Skip to content
Patrick Ginnelly & Co. Property Claims Assessors Patrick Ginnelly & Co. Property Claims Assessors

Loss Assessor or loss adjuster: who acts for you?

After damage to your property, you may hear two job titles. They sound alike. They are not the same.

The short answer

A loss adjuster works for your insurer. Your insurer appoints them. They look at the damage and report to the insurer.

A Loss Assessor works for you. You appoint them. They prepare your claim and deal with your insurer on your behalf.

Loss adjuster

If your insurer appoints a loss adjuster, the insurer must give you their contact details. It must also tell you that the adjuster acts for the insurer (Regulation 357 of the Central Bank Consumer Protection Code 2025). The adjuster is not there to act for you.

Loss Assessor

A Loss Assessor reviews your policy, reports your claim and puts together the costs of the repairs. They meet the loss adjuster for you and handle the talks with your insurer. We explain the steps on our services page.

Within 5 working days of getting notice of a property claim, your insurer must tell you that you may appoint a Loss Assessor. The insurer must also say that you would pay for the assessor yourself (Regulation 358). Assessor fees are not covered by your policy. See how the fee works.

“Public loss adjuster”

Some people search for a “public loss adjuster”. This is a mix-up of the two roles. The role that acts for the policyholder is a Loss Assessor.

I already have a loss adjuster. Do I still need an assessor?

Your loss adjuster still works for your insurer. You can choose to appoint a Loss Assessor to act for you as well. It is your decision. You do not have to.

Why it matters

Our guide for property owners explains more. If your insurer has refused a claim or made an offer that seems low, see claim refused or offer too low.

If you want to talk it over, contact us. It costs nothing to ask.

Sources

All sources read 2 October 2026.