An independent appraiser is a claims adjuster who provides services on a contract basis to insurance companies, self-insurers, and government agencies. Depending on the nature of the claim being processed, billing may be on a time and cost basis, a flat fee per claim, or a flat annual fee for all claims. Independent assessors are used when an insurance company is overwhelmed with claims (often due to a disaster), when a claim originates in a remote location, or when specialized knowledge is required to settle a claim.