Where can I find a licensed public adjuster in Houston, Texas?

Where do I look for a licensed public insurance adjuster in Houston, Texas?

Start with the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), because that is where the license record lives.

Texas Insurance Code Section 4102.051 says anyone acting as a public insurance adjuster in Texas must hold a license issued by the Commissioner of Insurance (Texas Insurance Code Section 4102.051). TDI’s own guidance, Commissioner’s Bulletin B-0046-08, notes that you can check a public adjuster’s license status on the TDI website and that a public adjuster acts on behalf of the insured.

So the answer to ‘where do I find one?’ has two parts. You can search the TDI license lookup, and you can ask the firms you talk to for their license number. A real firm will hand it over without hesitation.

If you want a firm that already works Houston claims, you can read about a public adjuster in Houston or browse our page on Texas public adjusters.

How do I know a public adjuster is really licensed?

You can confirm it yourself, in a few minutes, on the TDI website. Don’t rely on a business card, a magnet on a truck, or a name someone gave you at your front door.

Most folks who are in need of a public adjuster are not insurance claim experts, and that’s okay. That’s exactly why a quick license check matters: to know that you are getting someone who is licensed and experienced. Here is a simple checklist to run before you sign anything:

• Ask for the license number: A licensed adjuster or firm can give it to you right away. Ours is Texas Public Adjuster License #2326706.
• Look it up on TDI: Match the name and number to the TDI record and confirm the status is current.
• Confirm who they represent: A public adjuster represents you, the policyholder, never the insurance company.
• Read the contract before you sign: Make sure you understand the scope of the work and what you are agreeing to.
• Be wary of pressure: A fair professional lets you take your time and ask questions.

Storm seasons bring out plenty of people knocking on doors after hurricanes, flooding, hail, or wind events. A license check separates the legitimate from the rest.

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What is the difference between a public adjuster and the insurance company’s adjuster?

The difference is who they work for. A public adjuster works for you, and the insurance company’s adjuster works for the insurer.

That doesn’t make the insurer’s adjuster dishonest. Their job is to evaluate the claim for the company that employs them, and they follow the company’s guidelines. A public adjuster’s job is to document your loss and present it from your side of the table.

Think of it like buying a house. The seller’s agent is not doing anything wrong, but you may still want your own agent looking out for your interests.

If you’d like to go deeper on this, our post on finding a reliable public adjuster for residential property damage walks through what to look for.

What should I look for when choosing a public adjuster in Houston?

Look for a current Texas license, clear communication, and experience with the kind of damage you have. Houston homeowners deal with a wide mix of perils, so that last point matters.

Texas had 811,381 hail claims from 2016 through 2018, the most of any state, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Hurricane Harvey alone produced 764,898 insurance claims in Texas, with about $19.2 billion in incurred losses, based on Texas Department of Insurance data. Claims like these are common here, so you want someone who understands them.

Here are the criteria we suggest:

1. License first: Verify it on the TDI website.
2. Relevant experience: Ask whether they handle your type of loss (wind, hail, water, fire, or a hurricane).
3. Plain-spoken answers: They should explain your options without jargon or pressure.
4. The adjuster, not a middleman: Ask whether they handle your claim themselves or pass you to someone else.
5. A free first conversation: You should be able to talk through your situation before you commit.

ClaimsMate is a licensed Texas public adjuster firm that meets these criteria. We are the adjuster itself, not a referral service. Call us for a free consultation at (877) 202-0204.

When should I contact a public adjuster after a loss?

It helps to reach out early, because Texas claim timelines begin once you report the loss. You don’t have to wait until you hit a problem with the insurance company.

Here is how the clock generally works under Texas law. After notice of a claim, an insurer has 15 days to acknowledge it, begin its investigation, and request the items it needs (30 business days for an eligible surplus lines insurer), per Section 542.055. Once it has everything it asked for, it must accept or reject the claim in writing within 15 business days, and if it needs more time, it must explain why and then decide within 45 days, per Section 542.056.

If the insurer says it will pay, payment is due within 5 business days (20 business days for an eligible surplus lines insurer), per Section 542.057. And if payment is delayed more than 60 days after the insurer receives all requested items, it owes damages and other items under Section 542.060, per Section 542.058.

A few situations where people commonly reach out (say, after a denial, a low offer, or a storm that damaged a roof):

• After a denial: See our post on what to do when your homeowners insurance company denied your claim.
• After a severe storm: Our guide to companies that help negotiate claims after severe storms may help.

This is general information, not legal advice. For questions about your rights, a Texas attorney can help.

Frequently Asked Questions

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To talk through your property insurance claim with a licensed Texas public adjuster who works for you, not your insurance company, schedule a no-cost consultation with ClaimsMate.

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Sources

• Texas Insurance Code Section 4102.051
• Texas Department of Insurance, Commissioner’s Bulletin B-0046-08
• Texas Insurance Code Section 542.055
• Texas Insurance Code Section 542.056
• Texas Insurance Code Section 542.057
• Texas Insurance Code Section 542.058
• National Insurance Crime Bureau, August 2019
• Texas Department of Insurance Hurricane Harvey data call

Stephanie Corona

Stephanie is a property insurance claim expert with over 20 years of experience working as an insurance adjuster, expert witness, appraiser and umpire. She is passionate about sharing her expertise, knowledge, tips and training to help both property owners and Public Adjusters in their pursuit of effectively managing claims and recovering the claim settlement they deserve after a loss.