Insurance companies often mention an "independent adjuster" to make the claim process sound neutral, as if an outside professional is simply calling balls and strikes. That framing can be a little convenient. An independent adjuster is usually a claims professional hired by an insurance company on a contract basis to investigate losses, inspect damage, gather statements, and help value a claim. "Independent" means independent from the insurer's payroll, not independent from the insurer's interests.

In practice, this person may handle the same kinds of tasks as a staff insurance adjuster: reviewing records, asking for a recorded statement, evaluating medical treatment, and recommending payment amounts. The difference is who employs them. They are commonly used after car crashes, property losses, or large claim surges. In Vermont, adjusters are regulated through the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation, but that does not make them a neutral referee between both sides.

For an injury claim, the label matters because people may speak more freely to an independent adjuster than they would to a company representative. That can affect how liability, damages, or comparative negligence are assessed. Under Vermont's modified comparative negligence rule, 12 V.S.A. § 1036, an injured person can recover only if their fault is not greater than the other side's. So if an independent adjuster builds a file that shifts blame onto you, the "independent" part may feel less impressive pretty quickly.