Understanding the key differences can help you prepare—and perform—with confidence in the field.
As a new adjuster, you’ll likely start by handling residential property claims, but eventually, you may be offered commercial claims as your skills and experience grow. Knowing the differences between the two from the beginning can help you stand out to staffing firms and better navigate your first deployments.
Let’s break it down.
1. Scope and Scale
Residential Claims involve homes or small dwellings. The damage is often easier to assess, and the claims process is more straightforward.
Commercial Claims can include apartment complexes, office buildings, warehouses, or retail centers. The property size, value, and complexity of systems (like HVAC, roofing, or specialized machinery) make inspections longer and reports more detailed.
2. Policy Complexity
Homeowners’ policies are relatively consistent across carriers and easier to learn.
Commercial property policies are more diverse. They may include business interruption, co-insurance, equipment breakdown, and multiple stakeholders.
Learning to interpret commercial policies often requires additional training or mentorship over time.
3. Inspection Challenges
Residential inspections typically involve ladder work, roof assessments, and room-by-room documentation and can be completed in a few hours.
Commercial inspections may require teams of adjusters, drone footage, or collaboration with engineers. These claims often take multiple visits and coordination with property managers or contractors.
4. Reporting Expectations
Residential reports usually follow a standard structure and are filed using Xactimate.
Commercial reports are more detailed, often requiring sub-reports, special estimates, or the use of other platforms depending on the client or property.
5. Payout and Responsibility
Residential claims are often handled by a single adjuster from start to finish.
Commercial claims may involve multiple stakeholders including inside adjusters, reviewers, or legal teams.
While commercial claims offer higher payouts, they also bring greater responsibility and scrutiny.
How MileHigh Adjusters Houston Helps You Prepare
At MileHigh Adjusters Houston, our training builds a strong foundation for handling both residential and commercial claims:
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You’ll learn Xactimate, inspection protocols, policy language, and communication skills.
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Instructors provide real-world scenarios from both claim types.
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When you’re ready, we guide you to specialized training to handle complex commercial losses.
Final Word
Start with residential. Master it. Then grow into commercial claims as your confidence, skill set, and reputation build.
The insurance industry rewards adjusters who are adaptable, curious, and well-prepared.
📞 Call us at: 281-741-8505
🌐 Train with the best: www.milehighadjustershouston.com