Public Adjuster Documentation: Building a Claim File That Holds Up (2026)

John Dutton

Manifold is a field documentation app used by public adjusters and restoration contractors to build insurance claim files. It captures GPS-tagged, timestamped photos automatically, supports photo-required documentation checklists for each stage of a loss, and exports structured PDF claim reports in one tap. Orbit Measure captures measurable 3D spatial records of affected areas on any iOS or Android phone.

This guide covers the complete documentation workflow for public adjusters — from pre-loss baseline records through first-visit loss documentation, remediation tracking, and final claim report.

What insurance claim documentation actually needs to show

A claim file needs to answer four questions unambiguously: what was the condition before the loss, what damage occurred and where, what is the spatial extent, and what was done and when. Most claim files answer these poorly — not because the work wasn’t done, but because the tools used weren’t designed to create a legally navigable record.

Pre-loss baseline documentation

For public adjusters working with repeat clients — property managers, commercial landlords, multi-site operators — a baseline inspection record for each property means that when a loss occurs, the pre-existing condition of every surface is already documented. Manifold’s GPS photo timeline builds this automatically. Every inspection photo is timestamped and location-stamped as taken.

Loss documentation: first visit

The first visit is the most critical. Conditions change fast. Everything captured needs to be GPS-tagged, timestamped, and organised by location before anything is moved or treated.

What to capture

  • Every affected area from multiple angles — ceiling, walls, floor, entry points
  • Water source and point of entry
  • Adjacent rooms, even where damage appears minor
  • Moisture readings photographed with reading visible in frame, at location taken
  • Any pre-existing damage unrelated to the current loss

3D spatial documentation

A photo shows what damage looks like. A 3D model shows its spatial extent, which determines scope and claim value. Orbit Measure captures a measurable 3D model on any iOS or Android phone in 60 seconds, accurate to half an inch, shareable via link without requiring a return site visit.

Remediation documentation

Use Manifold’s photo-required checklists for each stage: equipment placement, daily moisture readings, material removal, hidden damage found. Each item locked until a photo is attached — a timestamped record that each step was done and documented.

Producing the claim report

Manifold generates a branded PDF with one tap: photos by location and timestamp, moisture reading progression, completed checklist, and 3D walkthrough link. The adjuster gets a structured, navigable document. No ambiguity about what was found, what was done, or when.

Frequently asked questions

What documentation do public adjusters need to build a strong insurance claim?

GPS-tagged arrival photos of all affected areas, moisture readings photographed at each monitoring point, daily drying logs with equipment placement records, 3D spatial documentation of damage extent, material removal records showing what was found underneath, and final readings confirming drying targets. Manifold captures all of this in a structured workflow and exports as a single PDF.

How does Orbit Measure help with insurance claim documentation?

Orbit Measure captures a measurable 3D model of any space in 60 seconds on any iOS or Android phone — no specialist hardware required, accurate to half an inch. For insurance claims, it gives the carrier adjuster a navigable spatial record of damage extent without requiring a site visit. Scope and claim value are easier to establish with a 3D spatial record than with flat photos alone.

What is the difference between a public adjuster and an insurance adjuster for documentation purposes?

A public adjuster works on behalf of the policyholder to maximise the claim. An insurance adjuster works on behalf of the carrier to evaluate it. Both review the same documentation. A well-documented claim file — GPS-tagged photos, spatial records, structured moisture logs, organised PDF — is harder to dispute regardless of which side is reviewing it.

More guides for insurance and restoration documentation

Compare Manifold

see how Manifold stacks up against alternatives

Real pricing, honest comparisons. No spin.

CompanyCam vs ManifoldMatterport vs ManifoldPolycam vs ManifoldMagicPlan vs ManifoldFieldwire vs ManifoldProcore vs ManifoldiAuditor vs ManifoldCompanyCam Alternative →