10/07/2025
Credit: Merlin Law Group
Why Is It Acceptable for Insurers to Pay Their Experts But Controversial When Policyholders Pay Theirs?
After every fire disaster, business owners and families face not just property damage but questions of health and safety. One of those is whether it’s acceptable to live or work in structures contaminated by smoke, lead, and heavy metals.
Recently, I saw comments in LinkedIn suggesting that when public adjusters advocate for safer conditions following the Los Angeles fires, “it’s only about money.” What struck me as ironic is that these same critics make their living serving insurance companies. These critics are paid to find ways or provide services to prevent or limit what policyholders recover.
The truth is simple that every professional in the claim process whether they are contractors, insurers, lawyers, adjusters, gets paid for their work. Payment is not the problem.
The real issue is whose interests are being served. Public adjusters are paid to advocate for policyholders, ensuring survivors are not left in unsafe structures. That’s not exploitation. Instead, it’s advocacy which is required by their state issued license.
At its core, this isn’t a debate about commissions or costs. It’s about dignity, fairness, and health. Disaster survivors deserve professionals willing to stand with them, even when it’s difficult.
Criticizing public adjusters for being paid to help disaster survivors is like criticizing doctors or nurses for helping patients in the emergency room because they receive a paycheck. Payment doesn’t diminish the value of their service. Payment sustains it. And for families or business owners facing unsafe homes to live or work in, that service can make the difference between despair and recovery.
Maybe we should be asking a different question. Why is it acceptable for those who reduce the full and fast payment of claims to be compensated or provided incentives to do so, but controversial for those who fight for full and fair insurance recovery?
Ref: Chip Merlin Esq.
LinkedIn.com