Public Adjuster
A state-licensed claims professional representing policyholders in negotiating insurance claims.
How They're Different
A public adjuster is a licensed claims professional you hire on your own behalf — not the insurance company's — to inspect damage, prepare the claim estimate, and negotiate the settlement. Ohio requires public adjusters to hold a state license through the Ohio Department of Insurance, and by state law their fee is capped at a percentage of the settlement, typically 10–15%, deducted only from money they help you recover.
When Hiring One Makes Sense
Public adjusters are most worth their fee on large, complex, or disputed claims — significant structural damage, a lowball or denied initial offer, or a claim involving both roof and interior water damage where the scope is hard to fully document alone. For a straightforward, undisputed roof-only claim, most Ohio homeowners are better served working directly with a reputable contractor and their insurance adjuster, since a public adjuster's cut can exceed what they add in claim value on smaller jobs.