Homeowner, Contractor or Public Adjuster: Who Does What on a NY Claim

On a New York storm claim, the homeowner files and owns the claim, the insurance company's adjuster evaluates it, and a contractor writes the repair scope and does the work. A public adjuster is a separate role you can hire to handle the claim itself, and in New York that role is usually licensed through the state.

After a storm, several people can show up offering to "help with your claim." They do not all do the same job, and mixing up the roles is where homeowners get burned. Here is a plain breakdown for Centereach and the surrounding Brookhaven area.

This is educational only. It is not legal or insurance advice. Your policy and the facts of the loss decide what is covered, and only your insurer can tell you that.

Who does what on a claim?

• The homeowner reports the loss, holds the policy and makes the decisions. The claim is yours.
• The insurance company's adjuster works for the insurer. They inspect the damage and decide what the company will pay under your policy.
• A public adjuster is someone you hire to prepare, present and negotiate the claim with the insurer.
• The contractor inspects the damage, writes a repair scope and does the construction.

Those are four different jobs. A good contractor stays in the last one.

What does a public adjuster do?

A public adjuster represents the policyholder, not the insurance company. They typically review the policy, document the loss, put the claim package together and negotiate with the insurer. In New York, public adjusters are generally licensed through the Department of Financial Services (DFS), and the arrangement usually runs on a written contract.

Before you sign anything, ask to see the license and check it with DFS. Read the contract for how the adjuster is paid and what exactly they will do. Hiring one is optional. Plenty of homeowners handle a straightforward claim themselves.

What does the contractor do on a claim?

The contractor's job is the work itself. That means looking at the roof, siding, gutters, concrete or whatever took the hit, and writing down what it takes to fix it properly, line by line. That written scope is useful to you and to the insurer, because it shows what repair is actually needed.

If your claim involves roof, siding or gutter damage, see our insurance claim work page. For the repair side, we also do storm damage repair.

What the contractor does not do is speak for you with the insurance company. We do not negotiate with your insurer on your behalf, and we do not decide what your policy covers. A contractor who says they will "handle the insurance" or promises the claim will be approved is stepping into a role they should not be in.

Why keep the roles separate?

Each role has a different interest. The insurer's adjuster is balancing your policy against the company's obligations. A public adjuster is working for a share of the claim or a fee, depending on the contract. A contractor is working to repair the house. When one person tries to do all three, it gets hard to know whose advice you are getting.

Keeping them apart also keeps the repair honest. The scope should come from what the damage needs, not from what a settlement number happens to be.

What should you do first after a storm?

Start with the basics, in this order:

1. Make the house safe and stop further damage where you can do it safely, such as a tarp over an open roof area.
2. Photograph everything before anything is moved or repaired. Our post on the order to document storm damage walks through it.
3. Read your policy or call your agent to learn the deductible and the claim steps.
4. Report the loss to your insurer.
5. Get a repair scope from a contractor you trust.

Tip: Keep damaged materials, like torn shingles or cracked pieces, until the insurer's adjuster has seen them, unless they are unsafe.

What if a tree or debris hits concrete?

Hardscape is where coverage questions get fuzzy. Driveways, walkways and patios are treated differently from the house on many policies, and what a tree strike covers varies. Read what homeowners policies usually cover when a tree falls on a driveway or walk before you assume either way, and confirm with your insurer.

Questions to ask anyone offering to help

For a public adjuster:

• Can I see your New York license, and how do I verify it with DFS?
• How are you paid, and is it in the written contract?
• What exactly will you do, and what will I still do myself?

For a contractor:

• Will you walk the damage and put a written scope in front of me?
• Are you asking me to sign anything that gives you control of my claim?
• Who pulls permits if the repair needs one? Check with the Town of Brookhaven Building Division on what applies to your address.

If anyone pressures you to sign the same day, pushes you to skip your own insurer, or promises approval, slow down.

Late fall timing

This time of year, the first freezes are close and holiday hosting is coming. Open roof or siding damage lets water in and freezes in the walls, so temporary protection matters now even if the claim is still moving. Permanent exterior repairs, especially anything that depends on weather, may have to wait for the right conditions. Ask us about timing when we look at the job.

Next step

If you have storm damage and are not sure who should be doing what, contact us. We will look at the damage, write up the repair scope, and quote after a site visit. The claim itself stays between you and your insurer, or a public adjuster if you choose to hire one.

Frequently asked questions