Works for the insurer
Company adjuster
- Hired by
- The insurance company, as its employee.
- Represents
- The insurance company.
- Usually paid by
- The insurance company.
Coming soon to Las Vegas
Plain answers about property insurance claims.
Imperial Claims Group is a Las Vegas company in formation. Once it is licensed, it will be a public adjusting firm that works only for policyholders. Until then, this site does one thing: it explains how a property claim works, and who does what, in plain words.
I · The life of a claim
Seven steps, from the loss to the last letter.
Most property claims follow the same path. Knowing it ahead of time makes each step less of a surprise.
Step 1: The loss
Make people safe first. Then stop further damage if you safely can, and keep the receipts.
Step 2: Notice
Tell your insurer promptly, and write down the claim number.
Step 3: A record
Photograph and list the damage before cleanup, where it is safe to.
Step 4: Investigation
The insurer’s adjuster looks into the loss and may ask for documents.
Step 5: Decision
The insurer accepts, partly accepts or denies the claim, and should explain why in writing.
Step 6: Payment
Money can arrive in stages, depending on how the policy is written.
Step 7: If you disagree
Ask for the reasons, read the policy, and know who else you can turn to.
II · Who does what
Three kinds of adjuster, and who each one works for.
The adjusters you meet on a claim are not all on the same side. Nevada licenses each type separately, and no one may hold more than one type of adjuster license at a time (NRS 684A.050). You do not have to hire anyone to make a claim.
Works for the insurer
Independent adjuster
- Hired by
- The insurance company, under contract. Common after large storms.
- Represents
- The insurance company.
- Usually paid by
- The insurance company.
Works for the policyholder
Public adjuster
- Hired by
- The policyholder, under a written contract.
- Represents
- “Solely the financial interests of the insured named in the policy” (NRS 684A.030).
- Usually paid by
- The policyholder, as the contract says.
III · Check for yourself
Every license can be checked in a minute.
The Nevada Division of Insurance publishes its licensing records. Anyone who says they are a public adjuster should be in them.
Ask for names and numbers
Get the full name and license number of the person, and of their firm. A firm needs its own license, separate from the person’s.
Open the License Search
Go to the Nevada Division of Insurance License Search, on the Division’s own website: di.nv.gov.
Search by name
Look up the person by name, then look up the firm by name. Do not rely on a number printed on a card or a website.
Check every detail
The license type should say public adjuster, the status should be active, and the name should match exactly.
Open the License Search on the Nevada Division of Insurance website
Search for Imperial Claims Group or Hector Camarena today and you will not find a public adjuster license. That is accurate: none has been issued yet. If anything you find does not match what you were told, contact the Division directly at doi.nv.gov.
IV · Why we are building Imperial
Why we are building Imperial
An insurance policy is a contract, and most people read it closely for the first time on the worst day of their year.
The insurance company has trained adjusters working the claim for it. Nevada also licenses public adjusters, who work for the policyholder instead. Imperial is being built to become one of those firms in Las Vegas.
We are doing it in order. Licensing comes first, and nothing else happens until both licenses (one for the founder, one for the company) are issued and you can look them up yourself. Until then, the most useful thing we can offer is clear information, with no sales pitch.
Want to hear when we open?
Join the updates list and we will email you when Imperial opens, along with occasional news about our progress. Just your name and email; nothing about a claim.