Public Adjuster Fee Calculator

Estimate a public adjuster's contingency fee on a settlement and see exactly what you keep.

For policyholdersFor adjusters
Your estimate
Public adjuster fee$5,000
What you keep$45,000

Estimate only. Many firms charge only on the additional amount they recover, not money you were already paid, and most states cap the percentage (often lower after a declared disaster). Confirm the exact terms in your signed contract.

What it is

This calculator estimates what a public adjuster would be paid on a property insurance claim and what would be left for you. You enter the settlement amount and the fee percentage from the contract, and it returns the fee in dollars and your net share.

A public adjuster is a licensed professional you hire to document, prepare, and negotiate your claim on your behalf. Unlike the insurer’s adjuster, they work for the policyholder, and they are typically paid a contingency percentage of the result.

Why it matters

The fee is one of the first things people want to understand before signing. Seeing it in real dollars, next to what you keep, makes the trade-off concrete and helps you compare offers from different firms on the same basis.

It also helps you sense-check a contract. If a quoted percentage looks high for your state or your claim size, that is a prompt to ask questions, check your state’s cap, and confirm whether the fee applies to the whole settlement or only to the additional recovery.

How to use it

  1. Enter the claim settlement amount, the total you expect the insurer to pay. If you are comparing scenarios, start with the current offer.
  2. Enter the public adjuster fee percentage from the contract you were offered.
  3. Read the two results: the fee the firm would receive and what you keep after it is taken out.
  4. Confirm whether the fee applies to the full settlement or only to the additional amount recovered, and check your state’s fee cap, then compare firms on the same numbers.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a public adjuster usually charge?
Most public adjusters work on a contingency fee, a percentage of the settlement, commonly in the 5% to 20% range depending on the state, the size of the claim, and how complex it is. Many states cap the percentage, and several cap it lower for claims filed after a declared disaster.
Is the fee charged on the whole settlement or just the extra they recover?
It depends on the contract. Some firms charge on the total settlement, while others charge only on the additional amount they recover above what the insurer already offered. The second structure is usually better for you, so confirm which one your contract uses before signing.
Do I pay the public adjuster up front?
With a contingency fee you generally do not pay up front. The fee is taken out of the settlement when the claim is paid. Be cautious of anyone asking for a large up-front payment, and never pay before reading the contract.
Are public adjuster fees negotiable?
Sometimes. On larger claims the percentage is often negotiable, though state caps set a ceiling. Focus on the value a firm adds and the clarity of the contract, not only the headline rate.

More free tools

Recoverable DepreciationSee the actual cash value paid now and the recoverable depreciation held back until repairs are done.Hurricane DeductibleWork out a percentage hurricane or windstorm deductible from your dwelling coverage limit.Worth-It EstimatorEstimate the net benefit of hiring a public adjuster once their contingency fee is taken out.

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Educational estimate only, not financial, insurance, or legal advice, and not a determination of coverage. Figures are rounded and depend on your policy and state rules. Confirm any number with your public adjuster and your state’s department of insurance.