Louisiana's Public Adjuster Fee Structure: What You'll Actually Pay

April 16, 2026 · Louisiana Law

If you’re researching public adjusters in Louisiana, you’ll notice something different about how we charge compared to PAs in other states. Louisiana is the only state in the country that prohibits public adjusters from charging contingency-based fees.

Here’s what that means and why it matters to you.

The National Standard vs. Louisiana

In the other 49 states, public adjusters typically charge a contingency fee — a percentage of the insurance claim settlement. Common rates are 10-15% of the payout. On a $50,000 claim, that’s $5,000-$7,500.

Louisiana law (La. R.S. 22:1703) prohibits this model. Any PA contract based on a percentage of the claim payout is null and void under Louisiana law.

Instead, Louisiana PAs charge flat fees or hourly rates.

How Louisiana PA Fees Typically Work

Flat fee — A fixed amount agreed upon upfront for the entire engagement. You know exactly what you’ll pay regardless of how the claim turns out.

Hourly rate — Charged by the hour for work performed. Typical rates in Louisiana range from $250-$350/hour depending on the firm and the complexity of the claim.

Some firms use a hybrid — a flat fee for standard services with hourly rates for additional work beyond the initial scope.

Why This Is Actually Better for You

The contingency model creates a conflict of interest that most people don’t think about:

Incentive to inflate. When a PA earns a percentage, there’s a financial incentive to push the claim number as high as possible — even beyond what’s defensible. This can backfire when carriers push back hard on inflated claims.

Incentive to delay. Percentage-based PAs earn more on larger settlements, which sometimes means letting a claim drag on instead of settling efficiently at a fair number.

Louisiana’s flat/hourly model eliminates both problems. We earn the same whether your claim settles at $20,000 or $200,000. Our incentive is to get it resolved — quickly, fairly, and correctly.

What to Ask a Louisiana PA About Fees

When you’re choosing a public adjuster, ask these questions:

What’s your fee structure? Flat fee, hourly, or hybrid?
What does the fee cover? Inspection, estimate, negotiation, supplements, appraisal?
Are there additional costs for supplements or appraisal?
When is the fee due? Upfront, upon settlement, or staged?
What if my claim is denied and stays denied? Do you still owe?

A reputable PA will answer all of these clearly during a free consultation. If they won’t, keep looking.

The Bottom Line

Don’t let fee concerns stop you from getting help with your claim. On underpaid and denied claims, the additional recovery almost always exceeds the PA’s fee — often by a significant margin.