Legal Definitions - independent adjuster

An independent adjuster is a professional who is hired by an insurance company to investigate and evaluate insurance claims made by policyholders. They are called "independent" because they are not employees of the insurance company, but rather work as contractors.

Independent adjusters are responsible for assessing the damage or loss that has occurred, determining the amount of compensation that the policyholder is entitled to, and negotiating with the policyholder to settle the claim. They may also be called upon to provide expert testimony in court cases related to insurance claims.

For example, if a homeowner experiences damage to their property due to a natural disaster, they would file a claim with their insurance company. The insurance company would then hire an independent adjuster to investigate the claim, assess the damage, and determine the amount of compensation that the homeowner is entitled to.

Another example would be if a business experiences a loss due to theft or vandalism. The business owner would file a claim with their insurance company, and an independent adjuster would be hired to investigate the claim, assess the damage, and determine the amount of compensation that the business owner is entitled to.