Independent · California · Free help
The independent resource for California insurance policyholders.
Editorial guides on FAIR Plan disputes, smoke and wildfire claims, the 2025 Aliff ruling, and the public-adjuster-vs-attorney decision. Free claim reviews available through our affiliated California public adjuster firm.
Independent editorial publication · California-licensed PA network · No upfront fees
Start here
What kind of claim do you have?
Pick the closest match — every claim type has its own playbook of denial patterns, documentation rules, and recovery options.
Fire damage
Wildfire, structure fire, vehicle fire
Read the guideSmoke damage
Smoke intrusion, soot, post-wildfire
Read the guideWater damage
Plumbing, flood, leak, ALE disputes
Read the guideMold
Mold remediation coverage disputes
Read the guideCommercial
Business interruption, BPP, structure
Read the guideOur differentiator
We tell you when an attorney is the better call.
Most public adjusters don't acknowledge that attorneys exist. Most attorneys won't tell you to try a public adjuster first. Both leave you stuck in the middle.
We built a five-criteria framework that tells you whether your claim calls for a public adjuster, a bad-faith attorney, or both — at no cost, even if you don't end up working with us.
60–180
Days · typical PA settlement
18–36
Months · typical lawsuit verdict
10–20%
Typical PA contingency fee
33–40%
Typical attorney contingency fee
How we work
A publication first. A service brand second.
PolicyholderAid is an independent publication. Our editorial guides are written for policyholders, not for carriers. Free claim reviews are delivered through our affiliated licensed California public adjuster firm — and we'll tell you honestly when you don't need one.
Independent
We're not paid by carriers, attorneys, or contractors. Our guides take the policyholder's side because that's the side we represent.
Cited and sourced
Every guide links to primary sources — CDI bulletins, court rulings, CDI-licensed adjusters' analyses. No "studies show" without a study.
No upfront fees
Our affiliated CA PA firm works on contingency. No recovery, no fee. Free initial review whether or not you hire them.
Free claim review
Not sure if your claim is worth fighting?
Tell us what happened in five minutes. We'll tell you honestly whether a public adjuster, an attorney, or neither is the right next step — even if we can't help.
- Independent assessment by a licensed California public adjuster
- Honest answer on whether a PA or attorney is the right path
- Response within one business day · No upfront fees
Free claim review