Loss adjuster vs loss assessor: what's the difference?
They sound alike and it's easy to confuse them, but they're on opposite sides. A loss adjuster works for your insurer. A loss assessor works for you.
What a loss adjuster does (and whose side they're on)
When you make a larger claim, your insurer may send a loss adjuster to inspect the damage and assess what they think the claim is worth. Crucially, the adjuster is appointed and paid by the insurer. They are professional and often perfectly reasonable, but their job is to settle the claim correctly for the insurer — not to maximise your payout.
The adjuster is not your representative
It's an easy and expensive assumption. Be helpful and factual, but don't expect the adjuster to argue your corner.
What a loss assessor does (your side)
A loss assessor is appointed by you. They value the full loss, prepare and present the claim, deal with the insurer and their adjuster, and negotiate the settlement on your behalf. On complex or disputed claims, that expertise often recovers far more than their fee.
The difference at a glance
- Loss adjuster — appointed by the insurer, paid by the insurer, acts for the insurer.
- Loss assessor — appointed by you, works for you, negotiates to maximise your settlement.
Do assessors cost money?
It depends on the assessor and the claim — fee models include a percentage of the settlement, a fixed fee, or other arrangements. Always confirm the basis up front. On a significant claim, the uplift a good assessor secures usually more than covers the fee.
When it's worth appointing one
A loss assessor tends to pay for itself when the claim is large (roughly £10,000 or more), complex, or has been denied or underpaid. See do I need a loss assessor?
Free claim review
We can tell you whether a loss assessor is the right move for your claim — and introduce you to a vetted one if so.