A public adjuster can help you get a higher settlement on your insurance claim or provide expert assistance if a claim has been denied. If you have decided you would like to hire a public adjuster, the next task is finding one. However, of not all public adjusters are equal of course. Let’s take a look at some of the things that separate good public adjusters from bad ones. Licensed: States have different licensing requirements for public adjusters. Most states, require public adjusters to be licensed. You can start by selecting your state on this map to find your state’s government website that regulates insurance. If your state requires licensing, make sure the public adjuster you’re hiring is a licensed and certified adjuster within your state. If your state does not require licensing, check if the adjuster is licensed in other states and thoroughly vet their experience. Group Memberships: Public adjusters might also belong to nationwide groups like the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA) or the Windstorm Insurance Network (WIND) . These groups often help you find public adjusters with certain specializations. Many states and communities also have local organizations and memberships, check for legitimate local membership organizations. Local Experience: All good public adjusters have experience. The best public adjusters, however, have local experience dealing with claims just like yours. If your property has been damaged in a Texas hailstorm, for example, then you’ll ideally want a public adjuster who has previously handled hailstorm damage claims in Texas. Reputation: Check into the public adjuster’s reputation online and off line. Search Google for reviews and testimonials and ask for references of past clients that you can contact. Available Through ClaimsMate: Some public adjusters go door-to-door after a disaster. Good public adjusters, however, rarely do this. Instead, good public adjusters rely on referrals and use search services like ClaimsMate for their business. ClaimsMate is a no-cost search service available to insurance policyholders. Click here for more info on finding a good public insurance adjuster . Enter your location and contact details and ClaimsMate will connect you with a handpicked public adjuster in your local area. All public adjusters are licensed and thoroughly vetted. You get a qualified public adjuster at no added cost without the hassle of shopping around.