Resources · Appraiser vs. public adjuster
If your insurer's payout doesn't match what it will actually cost to repair your property, you've probably run into two job titles that sound similar but do very different things. In one line: a public adjuster is an advocate who represents you; an insurance appraiser is a neutral decision-maker who determines the amount of loss. Choosing the right one for your situation can save you time and money.
The short answer
A public adjuster works for you. They represent the policyholder, advocate for your position, and negotiate the claim with your insurance company. In Ohio, public adjusters are licensed by the state to do exactly that.
An insurance appraiser is neutral. Under the appraisal clause in most property policies, each side names a competent and disinterested appraiser to determine the amount of loss — and if the two appraisers disagree, an umpire decides. An appraiser has no financial stake in the number and does not represent either party.
What a public adjuster does
A public adjuster is a licensed professional you hire to manage your claim on your behalf. Their work typically includes reviewing your policy and documenting the damage, preparing and presenting a claim to the insurer, negotiating the settlement on your behalf, and acting in your interest throughout the process.
Public adjusters are usually paid a percentage of the settlement (a contingency fee). That model aligns them with a larger payout — which is the point of hiring an advocate, and also why an adjuster is not a neutral party.
What an insurance appraiser does
An appraiser comes into play through the appraisal clause — a dispute-resolution process built into most property insurance policies. It applies when you and your insurer agree the loss is covered but disagree on how much it's worth.
Here's the distinction that matters: appraisal resolves the amount of loss, not whether the loss is covered. Coverage disputes are a separate question and aren't decided by appraisal.
A property insurance appraiser is competent and disinterested — no financial stake in the outcome — independently inspects and values the loss on its own merits, and participates in the appraisal panel to reach an amount of loss. An appraiser is typically paid a retainer plus an hourly rate — never a contingency fee, because tying pay to the award would compromise the "disinterested" standard the policy requires. When the two party-appointed appraisers can't agree, a neutral umpire reviews both positions and resolves the difference. An amount agreed to by any two of the three is binding.
Side-by-side
| Insurance appraiser | Public adjuster | |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Neutral; determines the amount of loss | Advocate; represents the policyholder |
| Whose side | Neither — disinterested | Yours |
| Negotiates your claim? | No | Yes |
| Interprets policy / decides coverage? | No | Reviews policy, argues coverage |
| Typical fee | Retainer + hourly (no contingency) | Percentage of the settlement |
| Comes in when | You and the insurer dispute the amount | You want representation on the whole claim |
| Licensed in Ohio | Appraisal is a contractual role under the policy | Yes — licensed by the state |
Which one do you need?
It depends on the problem you're actually trying to solve. If you disagree with your insurer specifically about the dollar amount of the loss, the loss is covered, and you want a fair, binding number — that's what the appraisal process is built for. If you want someone to represent you and handle the entire claim, including negotiation and coverage questions — that's the role of a public adjuster.
The two roles aren't interchangeable, and the same firm shouldn't try to be both. A neutral appraiser's value comes entirely from being disinterested; an advocate's value comes from being on your side. Mixing them defeats the purpose of each.
How the appraisal process works in Ohio
If you invoke the appraisal clause, the process generally runs like this:
1. Invocation. One side makes a written demand for appraisal, and both confirm the dispute is about the amount of loss (not coverage).
2. Appointment. Each party names a competent, disinterested appraiser.
3. Independent valuation. Each appraiser inspects and values the loss on its merits.
4. Award. The appraisers agree on an amount of loss; the award can separate damages by category on a Replacement Cost (RCV) or Actual Cash Value (ACV) basis.
5. Umpire, if needed. If the appraisers don't agree, a neutral umpire resolves the difference. An award signed by any two of the three is binding. Each side pays its own appraiser and splits the umpire's fee.
For a step-by-step walkthrough of how we run this, see our process. You can also review what we do and our frequently asked questions.
Where Ironclad fits
Ironclad Assessment Group acts only as a party-appointed appraiser or a neutral umpire. We determine the amount of loss — we don't adjust, negotiate, interpret policy language, or settle claims, and we aren't a public adjuster. Our compensation is a retainer and hourly rate with a written cap, never a contingency, so our independence is built into how we're paid.
If your dispute is about the amount of loss, an appraiser is the right tool. If you need an advocate to manage the whole claim, a public adjuster is — and we're glad to point you toward that path instead.
Quick questions
No. A public adjuster represents and advocates for you and negotiates your claim. An appraiser is neutral and only determines the amount of loss.
Rarely at once. Use appraisal when the dispute is about the amount of a covered loss; use a public adjuster when you want representation across the whole claim.
No. Appraisal decides the amount of loss, not coverage. Coverage is a separate question.
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Central Ohio
We serve Columbus, Dublin, Powell, and communities across central Ohio — and surrounding areas on request. Request an engagement and we'll let you know promptly whether appraisal is the right path.
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