24/7 Emergency Service(941) 260-2721
At Your Property Quickly1-Hour Response Time
When disaster strikes, homeowners rely on insurance adjusters to process claims fairly and efficiently. However, an increasing number of these adjusters may be unlicensed and lack the necessary training, potentially reducing the amount of compensation policyholders receive after a hurricane. An investigation by WPTV uncovered troubling trends, particularly regarding Florida's state-run Citizens Insurance program.
Watch Below: More than 20,000 Hurricane Milton claims closed without payment
One such case is that of Erin Ross, who lost her home in an EF-3 tornado. Erin battled her insurance provider for months before finally receiving the funds necessary to rebuild. However, she remains frustrated by the delay, suspecting that an inexperienced insurance adjuster played a role in her prolonged struggle.
After sharing Erin's story, WPTV investigators filed a public records request with Citizens Insurance and found that out of 56,000 hurricane-related claims filed in Florida, over 20,000 were closed without any payment. The company was unable to provide clear reasons for these denials, affecting numerous homeowners in Sarasota County, including Sarasota, Bradenton, Longboat Key, and Siesta Key.
A major issue in Erin's case, and possibly many others, is that her claim was initially assigned to a desk adjuster who lacked the expertise to handle such a situation. Upon further inquiry, Citizens Insurance revealed that many adjusters were contracted through temporary staffing agencies. Florida law does allow temporary workers to serve as adjusters without a license, raising concerns about the qualifications of those responsible for processing critical insurance claims.
Insurance attorney Aaron Bass, who has handled numerous cases like Erin's, highlights how untrained desk adjusters often make crucial decisions based solely on photos and reports from field adjusters—who themselves may not have sufficient experience in property damage assessment. With three major hurricanes hitting Florida in the past year, the demand for adjusters has outpaced the supply, leading insurance companies to rely heavily on underqualified personnel.
This issue has significantly impacted homeowners in Sarasota Bay, Longboat Key, and other hurricane-prone areas where wind damage, storm surge, and structural damage assessments are crucial.
A public records request revealed that over 99% of claims under Citizens Insurance were handled by adjusters from external agencies rather than in-house professionals. Many of these desk adjusters never visit the affected properties in person. Instead, they review images and documentation remotely, making critical financial decisions without firsthand knowledge of the damage.
In response to these findings, Citizens Insurance stated that all contracted adjusters must have at least 18 months of experience handling property claims and must hold a valid Florida adjuster's license, verified through the Department of Financial Services database. Despite these assurances, the increasing number of complaints suggests that policyholders continue to face difficulties in receiving fair claim settlements, especially in areas such as Sarasota County, Milton, and Bradenton, which have suffered significant water damage and wind damage from hurricanes.
Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton: These storms caused significant damage across Florida, with Hurricane Milton making landfall and leaving a path of destruction.
Combined losses from Helene and Milton to eclipse $1 billion in Sarasota and Manatee Counties
Sarasota County estimates that about $333.7 million of structural damage in the unincorporated area of the county has been recorded after Milton, while almost $306 million in damage was caused by Helene.
Storm Surge and Structural Damage: Coastal communities like Sarasota Bay and Siesta Key faced severe storm surge, leading to widespread structural damage and water damage.
Milton Damage: The extensive damage in Milton forced many residents to file insurance claims, only to encounter delays and denials due to unqualified adjusters.
Longboat Key Impact: Homeowners in Longboat Key faced similar issues, as insurance companies struggled to provide timely assessments amid a surge in claims.
Florida Catastrophe Claims Data
Regulatory agencies, including the Office of Insurance Regulation, have started reviewing data to ensure that insurance companies comply with industry standards. In 2024 alone, the Tallahassee agency secured $70,000 in restitution for Florida consumers, highlighting the importance of filing complaints when claims are unfairly denied or underpaid.
For homeowners dealing with insurance disputes, taking proactive steps—such as documenting damages thoroughly, seeking legal counsel, and filing complaints with regulatory bodies—can improve their chances of receiving fair compensation. As insurance companies continue to gamble with policies, policyholders must advocate for their rights to ensure they are not left without the financial support they need after a disaster.
Yes, Accutech Restoration & Remodeling offers expert guidance through the entire insurance claim process. Our team will assist you through the process to ensure you receive fair compensation for the damage. When Accutech technicians arrive on-site at your home or business, we will conduct a thorough inspection to assess the extent of the damage.
We document the damage with a plethora of photographic and videographic evidence and create detailed reports outlining the damage, what needs to be done, and the estimated cost. Our team will handle all communication with your insurance company, reducing the headache and hassle of you being the middleman. We'll submit all documentation, invoices, and payments directly to your insurer, ensuring everything aligns with your policy coverage. Accutech is here to advocate on your behalf if any disputes or discrepancies arise during the claim process.
In some cases, your insurance policy may not cover the damage, and our team will help you understand what is and is not covered, along with providing you with the steps you should take next.
Yes, we work with all major insurance companies and assist you throughout the claims process.
Homeowners can check an adjuster's credentials through the Florida Department of Financial Services database.
To improve the chances of a fair settlement, homeowners should document all damages, keep detailed records, and consider hiring a public adjuster or attorney.
We offer 24/7 emergency flood clean-up services and aim to respond within an hour of your call.
We proudly serve Sarasota, Manatee, and Port Charlotte Counties.
As a homeowner, witnessing damage to your home can be extremely stressful, and it's difficult to know the right course of action. Will trying to clean up on your own help, or would it just make things worse?
No matter what kind of damage you've experienced, the very first thing you should do is take photographs, as long as the area is safe for you to be in. If you have water damage, the best thing to do is to extract as much standing water as you possibly can while you wait for help. If you have fans, set them to start drying things as much as possible. They won't be enough to completely dry the area, but they can help minimize the chance of secondary damages.
In the event of mold or fire, it's best to leave the damage alone until a professional can address it. Disturbing mold can disperse spores throughout the home, and fire damages can be made worse if improper cleaning techniques are used.
An insurance adjuster assesses property damage, estimates repair costs, and determines compensation for policyholders based on their insurance policy coverage.
Homeowners have the right to dispute claim denials, seek legal representation, and file complaints with regulatory agencies.
Policyholders should request a detailed explanation, gather evidence, consult a public adjuster or attorney, and file a complaint with regulatory agencies if necessary.
We handle all types of storm damage, including water, flood, and wind damage repair.
Claims may be closed due to insufficient documentation, policy exclusions, or decisions made by underqualified desk adjusters.
February 15, 2025
February 1, 2025
Join our community for maintenance and DIY tips and tricks, where we help homeowners and business owners like you learn preventative maintenance and be better prepared for disasters.
The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, including hurricanes, floods, and severe storms, poses a growing challenge for homeowners across t...
In recent years, storm damage restoration specialists have witnessed a significant shift towards sustainability. As climate change increases the frequ...
