Question 1

What is a public adjuster?

Accepted Answer

A public adjuster is a licensed insurance professional who represents policyholders — not insurance companies — in preparing, documenting, and negotiating property insurance claims. Unlike carrier adjusters (who work for your insurance company) or independent adjusters (hired by carriers), public adjusters have a fiduciary duty exclusively to you, the policyholder.

Question 2

How is a public adjuster different from my insurance company's adjuster?

Accepted Answer

The carrier's adjuster works for the insurance company and their job is to settle your claim at the lowest defensible amount under the policy. A public adjuster works exclusively for you — we document every line of damage, scope every repair to code, and negotiate for the full value your policy provides. We're paid based on what we recover, so our incentives align with yours.

Question 3

Do I need a public adjuster or an attorney?

Accepted Answer

Public adjusters handle the claim documentation, scope analysis, and carrier negotiation — the insurance-specific work. Attorneys handle legal disputes, bad faith claims, and litigation. Many claims benefit from a public adjuster first (to build a strong evidentiary file), with an attorney brought in only if the carrier acts in bad faith. We're happy to advise on which path fits your situation.

Question 4

What types of claims do you handle?

Accepted Answer

We handle hail, wind, and storm damage; water and plumbing losses; fire and smoke damage; commercial property claims; and large/complex losses involving multiple carriers, business interruption, or code upgrade disputes. We also provide insurance appraisal services — including umpire work — on disputed claims.

Question 5

What's the process after I submit a claim review?

Accepted Answer

1) You submit your claim details online or by phone. 2) We review within 1–2 business days and assess whether professional representation adds value. 3) If we mutually agree to proceed, we execute a state-compliant PA contract. 4) We conduct a full scope analysis — inspecting the property, documenting damage, and building a Xactimate estimate. 5) We present the claim to your carrier and negotiate. Most claims resolve within 30–90 days; complex claims may take longer.

Question 6

How long does a claim take?

Accepted Answer

Timelines vary. Straightforward residential claims with clear damage often resolve in 30–60 days after we submit to the carrier. Complex claims — multifamily, commercial, disputed scope, or claims involving appraisal — may take 90–180 days. We'll give you a realistic timeline after our initial review.

Question 7

Do you need to inspect my property?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A thorough on-site inspection is essential to document damage fully — we use moisture meters, thermal imaging, photogrammetry, and other forensic tools. An adjuster who doesn't inspect is working blind. We'll schedule at your convenience, typically within a few days of contract execution.

Question 8

What if my carrier already sent an adjuster?

Accepted Answer

Carrier adjusters work for the insurance company. Their estimate often omits code upgrades, overlooks indirect damage, or undervalues materials and labor. Our job is to build a parallel estimate — documented, code-compliant, and priced to local market standards — and negotiate the gap. Having a carrier estimate is actually helpful: it gives us a baseline to respond to.

Question 9

How much does a public adjuster cost?

Accepted Answer

Fee structures depend on the service and the state, and are always disclosed in writing before any engagement. See the How Fees Work page for a full explanation.

Question 10

Is there any upfront cost?

Accepted Answer

No. We do not charge for the initial consultation, claim review, or property inspection. Our fee is earned only if and when we recover additional funds on your behalf. There is no retainer, no hourly billing, and no out-of-pocket cost to you.

Question 11

What if my claim is too small?

Accepted Answer

We assess every claim honestly. If the claim is too small to justify professional involvement, we'll tell you directly. Our reputation depends on giving straight answers.

Question 12

What is the insurance appraisal process?

Accepted Answer

Appraisal is a policy provision that allows either party — you or the carrier — to dispute the amount of loss. Each side appoints a competent appraiser. The two appraisers then select an umpire. If the appraisers disagree on the loss amount, the umpire resolves the dispute. Appraisal determines the dollar value of the loss only — it does not resolve coverage disputes.

Question 13

When should I invoke appraisal?

Accepted Answer

Appraisal is appropriate when you and the carrier agree that the loss is covered but disagree on the dollar amount — for example, when the carrier's estimate is far below your contractor's bid or our scope analysis. It's a faster, less expensive alternative to litigation. We have extensive experience as appraisal umpires and can advise whether appraisal is the right tool for your claim.

Question 14

Can you serve as my appraiser AND umpire?

Accepted Answer

No. An appraiser advocates for one party. An umpire is neutral and resolves disputes between the two appraisers. Gyorgy Toldy has served in both roles — as a party-appointed appraiser for policyholders and as a neutral umpire — which gives us unique insight into how appraisal panels evaluate claims. We cannot serve as both on the same claim.

Question 15

Are you licensed?

Accepted Answer

Yes. White Rock Public Adjusting, LLC holds TX Public Adjuster License #3172010 · FL Public Adjuster License #W675274 · NPN #19450926. We are regulated by the Texas Department of Insurance and the Florida Department of Financial Services.

Question 16

Can I cancel my contract with you?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Both Texas and Florida law give policyholders a statutory right to cancel a public adjuster contract within a specified rescission period. In Texas, you may cancel within 72 hours. In Florida, the period varies based on the date of loss. Your contract will specify the exact rescission rights and timeline.

Question 17

What happens to my information?

Accepted Answer

All claim information is encrypted in transit and at rest. It is accessible only to you and your assigned adjuster through our secure client portal. We never sell, trade, or share your data with third parties without your consent. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Question 18

What areas do you serve?

Accepted Answer

We serve the entire states of Texas and Florida. Our principal office is in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex (Lakewood area), but we travel statewide for inspections and carrier meetings. We also handle Florida claims with the same hands-on approach — we come to you.

Question 19

What percentage do you charge?

Accepted Answer

Fee caps are set by state law and the exact fee is clearly stated in your contract before you sign. See the How Fees Work page for a full explanation.

Question 20

Is your fee negotiable?

Accepted Answer

Fee structures are compliant with state regulations and are discussed transparently during your initial consultation. See the How Fees Work page for details.

Question 21

What if the carrier denies my claim entirely?

Accepted Answer

If your carrier has denied coverage entirely, we first review the denial letter and your policy to determine whether the denial is defensible. If there is a legitimate coverage dispute, we may recommend consulting an attorney — we work alongside several experienced insurance coverage attorneys in Texas and Florida. If the denial appears improper, we can prepare a detailed rebuttal with supporting documentation and push the carrier to reconsider.

Question 22

What if the carrier lowballs me a second time?

Accepted Answer

If the carrier comes back with another low offer after we've submitted our estimate, we escalate. This may mean invoking appraisal (if it's a dispute over the dollar amount), requesting a carrier re-inspection with White Rock PA present, or in some cases, filing a complaint with the state Department of Insurance. The goal is to exhaust every pre-litigation remedy before recommending legal action.

Question 23

Do I need to be present during the inspection?

Accepted Answer

It's helpful but not required. We need access to the property — you or a trusted representative (property manager, family member) can let us in. We'll walk you through our findings afterward via phone or in person. The inspection typically takes 2–4 hours depending on property size and damage complexity.

Question 24

How do you work with my contractor or roofer?

Accepted Answer

We coordinate directly with your contractor to ensure their scope of work and bid align with our Xactimate estimate. If your contractor identified damage we should review, we'll incorporate their observations. We don't replace your contractor — we supplement their work with insurance-specific documentation that carriers require. Many contractors refer clients to us because we bridge the gap between construction reality and insurance adjuster methodology.

Question 25

What's the difference between appraisal and litigation?

Accepted Answer

Appraisal is a policy provision that focuses solely on the dollar amount of loss. Litigation is a court process that involves attorneys' fees and can address coverage disputes and bad faith in addition to the loss amount.

Question 26

How much does appraisal cost?

Accepted Answer

Each party pays their own appraiser and splits the umpire's fee. We'll provide a clear cost estimate before you commit to appraisal. See the How Fees Work page for details.

Question 27

What makes a good appraisal umpire?

Accepted Answer

A good umpire understands both construction costs and insurance policy language, has no stake in the outcome, and can evaluate competing estimates objectively. Gyorgy Toldy's experience as a neutral umpire on dozens of claims means we understand what persuades an umpire — and we build every appraisal file to those standards.

Question 28

Should I file a claim before contacting you?

Accepted Answer

Ideally, contact us first — especially if you suspect extensive damage. The way a claim is initially reported can affect coverage determinations later. However, if you've already filed, that's fine too. We step in at any stage: pre-filing, post-filing, after the carrier's initial offer, or even mid-dispute.

Question 29

How is White Rock different from other public adjusters?

Accepted Answer

Three things: (1) Technical depth — we use forensic documentation tools (moisture meters, thermal imaging, photogrammetry) that many adjusters skip. (2) Appraisal expertise — Gyorgy Toldy serves as both an appraiser and a neutral umpire, which gives us unique insight into how disputes are actually resolved. (3) Selectivity — we limit our case load to give every claim the attention it deserves. We'd rather do 50 claims exceptionally well than 200 claims adequately.

Question 30

Do you work with attorneys?

Accepted Answer

Yes. On claims involving coverage disputes, bad faith, or litigation, we coordinate closely with your attorney. We handle the insurance scope and valuation work — which attorneys typically don't — while your attorney handles the legal strategy. We have relationships with experienced insurance coverage attorneys in both Texas and Florida and can make introductions if needed.

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