Rhode Island Public Adjusters
From nor'easters and ice dams to coastal flooding along Narragansett Bay, Naiche represents Rhode Island homeowners and business owners against their insurance company — statewide, at no upfront cost.
Austin Bernaiche, RI Public Adjuster Lic. #3002481595
Licensed Public Adjusters Serving Rhode Island Policyholders
SERVING EVERY CLAIM TYPE IN RHODE ISLAND
Common Claims We Handle
Every claim type below is handled the same way regardless of where you're located in Rhode Island — explore the specifics of each.
Ice Dams & Burst Pipes
Winter freeze damage and mitigation disputes.
Nor'easter & Wind Damage
Storm, wind, and roof damage claims.
Surge, tidal and storm-driven water damage disputes.
Statewide Coverage ACROSS RHODE ISLAND
Rhode Island Cities We Serve
Naiche represents policyholders throughout Rhode Island, from Providence to the South County shoreline.
Providence
Warwick
Cranston
Pawtucket
East Providence
Woonsocket
Newport
Westerly
Narragansett
North Kingstown
Coventry
Barrington
Don't see your town listed? We serve policyholders statewide — contact us to confirm coverage in your area.
Works for the insurer
Company / Staff Adjuster
A salaried employee of your insurance company. Assigned automatically when you file — no fee to you, but no obligation to maximize your payout either.
Rhode Island requires a public adjuster to give you these three definitions in writing before you sign anything. Here they are up front. You are not required to hire a public adjuster; you can present your own claim to your insurer. You do have the right to hire someone to do it with you.
How we operate: We don't door-knock, cold-call, or pressure anyone to sign on the spot. You reach out to us — never the other way around.
Know who You're Hiring
insurance adjuster vs public adjuster in RHODE ISLAND
Also works for the insurer
Independent Adjuster
Despite the name, still hired and paid by the insurance company — typically brought in during high claim volume after a regional disaster.
Works for you
Public Adjuster (Naiche)
Licensed and hired directly by you, the policyholder. Paid only as a percentage of your settlement, capped at 10% by Connecticut law.
our process for RHODE ISLAND claims
How We Work
The same rigorous process, applied to your specific claim type and location.
1
Free Consultation & Policy Review
We review your Connecticut policy and explain your options at no cost.
2
Inspection & Documentation
We document the full scope of damage — including what's easy to miss.
3
Claim Preparation & Submission
We build a detailed, defensible claim package on your behalf.
4
Negotiation & Settlement
We negotiate directly with your insurer on your behalf to resolve your claim.
What to expect: we get in touch during business hours — no chasing us for updates.
Rhode Island sets a ceiling of 10% of the insurance settlement or proceeds, and bars any public adjuster from taking a fee, retainer or deposit before your claim settles. Your exact percentage is written into your contract before you sign.
-
Fee Ceiling Of 10%, And Nothing Before Settlement
-
We Work Only For Policyholders — By Law
Rhode Island regulation (230-RICR-20-50-4.11) prohibits a public adjuster from representing to you that they act for an insurer in any capacity. We are not a representative or employee of your insurer, and we never agree to a settlement without your knowledge and consent.
-
Licensed in Rhode Island
Austin Bernaiche is a licensed public adjuster in Rhode Island (Lic. #3002481595). You can verify any adjuster's licence through the Department of Business Regulation.
Rhode Island Public Adjuster Licensing & Fees
Rhode Island regulates public adjusting in unusual detail. Here's exactly what state law requires — and what protects you.
-
If Your Insurer Pays In Full Within 72 Hours
If your insurer pays or commits in writing to pay your policy limits within 72 hours of the loss being reported, Rhode Island bars us from taking a percentage of that payment. We must tell you the recovery may not increase, and may charge only reasonable compensation for time actually spent.
-
Financial Ties Disclosed In Writing — By Law
Rhode Island requires written disclosure of any interest in, or compensation from, a construction firm, salvage firm, building appraisal firm or motor vehicle repair shop involved in your claim. Naiche holds no such interest and receives no such compensation. You choose your own contractor, and we never take authority to choose it for you.
-
Three Business Days To Change Your Mind
You have the right to rescind the contract in writing within three business days of signing. Anything of value you have given is returned to you within 15 business days.
-
We Won't Approach You During A Storm
Rhode Island prohibits soliciting an insured during the progress of a loss-producing occurrence. You contact us, in your own time.
-
RI Insurance Division Oversight
Complaints can be filed with the Department of Business Regulation, Insurance Division: (401) 462-9520 or DBR.Insurance@dbr.ri.gov.
Example: how a 10% fee actually works
Insurer's final settlement
Naiche's fee (10% ceiling by RI law)
You receive
Illustration only. Outcomes depend on your policy, your loss and the facts of your claim. The fee applies only to the settlement amount — never to money you haven't received, and never before your insurer pays. Deductibles and depreciation holdbacks are separate from this fee and depend on your specific policy.
$30,000
− $3,000
$27,000
We don't promise a specific settlement figure or a guaranteed payout — every claim is different. We'll walk you through your policy and how we'd approach the claim before you sign anything.
Rhode Island Claims FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Rhode Island Claims
Naiche works on a contingency basis. Rhode Island sets a ceiling of 10% of the insurance settlement or proceeds, and no public adjuster in the state may take a fee, retainer or deposit before your claim settles. Your exact percentage is written into the contract and agreed before you sign.
No. We work only for policyholders. Rhode Island specifically prohibits a public adjuster from representing to a claimant that they act for an insurer in any capacity, and we are not a representative or employee of any insurance company. Our fee is your obligation, not your insurer's.
​
No. Naiche holds no interest in, and receives no compensation from, any construction firm, salvage firm, building appraisal firm or motor vehicle repair shop. Rhode Island requires any such interest to be disclosed in writing, and we have none to disclose. You choose your own contractor.
​
Yes. You have three business days from signing to rescind. The rescission must be in writing and mailed or delivered to the address in the contract within that window. Anything of value you have given is returned within 15 business days. Rhode Island also provides that the contract cannot prevent you from pursuing civil remedies after that period.
Rhode Island has a specific rule for this. If your insurer pays, or commits in writing to pay, your policy limits within 72 hours of the loss being reported, we cannot take a percentage of that payment. We are required to tell you the recovery may not increase, and may charge only reasonable compensation based on time actually spent on the claim.
​
We document only verified, actual damage. We never inflate estimates or claim work that wasn't performed — our reputation and license depend on it.
Yes. We work with homeowners, business owners, and condominium and homeowners associations, where master policies and individual owner policies both come into play.
​
Licence status can be checked through the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation. Austin Bernaiche's Rhode Island public adjuster licence number is 3002481595. The Insurance Division can be reached on (401) 462-9520, Monday to Friday.
​
We represent policyholders across Rhode Island, from Woonsocket down to Westerly and out to Newport. If your town isn't listed above, get in touch and we'll confirm.
Policyholder Advocates Only
Austin Bernaiche,
RI Lic. #3002481595
Licensed Public Adjusters
Serving policyholders statewide
Headquartered in Vernon, CT
No ties to contractors, disclosed in writing