Published by Under Paid Claim LLC. Meet our public adjusters and check their licenses.
Reviewed by Cord Largo · Texas license #1862708 ·
Choose help based on the problem
Property damage documentation, estimating, repairs and legal disputes involve different responsibilities. A property owner does not automatically need litigation to have damage documented. At the same time, a public adjuster is not a substitute for an attorney when legal advice or representation is needed.
The public insurance adjuster
When retained, a public adjuster represents the policyholder in the adjusting process. Under Paid Claim’s work includes inspection, photographs and measurements, estimating, claim preparation and insurer communication. Texas requires public insurance adjuster licensing. Our firm lists license #1986412 and Cord Largo lists license #1862708. Check current information using TDI’s license lookup guidance.
The insurance company’s adjuster
The insurer’s adjuster evaluates and handles the claim for the insurance company. A public adjuster retained by the policyholder has a different client and role. The useful question is what the inspection, policy information and supporting records show about the property claim.
Who is negotiating your insurance claim? Make sure they’re authorized.
Start by asking whom the person represents and what work they are authorized to perform. An insurer’s adjuster handles the claim for the insurance company. A public adjuster retained by you represents you in the adjusting process. A contractor proposes or performs repair work. An attorney provides legal advice and representation.
Texas generally requires a public-adjuster license for compensated claim-negotiation services on behalf of an insured, subject to statutory exemptions, including attorneys acting within their professional duties. Property owners may handle their own claims; hiring a public adjuster is a choice, not a requirement.
A contractor cannot act as a public adjuster on property where that contractor provides or may provide contracting services, regardless of public-adjuster licensure or a power of attorney. Public adjusters also may not participate directly or indirectly in repairing property on claims they adjust.
Before retaining someone, verify the applicable license and discuss the written scope of representation. Under Paid Claim LLC does not perform repair work or provide legal representation.
Check public-adjuster license information through TDI
Texas rules on contractors and claim representation
The current Texas Insurance Code sets out the contractor restriction, public-adjuster conflict rules and licensing exemptions. The TDI guidance below explains the distinction between preparing repair estimates and representing a policyholder in settlement negotiations.
Read the Texas law and TDI guidance
- Texas Insurance Code §4102.163 — contractor restrictions
- Texas Insurance Code §§4102.001–4102.002 — definitions and exemptions
- Texas Insurance Code §4102.158 — public-adjuster conflicts of interest
- TDI — Roofing and insurance: Know the law
- TDI Bulletin B-0008-24 — July 8, 2024 — Hurricane Beryl: adjusters and repairs
- TDI Bulletin B-0051-08 — August 8, 2008 — Public Insurance Adjusters
- TDI Bulletin B-0017-12 — June 26, 2012 — Adjusting claims by unlicensed individuals and entities
- TDI Bulletin B-0014-14 — May 23, 2014 — House Bill 1183
The 2008, 2012 and 2014 bulletins provide dated background. The 2014 bulletin discusses the roofing-contractor wording in effect at that time; §4102.163 was amended in 2019 to refer to contractors more broadly. The 2024 bulletin was issued in response to Hurricane Beryl and reiterates the permissible role of estimates and technical discussions. Read the current statute alongside the historical bulletins.
These are official Texas sources. They do not endorse Under Paid Claim LLC, guarantee a claim outcome or replace legal advice about your circumstances.
The contractor
A contractor proposes or carries out repairs. Repair proposals can be useful supporting documents. Public adjusting and contracting are different responsibilities, and Under Paid Claim does not undertake the repair work. TDI explains restrictions on a public adjuster acting as the contractor on the same claim.
The attorney
An attorney provides legal advice and representation, including legal questions about coverage, rights, deadlines and litigation. Public adjusters cannot practice law. We do not suggest delaying legal help for an approaching deadline or assuming that adjusting will resolve a legal issue. If legal representation is involved, the attorney’s work is separate from our adjusting work.
Hypothetical examples of different needs
If a room measurement appears different between two estimates, inspection records and estimating may help clarify the quantity. If the dispute turns on a legal interpretation of a policy exclusion, legal advice may be needed. These fictional examples illustrate roles, not a diagnosis of any visitor’s claim.
Start with an explanation of your concern
Tell us which property areas concern you, what the insurer said and what records exist. We can discuss whether public adjusting fits without assuming that every claim needs more work. For official role guidance, read TDI’s explanation of public insurance adjusters.
Start with a free claim review
Our initial property inspection and claim review are free. If the records and inspection support the insurer’s payment, we will explain that finding at no cost to you. We do not assume every claim is underpaid.
Our fee is 10% of new money received, with no fee on payments received before you hire us and no additional expenses. If no new money is received, no fee is due. Representation begins through a written agreement.