Why Insurance Companies Prefer You NOT Hire a Public Adjuster (And Why You Should Anyway)

Benji Licht
May 13
2 min read

🔒 Why Insurers Don’t Want You to Hire a Public Adjuster

When a homeowner files a claim after damage, loss, or disaster, they assume their insurance company will provide the support and compensation promised in their policy. Unfortunately, that assumption often collides with reality. One of the industry's less-discussed truths is how insurance providers subtly (and sometimes overtly) discourage policyholders from working with public adjusters. But why is that?

🕵️ What Insurance Companies Don’t Want You to Know

From the outset, the relationship between a policyholder and their insurer may seem cooperative. However, beneath the surface lies a fundamental conflict of interest: insurers aim to minimize payouts, while policyholders seek fair compensation.

Claims negotiators serve as knowledgeable allies for homeowners, ensuring the claim truly reflects the damage sustained.

Hiring a claims advocate disrupts the controlled narrative insurance representatives often prefer. With a licensed professional on your side:

📋 Your documentation becomes more precise
🧾 Evaluations become more thorough
🤝 Negotiations become much tougher

In short, the presence of an advocate can mean insurers are compelled to offer higher settlements.

🚫 Common Tactics Insurers Use to Discourage Public Adjuster Involvement

Insurers have several subtle strategies to influence your decisions:

"We’ll handle everything for you" 😌This sounds reassuring, but it's usually designed to keep you from seeking outside help.
Delays and paperwork confusion 🌀Making the process complex can dissuade you from involving an external expert.
Suggesting additional scrutiny 🧐Some companies imply that hiring outside help triggers longer processing times or added inspections.

These techniques are part of broader insurance company tactics to reduce costs — often at the expense of full compensation.

👨‍💼 The Real Role of a Claims Negotiator

Unlike the insurance company's in-house representatives, an insurance claims specialist works exclusively for the policyholder. Their job is to assess the damage, review policy language, and prepare a claim that genuinely reflects the losses incurred.

Here’s what they typically handle:

🏚 Conduct independent property evaluations
📸 Document every aspect of the damage with precision
🔍 Identify overlooked or undervalued elements
🗂 Submit a thoroughly detailed claim
💬 Negotiate directly with the insurance company on your behalf

Rather than merely accepting the insurer’s offer, an experienced adjuster empowers homeowners to assert their rights with clarity and confidence.

❌ When Claims Are Denied or Undervalued

Receiving a low settlement or outright denial can be disheartening. Many homeowners give up or accept less simply because they feel outmatched. This is where expert help becomes invaluable.

Denied claims help often comes from professionals who know how to:

⚒ Challenge under-assessed damage reports
🚫 Dispute misapplied policy exclusions

By reframing the claim with better evidence and strategic negotiation, a qualified adjuster can reopen stalled cases and recover significantly more than initially offered.