Help With a Claim – Before Your Claim

Know when professional assistance may be useful and how to verify credentials before hiring.

A property loss can turn ordinary life upside down. Once everyone is safe, take reasonable steps to protect the property from further damage, document the conditions, and notify your insurer as required by your policy. Many homeowners can manage routine claims themselves. For practical first steps, see our After a Loss guide.

When damage, repair estimates, or the claims process become difficult to manage, professional assistance may be helpful. Where authorized to practice, Absolute Adjusting provides public-adjusting services for policyholders, including loss documentation, repair scope and estimate review, organization of supporting claim records, and communication with the insurer regarding unresolved questions. Hiring a public adjuster is optional, and this website’s educational guidance is available whether or not you retain us. To inquire about our services, visit www.AbsoluteAdjusting.com.

Check the License Before You Hire

After property damage, many people may offer to help. Some are highly qualified; others may not be authorized to provide the specific service. A brief, independent credential check helps you make a better decision before signing a contract or paying a deposit.

Do not rely on a business card or badge

A polished website, an impressive title, or the phrase “licensed, insured and certified” is not proof. Ask for the person’s name, business name, license or registration number, and the location where the work will be performed. Then check the record yourself with the government agency that regulates that activity. Requirements vary by profession and jurisdiction.

Start with these four checks

Identity: Does the individual or business listed on the license match the person or company providing the service?
Status: Is the license active, current, and appropriate for the work? An NPN, application receipt, trade membership, or an old certificate does not establish current authorization.
Jurisdiction and scope: Does the credential cover the state, locality, and the trade or insurance activity involved?
Other safeguards: Ask about insurance, bonding where relevant, written contracts, references, complaints, and any available disciplinary information. A current license does not guarantee good workmanship or honest dealing.

Insurance professionals: check the state insurance regulator

Insurance producers, agencies, and public adjusters may be subject to state licensing requirements. Policyholders typically retain public adjusters to assist with claims, whereas insurer-employed or insurer-assigned adjusters work for the insurance company, and their licensing rules can vary by state. Do not assume the term “adjuster” indicates who a person represents.

Begin with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) directory of state insurance departments: content.naic.org/state-insurance-departments. Select the relevant state, then use its official license or enforcement lookup. The state regulator is the best place to resolve an unclear result.

Sircon offers a consumer inquiry service for participating jurisdictions. NAIC State-Based Systems also provides a licensee lookup where supported. The National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) helps locate state licensing information. It identifies National Producer Numbers (NPNs), but its Producer Database reports are not a universal, unrestricted public search for someone else’s license. An NPN alone is not evidence that the professional is currently licensed to perform the proposed service in your state.

Contractors and restoration companies: check state and local authorities

There is no single national lookup for construction and repair licensing. Depending on the work location and the trade involved, regulation may fall under a state contractor board, a county, a city, or a specialized trade agency. Some jurisdictions do not require a general contractor license for every type of work. Ask the relevant building or licensing office which registration or license is required for the proposed scope.

Verify the business name and license classification, including any limits on permitted work. Roofers, electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and specialty restoration businesses may be subject to different requirements. A general business registration, trade association membership, or voluntary industry certification does not automatically replace a legally required trade license.

Other professionals: use the board for that profession

Engineers, architects, electricians, plumbers, and other regulated specialists may be licensed by their own state licensing boards. When their professional status matters to the work, verify the person and credential through that board. Ask what the certification or license actually authorizes. Credentials from private training organizations can be useful evidence of training, but they are not necessarily government-issued licenses.

Before signing or paying

Obtain a written description of the services, the price or pricing method, who will perform the work, and whether subcontractors will be involved.
Confirm identity and contact information independently. Check references and complaint information where available.
Request evidence of applicable insurance and, when necessary, confirm key coverage directly with the insurer or agent.
Review payment terms, cancellation provisions, authorizations to communicate with your insurer, and any assignment of rights before signing. These terms vary by state and by contract.
Be cautious of high-pressure sales, demands for unusually large advance payments, and requests to sign over an insurance check. Ask questions and obtain independent advice when you do not understand a document.

Where to start: official and recognized lookup resources

These are starting points, not a guarantee that every occupation and jurisdiction appears in one system. If a result is missing or unclear, contact the relevant state or local licensing office directly and document what you checked.

The point is informed choice

Many homeowners can document damage, communicate with their insurer, and manage routine repairs without hiring a public adjuster. Others may prefer professional help. Either way, checking the credentials of the person you hire is a reasonable step that costs little and can prevent costly misunderstandings.