Public Adjusters in Florida

A Florida property claim can involve separate disagreements over wind or water damage, repair scope, pricing, and policy coverage. A public adjuster can help document a claim and negotiate for the policyholder. Hiring one is optional, and it does not guarantee coverage or a larger payment. Before comparing firms, collect the insurer's estimate and letters, your policy, photos, receipts, and a record of payments or written payment commitments.

The fee and cancellation provisions discussed here apply to residential property insurance and condominium unit-owner policies under Florida Statutes § 626.854(19). Do not automatically apply these rules to a commercial policy or condominium association master policy. Ask for advice about your actual policy type if you are unsure which rules govern it.

For the covered residential policies, § 626.854(11)(b) generally limits fees to 20% of the insurer's claim payments or settlements, excluding attorney fees and costs. A 10% limit applies to claims based on a Governor-declared emergency event and made during the year after the declaration. The event and claim timing matter; an unrelated claim does not qualify simply because an emergency was declared elsewhere or for another event.

There are lower limits that a one-line percentage quote can miss. Under § 626.854(11)(b)3, a 1% limit applies to a coverage part when the insurer pays or commits in writing to pay at least that part's policy limit within 14 days after the loss or 10 days after the adjusting contract is executed, whichever is later. Under (11)(b)4, the limit is 0% for a coverage part where payment or written agreement to pay occurs before the adjusting contract is executed. Keep the documents and dates, including promises made before funds arrive.

The fee base also matters. Section 626.854(11)(a) limits compensation for reopened or supplemental claims to qualifying payments obtained through the adjuster's work after contracting, excluding previous payments or settlements for the same loss and attorney fees and costs; applicable caps still govern. Subsections (11)(c)-(d) exclude the deductible and require a separate affirmative agreement for compensation on additional living expenses. Ask for a coverage-by-coverage calculation instead of multiplying one percentage by every check received.

Before signing, request two fee calculations: one if the insurer pays the additional amount being pursued, and one if no additional amount is recovered. Ask what services and extra expenses each proposal includes. A larger headline settlement can leave less than expected for repairs once the fee and other costs are considered. Do not sign a blank fee line or rely on a verbal exception that is missing from the written agreement.

Florida Statutes § 626.8796 requires a written adjusting contract and a separate claim-process disclosure before signing. The disclosure explains that the adjuster is not an insurer employee, hiring one is optional, the fee is the insured's responsibility, and the insured can communicate directly about the claim. Obtain the unaltered signed agreement and disclosure, and save all attachments and electronic signing records. DFS's July 2026 guidance identifies the required disclosure as Form DFS-H1-1982.

Keep notice deadlines separate from handling deadlines. Under the current § 627.70132, the general outside notice limit is one year after loss for an initial or reopened claim and 18 months for a supplemental claim. Policy notice requirements still matter. The statute includes a military-deployment tolling provision and a separate loss-assessment coverage rule. An older policy or claim may require analysis of the law applicable to it; do not assume today's summary resolves an older claim's deadline.

For residential insurers subject to § 627.70131, the usual acknowledgment period is seven calendar days, with exceptions. Section (7) generally requires payment or denial of a claim or portion within 60 days of notice, subject to the statute's beyond-control provisions and tolling. This is not a promise that every dispute will settle in 60 days. Your deadline to notify the insurer, its handling obligations, the adjuster's estimate deadline, and the time to sue are separate clocks.

When a response is unclear, request the policy provision and factual explanation supporting it. Preserve your inspection, proof-of-loss, and document-request records. DFS consumer services can explain complaint options and relevant consumer protections; its insurance help line is 1-877-693-5236. Seek qualified legal advice about unresolved coverage questions, a disputed contract, or an approaching legal deadline.

Official Florida sources checked September 3, 2026. This guide is consumer information, not legal advice about a particular policy or agreement.