What is the difference between a public adjuster and an attorney?

A public adjuster and an attorney both help you with an insurance claim, but they do different jobs. A public adjuster is a licensed claims professional you hire to document, value, and negotiate your property claim with the carrier. An attorney is a lawyer who handles legal disputes, such as when a carrier wrongfully denies a claim or you need to file a lawsuit. The simplest way to think about it: a public adjuster works the numbers, while an attorney works the law.

A public adjuster represents you, not the insurance company. They inspect the damage, prepare a detailed estimate, and push for a higher settlement than the carrier’s own adjuster first offered. They typically charge a percentage of the claim payout, often 10 to 20 percent in Georgia. They are most useful on large, complex property claims, like major fire or storm damage, where the dollars are big and the estimate is contested.

An attorney becomes the right call when there is a legal fight rather than just a dollar dispute. Examples include a denied claim you believe should be covered, a carrier acting in bad faith, or a coverage question that turns on how the policy language is interpreted. Attorneys can file suit and represent you in court; public adjusters cannot.

Here is an example. A homeowner in Columbus has a kitchen fire, and the carrier offers $35,000. A public adjuster re-estimates the smoke and structural damage at $58,000 and negotiates the carrier up to $52,000. The adjuster’s fee at 15 percent is about $7,800, leaving the homeowner well ahead. If instead the carrier had denied the fire claim outright, calling it excluded, the homeowner would more likely need an attorney to challenge that legal decision.

Sometimes you need neither, because a strong independent agent can advocate during the claim and resolve the issue without extra fees. Before hiring anyone, a conversation about your specific situation often clarifies which one fits. A licensed advisor will confirm whether your coverage is solid before a loss and can help if a claim stalls, request a free coverage review and we will look at it with you.