Independent Adjuster — a claims adjuster who provides services on a contract basis to insurance companies, self-insured firms, and governmental entities. Depending on the nature of the claim being handled, billing can be on a time-and-expense basis, flat fee-per-claim basis, or flat annual fee for all claims. Independent adjusters are used when an insurer is overloaded with claims (often due to a catastrophe), when a claim occurs in a remote locale, or when special expertise is required to adjust a claim.