What is a Public Adjuster?

A Public Adjuster is someone who helps you with your insurance claim after something like a fire, storm, or water damage happens. They work for you—not the insurance company—to make sure you get the money you deserve to fix the damage.

What’s the difference between a Public Adjuster, Company Adjuster, and Independent Adjuster?

A Public Adjuster works for you and helps you with your claim. A Company Adjuster works for your insurance company and looks out for their interests. An Independent Adjuster is hired by the insurance company but isn’t one of their employees. They still work for the insurance company, not for you.

What should I give my Public Adjuster to help with my claim?

To make things go smoothly, give your Public Adjuster: a full copy of your insurance policy (or at least the Declarations Page), receipts or bills for any repairs you’ve done, and photos or videos showing the damage.

How can a Public Adjuster help me?

Insurance claims can be confusing. A Public Adjuster knows what to do—from filling out paperwork and meeting deadlines to talking with your insurance company. They take care of everything so you don’t have to stress. Most of the time, they also help you get more money than you would on your own.

How much does it cost to hire a Public Adjuster?

Most Public Adjusters don’t charge upfront. Instead, they get paid a percentage of the money they recover for you. For example, in Florida, the fee is usually up to 20%, but only 10% if it’s after a big storm. In Texas, the fee is usually 10%. This setup makes sure they work hard to get you the most money, as quickly as possible.

What’s the difference between hiring a Public Adjuster and an Attorney?

Public Adjusters help right from the start: documenting the damage, making estimates, and talking with your insurance company. If they can’t get the job done, then you might need to hire an Attorney. Public Adjusters usually finish claims in 1 to 4 months. If you bring in an Attorney, it could take a year or longer.

Can a roofer or contractor help me the same way a Public Adjuster can?

No. Roofers and contractors can help fix your home and give estimates, but they can’t talk to your insurance company about your coverage or argue for more money. Only Public Adjusters and Attorneys are allowed to do that. A Public Adjuster can handle your whole claim, start to finish.

How long does a claim take with a Public Adjuster?

Most claims handled by a Public Adjuster are finished in 1 to 4 months. Insurance companies have up to 90 days to look into the claim. The Public Adjuster keeps things moving and pushes to get it done fast. If it takes longer, you might need an Attorney to step in.

What’s the difference between doing a claim myself and hiring a Public Adjuster?

You can do the claim on your own, but it’s hard if you don’t know all the rules and steps. Public Adjusters are trained pros who know how to get the most money. People who hire them often get 50% to 500% more than those who go it alone.

Where do I find my policy or claim number?

You can find it on the Declarations Page, which is usually the first page of your insurance policy. It also has your coverage details, deductible, and contact info for your insurance agent. If you don’t have it, call your Insurance Agent or Company to get a copy.

When Is It Too Late to Hire a Public Adjuster?

TLDR: Is It Too Late to Hire a Public Adjuster? 5 Things to Know

You can hire a public adjuster after filing a claim or receiving an offer.
Accepting a check isn’t always the end—unless you've signed a release.
Supplemental claims can recover more funds if damages were missed.
Deadlines vary: FL (1 yr), MN (2 yrs), WI (1 yr) for most reopenings.
If you're unsure, a quick consult can help protect your rights.

Understanding the Right Timing to Get a Public Adjuster Involved

When your home or property suffers damage, it can feel like everything happens fast—until it doesn't. Claims drag on. Paperwork piles up. Deadlines sneak up. And at some point, you might start asking yourself: Is it too late to hire a public adjuster? It's a common, totally reasonable question, especially for homeowners trying to navigate complex property damage claims on their own.

This post is here to help you get clarity. We’ll walk you through when it's not too late to get help, when it might be, and what steps you can still take even after you've filed, negotiated, or been paid. Whether you're in Florida, Minnesota, or Wisconsin, this guide gives you the context and tools to make confident decisions about your claim.

What This Guide Covers:

Why timing matters more than most realize
Key deadlines that can limit your options
What happens if your claim has already been paid or closed
How to use supplemental claims to your advantage
What policyholders in FL, MN, and WI need to know

Why Timing Matters in Property Damage Claims

Property damage is more than just a broken roof or flooded kitchen. It’s a legal and financial process that starts the moment you call your insurer. Each step has potential consequences for what you ultimately receive—or don’t.

The earlier you bring in a public adjuster, the more leverage they have to advocate for a full, fair settlement. But even if you're halfway through or looking back on a claim that's been "closed," that doesn't automatically mean you're out of options.

The key is understanding what stage you’re in and how your decisions so far impact your ability to bring in help.

What Is the "Too Late" Line for Hiring a Public Adjuster?

Let’s break this down by phases. Each one has different implications for what a public adjuster can do:

1. After You File a Claim

You can hire a public adjuster right after filing, or even before. But many people wait to see how their insurance company responds first. That’s not unusual.

If you’re starting to feel uneasy—maybe the adjuster seemed rushed, or your insurer is slow to respond—that's a great moment to call in help. You’re still early in the process, and there's plenty a public adjuster can do to strengthen your position.

2. After You Receive an Offer

Still not too late. Offers can be negotiated. In fact, this is one of the most common moments when policyholders start looking for support. Maybe the numbers don’t make sense, or key items were excluded. A public adjuster can do a deep-dive into your policy and the insurer’s estimate to identify shortfalls.

In many cases, adjusters uncover damages or costs that were completely missed or underestimated. That’s especially true with complex losses like water intrusion, structural damage, or storm-related destruction.

3. After You Accept and Deposit a Check

Here’s where the details really matter.

Did you sign anything labeled "Final Payment" or "Full and Final Settlement"? If yes, your options narrow significantly. These releases often waive your right to pursue further reimbursement.

But if you haven’t signed a release—or if new damage has emerged since repairs started—you might still have options. This is where supplemental claims come into play.

What Is a Supplemental Claim and How Does It Work?

A supplemental claim is a request to your insurer for additional funds after the original payment. These are common when:

Repair costs come in higher than expected
Contractors discover hidden issues (like mold or rot)
Code upgrades are required by local laws

Many homeowners don’t realize they can file a supplemental claim. Or they assume the original settlement is final. A public adjuster can guide you through the documentation, estimate updates, and justification needed to get your insurer to reassess.

This is one of the most valuable tools for homeowners who are past the initial stages but still dealing with active repairs or incomplete reimbursement.

Realistic Signs That You Still Have Options

Here are some indicators that it’s not too late to hire a public adjuster:

You never signed a release, and the claim is technically still open
Repairs revealed new or worse damage than originally claimed
Your insurer is non-responsive, slow, or confusing in their communication
You’ve paid out of pocket to keep repairs going
Your contractor’s estimate is significantly higher than the insurance offer

Even if the process has dragged on for months, if your claim is still active or new damages have developed, a public adjuster might be able to help.

When It Might Actually Be Too Late

That said, there are scenarios where hiring help won’t make much difference:

You signed a release and deposited a final check
The statutory deadline for reopening the claim has passed
All damage has been repaired, and nothing new has emerged
You pursued legal action that closed the claim or resolved the dispute

If any of these apply, it’s worth reaching out to a public adjuster for an honest assessment—but manage your expectations. Reversing a closed claim or a legal resolution is rare.

What the Laws Say in Florida, Minnesota, and Wisconsin

Every state sets its own deadlines and rules for claims. Here’s how things usually play out in the three states Shoreline Public Adjusters serves:

Florida

With frequent hurricanes and storm-related claims, Florida has added urgency. New legislation in recent years has tightened deadlines:

Supplemental claims often must be filed within 1 year of the original payment
Total claim timelines are generally capped at 2 years from the date of loss

It's critical to act fast in Florida. Missing a window by even a few weeks can limit your rights.

Minnesota

Minnesota gives more breathing room, but not unlimited time:

Most property damage claims have a 2-year window to dispute or reopen
Snow, ice, and freeze damage can introduce complications in proving the timing and cause

Don’t assume the cold-weather delay buys you time—insurers may argue damage was preventable.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin also typically allows 1 year to file supplemental claims, though policy wording matters.

Hail, wind, and fire claims are especially common
Be proactive about follow-up inspections, especially for structural or smoke-related issues

In all three states, understanding the language of your policy is key. Public adjusters know how to read the fine print and match it with the legal timelines.

Best Public Adjuster in Florida - Shoreline Public Adjusters

The Bottom Line: Don’t Wait If You’re Unsure

Wondering if it's too late is your signal to act now. A quick phone call or email can give you clarity. Worst case? You’ll learn that everything's been handled properly. Best case? You discover you’re entitled to more than you thought.

Public adjusters aren’t just for emergencies or first-day decisions. They’re for anytime you feel like the claim isn’t moving the way it should, or the numbers don’t add up.

Even if you’re knee-deep in repairs, or just found paperwork from months ago, don’t assume it’s too late until you’ve had a real conversation with someone who knows the rules.

Contact Shoreline Public Adjusters Today

If your property damage claim is dragging, confusing, or just doesn’t feel right—we’re here to help. We serve homeowners across Florida, Minnesota, and Wisconsin with expert claim support and real answers. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Help with Your Claim

Shoreline Public Adjusters, LLC
780 Fifth Avenue South
Suite #200
Naples, FL 34102