San Antonio Public Adjuster FAQs

A public adjuster is licensed to represent the policyholder, not the insurance company, on a property insurance claim. That typically means inspecting the damage, reviewing the policy, preparing a detailed estimate and supporting documentation, presenting the claim to the insurer, and negotiating on your behalf. In Texas, public adjusters are licensed and regulated by the Texas Department of Insurance under Insurance Code Chapter 4102.

Not always. Small, straightforward claims are often resolved fairly without outside help. A San Antonio public adjuster tends to be most useful when the loss is large or complex, the claim was denied or underpaid, the insurer's estimate leaves out parts of the damage, or the process is taking more time than you have. Our article Do I need a public adjuster? walks through the decision.

Fees are disclosed in a written contract before any work begins; Texas law caps public adjuster compensation at 10% of the insurance settlement. If the insurer pays or commits in writing to pay policy limits within 72 hours after the loss is reported, a percentage fee is not allowed. Our Free Claim Review costs nothing and carries no obligation.

Yes. Texas public adjuster contracts must use terms approved by the Texas Department of Insurance and must let you rescind within 72 hours of signing. The contract must also state "We represent the insured only."

No. Public adjusters handle the insurance claim. We do not give legal advice or file lawsuits; for questions about suits, bad faith, or deadlines to sue, consult a Texas attorney. Texas law also bars a public adjuster from taking part in the repair or reconstruction of a property on a claim they adjust, so you choose your own contractor.

Use the license lookup on the Texas Department of Insurance website before you sign anything. San Antonio Public Adjuster is a public adjusting service of Rise Public Adjusting LLC, TDI license #3356839. See also how to find a public adjuster.

Bexar County hail activity peaks in April and May, though damaging hail can fall at other times of year. NOAA storm records list hundreds of hail reports in the county, and the April 12, 2016 hailstorm across northwest San Antonio is widely reported as one of the costliest hailstorms in Texas history. Our storm history page and storm lookup tool show recorded events.

Generally no. Bexar County is not in the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association's designated catastrophe area, so San Antonio properties typically get wind and hail coverage from their regular property insurer, or from the Texas FAIR Plan where applicable. Many Texas policies carry a separate wind/hail deductible, often a percentage of the dwelling limit, so check your declarations page.

Photograph and video the damage from several angles as soon as it is safe, including roofs, gutters, siding, windows, HVAC units, fences, and interior leaks. Note the date, keep receipts for emergency repairs such as tarping, and save any insurer letters. Our hail documentation guide and documentation checklist go into more detail.

Standard homeowners and commercial property policies generally exclude flood. Flood coverage usually comes from the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood policy, and NFIP policies typically have a 30-day waiting period. Because San Antonio sits in Flash Flood Alley along the Balcones Escarpment, it is worth reviewing your flood coverage before storm season. Learn more at FloodSmart.gov or on our flood damage claims page.

Sudden and accidental water damage from a burst pipe is often covered under a homeowners policy, subject to its terms, exclusions, and conditions. Some policies limit coverage if the home was vacant or not reasonably heated. Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 and later ice storms showed how widespread these losses can be in San Antonio. See freeze damage claims.

Start by getting the denial or estimate in writing and comparing it with your policy and the actual damage. Many denials and underpayments come down to missed damage, incomplete scopes, or disputed cause of loss. A public adjuster can review the file and, where appropriate, submit additional documentation or a supplement. See denied insurance claims and underpaid insurance claims.

Under the Texas Prompt Payment of Claims statute (Insurance Code Chapter 542), an insurer generally has 15 days after notice of a claim to acknowledge it, begin its investigation, and request information. It then generally has 15 business days after receiving all requested items to accept or reject the claim, with up to 45 more days if it notifies you it needs more time, and must pay within 5 business days after notifying you it accepts. These deadlines can be extended after a declared weather catastrophe. See delayed insurance claims.

Often, yes. Depending on the policy and the timing, a claim may be supplemented or reopened when additional damage appears, repairs uncover hidden damage, or the original estimate missed items. Policy deadlines apply, and questions about the deadline to file suit should go to a Texas attorney. See insurance claim supplements.

Many property policies let either side demand appraisal when you and the insurer disagree on the amount of the loss (not on whether it is covered). Each side selects an appraiser, the appraisers select an umpire, and an award agreed to by any two is generally binding on the amount, as the policy language provides. See insurance appraisal.

Actual cash value (ACV) is replacement cost minus depreciation. Under a replacement-cost policy, the insurer typically pays ACV first and releases recoverable depreciation after repairs are completed, often within a deadline stated in the policy. Some Texas roof coverage is ACV-only or uses a roof payment schedule, so check your policy. Read replacement cost vs. actual cash value in Texas.

Not automatically. Repairs in San Antonio generally must meet the city's adopted building codes, and re-roofing and most structural repairs usually require a permit from the Development Services Department. Whether the insurer pays for code-required upgrades depends on your ordinance or law coverage, which is often a separate, limited coverage. See San Antonio building codes and insurance repairs.

We serve San Antonio, Bexar County, and surrounding communities, including Alamo Heights, Leon Valley, Helotes, Live Oak, Converse, Universal City, Schertz, Boerne, and New Braunfels. We do not have a public office and typically meet clients at the damaged property. See our service areas.