A staggering statistic hangs over property owners in Texas. In 2024, nearly half (47%) of all home insurance claims were closed without a single dollar being paid.
Imagine you’re a small business owner in Houston recovering from a fire, or a family in Dallas whose roof was destroyed by hail.
You’ve paid your premiums on time for years, trusting you were protected. But when disaster hits, your insurance provider meets you with delays, denials, or a lowball offer that won’t even begin to cover the damage.
This frustrating and costly scenario is all too common. It’s in these fights that Our Public Adjusters provides a critical line of defense for property owners across Texas and Mississippi.
Why Are Insurance Claim Disputes Becoming More Common?
The recent spike in insurance claim disputes is no coincidence. It’s the result of several converging pressures.
NOAA billion-dollar disaster data shows Texas was affected by 16 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disaster events in 2023, underscoring the growing pressure on property owners, contractors, and insurers. This rising frequency of severe weather events continues to create financial strain across the insurance landscape, often leading to heightened scrutiny and more aggressive claims practices.
This isn't just a local issue. A 2024 ValuePenguin report found that 65.2% of all closed insurance complaints nationwide were related to claim handling. Policyholders are increasingly finding themselves in an adversarial relationship with the companies they hired for protection, which is why having an expert homeowner insurance claim advocate has become less of a luxury and more of a necessity.
What's the Difference Between a Public Adjuster and the Insurance Company's Adjuster?
Getting a handle on this question is the first step toward taking control of your property damage claim. The difference is simple, but it changes everything: it all comes down to who they work for.
The insurance company’s adjuster is assigned by and paid by the insurer. A public adjuster is hired by the policyholder and works to document and present the policyholder’s claim. This is the core of the identity at Our Public Adjusters, summed up in their motto: "Representing Property Owners, Not Insurance Companies."
Think about the public adjuster vs. insurance adjuster dynamic this way:
- Whose side are they on? The insurance adjuster is loyal to the insurance company. The team at Our Public Adjusters is legally and ethically required to advocate for your best interests.
- What's the goal? The insurer's adjuster often looks for ways to limit or deny a claim based on their reading of the policy. The goal of Our Public Adjusters is to document every detail of the damage to secure the maximum, fair settlement you're entitled to.
- How do they work? An insurance adjuster might do a quick inspection and miss hidden issues. Our Public Adjusters performs a meticulous inspection, uncovering problems that are easy to overlook, like smoke damage inside walls or subtle structural weakness after a storm.
Is It Worth Hiring a Public Adjuster if I Can Handle the Claim Myself?
Many property owners think they can manage the claims process on their own.
While you can certainly file your own claim, it’s a bit like representing yourself in court against a team of corporate lawyers. You’re going up against a multi-billion dollar industry that has complex systems designed to pay out as little as possible.
With 17 years of experience, the team at Our Public Adjusters knows how to level that playing field. They have a deep understanding of policy language, claims procedures, and the negotiation tactics insurers use.
That expertise can have a major financial impact. A landmark study from the Florida Legislature's Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability (OPPAGA) after the 2005 hurricanes revealed just how much.
It found that policyholders who hired public adjusters for their catastrophe claims received settlements that were, on average, 747% higher than those who didn't. While every case is different, this statistic powerfully illustrates the value of professional advocacy. For the clients of Our Public Adjusters, the message is simple: "Leave the battle to us."
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Public Adjuster in Texas?
Worrying about costs is understandable, especially when you’re already dealing with the financial stress of property damage.
Professional public adjusters, including Our Public Adjusters, work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront costs or out-of-pocket expenses.
Under a contingency-fee agreement, the public adjuster’s fee is tied to the insurance settlement recovered for the policyholder. In Texas, public adjuster compensation is regulated, and the total commission may not exceed 10% of the insurance settlement.
This payment model creates a genuine partnership, aligning their goals directly with yours: getting you the largest possible insurance settlement. It turns the service from a potential expense into a risk-free investment in a better outcome. The process starts with a free, no-obligation phone consultation, so you can get expert advice before making a decision.
Who Should Choose Our Public Adjusters?
Any property owner with a claim can benefit from a consultation, but the firm’s expertise is especially critical in certain situations.
You should strongly consider contacting Our Public Adjusters if you are:
- A homeowner in Texas or Mississippi facing major damage from a fire, hurricane, flood, or severe storm.
- A commercial property owner with complex business interruption and property damage claims that put your operations at risk.
- A board member of a church or place of worship trying to navigate a difficult claim for damage to community property.
- Any policyholder who has received a lowball offer or an outright denial from their insurance company and needs to fight back.
Navigating the Competitive Landscape: Where Our Public Adjusters Fits In
The claims adjusting market includes everything from large national firms like Adjusters International to regional and local operators like Insurance Claim Recovery Support LLC and Hope Public Adjusters.
In this field, Our Public Adjusters has built a distinct reputation. For 17 years, they have kept a tight, specialized focus on Texas and Mississippi. This regional concentration gives them a deep understanding of local building codes, repair costs, and weather patterns, which is a huge advantage in any insurance claim dispute in Texas.
Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, they focus on what they do best: providing dedicated help for commercial insurance claims and strong advocacy for homeowners. Their long history and proven track record, backed by licenses in Texas (1600788 / 1628479) and Mississippi (10408934 / 15027825), make them a trusted authority in the communities they serve.
Risks and Considerations: What to Know Before You Hire a Public Adjuster
Hiring a public adjuster is a big decision, and for the best results, you need to partner with a reputable, licensed firm.
Always verify a company's credentials and experience. The right advocate can make all the difference, a fact echoed by clients like Peter De, Principal at Peter de la Mora, PE, who has testified to the firm's effectiveness. While a public adjuster is essential for complex and high-value property damage claims, a very small claim, like a single broken window, might not need one.
The real question to ask is what you risk by not having an expert on your side.
If you suspect your insurance company is not offering a fair settlement, or if the damage is extensive and complicated, the danger of being underpaid far outweighs the cost of hiring an advocate. A firm like Our Public Adjusters, with experienced team members like Richard Myers, provides the expertise to ensure nothing is overlooked and that your rights are protected from start to finish.
The world of insurance claims can feel overwhelming, especially when you're recovering from a disaster. That initial statistic, with nearly half of Texas claims going unpaid, is a stark reminder of the odds. But that doesn't have to be your story.
By partnering with a dedicated advocate, property owners can turn a stressful, frustrating process into a fight they can win. With 17 years of focused expertise, Our Public Adjusters brings the strategy, knowledge, and tenacity to make sure your claim is not just filed, but fully and fairly paid.
