Picture
BeClaimSmart.com
  • Home
  • The Claim Process
  • Find a Public Adjuster
  • Avoid Scammers
  • FAQ

THE CLAIM SMART CONSUMER

It's an unfortunate reality that scam artists prey upon home and business owners in their time of need. Be a claim smart consumer.

Whether you're hiring a contractor to make repairs or a public insurance adjuster to help you understand and submit your insurance claim, make sure they are licensed to conduct business in 
Florida.  You should even check the license and appointment of the insurance adjusters sent by your insurance company to make sure they are valid.

And don't forget, only public adjusters and lawyers are authorized by the law to negotiate a claim with your insurance company. Anyone else who offers to do so is committing a felony. The resources provided here can help you identify verified professionals who can help you navigate your claim and recover from tragedy.

MyFloridaCFO Consumer Services - Get Insurance Help

THE ROLE OF PUBLIC ADJUSTERS

Public adjusters are licensed through the state of Florida to negotiate claims on behalf of consumers. As experts in the complex claims process, public adjusters may help policyholders receive a larger claim reimbursement, true to the terms of their policies. “Claim smart” consumers look for licensed public adjusters who can help them expertly navigate their policies during a time of loss.

VERIFY ADJUSTER LICENSE

Use the Florida Department of Financial Services license search to verify that an adjuster you are considering is licensed to work in the state. You may search by the name of the individual or the business and select “adjuster” ​for the license category. 
VERIFY ADJUSTER LICENSE
One way to ensure you are working with a highly trained public adjuster is by choosing a public adjuster who is a member of FAPIA, the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters. FAPIA members are licensed by the state, adhere to a strict code of ethics, and are able to take advantage of the best quality continuing education in the country.
FAPIA PUBLIC ADJUSTER SEARCH

​VERIFY CONTRACTOR LICENSE

Use the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation search to confirm that the contractors you are considering to conduct repair work on your property are professionals who are licensed by the state.
VERIFY cONTRACTOR LICENSE

STORM RESOURCES

Check attorney licenses

Picture

​Flood Insurance Tips
​The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is managed by FEMA and is delivered to the public by a network of more than 50 insurance companies and the NFIP Direct.


Floods can happen anywhere — just one inch of floodwater can cause up to $25,000 in damage. Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is a separate policy that can cover buildings, the contents in a building, or both.

There is often a dispute about whether the damage caused to any given property was caused by wind or flood since wind damage would be covered by the homeowner policy and flood through NFIP. 

Your flood policy has several very strict requirements that a qualified and experienced licensed public insurance adjuster or attorney can help you navigate.  Failure to meet any of the conditions set forth in the flood policy can cause your claim to be denied.  

This is a federal program.

  • FEMA Fact Sheet - What You Need to Know About Wind Damage vs. Flood Damage and Your NFIP Claim
  • All About Elevation Certificates
  • Apply to open your flood claim
​FEMA Assistance
DisasterAssistance.gov
Florida State Resources
PrepareFL.com
FloridaDisaster.org
Florida Consumer Protections 
Florida Homeowner Bill of Rights
  • Insurer's Must Acknowledge Claims - 
    • (1)(a) Upon an insurer’s receiving a communication with respect to a claim, the insurer shall, within 14 calendar days, review and acknowledge receipt of such communication unless payment is made within that period of time or unless the failure to acknowledge is caused by factors beyond the control of the insurer which reasonably prevent such acknowledgment. If the acknowledgment is not in writing, a notification indicating acknowledgment shall be made in the insurer’s claim file and dated. A communication made to or by a representative of an insurer with respect to a claim shall constitute communication to or by the insurer.​
  • 60 days to Pay or Deny - 
    • (7)(a) Within 60 days after an insurer receives notice of an initial, reopened, or supplemental property insurance claim from a policyholder, the insurer shall pay or deny such claim or a portion of the claim unless the failure to pay is caused by factors beyond the control of the insurer. The insurer shall provide a reasonable explanation in writing to the policyholder of the basis in the insurance policy, in relation to the facts or applicable law, for the payment, denial, or partial denial of a claim. If the insurer’s claim payment is less than specified in any insurer’s detailed estimate of the amount of the loss, the insurer must provide a reasonable explanation in writing of the difference to the policyholder. 
  • Insurer to inspect within 30 days after receipt of Proof of Loss
    • (b) If such investigation involves a physical inspection of the property, the licensed adjuster assigned by the insurer must provide the policyholder with a printed or electronic document containing his or her name and state adjuster license number. An insurer must conduct any such physical inspection within 30 days after its receipt of the proof-of-loss statements.​
  • Insurer communications must contain the name and license number of the adjuster communicating about the claim.
    • (c) Any subsequent communication with the policyholder regarding the claim must also include the name and license number of the adjuster communicating about the claim. Communication of the adjuster’s name and license number may be included with other information provided to the policyholder.
Consumer Bulletins
BEWARE OF CONTRACTORS OFFERING TO HANDLE YOUR INSURANCE CLAIM
PUBLIC INSURANCE ADJUSTERS ARE LICENSED & TRAINED INSURANCE PROFESSIONALS WORKING FOR YOU
BEWARE OF ADJUSTERS OR AGENTS ADVISING YOU NOT TO GET THE HELP YOU MAY NEED

Insurance In The News

Florida report on insurance failure raises more questions than answers, Tampa Bay Times by Lawrence Mower

How Florida let a top insurer abandon homeowners in their time of greatest need, Washington Post by Brianna Sacks

Expectant St. Pete mom in tears as Hurricane Ian insurance claim stays open, News Channel 8 by Mahsa Saeidi

Hurricane Ian results in nearly 8k property insurance complaints to the state, ABC Action News by Stassy Olmos

Home insurance adjusters who assessed Hurricane Ian damages claim companies deleted some findings, Fox 13 by Craig Patrick
FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC INSURANCE ADJUSTERS
866-235-6489

​9100 S. Dadeland Blvd Suite 1500
​Miami, FL 33156

Terms of Use | FAPIA © 2022
Site Support
  • Home
  • The Claim Process
  • Find a Public Adjuster
  • Avoid Scammers
  • FAQ