Storm damage to a Texas home requiring a licensed public adjuster
Webster, TX - Serving All of Texas

Texas Public Adjuster - Licensed in Houston & the Gulf Coast

Updated:

Dependable Claims Specialists (DCS PIA) is a Texas-licensed public adjusting firm (TX Firm License #3134924) headquartered in Webster, TX. We represent policyholders, not insurance carriers, on hurricane, hail, fire, water, and denied property insurance claims across Greater Houston and eight Gulf Coast counties. Texas Insurance Code Chapter 4102 caps our contingency fee at 10%. No recovery, no fee. Call 833-4UR-LOSS.

Based in Webster, TX - Harris County, near the Galveston County border in the NASA / Clear Lake area. We serve homeowners and businesses throughout the Texas Gulf Coast and beyond.

Why Texas Homeowners Need a Public Adjuster

Texas is one of the most disaster-prone states in the country. Every year, millions of Texans deal with property damage from hurricanes, tropical storms, hailstorms, tornadoes, flash flooding, and freeze events. The Texas Gulf Coast, stretching from Galveston Island through Harris County and into Chambers and Brazoria counties, sits directly in the path of Atlantic hurricanes and tropical weather systems. Inland communities in Montgomery, Fort Bend, Waller, Liberty, and Polk counties face tornadoes, large hail, straight-line winds, and severe flash flooding that can devastate homes and businesses in minutes.

Hurricane Harvey in 2017 dumped over 60 inches of rain on parts of Southeast Texas and 30 to 50 inches across the Houston metro, causing an estimated $125 billion in damage and flooding more than 200,000 homes, per NOAA National Hurricane Center reporting on the storm. The Winter Storm Uri freeze event in February 2021 generated roughly half a million Texas insurance claims according to the Insurance Council of Texas, a large share of them burst-pipe losses, and many policyholders found their claims underpaid or denied. Hail season from March through June regularly produces golf-ball-sized hailstones across the Greater Houston area, damaging roofs, siding, gutters, HVAC systems, fences, and vehicles by the tens of thousands.

When you file a property damage claim in Texas, the insurance company assigns their own adjuster to inspect and value the damage. That adjuster is employed or retained by the insurance company and works under its claim-handling guidelines, not for you. A public adjuster is a licensed insurance professional who works exclusively for the policyholder. We inspect your property, document every item of damage, review your insurance policy line by line, prepare a detailed estimate using Xactimate (the same software the insurance companies use), and negotiate directly with your carrier to pursue the settlement your policy provides.

Florida’s Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability studied this question in 2010 (OPPAGA Report 10-06) and found that Citizens Property Insurance claims handled with a public adjuster settled for more on average than claims handled without one. That study covered one Florida insurer rather than the Texas market, so read it as context and not as a prediction about any individual claim. The underlying reason is straightforward: insurance policies are complex contracts, and most homeowners do not know what their policy covers or how to document damage completely. Carriers work with that knowledge gap every day. A public adjuster closes it.

Texas Weather Patterns and Property Damage

Texas weather is relentless and unpredictable. The state spans multiple climate zones, and the Gulf Coast region where DCS is headquartered experiences the full spectrum of severe weather events throughout the year.

Hurricane Season (June 1 to November 30): The Texas Gulf Coast is a primary target for Atlantic hurricanes and tropical storms. Galveston, Chambers, and Brazoria counties face direct landfall risk, while Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties are hammered by catastrophic rainfall and wind even from storms that make landfall hundreds of miles away. Hurricane-force winds strip roofs, topple trees, shatter windows, and drive rain into structures. Storm surge along the coast can destroy everything in its path. Even tropical storms that never reach hurricane strength routinely dump 10 to 20 inches of rain on the region, flooding thousands of homes.

Hail Season (March to June): Severe thunderstorms roll through the Greater Houston area regularly during spring, producing damaging hail that ranges from marble to softball size. A single hailstorm can damage tens of thousands of roofs in a matter of minutes. Insurance carriers receive such a high volume of hail claims in Texas that they often rush adjustments, undervalue damage, or use preferred vendors whose estimates fall short of the documented scope. Homeowners who accept the first offer frequently leave thousands of dollars on the table. Recent example: the March 2026 Leakey supercell dropped 4-inch hail across the Texas Hill Country - full claim guidance and all current events are indexed at our Storm Events hub.

Tornadoes and Straight-Line Winds: The Houston metro is not in Tornado Alley, but it is no stranger to tornadoes. EF-0 through EF-2 tornadoes strike Harris, Montgomery, Liberty, and Waller counties multiple times per year, often embedded in larger supercell thunderstorms. Straight-line winds from derechos and severe thunderstorms can exceed 80 mph, causing widespread roof damage, fence destruction, and tree falls that damage structures.

Freeze Events: Winter Storm Uri in 2021 proved that even Texas is not immune to catastrophic freeze damage. Burst pipes, cracked foundations, damaged HVAC systems, and collapsed ceilings from water damage affected homes in every county we serve. The resulting insurance claims were among the most contentious in Texas history, with carriers denying claims for “wear and tear,” insufficient “maintenance,” or alleging pre-existing conditions.

Flash Flooding: Harris County is often called the flash-flood capital of the United States. The region’s flat topography, clay soils, and extensive impervious surfaces mean that heavy rain has nowhere to go. Flash flooding damages homes that are nowhere near a floodplain and catches homeowners off guard who may not carry flood insurance. Even for those who do, NFIP flood claims require careful documentation to receive fair settlements.

Texas Weather Risk Summary

Hurricane & Tropical Storm

Jun to Nov

Hail & Severe Thunderstorm

Mar to Jun

Tornado & Straight-Line Wind

Mar to Jun

Flash Flooding

Year-round

Freeze & Pipe Burst

Dec to Feb

Fire & Lightning

Year-round

9 counties served across the Texas Gulf Coast

Your Rights as a Texas Policyholder

Understanding Texas insurance regulations helps you protect your claim. Here is what every Texas policyholder should know.

PA Fee Capped at 10%

Texas law limits public adjuster fees to 10% of the insurance settlement. This protects homeowners and ensures the vast majority of your claim payout goes directly to repairing your property.

Licensed Representation Is an Option

Texas Insurance Code Chapter 4102 licenses public adjusters to represent policyholders in insurance claims. Hiring one is optional and entirely your choice - the licensed representation exists so you do not have to face the carrier’s adjuster alone.

TDI Regulation & Licensing

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) licenses and regulates all public adjusters in the state. Dependable Claims Specialists - Public Insurance Adjusters holds an active Texas public adjuster license and operates in full compliance with TDI requirements.

Policy Deadlines

Your policy sets deadlines for notice, proof of loss, and other duties after a loss, and most Texas property forms also contain a contractual limitation period for bringing suit, commonly two years from the date of loss. We calendar every policy deadline on the claims we handle; how any limitation period applies to a specific claim is a question for a licensed attorney.

Additional Texas Policyholder Protections

Texas law sets deadlines for insurers to acknowledge, investigate, and pay claims. We document every date, communication, and carrier response on the claims we handle so the written record is complete; whether a carrier has met a legal deadline is a question for a licensed attorney.

Texas Insurance Code Chapter 4102 governs public adjusters, including the 10% fee cap, written contract requirement, and TDI licensing standards. DCS operates in full compliance.

Appraisal clause disputes are common in Texas. When you and the carrier disagree on the amount of loss, either party can invoke the appraisal process outlined in the policy. We help policyholders invoke appraisal and engage a qualified, disinterested appraiser.

The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) provides wind and hail coverage for 14 coastal counties and parts of Harris County where private carriers do not write wind coverage.

Cosmetic hail damage exclusions are written into many Texas policies. Many homeowners do not realize their policy contains this exclusion until they file a claim. We review policies before filing whenever possible.

Questions about the legal application of any Texas statute to your specific claim should be discussed with a licensed Texas attorney. Public adjusters do not practice law.

Texas Cities We Serve

From Houston to Galveston, The Woodlands to Sugar Land, we represent policyholders in 103 Texas communities and counting.

Houston

Harris County

Pasadena

Harris County

Cypress

Harris County

Baytown

Harris County

Kingwood

Harris County

Atascocita

Harris County

Spring

Harris County

Friendswood

Harris County

Katy

Harris County

Humble

Harris County

Tomball

Harris County

Bellaire

Harris County

South Houston

Harris County

Galena Park

Harris County

Jacinto City

Harris County

Channelview

Harris County

Crosby

Harris County

Highlands

Harris County

Jersey Village

Harris County

Stafford

Harris County

Mission Bend

Harris County

Sheldon

Harris County

Huffman

Harris County

Southside Place

Harris County

The Woodlands

Montgomery County

Conroe

Montgomery County

Willis

Montgomery County

Magnolia

Montgomery County

Montgomery

Montgomery County

Splendora

Montgomery County

Shenandoah

Montgomery County

Oak Ridge North

Montgomery County

Pearland

Brazoria County

Alvin

Brazoria County

Lake Jackson

Brazoria County

Angleton

Brazoria County

Freeport

Brazoria County

Clute

Brazoria County

Manvel

Brazoria County

West Columbia

Brazoria County

Sweeny

Brazoria County

Brazoria

Brazoria County

Richwood

Brazoria County

Clear Lake

Harris County

La Porte

Harris County

Deer Park

Harris County

Seabrook

Harris County

Webster

Harris County

League City

Galveston County

Galveston

Galveston County

Texas City

Galveston County

Dickinson

Galveston County

Santa Fe

Galveston County

Kemah

Galveston County

La Marque

Galveston County

Hitchcock

Galveston County

Clear Lake Shores

Galveston County

Bayou Vista

Galveston County

Bolivar Peninsula

Galveston County

Sugar Land

Fort Bend County

Missouri City

Fort Bend County

Richmond

Fort Bend County

Shadow Creek Ranch

Fort Bend County

Mont Belvieu

Chambers County

Anahuac

Chambers County

Beach City

Chambers County

Liberty

Liberty County

Dayton

Liberty County

Hempstead

Waller County

Livingston

Polk County

Dallas

Dallas County

Garland

Dallas County

Irving

Dallas County

Grand Prairie

Dallas County

Mesquite

Dallas County

DeSoto

Dallas County

Cedar Hill

Dallas County

Lancaster

Dallas County

Carrollton

Dallas County

Coppell

Dallas County

Fort Worth

Tarrant County

Arlington

Tarrant County

Mansfield

Tarrant County

Burleson

Tarrant County

Keller

Tarrant County

Southlake

Tarrant County

Roanoke

Tarrant County

Trophy Club

Tarrant County

Plano

Collin County

McKinney

Collin County

Frisco

Collin County

Allen

Collin County

Richardson

Collin County

Denton

Denton County

Lewisville

Denton County

Flower Mound

Denton County

Cleburne

Johnson County

Austin

Travis County

Round Rock

Williamson County

Cedar Park

Williamson County

San Antonio

Bexar County

New Braunfels

Comal County

Corpus Christi

Nueces County

Property Damage Claims We Handle in Texas

We represent Texas policyholders for every type of residential and commercial property damage claim. Click a claim type to learn more.

How We Handle Your Texas Property Claim

Our process is built to document the full scope of the loss and keep you informed every step of the way. There is never an upfront cost.

1

Free Inspection

We inspect your property, photograph and document all damage, and review your insurance policy to determine the full scope of coverage.

2

Xactimate Estimate

We prepare a detailed, line-item estimate using Xactimate, the same software your insurance company uses, so there is no dispute over methodology.

3

File & Negotiate

We file the claim (or supplement an existing one), meet with the carrier adjuster on-site, and negotiate aggressively on your behalf.

4

Settlement or Escalation

We pursue the full settlement your policy provides. If the carrier will not pay, we escalate through appraisal or refer to legal counsel.

About Dependable Claims Specialists

Dependable Claims Specialists (DCS) is a licensed public adjusting firm headquartered in Webster, Texas, in the heart of the NASA / Clear Lake area of Harris County. Our office sits near the Galveston County border, giving us rapid access to the most hurricane-and-storm-vulnerable communities along the Texas Gulf Coast.

DCS was founded by a former insurance carrier field adjuster and team lead who spent seven years (2010 to 2017) on the carrier side before switching to represent policyholders. That experience gives DCS an insider understanding of how carriers evaluate claims, what documentation they need, how they calculate settlements, and where they look for reasons to underpay or deny. We apply that knowledge to document the full scope of loss and pursue every dollar your policy provides.

Since 2017, DCS has represented homeowners and business owners across the Greater Houston metro through some of the most destructive weather events in Texas history, including Hurricane Harvey, Tropical Storm Imelda, Winter Storm Uri, and countless hail and wind events. We handle claims of all sizes, from a single-room water leak to a total-loss commercial property. Our fee is contingency-based: if we do not recover money for you, you owe us nothing.

1,000+ claims handled since 2017

Licensed in Texas. TDI regulated.

No recovery, no fee. Ever.

How to Hire a Texas Public Adjuster

Five steps, about fifteen minutes, and no upfront cost. Verify the license first - it is the one step most policyholders skip.

  1. 1

    Verify the firm on the TDI license lookup

    Search the Texas Department of Insurance agent and adjuster lookup for both the firm and the individual adjuster license. DCS PIA holds TX Firm License #3134924. Founder Joshua Osteen holds TX Adjuster License #2237777.

  2. 2

    Confirm coverage in your county

    DCS PIA serves Harris, Galveston, Montgomery, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Chambers, Liberty, Waller, and Polk counties from the Webster, TX office at 326 Linda Lane, Webster, TX 77598.

  3. 3

    Get the fee in writing (max 10%)

    Texas Insurance Code §4102.104 caps a public adjuster’s total commission at 10% of the insurance settlement on the claim. The contract must be in writing on a TDI-approved form and disclose the fee. There should be no upfront cost, hourly billing, or fee for the initial claim review.

  4. 4

    Request a free claim review

    Call 833-4UR-LOSS (833-487-5677) or schedule online. Have the policy declarations page and any prior carrier correspondence ready.

  5. 5

    Engage and let the firm document the loss

    DCS PIA inspects the property, documents damage with photos and moisture mapping where applicable, builds a defensible Xactimate estimate, and negotiates the claim with your carrier through settlement.

Texas Public Adjuster FAQs

What is a Texas public adjuster and what do they do?
A Texas public adjuster is a state-licensed insurance professional who represents policyholders - not insurance carriers - in property insurance claims. Public adjusters are licensed by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) under Texas Insurance Code Chapter 4102, and the role includes reviewing the policy, inspecting the damage, preparing a defensible Xactimate estimate, presenting the claim to the carrier, and negotiating the settlement on the policyholder’s behalf. DCS PIA (Dependable Claims Specialists - Public Insurance Adjusters) is a Texas-licensed public adjusting firm (TX Firm #3134924) serving the Greater Houston area and the rest of Texas.
How much does a Texas public adjuster cost?
Texas public adjuster fees are capped at 10% of the insurance settlement on the claim under Texas Insurance Code §4102.104. Public adjusters work on a contingency fee basis - a percentage of the recovery, paid only when funds are recovered. There are no upfront costs, hourly fees, or charges if the public adjuster does not recover money. The contract must be in writing on a TDI-approved form and disclose the fee. Hiring a public adjuster is optional.
Are private adjusters and personal adjusters the same as Texas public adjusters?
Yes. "Private adjuster" and "personal adjuster" are common informal names for the same state-licensed Texas Public Insurance Adjuster role. There is no separate "private adjuster license" or "personal adjuster license" in Texas. The single Texas license is issued by TDI under Insurance Code Chapter 4102, which requires that license to act as a public insurance adjuster in this state. If someone offering "private adjuster" services cannot produce a public insurance adjuster license issued by the Texas Department of Insurance, check the TDI license lookup before signing anything.

Six Roles. Different Sides. Different Fee Structures.

Most policyholders never learn that there are six distinct roles in property insurance claim handling, and they do not all work for the same side. Knowing which is which is the foundation of understanding what your options are when a loss happens.

Carrier-side: 1, 2Policyholder-side: 3, 4Neutral (appraisal panel): 5, 6
01

Staff Adjuster

An employee of the insurance carrier. Salaried by the carrier. Investigates and values claims under the carrier internal guidelines. Cannot represent policyholders.

Works for: Insurance company

Fee: Salary (carrier employee)

02

Independent Adjuster (IA)

A contractor hired by the insurance carrier, often during catastrophe deployments. Paid per file by the carrier. Works under the carrier guidelines. Cannot represent policyholders on the same loss.

Works for: Insurance company

Fee: Per-file (paid by carrier)

03

Public Adjuster (PA)

A state-licensed adjuster hired by the policyholder. Inspects damage, documents the loss, prepares the claim, and negotiates with the carrier on the policyholder behalf.

Works for: You (the policyholder)

Fee: Contingency, capped by statute (10% in TX under Ch. 4102; up to 20% in FL under §626.854, 10% during a declared emergency for the first year)

04

Loss Consultant

Advisory engagement. Provides policy review, coverage analysis, settlement-offer review, expert testimony, or attorney-litigation support without taking on the formal PA representation. Does not negotiate the claim with the carrier as agent of the policyholder.

Works for: You or your attorney

Fee: Flat fee or time-and-expense (not contingency)

05

Party-Appointed Appraiser

Named under the appraisal clause by one party. Required to be "competent and disinterested" or "competent and impartial" under the policy. Inspects, scopes, prices, and reaches a defensible loss-amount opinion. Not an advocate. Does not address coverage.

Works for: Neutral fact-finder

Fee: Flat-minimum-plus-time-and-expense. Never contingency. PA fee caps do NOT apply.

06

Umpire

Neutral tiebreaker selected jointly by the two party-appointed appraisers (or appointed by a court if they cannot agree). Reviews both estimates and the supporting record, may inspect, and issues a written award. Any 2 of 3 must agree for the award to bind.

Works for: Neutral third party

Fee: Flat-minimum-plus-time-and-expense, split 50/50 by the parties on standard policies. Never contingency.

Key distinctions that matter most

  • Public adjusting and appraiser engagements are different roles with different fee rules. The PA fee caps under TX Ins. Code Ch. 4102 and FL Stat. §626.854 govern public adjusting work. They do not apply to appraiser or umpire engagements, which are time-and-expense based.
  • Public adjusters are not attorneys. PAs read and apply policy language in the ordinary course of adjusting (coverage parts, exclusions, endorsements, scope). They do not provide legal advice, draft demand letters in the legal sense, file Texas Ch. 542A pre-suit notices, or pursue litigation. Those are attorney work.
  • Appraisers and umpires do not decide coverage. The appraisal process is strictly limited to the dollar amount of the loss. Coverage questions belong to the carrier, the courts, or a licensed attorney.

The Rules DCS Works Under

Public adjusters are licensed and regulated in both states we serve. These are the rules that govern how we may contract with you and what we may charge - the framework we are held to. We read and apply your policy in the ordinary course of adjusting; legal questions belong to a licensed attorney in your state.

Texas (Home Base)

DCS Firm License #3134924

  • TX Ins. Code Ch. 4102. The public adjuster statute. Caps the public adjusting commission on any claim at 10% of the insurance settlement on that claim (§4102.104).
  • Written contract, on an approved form. The agreement must be in writing on a TDI-approved form (§4102.103; TDI form FIN535).
  • Your 72-hour right to cancel. You may rescind the contract by written notice within 72 hours of signing (§4102.103).
  • No percentage fee in one case. A percentage commission is not allowed if the insurer pays, or commits in writing to pay, policy limits within 72 hours of the loss report (§4102.104).
  • We do not practise law. A public adjuster handles the claim; legal advice and legal remedies are attorney work (§4102.156).
  • License authority: Texas Department of Insurance (TDI).

Florida

DCS Firm License #W820363

  • Fla. Stat. §626.854. The public adjuster statute. Caps public adjuster compensation at 20% of the claim payment, reduced to 10% for claims arising from a declared state of emergency and made within one year after the declaration.
  • Your right to cancel. You may cancel the contract without penalty within 10 days after signing - and for a claim arising from a Governor-declared state of emergency, 30 days after the date of loss or 10 days after signing, whichever is longer (§626.854(7)).
  • Working for the policyholder. A public adjuster represents the insured, not the insurance company.
  • License authority: Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS).

Important. This is general educational information about how public adjusters are licensed and paid, not legal advice. Dependable Claims Specialists - Public Insurance Adjusters read and apply policy language in the ordinary course of adjusting (coverage parts, exclusions, endorsements, scope). We do not provide legal advice, and we do not pursue legal remedies. For any legal question, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

Educational Information - Not Legal Advice

The information on this page is for general educational purposes only. Dependable Claims Specialists is a licensed public adjusting firm - not a law firm. Public adjusters help policyholders inspect, document, evaluate, and negotiate property insurance claims, which includes reading and applying your policy in the ordinary course of adjusting (coverage parts, exclusions, endorsements, scope). We do not practice law and we do not provide legal advice. For legal opinions, demand letters, Chapter 542A pre-suit notices, statutory remedies under the Insurance Code, or litigation, consult a licensed attorney in your state. Texas public adjusters operate under TX Ins. Code Chapter 4102; Florida public adjusters operate under FL Statute §626.854.

Property Damage in Texas? We Are Here to Help.

Contact Dependable Claims Specialists for a free property inspection and claim review. We work on contingency - no recovery, no fee. Serving all of Texas from our Webster office.

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