What is an insurance adjuster?
An insurance adjuster is a person who investigates and settles insurance claims. After a crash, the adjuster gathers the police report, photos and medical records, decides what the company thinks the claim is worth and makes the offer. Most adjusters you deal with work for the insurance company, not for you.
Last checked November 9, 2026 · Official sources (5)
What does an adjuster do in an injury claim? An example
Example: two days after a crash, the other driver’s adjuster calls. She asks how you feel, whether you will give a recorded statement, and for permission to get your medical records. A month later she offers $3,500 for your neck injury, saying your treatment ran longer than she expected.
Every step is part of her job: gather facts, measure the claim against the policy, and recommend a payment. NAIC describes adjusters as people who investigate claims and recommend settlement options. The $3,500 is her company’s opening number, not a ruling.
Why does the adjuster matter to you?
The adjuster shapes the first offer, and the company bases payment on the adjuster’s estimate. What you say and send becomes part of the file. Be polite and accurate, keep calls short, and put important points in writing.
- You can decline a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer until you are ready.
- Send records yourself instead of signing a broad authorization for all your medical history.
- Ask the adjuster to explain any offer in writing, item by item.
What kinds of adjusters are there?
| Type | Who they work for |
|---|---|
| Staff or company adjuster | The insurance company that employs them. |
| Independent adjuster | Insurers that hire them case by case; Texas law covers people who adjust losses as independent contractors on behalf of an insurer. |
| Public adjuster | Policyholders, not insurance companies. |
Public adjusters mostly handle property claims, such as a house fire, on your own policy. In an injury claim against another driver, the adjuster on the other side represents that driver’s insurer.
Adjuster vs. agent
An agent sells you the policy. An adjuster handles the claim after something goes wrong. Your agent may help you report a claim, but the adjuster makes the payment decision.
Questions
Does the other driver’s adjuster work for me?
No. That adjuster works for the other driver’s insurance company, whose goal is to resolve the claim for what it considers fair.
Do I have to talk to the adjuster?
You need to report the claim and answer basic questions. Your own policy may require you to cooperate. With the other driver’s insurer, you can ask why a recorded statement is needed and wait until you are ready.
Can I ask for a different adjuster?
You can ask a supervisor to review the claim if the adjuster stops responding or misstates facts. Put the request in writing.
Find out if you are owed money.
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See if I’m owed moneySources (5)
- Texas Department of Insurance, auto insurance glossary, checked 2026-11-09. “Adjuster - A person who investigates and settles insurance claims.”
- Tex. Ins. Code § 4101.001, checked 2026-11-09. “"Adjuster" means a person who: (A) investigates or adjusts losses on behalf of an insurer as an independent contractor or as an employee of”
- NAIC Glossary of Insurance Terms, checked 2026-11-09. “Public Adjuster - independent claims adjuster representing policyholders instead of insurance companies.”
- NAIC Glossary of Insurance Terms, checked 2026-11-09. “Adjuster - a person who investigates claims and recommends settlement options based on estimates of damage and insurance policies held.”
- Texas Department of Insurance, checked 2026-11-09. “Have an adjuster look at your damage. The adjuster will estimate the cost of repairs. The company will base its payment on the adjuster’s estimate.”