After property damage strikes your home, you're faced with a series of decisions that directly impact your financial recovery. Two of the most important professionals you may encounter are public adjusters and restoration companies — and understanding the difference between them can save you time, money, and frustration. According to the Insurance Information Institute, water damage claims average $12,514 and fire damage claims average over $77,000, so the stakes are high when it comes to managing your claim and your repairs.
What Is a Public Adjuster?
A public adjuster is a licensed insurance professional who works on your behalf — not the insurance company's — to manage and negotiate your property damage claim. They are licensed by the Florida Department of Financial Services and regulated under Florida Statute 626.854.
What a Public Adjuster Does
- Inspects and documents damage — They perform their own assessment of the damage to your property
- Prepares the claim — They compile documentation, photographs, and cost estimates to submit to your insurer
- Negotiates the settlement — They negotiate directly with your insurance company's adjuster to maximize your payout
- Handles claim disputes — If your claim is underpaid or denied, they advocate for a higher settlement
How Public Adjusters Are Paid
Public adjusters work on a contingency fee, typically 10% to 20% of the claim settlement in Florida. Florida law caps public adjuster fees at 20% for most claims and 10% for claims related to a state of emergency declared by the governor. This fee comes out of your settlement, so if your claim pays $30,000, the public adjuster receives $3,000 to $6,000.
What Is a Restoration Company?
A restoration company performs the physical work of repairing your property — water extraction, structural drying per IICRC S500 standards, mold remediation, fire and smoke cleanup, demolition, and reconstruction. Many also provide insurance claim support including Xactimate estimates, supplement filing, and adjuster communication.
How Restoration Companies Are Paid
Reputable companies like People First Restoration bill your insurance company directly. You pay only your deductible — no percentage-based fee and no upfront cost. Payment is based on industry-standard Xactimate pricing for work actually performed.
Key Differences
Understanding the distinction is critical:
| | Public Adjuster | Restoration Company | |---|---|---| | Primary role | Manages and negotiates your insurance claim | Performs the physical restoration work | | Licensed by | Florida Department of Financial Services | Florida DBPR (construction licensing) | | Payment | Percentage of your claim (10%-20%) | Paid by insurance for work performed | | Does physical work? | No | Yes | | Generates Xactimate estimates? | Sometimes | Yes (reputable companies) | | Submits supplements? | Yes | Yes |
When You Might Need a Public Adjuster
A public adjuster can be valuable for large or complex claims (six-figure hurricane or fire damage), disputed claims where your insurer is significantly undervaluing damage, or when you lack the time or ability to manage the process yourself. Always verify a public adjuster's license at MyFloridaCFO.com before hiring.
When a Restoration Company Is Sufficient
In many cases, an experienced restoration company handles both the physical work and the insurance coordination you need — without the additional cost of a public adjuster's contingency fee:
- The company uses Xactimate — They generate estimates in the same software your insurance adjuster uses, enabling line-by-line comparison
- They submit supplements — When hidden damage is discovered during restoration, they document it and submit supplemental claims to your insurer
- They communicate with your adjuster — They handle the back-and-forth with your insurance company's adjuster throughout the project
- They bill insurance directly — There is no upfront cost, and no percentage of your settlement is taken
At People First Restoration, we provide all of these services on every project across Central Florida. Our team works with all major insurance carriers and has extensive experience with the supplemental claims process. For most homeowners in Volusia, Seminole, Orange, and Osceola counties, our claims support eliminates the need for a separate public adjuster.
When You Might Need Both
In some scenarios, hiring both makes sense:
- Your claim has been denied or severely underpaid and needs aggressive advocacy
- The damage is catastrophic — total losses or multi-system damage exceeding $100,000
- You're in a coverage dispute and need someone focused exclusively on the claim while restoration work proceeds
- Your insurer is acting in bad faith — unreasonable delays or refusal to inspect
If you hire both, ensure they work together. Your public adjuster should have access to your restoration company's documentation, moisture readings, and Xactimate estimates.
Red Flags to Watch For
Public Adjuster Red Flags
- Door-to-door solicitation immediately after a storm — Florida law prohibits public adjusters from soliciting within 48 hours of a storm event under Florida Statute 626.854(9)
- Pressure to sign immediately — A legitimate public adjuster will give you time to review the contract
- Fees above 20% — Florida law caps fees at 20% (10% during a declared state of emergency)
- No Florida license — Always verify at MyFloridaCFO.com
- Guarantees a specific payout — No one can guarantee what your insurance company will pay
Restoration Company Red Flags
- Demands full payment upfront — Reputable companies bill insurance directly
- No IICRC certification — This is the industry standard for restoration professionals
- Does not use Xactimate — Without it, they cannot effectively support your claim
- Pressures you to sign an AOB immediately — You should understand what you're signing
- No verifiable references — Check Google reviews, BBB, and ask for local references
How People First Restoration Supports Your Claim
We help homeowners throughout Central Florida by providing:
- Free inspection and Xactimate estimate at no cost
- Supplemental claims with photos, moisture data, and detailed justification
- Direct adjuster communication throughout the project
- Direct insurance billing — you pay only your deductible
For more details on the claims process, read our guide on what to expect during the insurance claims process. For typical restoration costs in our area, see our Central Florida restoration cost guide. And for a comprehensive overview of insurance coverage, visit our insurance claims guide.
Call People First Restoration at (888) 278-8054 for a free inspection and honest assessment of your property damage. We serve homeowners across Central Florida 24/7.
Sources
- Insurance Information Institute (III) — Average claim cost data for water damage ($12,514) and fire damage ($77,000+), and guidance on the role of public adjusters in the claims process.
- Florida Department of Financial Services — Public adjuster licensing requirements, fee caps (20% standard, 10% during declared emergencies), and solicitation restrictions under Florida Statute 626.854.
- IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) — Industry standards for restoration company certification and the S500 standard for water damage restoration protocols.
- FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) — Data on property damage claim complexity and the importance of thorough documentation in the claims process.