Understanding the Authority of a Public Adjuster

Welcome to Rome Public Adjusting (www.RomePA.com), where our work is guided by the principle that People Are For Caring. If you are facing an insurance claim, or if you are a professional such as a plumber or contractor looking to better support clients after a loss, understanding the role and authority of a Public Adjuster is essential.

At RomePA we bring more than 25 years of experience helping individuals and businesses pursue fair, clear, and equitable claim settlements. We serve as your independent advocate throughout the process.

For Homeowners and Businesses: Your Dedicated Advocate

When a loss occurs—whether from a burst pipe, storm, fire, or other covered event—the claims process can feel overwhelming. Rome Public Adjusting steps in as your dedicated advocate to bring clarity and steady guidance.

As licensed and bonded professionals, Public Adjusters have specific legal and practical authority to manage and negotiate a first-party property claim directly with the insurance company on the policyholder’s behalf. This authority includes:

Acting exclusively in your best interest. Unlike the insurance company’s adjuster, whose primary obligation is to the carrier, a Public Adjuster operates under a fiduciary duty to you. Our loyalty is to secure the fair settlement the policy provides.

Interpreting the policy with professional care. Policies are often complex. We review the coverage, limits, endorsements, and exclusions and explain your rights in plain language so you understand what the policy actually provides.

Assessing and documenting the loss thoroughly. We conduct an independent assessment of the damage, often working with contractors and other experts when needed. We document physical damage, contents, additional living expenses, and related losses so the claim rests on a complete and accurate foundation.

Preparing and submitting the claim. We assemble the necessary documentation, meet policy requirements and deadlines, and present the claim clearly and professionally to the insurer.

Communicating and negotiating with the insurance company. We handle the day-to-day communication and negotiation, reducing the burden on you while pursuing the settlement supported by the facts and the policy.

Reviewing underpaid or denied claims. If a claim has been underpaid or denied, we can review the file and, where the facts and policy support it, work to reopen and renegotiate for a more complete resolution.

By engaging RomePA you gain a knowledgeable partner who will stand with you, protect your interests, and pursue what the policy provides.

For Network Partners (Plumbers, Contractors, and Other Professionals)

We value collaboration with the professionals who are often first on site after a loss. Understanding the role of a Public Adjuster can help you serve your clients more effectively.

By connecting clients with RomePA when appropriate, you can:

• Offer them a clear resource for navigating the claims process

• Stay focused on your own expertise—plumbing, repair, restoration—while the insurance side is handled

• Help streamline documentation and scope so the recovery process moves more efficiently

• Demonstrate additional care for the client’s overall recovery, strengthening the professional relationship

  
  

We welcome the opportunity to work alongside trusted local professionals for the benefit of the shared client.

Authority in Practice

Licensed Public Adjusters can take concrete actions on a policyholder’s behalf, including:

• Disputing a low initial settlement offer with independent documentation and policy analysis

• Identifying damages that were overlooked in the carrier’s assessment

• Negotiating additional living expense (ALE) coverage when displacement occurs

• Challenging exclusions that do not properly apply to the loss

• Invoking the policy’s appraisal clause when the amount of loss is in dispute, preparing the submission, and representing the policyholder’s interests in that process

  
  

These actions stay within the scope of licensed public adjusting work and are guided by clear ethical and legal standards.

Understanding Our Limitations

It is equally important to understand the limits of our authority. As Public Adjusters we cannot:

• Guarantee a specific settlement amount—the final result depends on the policy, the facts of the loss, and the negotiation

• Engage in the unauthorized practice of law; if litigation or formal legal advice becomes necessary, we will recommend qualified counsel

• Act unethically or outside the bounds of law and professional standards

  
  

The RomePA.com Approach

At Rome Public Adjusting our authority is exercised with responsibility and is guided by the principle that People Are For Caring. More than twenty-five years of experience, combined with a commitment to careful work and genuine concern for the client, shapes how every claim is handled. We aim to bring clarity, fairness, and steady advocacy so that each person is treated with dignity and receives the settlement the policy supports.

If you are facing an insurance claim, or if you are a professional seeking a reliable partner for your clients, contact Rome Public Adjusting. We are ready to put experience and careful advocacy to work for you.

David Burrows Rome Public Adjusting www.RomePA.com