Your questions answered before you file.

This is one of the most common fears – and it’s largely unfounded. Insurance companies cannot cancel your policy mid-term for filing a legitimate claim. Non-renewal at policy renewal is possible but rare for a single claim, especially when properly documented. A Public Adjuster ensures your claim is filed correctly the first time, which actually reduces the risk of future disputes.

The DIY Trap is when a homeowner tries to clean up or repair damage themselves before documenting it properly. Insurance carriers use this against you – they’ll argue the damage was “pre-existing,” “wear and tear,” or that you made it worse. Once you’ve cleaned, painted, or removed damaged material without forensic documentation, you’ve destroyed the evidence the carrier needs to see – and they’ll deny the claim.

We work on a contingency basis. You pay nothing upfront – no retainer, no hourly fees, no inspection charges. Our fee is a percentage of the amount we recover above what the carrier initially offered. If we don’t recover additional money on your claim, you owe us nothing. Free policy review and free virtual inspection are always included.

Both are licensed adjusters – but they work for opposite sides. The insurance company’s adjuster is employed by or contracted with the carrier. Their job is to evaluate damage and minimize the payout. A Public Adjuster is licensed by the State of Florida and legally bound to represent the policyholder exclusively. We document the full scope of damage and negotiate until the settlement reflects what your policy actually covers.

Attorneys charge hourly whether you win or lose, and they typically get involved after a claim is already denied or underpaid. A Public Adjuster handles the claim from the beginning – documenting damage, building the claims package, and negotiating directly with the carrier. We have the best non-attorney close rate in Florida for overturning denials. If litigation becomes necessary, we can refer you to qualified counsel – but most claims never need to go that far.

A Virtual Inspection lets you start the claims process without waiting for an on-site visit. You send photos and video of your damage, and a licensed adjuster reviews them remotely to identify hidden issues, recommend next steps, and tell you what documentation you’ll need. It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7 – especially useful in the first 48 hours after a loss when timing is critical.

A Property Integrity Report is our forensic documentation of your property’s condition after a loss. It includes thermal imaging results, moisture mapping, the full Path of Migration, scope of damage, and line-item repair estimates. This is the document the carrier receives – and it’s designed to prove the full scope of loss, not just what’s visible on the surface.

Common reasons: the carrier’s adjuster only documented visible surface damage; hidden moisture or mold wasn’t proven; the damage was classified as “wear and tear” or “pre-existing”; or the scope of repairs was underestimated. In most cases, the denial or underpayment isn’t because you don’t have coverage – it’s because the claim wasn’t documented forensically enough to prove the full loss.

When water enters your property, it doesn’t stop at the floor. It wicks up drywall, soaks into baseboards, migrates through framing, and saturates subflooring. The Path of Migration is the route water takes through your structure. Typically, only 20% of water damage is visible – the other 80% is hidden inside walls. Without thermal imaging and moisture mapping, the carrier pays to dry the floor and ignores the rot inside your walls.

Timelines vary by claim type and carrier. Simple water damage claims may resolve in 30-60 days with proper documentation. Denied or underpaid claims that require renegotiation can take 60-120 days. Hurricane and large-loss claims may take longer. The most important factor is starting with forensic documentation in the first 48 hours – delays in documenting hidden damage are the number-one reason claims get underpaid.

No – and you shouldn’t. Hire a Public Adjuster first. Contractors estimate repair costs, but they don’t negotiate with carriers or understand policy language. If a contractor starts work before the claim is documented and approved, you may destroy evidence and limit what the carrier will pay. We document first, negotiate second, and you hire the contractor after the settlement is agreed.

Ask An Adjuster is headquartered in Titusville, FL and serves property owners throughout the state of Florida. Virtual inspections are available statewide. On-site forensic documentation is available across Central Florida and by appointment throughout the state for larger losses.