After a big storm, insurance carriers are flooded with claims and their field adjusters are stretched thin. Inspections get rushed. Wind damage gets written off as wear and tear. Interior water damage gets blamed on 'maintenance issues.' A public adjuster works for you, not the carrier — our job is to make sure the full scope of the storm's damage ends up in the claim file, priced at what repairs actually cost in this market.
What hurricane damage actually looks like here
It's rarely just missing shingles. By the time a storm has pushed through Lakeland, we typically find lifted or creased shingles that will fail in the next rain, fascia and soffit damage, screen enclosure and pool cage collapse, fence loss, water intrusion around windows and roof penetrations, and interior ceiling staining that shows up days later. Detached structures — sheds, carports, barns out toward Kathleen and Polk City — are frequently left off carrier estimates entirely.
- Roof damage from wind uplift, even when shingles are still on the roof
- Water intrusion through wind-created openings
- Pool cage, screen enclosure, and lanai damage
- Fencing, outbuildings, and detached garages
- Tree impact damage to the structure
- Food spoilage and additional living expenses during power loss
Why hurricane claims get underpaid
Two reasons come up over and over. First, hurricane deductibles in Florida are usually a percentage of your dwelling coverage — often 2% — so a carrier only has to shave a little off the damage estimate to push your payout near zero. Second, after a major storm the carrier's adjuster may spend twenty minutes on a roof that needs two hours. We slow the process down, document everything with photos, measurements, and moisture readings, and prepare our own line-item estimate to negotiate from.
Florida has also shortened the window to report hurricane claims in recent years. If you're sitting on damage from a past storm, don't assume you still have time — call and we'll tell you honestly where you stand.
Questions about hurricane damage claims
My insurance company already sent an adjuster. Is it too late to hire you?
No. Most of our clients call after they've received an estimate or check that doesn't come close to covering repairs. We can review the carrier's estimate, re-inspect, and pursue the difference through a supplemental claim.
What does a public adjuster cost for a hurricane claim?
Florida law caps public adjuster fees at 10% of the claim payment for claims made in the first year after a declared state of emergency. We only get paid when you do — there are no upfront costs.
My hurricane deductible is huge. Is filing even worth it?
Sometimes it isn't, and we'll tell you that at the free inspection. But most homeowners underestimate their damage because they can only see it from the ground. Roof, attic, and moisture inspections often reveal a claim well above the deductible.