How Much Does a Public Adjuster Charge in New York? The 12.5% Cap Explained

Q: What Should Be in the Contract?

- A written compensation agreement signed before the adjuster works on your claim - The fee percentage - Your right to cancel within 3 business days - Any ownership interest, referral fee or family tie the adjuster has with a contractor or restoration company on your claim A public adjuster also cannot require you to have the insurance check made out to them for their fee as a condition of working with you.

Vanesa Levine

22 hours ago

2 min read

In New York, a public adjuster's fee is usually a percentage of the money they recover for you. The fee is negotiable, but by law it cannot be more than 12.5% of the recovery. Public adjusters are paid by you, not the insurance company, and they must be licensed by the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS).

How Does the 12.5% Cap Work?

The cap applies to the amount recovered on the claim. On a supplemental claim, New York rules allow a fee of up to 20% of that supplemental amount, but only if the total fee on the whole claim still stays at or under 12.5%.

What Should Be in the Contract?

A written compensation agreement signed before the adjuster works on your claim
The fee percentage
Your right to cancel within 3 business days
Any ownership interest, referral fee or family tie the adjuster has with a contractor or restoration company on your claim

A public adjuster also cannot require you to have the insurance check made out to them for their fee as a condition of working with you.

How Do I Check a Public Adjuster's License?

Use the "Who We Supervise" search on the DFS portal at dfs.ny.gov. Ask for the license number before you sign anything.

Is a Public Adjuster Worth It?

A public adjuster represents you, while the insurance company's adjuster works for the insurer. A public adjuster can document every part of the loss, prepare the claim and proof of loss, and meet the insurer's adjuster at the property. It can make the most difference on large, complex or denied claims. Read Public Adjuster vs. Insurance Adjuster for NYC Water Damage.

Get a Free Claim Evaluation

Call 212-600-9290 or visit our Insurance Claims page.

Public adjusting services are provided by a New York licensed public adjuster under a separate written contract. Fees stay within New York State limits, and you may cancel within 3 business days. You do not have to use our cleanup services to hire the public adjuster, and you do not have to hire the public adjuster to use our cleanup services.