You’ve just made a home insurance claim, and two people show up. One is sent by your insurer. One works for you. But which is which, and why does it matter?
The difference between a loss assessor and a loss adjuster is one of the most important things you can understand as an Irish policyholder. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly what each person does, who they work for, how they’re paid, and when having your own loss assessor makes a real difference to your claim settlement.
Loss Assessor and Loss Adjuster: Who Works for Whom?
This is the single most important distinction. A loss adjuster works for your insurance company. A loss assessor works for you.
When you make a claim, your insurer appoints a loss adjuster to assess the damage and produce a report. That report informs how much the insurer offers to settle your claim. The loss adjuster is a professional doing a legitimate job, but their client is the insurer, not you.
A public loss assessor is hired by you, the policyholder, to represent your interests. They assess the damage independently, review your policy, identify any aspects of your claim that may have been undervalued, and negotiate with the loss adjuster on your behalf.
What Does a Loss Adjuster Do?
A loss adjuster is appointed by your insurer after you report a claim. They visit your property, assess the visible and structural damage, review the circumstances of the loss, and check your claim against your policy terms.
Their report to the insurer typically includes a recommended settlement figure. This figure reflects their assessment of the damage, minus any applicable excess, depreciation, or policy exclusions. The insurer then makes you an offer based on that recommendation.
Loss adjusters are regulated professionals. In Ireland, they operate under the supervision of the Central Bank of Ireland. They are not trying to cheat you, but their professional mandate is to assess claims accurately on behalf of the insurer, which is not the same as maximising your settlement.
What Does a Public Loss Assessor Do?
A public loss assessor does the same type of technical assessment work as a loss adjuster, but for the other side of the table. They work exclusively for policyholders, never for insurers.
Their job starts with a thorough inspection of the damage, often going further than the loss adjuster’s initial assessment. Water damage in particular causes hidden structural issues that aren’t always picked up in a standard inspection. A building surveyor with loss assessor experience knows where to look and how to document what they find.
They also interpret your policy wording. Most homeowners find insurance policy documents genuinely difficult to read. A public loss assessor understands how clauses interact, what’s covered under which section, and whether the insurer’s interpretation of your policy is the only valid one.
The Key Differences at a Glance
| Loss Adjuster | Public Loss Assessor | |
|---|---|---|
| Who appoints them | Your insurer | You, the policyholder |
| Who they represent | The insurance company | You |
| Who pays them | The insurer | You (typically % of settlement) |
| Their goal | Accurate assessment for insurer | Best possible outcome for you |
| Regulated in Ireland | Yes, CBI | Yes, CBI |
| Building survey expertise | Often yes | Often yes |
| Policy interpretation | Yes | Yes |
| Negotiation role | Reports to insurer | Negotiates on your behalf |
Both roles require professional qualifications. Both are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. The difference is purely about who they represent.
How Are Loss Assessors Paid in Ireland?
Most public loss assessors in Ireland charge a percentage of the final settlement. The typical range is 8% to 12% of the settlement value.
On a €25,000 water damage claim, a 10% fee works out at €2,500. If the loss assessor’s involvement increases your settlement from €18,000 to €25,000, the fee more than pays for itself. The logic is that you pay nothing unless the claim settles, and the assessor’s incentive is to maximise your outcome.
Always ask about the fee structure upfront. A reputable firm will be transparent about how they charge, whether there’s a minimum fee, and what happens if the claim is withdrawn or disputed. Insurance Claim Solutions are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland (Registration No. C423441), which means their fee arrangements and conduct are subject to CBI oversight.
When Should You Hire a Public Loss Assessor?
Not every claim needs a public loss assessor. A small, straightforward burglary claim with clear evidence and a modest value may be perfectly manageable directly with your insurer. But there are situations where professional representation makes a substantial difference.
Large or complex claims are the clearest case. Fire damage, flood damage, oil leaks, subsidence, and business interruption claims all involve layers of technical and policy complexity that most homeowners are not equipped to handle alone.
Disputed or undervalued claims are another strong case. If you’ve received a settlement offer and something feels off, or if the loss adjuster’s assessment doesn’t seem to account for all the damage, a public loss assessor can review the situation independently and advise you.
Claims involving hidden damage are also worth flagging. Water ingress, for example, frequently causes damage that isn’t visible on initial inspection. Flooring, wall cavities, timber framing, and insulation can all be affected weeks after the initial incident. An experienced building surveyor knows how to identify and document this.
A Real Example: How the Process Works
Here’s how a typical claim plays out when a policyholder engages a public loss assessor.
A homeowner in Dublin discovers a burst pipe has caused significant water damage to their ground floor. They contact their insurer to report the claim. The insurer appoints a loss adjuster who visits the property and assesses the visible damage. They recommend a settlement of €14,000.
The homeowner is unsure whether this covers everything. They contact Insurance Claim Solutions. Trevor Kelly or John Holland visits the property, carries out a thorough assessment, and identifies additional damage to the floor structure and a section of wall that wasn’t captured in the loss adjuster’s report.
ICS presents their findings to the loss adjuster, backs them up with documentation and cost evidence, and negotiates on the homeowner’s behalf. The final settlement comes in higher than the original offer. The homeowner pays ICS their agreed percentage and still receives more than the initial figure.
This isn’t a guaranteed outcome. Every claim is different, and results depend on the specific facts. But it illustrates how professional representation can change the dynamic of a claim.
Do You Need a Loss Assessor for Every Claim?
The short answer is no, but the longer answer depends on the value and complexity of your claim.
For claims under €5,000 with clear-cut circumstances, the cost of a loss assessor may outweigh the benefit. Handle those directly and keep detailed records.
For claims between €5,000 and €15,000, it’s worth at least getting a consultation before you accept any offer. Some loss assessors offer a free initial review. Use it.
For claims over €15,000, or any claim involving fire, flood, subsidence, oil contamination, or business interruption, professional representation is almost always worthwhile. These claim types involve too many variables for most policyholders to navigate confidently alone.
Insurance Claim Solutions handles over 500 new cases every year across claim types, including fire, water, flood, burglary, oil leaks, impact damage, and business interruption. Their team includes qualified building surveyors and experienced negotiators who know the Irish claims landscape inside out.
Can a Loss Adjuster and Loss Assessor Work Together?
Yes, and in most cases this is exactly what happens. When a public loss assessor is involved in a claim, they engage directly with the loss adjuster throughout the process.
The two parties exchange assessments, discuss disputed elements, and negotiate a settlement figure that both sides can agree on. It’s a professional process, not a confrontational one. The goal on both sides is to reach an agreed and documented settlement.
What changes when a loss assessor is involved is the balance of knowledge and representation at the table. You move from being an individual policyholder trying to understand a complex process to having a qualified professional who does this every day representing your position.
How to Check if a Loss Assessor Is Legitimate in Ireland
Public loss assessors in Ireland must be regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. This is not optional. Anyone acting as a public loss assessor without CBI authorisation is operating illegally.
You can check the CBI register at centralbank.ie to confirm a loss assessor’s registration status. Look for their registration number and confirm it matches what they provide.
Also look for professional memberships. Insurance Claim Solutions holds memberships with SCSI (Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland), RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), the Insurance Institute of Ireland, and BDMA. These memberships indicate a firm operating at a professional level with accountability to their respective bodies.
Ask about qualifications directly. Trevor Kelly holds a BSc (Hons) in Building Surveying. John Holland is a qualified building surveyor. That technical foundation is what allows them to identify damage that a non-specialist might miss.