Public adjusters are paid by the policyholder, commonly through a percentage fee stated in a written agreement. Check the rate, which payments it applies to and any state restrictions before signing, because the fee reduces the claim money available to you.
Have an estimate, denial or repair bill you want reviewed? Contact GB Claims at 845-456-6699.
How the fee usually works
Most public adjusters are paid a percentage of what the claim pays, set out in a written contract. Some states limit the percentage or the payments it can apply to. The insurer does not pay the adjuster. At GB Claims there is no upfront fee on public adjusting claims, and we are paid from the settlement. We go through the agreement with you before you sign.
Questions to ask any adjuster
- What is the fee, and how is it written in the contract?
- Does it apply to the whole claim payment or only to amounts above what the insurer offered?
- Does it apply to payments already made or offered before you hired the adjuster?
- Does it apply to additional living expenses or payments for emergency services?
- What happens if you cancel? Is there a cancellation period?
- How are insurer checks handled and who is paid, when?
- Are there any other costs, such as expert reports?
Compare the fee with what you net
The useful comparison is what you have left for repairs, not the percentage alone. A lower fee on a poorly handled claim can cost more than a higher fee on a well-handled one, and the reverse can be true as well.
State rules
Rules on contract wording, caps and cancellation periods vary by state. Do not rely on a general page for a specific limit. Check your state regulator before signing: NY DFS, NJ DOBI, Pennsylvania Insurance Department or Connecticut Insurance Department.
FAQ
Is the fee based on the whole claim or only added money?
That depends on the contract and on state rules. Ask for it in writing and have the adjuster show the math on an example.
Does the insurer pay the public adjuster?
No. The policyholder pays under the agreement, typically from claim proceeds. The insurer pays the claim, not the adjuster.
Next step
Send us any proposed agreement, or ask for ours, and we will walk you through it. 845-456-6699.
Not sure your claim is big enough to need help? Call us anyway. We review small claims too.
Have an estimate, denial or repair bill you want reviewed? Contact GB Claims at 845-456-6699 or Claims@GBclaims.com. We’re open 24 hours Sunday through Friday and closed Saturday.
GB Claims LLC is a licensed public adjuster serving New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
Sources
- NY DFS: adjusters, appraisers and umpires
- Pennsylvania Insurance Department: hiring a public adjuster
- NJ DOBI: extreme-weather insurance guidance
- Connecticut Insurance Department: homeowner disputing an insurer damage estimate
This page is general educational information, not legal advice or a determination of coverage under your policy. Your policy and state rules control.
Reviewed by the GB Claims claims team, licensed public adjusters in NY, NJ, PA, CT. Last reviewed: October 7, 2026.