The work you are actually paying for
On a property crime claim, most of the expert's time goes into the inventory rather than into the building. A public adjuster or loss assessor typically reviews your policy for theft conditions, security requirements, unoccupancy rules and single article limits; visits or virtually inspects the property; builds a structured schedule of stolen and damaged items; researches like-for-like replacement prices; and reconstructs proof of ownership from bank statements, photos and online accounts.
They then present the claim to the insurer's adjuster, answer follow-up questions, push back on depreciation or replacement-through-supplier offers, and follow the file through to settlement. For vandalism to buildings, add a repair specification and contractor quotes. When you compare quotes, ask each firm which of these tasks are included in the headline fee.
Indicative fee bands by claim value
There is no official fee scale for these markets. The table below gives an order of magnitude observed on the market for contingency fees, expressed as a percentage of the claim settlement and applied in the local currency (GBP, USD, CAD, AUD or EUR). It is not a legal tariff, and individual firms may sit above or below it.
The scale is degressive: small claims carry a higher percentage because the minimum amount of work does not shrink with the value of the loss. Most domestic burglary claims fall in the first two or three bands.
| Claim settlement | Indicative fee range | Typical theft scenario |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 25,000 | 10 % to 15 % | Single-room burglary, electronics, bikes, minor vandalism |
| 25,001 to 50,000 | 9 % to 12 % | Whole-house burglary with jewellery and watches |
| 50,001 to 100,000 | 8 % to 10 % | High-value contents or burglary plus significant building damage |
| 100,001 to 250,000 | 6 % to 9 % | Collections, art, luxury goods, serious malicious damage |
| 250,001 to 500,000 | 5 % to 7 % | Large homes, specified valuables, commercial premises |
| 500,001 to 1,000,000 | 3.5 % to 6 % | Retail or warehouse theft, major vandalism of buildings |
| 1,000,001 to 5,000,000 | 2 % to 4 % | Commercial stock losses, fine art collections |
| Over 5,000,000 | 1 % to 2.5 %, negotiated | Exceptional losses, usually with specialist teams |
Indicative amounts, to be checked with each expert.
Ways an expert can structure the fee
Contingency percentages dominate domestic theft work, but they are not the only option, and the base on which the percentage is calculated matters as much as the rate itself.
- Percentage of the total settlement: the most common model; the rate applies to everything the insurer pays, including amounts it had already offered.
- Percentage of the increase only: the fee is calculated on the difference between the insurer's initial offer and the final settlement, useful if an offer is already on the table.
- Fixed fee: sometimes offered for a straightforward inventory with good evidence.
- Hourly rates: more common for advisory work, reviewing a declined claim or preparing for a complaint.
- Minimum fee: many firms set a floor so that a modest theft still covers their basic time.
- Taxes and expenses: VAT in the UK and Ireland, GST in Australia, GST or HST in Canada, and in the US depending on state rules; travel, valuers or forensic accountants may be charged on top.
Will the insurance policy pay the expert?
In most English-speaking markets, household policies do not reimburse the fees of a public adjuster or loss assessor you appoint yourself. The insurer pays its own adjuster, and your expert is your cost. Some policies include cover for professional fees, but that usually relates to surveyors or architects needed to reinstate a building, not to someone negotiating the claim for you.
Commercial policies are different: shops, offices and warehouses hit by burglary may have a claims preparation costs extension that contributes towards accountants or assessors, usually within a stated limit and sometimes only for the quantification of loss. Read the extension wording before relying on it, and confirm with your broker whether it applies to an expert you choose.
Small, medium and large thefts: how the bill changes
A small claim, such as a stolen laptop and jewellery worth a few thousand, rarely justifies an expert: the minimum fee may absorb much of any improvement. A medium claim, for example a full house burglary with electronics, watches and designer goods in the tens of thousands, is where most experts work, and the percentage is applied at the higher end of the scale. A large claim, involving fine art, collections or high-value jewellery, attracts a lower rate but a substantial absolute fee, and may require specialist valuers whose costs should be agreed in advance.
A worked example with round figures
Imagine a family whose home was burgled while they were away. Their insurer initially offers 11,000 after applying depreciation and replacing jewellery through its supplier. A loss assessor rebuilds the inventory, proves ownership of two watches that had been missed and secures a settlement of 19,000.
With a fee of 12 % on the total settlement, the expert charges 2,280 plus any applicable tax, leaving a net gain of about 5,700 over the original offer. With a fee of 25 % calculated only on the 8,000 increase, the charge would be 2,000. With a minimum fee of 1,500 and a small improvement, the arithmetic could easily turn against the client. These figures are purely illustrative.
Reading the engagement letter before you sign
The contract you sign with a public adjuster or loss assessor defines your cost far more than any brochure. Take the time to read it at home rather than on the doorstep after the break-in.
- The rate, the base it applies to and whether tax is included.
- Whether amounts already paid or offered by the insurer are excluded from the fee.
- Any minimum fee and any additional charges for valuers, travel or extra meetings.
- What happens if you withdraw, if the claim is declined or if you settle directly with the insurer.
- Any cooling-off or cancellation period; several US states set rules on cancellation rights and fee caps for public adjusters, so check your state's insurance department.
- How and when payment is taken, for example from the settlement cheque or by direct invoice.
Comparing firms and spotting unrealistic promises
The cheapest rate is not automatically the best deal. Ask how many theft claims the firm handles, whether they have experience with high-value contents, who will actually do the work and how they deal with security or unoccupancy objections. Ask for references and confirm any licensing that applies in your jurisdiction.
Be cautious with anyone who guarantees a specific payout, pressures you to sign immediately or suggests inflating the inventory. Exaggerating a claim can void the whole policy and expose you to fraud allegations. A credible expert explains realistic ranges and the risks of the claim, not just the upside.
Organisations offering this service
- Financial Ombudsman Service: Official free dispute resolution service in the United Kingdom, handling complaints from policyholders against insurers, including disputed or rejected insurance claims.
- Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters (CILA): Chartered UK professional body for claims and loss adjusting professionals, responsible for training, qualifications and standards across the claims profession.
- Aspray: UK network of loss assessors handling and negotiating insurance claims on behalf of policyholders, notably after fire, flood and escape-of-water damage.
- NAPIA – National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters: US professional association of public adjusters, founded over 75 years ago, offering a directory to find a member public adjuster near you.
External links provided for information only; check the terms directly with each organisation.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth paying an expert for a small burglary?
Usually not when the loss is a few thousand and the insurer has responded fairly. Minimum fees can absorb most of any improvement. Independent help makes more sense on larger or disputed claims.
Can I negotiate the percentage?
Yes. Rates are contractual. You can ask for a lower rate, a fee on the increase only, or a cap, particularly if the insurer has already made an offer.
Will my insurer refund the assessor's fee?
Household policies rarely do. Some commercial policies include claims preparation costs within a limit, so check the wording with your broker.
Do I pay anything if the claim fails?
Under a pure contingency agreement, usually not, but check for minimum fees, expenses or termination charges in the engagement letter.
A fair fee is one you understand before signing: the rate, the base and every extra. expertdassure.com recommends getting at least two written proposals and comparing them against the realistic improvement on your theft claim.