When should I hire a public adjuster?

Hire a public adjuster when (1) your claim exceeds $25,000, (2) the insurer's initial offer is more than 20% below your contractor's estimate, OR (3) the insurer denies a claim you believe is covered. They typically take 5–15% of the recovered amount but consistently negotiate 30–80% higher payouts on disputed claims. For claims under $10,000 the math usually doesn't work — fees eat the upside. Always get the public adjuster's license number and check it on your state's insurance department site before signing.