Being a successful public adjuster requires proper gear and clothing. If you’re new to the field, you may not think about the importance of clothing, footwear, or the right toolbelt, but these three things impact your ability to professionally and efficiently complete inspections and assessments.

Practical Clothing

Public adjusters should adhere to a basic professional dress code that allows for movement and ease during outdoor work. Consider wearing a polo shirt and khakis that are comfortable yet look neat and professional. You need to be able to be comfortable bending, crawling, and climbing ladders. Jeans and t-shirts are usually too informal.

When choosing the appropriate clothing, focus on purchasing garments that fit you correctly; for safety reasons, avoid baggy or oversized clothing. Many companies specialize in workwear that is both comfortable and professional. Wearing appropriate clothing can improve your efficiency as an adjuster, allowing you to complete inspections at a faster rate.

Appropriate Footwear

If practical clothing is important, you can imagine that choosing durable, comfortable footwear is an absolute must. The shoes or boots you wear should have good traction, especially since the job of adjusting frequently requires climbing ladders and walking on roofs or in areas where the ground is uneven or covered with debris. The marketplace contains many solid footwear manufacturers that offer an array of excellent shoes and boots for walking on rough or slick surfaces.

Tool Belt

The final piece of the prepared public adjuster’s outfit is the toolbelt. Public adjusters must have all the equipment they need with them on the job at all times.

If you are just starting out, you may have purchased a standard contractor belt, however, with this kind of belt, you run the risk of your items falling out of it (such as your camera or larger items that will not fit in a standard belt). You may need to invest a little more in your toolbelt but purchasing one that is built for adjusters will ensure that you will not lose your equipment and will have space for industry-specific tools. We recommend the Ultra Pouch by BullyBag or the CatManDo Adjuster Belt.

As you begin using your new toolbest, we suggest designating specific places on the belt for each tool. That way, you will know what items may be missing before you start a job. Eventually you’ll know the position of each tool so well that you can grab it without looking at your belt. 

Next Steps

Now you know the most important things a public adjuster needs to wear on the job. We encourage you to assess your current clothing, footwear, and toolbelt. If they do not meet the standards of your company or your own goals, and if they do not contribute to your comfort, safety, or efficiency, we recommend making the necessary upgrades. You’ll be glad you did!