Guide · Assessors
Public adjuster in Israel: what it means here
In several countries, policyholders hire a public adjuster to prepare and present their claim. In Israel, a similar role is usually filled by an independent assessor appointed by the policyholder.
Adv. Sassi Lev
Insurance claims and property damage
Is there a public adjuster in Israel?
Some English speakers search for a public adjuster in Israel. The term comes from other insurance markets. In Israel, the closest equivalent is an independent assessor appointed by the policyholder, known in Hebrew as shamai mita'am ha-mevuteach.
Because the term is not used in Israel in the same way, searching for it locally can be confusing. What matters is the function: a professional who examines the damage on the policyholder's behalf and puts the figures in a written report.
The insurer appoints its own assessor (shamai) to inspect the damage and put a figure on the repair or replacement. The policyholder may obtain their own assessor's report. Our overview of property damage claims in Israel explains where the assessment fits in the claim as a whole.
The insurer's assessor and your assessor
The report of the insurer's assessor is a professional opinion, not a ruling. It often forms the basis of the payment, and it generally does not decide whether the claim is covered. Coverage depends on the policy wording and is examined separately from the size of the loss.
An independent assessor appointed by the policyholder prepares a counter-report. The dispute is then between two professional opinions, and the two reports can be compared item by item.
When a counter-assessment can help
A counter-report can be considered when the gap between the insurer's figure and the actual cost of repair is material. It gives the insurer a professional document to answer, not just a disagreement.
If the insurer paid only part of the claim, our guide to underpaid insurance claims explains how the payment is compared with the assessment.
A counter-report generally relies on the same evidence the insurer had, plus anything the insurer's assessor did not see: repair quotes, invoices, photos taken before clean-up and, in a business, stock and asset records.
- Repair items not included, or damage described as pre-existing
- Parts or materials priced differently from the actual repair cost
- Deductions for wear and tear, or diminished value in a car claim
- Underinsurance, where the insured sum is lower than the real value
- A deductible or a clause applied without explanation
What an assessor does not decide
An assessor addresses the extent and the cost of the damage. Questions such as whether an exclusion applies, whether a policy condition was met, or how the policy should be read are legal questions about the policy.
If the insurer denies the claim rather than reducing it, the assessment is only part of the picture. Our guide to a denied insurance claim in Israel explains how a denial letter is reviewed.
How an assessor and a lawyer work together
In a claim with a material dispute, the two roles complement each other. The assessor addresses the figures. The lawyer reads the policy, the insurer's position and the dates, and decides with the client on the route: a reasoned written demand, negotiation or, where needed, legal proceedings.
We represent policyholders only, in property insurance claims: car, home, business, water and fire damage. Adv. Sassi Lev previously represented insurance companies. We can review the insurer's assessment, and, where it is relevant to the case, discuss whether a counter-report is worth obtaining.
Where the figures are close and the coverage is not in question, a reasoned letter with supporting quotes may be a first step. Where the gap is material, or the insurer also raises a coverage issue, the route is decided together with the client after reading the documents and the dates.
Before you accept the payment
Signing a release and discharge form usually closes the claim, so the assessment should be checked before you sign, not after. An insurer is generally expected to pay benefits that are not in dispute within 30 days, and the limitation period for an insurance claim is generally three years from the insured event, though some policies differ.
Keep copies of every report, quote and letter in one place, and note the date each was received. A clear timeline makes it easier to see what is still open and what needs action.
We work in English and remotely. To begin, send on WhatsApp: the insurer's assessor's report, the payment notice or letter, the policy and policy schedule, your photos and any repair quotes. For car claims, see also our page on car insurance claims.
Questions people ask
Can I hire my own assessor in Israel?
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Yes. A policyholder may obtain their own assessor's report. It is usually considered when the gap between the insurer's figure and the real cost of repair is material.
Does the insurer have to follow its assessor's report?
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The report is a professional opinion, not a ruling. It often forms the basis of the payment, but its findings and deductions can be examined against the policy and the evidence.
Is a public adjuster the same as a lawyer?
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No. An assessor addresses the extent and cost of the damage. Questions of coverage, exclusions and policy wording are legal questions, and in a material dispute the two roles can work together.
Have a document from the insurer?
A denial letter, a payment notice or an assessor's report. Send it on WhatsApp and we will come back to you with the next step.
Sending material does not create an attorney–client relationship.