Duties

• Insurance adjusters and public adjusters have similar jobs but different specific duties. A standard insurance adjuster works for an insurance agency and is responsible for representing the interests of the company. Adjusters work to minimize the amount paid on an insurance claim to maximize the agency's profit. A public adjuster, on the other hand, is hired by an individual. Public adjusters negotiate on the insurance policyholder's behalf and attempt to gain a settlement that is as high as possible. On both sides, adjusters interview claimants, review police records and inspect damaged property to determine the most appropriate payout.
  
  

Certification

• Standard adjusters and public adjusters have different certification requirements. In most states, public adjusters must pass a detailed exam and are required to be licensed by the government. Public adjusters are also usually required to hold a surety bond, which holds them financially responsible if they do not perform their duties properly. In contrast, standard adjusters working for private companies are not always required to be licensed. Instead, agency adjusters work under the group license of an insurance company.
  
  

Pay

• Public adjusters typically do not receive compensation until they have collected a settlement from an insurance company. The income for a public adjuster is often a percentage of the final payout. This provides an incentive to represent the client and obtain a high settlement amount. Standard insurance adjusters usually work for a direct salary provided by an insurance agency. Some adjusters also receive bonuses based on their performance.
  
  

Specialties

• Many public adjusters work as freelance representatives. Public adjusters are often generalists who may represent a broad range of insurance claims. Large insurance agencies, in comparison, are more likely to assign adjusters to work one specific area of insurance. For example, some adjusters may focus only on health insurance claims, while others work on vandalism insurance claims.