Key Takeaways
- Your insurance company’s adjuster works for your insurer, not for you. Understanding that distinction changes how you prepare for and participate in the assessment.
- Having a licensed restoration contractor present during the adjuster’s first visit is the single most effective step you can take to protect your claim scope.
- According to a 2023 J.D. Power Property Claims Satisfaction Study, homeowners who felt the claims process was explained clearly from the start were 2.4 times more likely to be satisfied with their final settlement. (J.D. Power, 2023)
- You have the right to dispute an estimate, request a re-inspection, and choose your own contractor in Arkansas.
When you file a fire damage claim, an insurance adjuster is assigned to assess the damage and determine what your insurer will pay. Most homeowners meet their adjuster once, feel uncertain about what was agreed to, and then spend weeks wondering why the estimate does not cover everything they expected. This guide tells you how to work with your adjuster in a way that produces a thorough, fair settlement.
What an Insurance Adjuster Does
The adjuster who visits your Northwest Arkansas property works for your insurance company. Their job is to assess the damage, determine whether it is covered under your policy, estimate the cost of repairs, and help the insurer settle your claim efficiently. This is not inherently adversarial, but it does mean the adjuster’s primary obligation is to their employer, not to you.
Most staff adjusters carry caseloads of 50 to 100 open claims at once, according to the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters. (NAPIA, 2023) On a busy week following a severe weather event, like the tornado outbreak that hit Rogers, Springdale, and Benton County in May 2024, that number can climb higher. The time an adjuster spends at your property may be 45 minutes to 90 minutes. Damage that is not documented and pointed out during that visit has a high chance of not making it into the estimate.
How to Prepare Before the Adjuster Arrives
Have Your Documentation Ready
Before the adjuster comes, you should have already photographed and video-documented the entire property, from exterior to every interior room. Your personal property inventory should be as complete as possible. The fire department incident report should be on hand. The more organized and thorough your documentation, the less the adjuster has to work from memory or a quick scan.
Get a Restoration Contractor Involved First
The most effective thing you can do before the adjuster’s visit is contact a licensed fire damage restoration company to assess the damage and prepare a scope of repairs. Bear Restoration project managers use Xactimate, the same estimating platform most adjusters use, so estimates are in a common language both parties can work from. When our team is present during the adjuster walk-through, scope gaps are identified on the spot and documented in writing rather than discovered after the estimate is submitted.
What to Do During the Adjuster Visit
Walk the entire property with the adjuster. Do not let them assess rooms on their own while you wait elsewhere. Point out every area of concern, including smoke damage in rooms that did not burn directly, water saturation from firefighting efforts, and any structural concerns you have observed. If your contractor is present, they will do much of this in professional terms that the adjuster recognizes.
Ask the adjuster to explain their process, what they are documenting, and their expected timeline for submitting the estimate. Make notes during or immediately after the visit. If scope or coverage discussions happen verbally, follow up in writing by email to confirm what was said.
When the Estimate Does Not Cover Full Restoration
Receiving an estimate that falls short of what actual restoration will cost is common, not exceptional. According to United Policyholders, a nonprofit insurance consumer advocacy organization, more than 40% of homeowners who experienced major property losses reported their initial estimate was insufficient to cover full repairs. (United Policyholders)
When that happens, you have options. Request a re-inspection and submit your contractor’s Xactimate estimate alongside the adjuster’s for a line-by-line comparison. Point specifically to line items that are missing or undervalued. Put your request in writing and keep copies of all correspondence. Bear Restoration handles this supplemental negotiation directly with adjusters for NWA homeowners, so you are not managing it while also dealing with displacement and recovery.
Water damage repairs from firefighting, mold prevention in wet areas, and full-structure smoke remediation are the three categories most commonly missing from initial fire damage estimates. If any of these are absent from your estimate, raise them immediately.
Public Adjusters: When to Consider One
A public adjuster is a licensed professional who represents your interests in the claims process rather than your insurer’s. They typically charge 10 to 15% of your final settlement. That fee can make sense on large, complex claims where an insurer is significantly undervaluing damage or where a claim has been denied and you need an experienced advocate.
For most fire damage claims, direct contractor engagement through the adjuster walk-through process accomplishes similar results at no additional cost. If your claim is denied or you are more than three supplemental cycles into a dispute, a public adjuster or insurance claims attorney may be worth the investment.
For the full claims process from start to finish, see our fire damage insurance claims guide.
What to Remember About Working With Your Adjuster
Your adjuster works for your insurer. Prepare documentation before they arrive. Have a restoration contractor walk the property with them. Review every line of the estimate before agreeing, and put all disputes in writing. Bear Restoration works directly with adjusters on behalf of homeowners throughout Fayetteville, Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, and all of Northwest Arkansas. Call 479-321-1313 for 24/7 emergency response and professional claims support, or contact us to schedule your free inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request a different adjuster if I am not satisfied with the first one?
Yes. You can contact your insurer’s claims department and request a supervisor review or a re-inspection. If you believe your claim has been mishandled, you can also file a complaint with the Arkansas Department of Insurance.
How long does the adjuster have to submit their estimate?
Arkansas law requires insurers to acknowledge claims within 10 business days and make a coverage determination within 45 days of receiving all required documentation. The specific timeline for the estimate depends on the complexity of the claim and your policy terms.
What if the adjuster misses damage during the visit?
Contact your insurer in writing and request a re-inspection to address the missed items. Provide photos and documentation of the damage that was not included in the original estimate. A contractor-prepared supplemental scope helps substantiate your request.
Do I have to sign the adjuster’s estimate to start repairs?
No. You can begin emergency mitigation and board-up without signing a final estimate. Before beginning full restoration, confirm scope with your insurer in writing. Signing a final release, however, does close your ability to request additional payment.
Is it worth hiring a public adjuster for a fire damage claim?
It depends on the size and complexity of your claim. For claims over $100,000 or claims that have been denied, a public adjuster’s fee may be recouped through a higher settlement. For straightforward claims, direct contractor engagement is often sufficient.