Attorneys vs Consultants vs Public Adjusters — Who Should You Hire and What Will It Cost?
When an insurance claim becomes confusing, stalled, or underpaid, homeowners often wonder whether to hire an attorney, a consultant, or a public adjuster. Each fills a different role— especially when it comes to negotiation, scope approval, and protecting your repair budget.
This guide breaks down what each option does, what they cost, and how Property Loss Pros helps homeowners through the negotiation and supplement process—with the added benefit of a trusted network of specialized insurance attorneys if your claim becomes legal.
Understanding the Three Roles
Public Adjuster (PA)
Negotiates directly with your insurer and handles claim management.
Consultant (Property Loss Pros)
Reviews your estimate, identifies missing or underpaid items, prepares supplements, supports scope approval, and assists you throughout negotiation through coaching, documentation, and strategy—but does not negotiate directly.
Attorney
Handles legal disputes, coverage denials, and bad-faith claims when the process escalates
beyond normal claim handling.
Public Adjusters (PAs)
What They Do
• Negotiate directly with the carrier
• Represent homeowners
• Manage communication, inspections, and supplements
What They Charge
• 10–20% of the total claim payout
Best For
• Large claims needing full representation
Insurance Claim Attorneys
What They Do
• Resolve denials
• Fight coverage disputes
• Handle bad-faith cases
• File lawsuits if necessary
Cost Structure
• ~40% contingency
• Or hourly ($300–$650/hr)
Best For
• When the claim becomes legal
• Carrier refuses to communicate
• Policy interpretation issues
Consultants (Property Loss Pros)
What We Do
We support homeowners through every part of the scope and supplement process, including:
• Professional Xactimate estimate review
• Identifying missing or underpaid items
• Contractor vs adjuster scope comparison
• Preparing supplement documentation
• Referencing IICRC S500, ITEL, and code requirements
• Coaching you through negotiation
• Assisting you in securing scope approval
• Crafting written responses and talking points for adjusters
• Supporting your contractor to align their bid with insurance standards
You stay in control. We guide you every step of the way.
What We Don’t Do
• Direct negotiation with the carrier
• Legal representation
• Replacing a PA in full-management roles
Cost Structure
• Hourly consulting
• No percentage of your claim
• No long delaysA Major Advantage:
Our Network of Specialized Insurance Attorneys
Sometimes a claim escalates beyond what a consultant—or even a PA—can resolve.
When that happens, we don’t leave you on your own.
Property Loss Pros works with a vetted network of:
• Insurance-specific attorneys
• Litigation specialists
• Bad-faith experts
• Lawyers experienced in Xactimate-based disputes
• Attorneys we collaborate with for expert testimony
• Legal teams who utilize our Xactimate estimate generation when cases go to litigation
This means:
• You’re connected to the right legal help if negotiations break down
• Your attorney receives a complete, professionally prepared scope file
• We can assist with expert witness reports, construction analysis, and line-item justification
• You transition into legal protection with clarity and momentum
• You avoid attorneys who are not specialists in property insurance
You’ll never have to “start over” with someone who doesn’t understand your claim.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose a Consultant if…
• You want expert help navigating negotiation
• You want to secure accurate scope approval
• You need supplement documentation
• You want help aligning your contractor’s bid with your carrier’s requirements
• You don’t want to give up a percentage of your claim
Choose a PA if…
• You want someone else to negotiate entirely
• Your claim is large or overly complex
Choose an Attorney if…
• Your claim is denied
• There is a coverage dispute
• The carrier is acting in bad faith
• Normal negotiation has stalled
And if your situation requires one—we already know who the best specialists are.
The Bottom Line
Most homeowners don’t need a PA or attorney right away—they need clarity, strategy, and expert documentation.
That’s exactly what Property Loss Pros provides.
And if your claim escalates, you gain immediate access to a network of attorneys who:• Understand insurance claims
• Use Xactimate
• Work with us for expert testimony and scope analysis
• Specialize specifically in property loss litigation
You’re never alone in the process.
If you want help navigating your claim:
Upload Your Estimate
or
We’ll guide you through negotiation, scope approval, and—if needed—connect you with the
right legal support.
