Public Adjuster vs. Insurance Company

Most property owners don't realize there are three distinct types of adjusters who may touch their claim — and only one of them works for you. The insurance industry is structured so that the carrier controls both the claims process and the adjuster evaluating your loss. A public adjuster levels the playing field.

The Three Types of Adjusters

Adjuster Type	Who They Work For	What They Do
Insurance Company Adjuster (Staff Adjuster)	The Insurance Company	An employee of the insurer who evaluates claims on the carrier's behalf. Their job is to process claims within the carrier's guidelines — which typically means paying as little as the policy requires.
Independent Adjuster (IA)	The Insurance Company (via contract)	A contract adjuster hired by the insurer to handle overflow claims. They are paid by — and work at the direction of — the insurer. Despite the name "independent," they do not represent policyholders.
Public Adjuster (Alpine Adjusting)	You — The Policyholder	A Wisconsin licensed professional who represents the policyholder exclusively. We document your loss, interpret your policy in your favor, and negotiate with the carrier to maximize your settlement.

What a Public Adjuster Actually Does

• Inspects and documents the full scope of your loss — We don't rely on the carrier's adjuster to identify damage. We conduct our own thorough inspection, photograph every affected area, and develop a complete damage inventory.
• Reads and interprets your policy — Insurance policies are dense, technical documents designed to protect the insurer. We read your policy in full, identify every applicable coverage, and make sure the carrier honors its obligations.
• Prepares a professional estimate — We build a line-by-line estimate of your loss using current contractor pricing. Our estimates reflect what restoration actually costs — not what the carrier wants to pay.
• Negotiates directly with the carrier — We handle all communication with the insurance company on your behalf. We push back on underpayments, respond to denials in writing, and keep the process moving toward a fair resolution.

When to Hire a Public Adjuster

• The carrier's settlement offer is significantly lower than contractor estimates — If there's a meaningful gap between what the insurer is offering and what it will cost to actually fix your property, a public adjuster can close that gap.
• Your claim has been denied or partially denied — Denial isn't the final word. A public adjuster can review the denial, identify whether it's justified under the policy, and prepare a documented response.
• Your claim is complex, large, or involves multiple damage types — The more complex the loss, the more opportunity for the carrier to miss items, miscategorize damage, or apply exclusions that don't apply. Complexity is where public adjusters earn their fee.
• You don't have time to manage the process yourself — Claim documentation, carrier communication, and negotiations can consume enormous time and energy. A public adjuster handles it so you can focus on your business and your life.