Common Questions About Homeland Public Adjusters
A property insurance claim can raise many questions. Here are answers about working with a public adjuster, our fees, the claims we handle, your ClaimsHub client portal and the free Adjuster Advantage™ membership.
Public Adjuster BasicsGeneral QuestionsGetting StartedFeesClaims We HandleClaimsHub, Your Client PortalAdjuster Advantage™
Public Adjuster Basics
What is a public adjuster?
A public adjuster is a state-licensed insurance professional who represents the policyholder, not the insurance company, on a property insurance claim. In Florida, public adjusters are licensed by the Department of Financial Services; in New Jersey, by the Department of Banking and Insurance. A public adjuster documents the damage, prepares the claim and negotiates it with the insurer on your behalf.
Public adjuster vs. insurance adjuster: what is the difference?
The adjuster your insurance company sends, whether a staff adjuster or an independent adjuster, works for the insurer and evaluates the claim for the insurer. A public adjuster works only for you, the policyholder. Both are called adjusters, so ask whom the person represents.
How does a public adjuster work?
After you hire a public adjuster with a written contract, the adjuster inspects and documents the damage, reviews your policy, prepares the estimate and the claim, submits it to the insurer, and handles the insurer’s questions, inspections and negotiations through settlement. You stay informed and make the decisions.
Do I need a public adjuster?
Not for every claim. A public adjuster is most useful when the damage is significant, the policy is complex, the claim involves a business or an association, or the insurer has denied, delayed or underpaid the claim. Hiring one is always optional, and Homeland offers a free claim review so you can decide.
Is a public adjuster worth it?
It depends on the claim. In a 2010 study of Citizens Property Insurance claims, the Florida Legislature’s research office (OPPAGA, Report No. 10-06) found that policyholders represented by a public adjuster typically received larger payments, before the adjuster’s fee, and that represented claims took longer to settle. Past results do not predict any other claim, and hiring a public adjuster is optional.
Public adjuster vs. attorney: which do I need?
A public adjuster handles the claim: documenting the loss, valuing it and negotiating with the insurer. An attorney handles legal disputes: accusations of fraud or misrepresentation, a denial based on a legal reading of the policy, bad faith, or a lawsuit. Many claims never need a lawyer; some need both at different stages.
General Questions
What does a public adjuster do?
A public adjuster is a licensed insurance professional who represents the policyholder, not the insurance company. Homeland inspects and documents the damage, prepares the estimate and supporting claim materials, communicates with your insurer, and advocates for the benefits available under your policy.
Why hire a public adjuster if my insurance company already has an adjuster?
The insurance company's adjuster works for the carrier. A public adjuster works for you, helping document the loss, prepare the claim and advocate for your interests throughout the process.
Are Homeland’s public adjusters licensed?
Yes. Homeland Public Adjusters is licensed as an agency in Florida (License W818638) and in New Jersey (Firm License 3003982360), and our public adjusters are individually licensed. License numbers are listed for each adjuster on our Our Team page.
Which states do you serve?
Florida and New Jersey. Third Party Uninsured Damage Claims are available in Florida only.
Do you offer service in Spanish?
Yes. We serve property owners in English and Spanish, and hablamos español when you call us 24/7.
Getting Started
How soon can I contact Homeland after property damage?
As soon as you discover a loss or have questions about a claim. Homeland is available 24/7, every day of the year.
What should I do first after property damage?
Address safety first, then take reasonable steps to protect the property from further damage when it is safe to do so. Photograph and video the damage, and keep receipts and records. Call Homeland before you speak with the insurance company, hire us, and we'll submit the notice of loss and handle every carrier conversation from there.
I’m not sure my damage qualifies as a claim. Can I still call?
Yes. Call us to talk through what happened, even if you are unsure the damage is covered or whether public adjuster representation is right for you. Our team can review the circumstances and explain possible next steps.
Is it too late to call if my claim is already open, my insurer has inspected, or I have been paid?
Not necessarily. Homeland can review what has been documented, the carrier's estimate, payments and correspondence, and tell you whether additional claim work may be appropriate.
Should I throw away damaged property?
Avoid disposing of damaged property before it has been documented, unless safety or health requires removal. Photographs, videos, inventories, receipts and records of what was removed can help preserve information about the loss.
Fees
Does it cost anything to hire Homeland?
Homeland works on a “No Recovery, No Fee” basis, so there are no upfront public adjuster fees. We succeed when our clients recover. The terms are in your written agreement, which you review before you sign.
Can I speak with someone before I decide to hire Homeland?
Yes. Call us 24/7 or request a free claim review. A consultation and inspection are available before you sign anything.
Claims We Handle
What types of claims does Homeland handle?
Hurricane and wind, flood, fire, water, theft and vandalism, commercial and business association claims, other property claims, denied and underpaid claims, and Third Party Uninsured Damage Claims in Florida.
Can Homeland help with a claim that was denied or paid less than expected?
Yes. We review the carrier's decision, policy information, estimates, payments, correspondence and photographs to identify what issues may remain and what options may be available.
Does Homeland only work with homeowners?
No. We also serve business owners and community associations with property insurance claims in Florida and New Jersey.
Does Homeland handle business interruption claims?
Yes. We document the physical damage and connect it to lost income and extra expenses, using sales reports, profit-and-loss statements, payroll and lease records. Coverage depends on your policy, including any waiting period.
What records may be needed for a business interruption claim?
Depending on the claim, profit-and-loss statements, sales records, tax returns, payroll information, leases, invoices, operating expenses and documentation of additional costs caused by the interruption.
Can Homeland represent condo associations and HOAs?
Yes. We assist condominium associations, HOAs and other community associations with claims involving common areas, shared structures, roofs, exterior components, amenities, building systems and other insured association property.
How are association claims different from homeowner claims?
Association losses can involve master policies, shared property, multiple damaged components, governing documents and coordinated inspections, so documentation and claim preparation are often more complex.
I don’t have insurance on my property, and someone else’s insured loss damaged it. Can Homeland help?
In Florida, possibly. Homeland handles Third Party Uninsured Damage Claims for Florida property owners. This service is not available in New Jersey.
ClaimsHub, Your Client Portal
What is ClaimsHub?
ClaimsHub is Homeland’s own online portal for clients. Follow your claim, see and download the documents we share with you, upload documents, photos and videos, and contact your Homeland team, in English or Spanish.
How do I get access to ClaimsHub?
Once you have hired Homeland, we send an invitation to the email address on your file. Each person on a claim gets their own login.
Can I upload photos and documents from my phone?
Yes. ClaimsHub works in your phone's browser, so you can upload photos, videos and documents whenever you have them.
Can I see who is working on my claim?
Yes. ClaimsHub shows your team on each claim, including the public adjusters and apprentices assigned to it.
Adjuster Advantage™
What is Adjuster Advantage?
Adjuster Advantage is Homeland’s free pre-loss membership. It helps you understand your policy, keep your records ready and prepare before a storm, and your membership is connected to a licensed Homeland public adjuster. Prep tools are available in all 50 states, with adjuster support in Florida and New Jersey.
Is Adjuster Advantage really free?
Yes. Joining is free, with no contract, and it is not a contract to hire a public adjuster.
Does joining make Homeland my public adjuster?
No. Joining Adjuster Advantage is free and does not create a contract or agreement with Homeland Public Adjusters for any claim. Hiring Homeland is optional and requires a separate written agreement.
What tools do members get?
Safety Vault™, Certificate Pack™, Lifeline Card™, Policy Scan™, Renewal Radar™, Coverage Talk™, Flood Lens™, Prep Kit™, Damage Guide™, Prep Alert™, 90DAY XPlus™ and a vetted bilingual resource library.
Is Adjuster Advantage insurance? Is Policy Scan advice?
No to both. Adjuster Advantage does not change your policy, coverage or premium. Policy Scan gives an AI-assisted, plain-language summary of your documents for information only; it can contain errors, so read your full policy and ask your insurer or a licensed professional about your situation.
Which states does Adjuster Advantage cover?
Membership and prep tools are available in all 50 states. Adjuster support, Policy Scan, 90DAY XPlus and Prep Alerts are available today in Florida and New Jersey, where Homeland is licensed.
Is there an Adjuster Advantage app?
Yes. Adjuster Advantage is a free app for iPhone and Android, and you can also join on the web. It is the same account either way.
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