Claim confidence
Your first claim review, without the overwhelm: what to bring and what to ask
You do not need a perfect file to talk to a public adjuster. But a little preparation turns a first conversation into clear next steps. Here is what to gather, what to ask and what happens afterward.
By Armando Ferrer, Licensed Public Adjuster
American Financial Claims · Florida firm license G288962
Published · Updated 6 min read
In this article (6 sections)
Many homeowners put off calling a public adjuster because they think they need to organize everything first. They picture a neat binder with every photo labeled and every letter in order. Weeks go by, the pile grows and the claim keeps moving without them.
In reality, the first review is meant to meet you where you are. A few key documents and a rough timeline are enough to start a useful conversation. The goal is not to impress anyone. It is to give the reviewer enough of the picture to tell you honestly what they see.
This article explains how to prepare, what to ask, and what a public adjuster does and does not do. It is educational, not legal advice.
What a public adjuster actually does
A public adjuster is licensed by the state to represent the policyholder, not the insurance company, on a property insurance claim. The insurer’s adjuster works for the insurer. A public adjuster works for you.
- Reviews the policy and the insurer’s decisions and estimates
- Inspects and documents the damage
- Prepares a detailed estimate of the covered loss
- Presents the claim and communicates with the insurer on your behalf
- Explains dispute options your policy provides, such as appraisal
The earlier the review happens, the more it can protect you. Before a recorded statement or the insurer’s inspection, we can help you prepare, point out damage that is easy to miss and make sure the claim is reported correctly. After a payment, we can check it before you sign anything that settles the claim.
A public adjuster is not an attorney and does not give legal advice or file lawsuits. If your situation calls for legal advice, a good public adjuster will tell you so. Our page on what a public adjuster does explains more.
What to bring to the first review
Bring what you have. Missing items can be requested later. These are the documents that make the first conversation most productive.
The core documents
- Your policy, or at least the declarations page
- Your claim number and the insurer’s adjuster name, if assigned
- Any letters from the insurer: acknowledgment, estimate, payment, denial or requests for information
- The insurer’s estimate, if you have one
- Photos and videos of the damage
- Invoices for emergency work, such as water extraction, tarping or board-up
- Any contractor estimates you have received
Imperfect is fine
A shoebox of papers and a phone full of photos is a perfectly normal starting point. The reviewer’s job is to help you make sense of it.
Helpful extras, if you have them
Receipts or photos showing the condition of the property before the loss, prior repair or renovation records, and a rough list of damaged contents all help. So does a note of anything the insurer’s adjuster said during the inspection that surprised or worried you. None of these are required for a first review.
Build a one-page timeline
If you do only one thing before the review, write a short timeline. It does not need to be formal. A few lines in a notes app work.
- When the damage happened or when you first noticed it.
- What you did right away to stop further damage.
- When you reported the claim.
- When the insurer inspected, and who came.
- Every letter or payment you received, with dates.
- Where things stand today, and what worries you most.
Questions worth asking any public adjuster
A first review is also your chance to evaluate the adjuster. You are deciding whether to trust someone with an important financial matter. Ask direct questions.
- Are you licensed in my state? What is your license number?
- What do you see in my claim, and what concerns you?
- What would you do next, and what would you need from me?
- How is your fee calculated, and on which payments?
- Who will actually handle my file day to day?
- What happens if we decide not to move forward?
You can verify a license through your state’s insurance regulator. Our licensing page lists our firm and state license details.
“A good first review ends with clarity, even if the answer is that you do not need us.”
How contracts and fees work
A public adjuster’s fee and services are set out in a written contract. Read it before signing, and ask about anything you do not understand. Public adjuster contracts and fees are regulated by state law, and the rules vary by state.
In Florida, for example, section 626.854 of the Florida Statutes allows an insured to cancel a public adjuster contract without penalty within 10 days after it is signed. If the contract relates to an event covered by a state of emergency declared by the Governor, the cancellation window is 30 days after the date of loss or 10 days after signing, whichever is longer. The same section caps public adjuster fees and requires a written contract before a fee can be collected.
At American Financial Claims, the review is free and does not commit you to anything. Fees, if you hire us, are disclosed in writing before you sign.
What happens after the review
After the review, you should come away with a plain-language assessment: what looks solid, what looks weak, what documentation is missing and what options exist. Sometimes the honest answer is that the insurer’s decision looks reasonable. Sometimes there is a clear path to a fuller claim.
If you decide to move forward, the next steps usually include an inspection, a detailed estimate and a presentation of the claim to the insurer. You can read more about our claims process or look at general results from past files. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
For another policyholder-side perspective, read What a public adjuster actually does on a property claim in The Insurance Game chapter guides.
Frequently asked questions
Is a claim review with a public adjuster really free?
At American Financial Claims, yes. The review costs nothing and does not obligate you to hire us. If you choose to hire us, the fee and services are set out in a written contract before you sign.
Can a public adjuster help if I already have an insurer’s estimate or payment?
Often, yes. Many reviews start after a payment or estimate that seems too low. The adjuster compares the estimate with the actual damage and your policy and explains what they see.
Can I cancel a public adjuster contract in Florida?
Under section 626.854 of the Florida Statutes, you may cancel without penalty within 10 days after signing. For contracts tied to a Governor-declared state of emergency, the window is 30 days after the date of loss or 10 days after signing, whichever is longer.
Do I need to prepare a full binder before calling?
No. Bring what you have: the policy or declarations page, insurer letters, photos and any estimates. A short timeline of what happened is the most helpful thing you can add.
Free claim review
Want a second set of eyes on your claim?
Send us the letter, the estimate or just a description of what happened. A licensed public adjuster will review it at no cost and tell you plainly what we see, including when we don’t see a path. No recovery, no fee.
Prefer to read first? Get the free digital edition of Armando’s book, The Insurance Game: And How To Win It. Schedule a free consult Public adjuster services Read chapter guides.
Armando Ferrer
Licensed Public Adjuster · American Financial Claims · Florida firm license G288962
Armando leads public adjusting work at American Financial Claims, a public adjusting firm based in Brickell, Miami. Armando Ferrer is individually licensed in 15 states; the firm entity license is Florida only (G288962). He is the author of The Insurance Game: And How To Win It. Consultations in English and Spanish. More about Armando.
Educational information only, not legal advice. Scenarios in this article are general illustrations, not real cases or clients. Coverage, deadlines and outcomes depend on your policy, your state and your facts, and no result is guaranteed. Statute references are to the Florida Statutes as published by the Florida Legislature; other states’ rules differ. American Financial Claims is a public adjusting firm, not a law firm.
