Attorneys certainly have their place in the process, but their cost can significantlyreduce the association’ s net recovery. Because of this, properly documenting the claim and navigating the process correctly from the start has become more important than ever.
Why hire a public adjuster?
A public adjuster is licensed by the State of Florida through the Department of Financial Services to represent the policyholder’ s best interests during the insurance claims process.
Unlike the adjuster hired by the insurance company, a public adjuster works on behalf of the insured.
The Office of Program Policy Analysis and government Accountability( OPPAgA) did a study that found Florida public adjusters significantly increase claim payouts for policyholders— by over 570 % for noncatastrophic claims and over 700 % for hurricane claims.
When you boil it down, the real value of a public adjuster comes down to experience in six key areas: 1. Assessing the damage and reviewing policy coverage
2. Determining whether a claim should be filed
3. Navigating mitigation and temporary repairs
4. Proper testing, reporting, and documentation
5. Meeting policy obligations and deadlines
6. Communicating with the insurance company and presenting options to the insured
Pre-loss property inspection programs
Many public adjusting firms offer programs that provide value to communities long before a claim ever happens. These programs may include:
• Annual or bi-annual pre-loss property inspections
• Documentation of the property’ s condition
• Insurance policy reviews
• Attendance at board or community meetings when needed
• guidance on insurance-related issues affecting the association
The most common reason insurance companies deny claims is the“ pre-existing conditions” argument. It’ s a bit of a catch-22 for community associations. Boards are expected to properly maintain the property, and repairs are often necessary. But those same repairs can sometimes be interpreted by the carrier as evidence that the damage existed before the claimed event. This is why it’ s advantageous to have a public adjuster before property damage occurs.
Public adjusters also bring a network of industry resources, including contractors, engineers, mold assessors, and attorneys. Having those relationships established before a loss occurs can make the response to a claim far more organized and efficient.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the real value of a public adjuster comes down to experience.
Having an insurance expert as a resource provides value not only to the board andproperty manager, but also to the unit owners who rely on the association to protect the community’ s assets.
For boards that rarely deal with insurance claims, having someone who understands the process— from policy interpretation to documentation and deadlines— can make a meaningful difference in both the outcome of the claim and the stress placed on community leadership.
REMEMBER:
It’ s advantageous to have a public adjuster inspect before property damage occurs.
WWW. CAIWESTFlORIDA. ORg community • June 2026
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