interpret your policy.
- Which damages they document (and which they overlook).
- How aggressively they recommend payment.
Public Adjusters: Unapologetically Biased Toward You
We work for you. Full stop. Our job is to maximize your claim. We are not neutral, and we don’t pretend to be.
In Which Time to Hire Each (Texas Edition)
When to Hire a Public Adjuster
- Your property has significant damage.
- You’re overwhelmed by the process.
- You got a lowball offer.
- Your claim was denied (we can often appeal).
- You want someone on your side who knows how Texas insurers operate.
When Independent Adjusters Show Up
- Anytime the insurer doesn’t have enough in-house adjusters.
- After major disasters like Hurricane Harvey or large hailstorms in Dallas-Fort Worth.
- When your claim is one of thousands being processed at once.
Negotiations: It’s Not a Fair Fight (Unless You Level the Field)
If you have a public adjuster (like TX Public Adjusting), we negotiate directly with the independent adjuster.
We show up with evidence. Detailed photos. Expert estimates. Thorough policy interpretations.
We challenge every underestimation and dispute every exclusion that doesn’t hold water.
Without a public adjuster, you’re trusting the independent adjuster to be fair—even though they work for the other side. Would you do that in a lawsuit? No? Same idea here.
Pros and Cons (No Sugarcoating)
Public Adjusters
- Work for you
- Paid only if you win
- Usually get you more money
- Take a fee from your settlement (but usually well worth it)
Independent Adjusters
- Know insurer procedures
- Move quickly (sometimes too quickly)
- Work for the insurer
- May overlook or minimize damages
- Incentivized to save the insurer money
Real-World Example: Texas Hail Claim
A homeowner in Frisco, TX had roof and siding damage from a brutal hailstorm. Their insurer’s independent adjuster estimated repairs at $11,000. The homeowner brought in TX Public Adjusting, and after our inspection and negotiation, the final settlement was $42,500—covering not just the roof, but also interior leaks, damaged fencing, and window replacements.
The Texas Takeaway: Who’s Really on Your Side?
We know Texas. We know Texas insurance companies. And we know how to fight for Texas policyholders.
If you think your insurance company will automatically offer you everything you deserve, you’re setting yourself up for frustration.
At TX Public Adjusting, we exist for one reason: to help Texans get what they paid for. Nothing more, nothing less.
If your home or business has been damaged—and you want someone in your corner—call TX Public Adjusting today. We’ll review your claim, explain your options, and fight like hell to get you what you deserve.
Because your home isn’t just a house. It’s your future. And that’s worth fighting for.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The biggest difference is who they work for.
– A public adjuster works for the policyholder—the homeowner or business owner who suffered the loss.
– An independent adjuster works for the insurance company, even though they are technically contractors. Their job is to protect the insurer’s financial interests, not the policyholder’s.
Yes.
– In Texas, public adjusters must pass a licensing exam, complete training, undergo a background check, and maintain an active bond to protect policyholders.
– Independent adjusters must also hold a Texas license, but their training and focus is centered on insurance carrier guidelines, not on advocating for policyholders.
Insurance companies hire independent adjusters when they don’t have enough in-house staff to handle claim volume. This is common after large-scale disasters like hurricanes, hailstorms, or wildfires—events that regularly happen in Texas. By contracting independent adjusters, insurers save money and scale up quickly when needed.
Yes, multiple studies (including those referenced in the document) show that policyholders receive significantly higher settlements when using public adjusters compared to claims handled directly by independent adjusters. This happens because public adjusters:
– Conduct more thorough inspections.
– Document all damages, including hidden and secondary issues.
– Push back against lowball offers and challenge exclusions.
Independent adjusters, by contrast, are trained to minimize payouts to protect the insurance company’s bottom line.
Yes, and in fact, this happens all the time.
– The insurance company will assign an independent adjuster to represent their interests.
– If you, the policyholder, hire a public adjuster, they will represent your interests and negotiate directly with the independent adjuster to maximize your claim.
This process often becomes adversarial because public adjusters uncover damages or policy benefits that independent adjusters overlook—intentionally or not.
