How Public Adjusters Work: The Complete Process From Start to Settlement
When your Florida home is damaged by a hurricane, fire, water leak, or any other covered event, you file an insurance claim. The insurance company sends their adjuster to assess the damage and determine how much they will pay. But here is what most homeowners do not realize: that adjuster works for the insurance company, not for you.
A public adjuster is the alternative. Licensed by the state of Florida, a public adjuster works exclusively for the policyholder. They are your advocate, your damage expert, and your negotiator — all in one.
At Greater Claims Consulting & Appraisal Inc., Reginald Amedee and our team of licensed public insurance adjusters have helped thousands of South Florida homeowners navigate the claims process. This article takes you through every step of how we work, from the initial phone call to the final settlement check.
Step 1: The Initial Consultation (Free)
Every engagement begins with a conversation. When you call Greater Claims Consulting at (877) 462-7036, we discuss:
- What happened and when
- The type and extent of damage
- Whether you have already filed a claim
- Whether the insurance company has already inspected or made an offer
- Your policy type and coverage levels
This consultation is free, no-obligation, and takes about 15 to 20 minutes. By the end, we can tell you whether we can help and give you a general sense of what to expect.
Important: You can hire a public adjuster at any point in the claims process — before filing, after filing, after the insurer’s inspection, after receiving an offer, or even after a denial. Earlier is generally better, but it is never too late.
Step 2: The Property Inspection
If you decide to move forward, we schedule a thorough inspection of your property. This is not the same inspection the insurance company conducts — it is significantly more detailed.
What We Inspect
Exterior: Roof (from the ground and on the roof), siding, windows, doors, soffit, fascia, gutters, fencing, screen enclosures, driveways, walkways, landscaping, and outbuildings.
Interior: Every room, closet, and storage area. We check ceilings, walls, floors, doors, windows, trim, cabinetry, countertops, fixtures, and finishes.
Systems: Electrical panels, plumbing (accessible areas), HVAC equipment, water heaters, and appliances.
Hidden areas: Attics, crawl spaces, behind appliances, under sinks, inside wall cavities (when damage indicators warrant), and under flooring.
How We Document
- Photographs: We take hundreds of photos — wide shots, detail shots, and comparison shots
- Video: We record video walkthroughs narrating the damage
- Measurements: We take precise measurements of every damaged area
- Moisture readings: For water damage claims, we use moisture meters to detect hidden moisture behind walls and under floors
- Notes: We create detailed written descriptions of every damaged element
Duration
A typical home inspection takes 2 to 4 hours, depending on the size of the property and the extent of damage. We do not rush — missing damage at this stage means missing money in the settlement.
Step 3: Preparing the Claim
After the inspection, our team prepares a comprehensive claim package. This is the most technical and time-intensive part of the process.
The Repair Estimate
We prepare a detailed repair estimate using Xactimate — the same software used by insurance companies. This is critical because it creates a direct apples-to-apples comparison with the insurer’s estimate.
Our estimate includes:
- Every damaged item identified during the inspection
- Appropriate repair or replacement for each item
- Current local pricing for materials and labor
- Overhead and profit for general contractor coordination
- Code upgrade costs required by the Florida Building Code
- Matching costs when partial repairs would create a mismatch
Contents Inventory
If personal property was damaged, we help you prepare a detailed contents inventory listing every affected item with descriptions, quantities, ages, and replacement values.
Supporting Documentation
We compile all supporting materials:
- Organized photo documentation
- Moisture readings and mapping
- Engineering reports (when needed for structural or cause-of-loss issues)
- Building code analysis showing required upgrades
- Prior inspection reports (if available)
- Receipts for emergency repairs and temporary living expenses
Step 4: Filing or Supplementing the Claim
New Claims
If you have not yet filed a claim, we file it on your behalf. We submit our complete damage documentation alongside the claim, giving the insurer a comprehensive picture from day one.
Existing Claims
If you have already filed and the insurer has made an offer (or denied the claim), we submit a supplemental claim with our independent documentation. This puts the insurer on notice that their assessment is being challenged with professional evidence.
Step 5: Managing the Insurer’s Process
Once the claim is active, the insurance company begins their process — inspections, document requests, adjustments, and offers. We manage every aspect of this interaction:
Insurer Inspections
When the insurer’s adjuster comes to inspect, we are there. Having a public adjuster present during the insurer’s inspection ensures:
- The insurer’s adjuster does not miss damage areas
- We can point out hidden damage the insurer might overlook
- We can address questions about the cause and extent of damage on the spot
- The inspection is documented from our side as well
Document Requests
Insurance companies frequently request additional documentation — recorded statements, proof of loss forms, construction permits, maintenance records. We handle all of these, ensuring:
- Responses are timely (no missed deadlines)
- Information provided is accurate and does not inadvertently harm your claim
- Required forms (like the proof of loss) are completed correctly
Tracking Deadlines
Florida law imposes specific deadlines on insurers (14 days to acknowledge, 90 days to pay or deny). We track every deadline and hold the insurer accountable when they miss one.
Step 6: Negotiation
This is where the public adjuster’s expertise pays off most directly. Once both sides have completed their assessments, the negotiation begins.
Line-by-Line Comparison
We prepare a detailed comparison of our estimate versus the insurer’s estimate, highlighting every difference:
- Items we included that the insurer omitted
- Items where our pricing is higher and why
- Code upgrades the insurer did not account for
- Matching requirements the insurer ignored
- Overhead and profit the insurer excluded
The Negotiation Process
Negotiations typically occur over multiple rounds:
Round 1: We present our documentation and estimate, highlighting the gaps in the insurer’s assessment. The insurer reviews and responds.
Round 2: We address the insurer’s objections with additional evidence — photos of specific damage, code provisions, supplier pricing, comparable estimates.
Round 3+: We continue narrowing the gap until we reach a fair settlement or determine that negotiation has reached its limit.
When Negotiation Is Not Enough
If the insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement through negotiation, we have additional tools:
- Appraisal: Invoking the appraisal clause for valuation disputes
- Mediation: Requesting free mediation through the Florida Department of Financial Services
- Demand letter: Formal written demand for payment
- Regulatory complaint: Filing a complaint with the state
- Attorney referral: Connecting you with a qualified insurance attorney if legal action is warranted
Step 7: Settlement and Payment
When a settlement is reached, we review the offer carefully to ensure it reflects the agreed terms. We verify:
- The settlement amount matches the negotiated figure
- All coverage categories are included (structure, contents, ALE)
- Depreciation holdback is properly calculated
- The deductible is correctly applied
We then guide you through the payment process, including dealing with mortgage company endorsement requirements if applicable.
Recovering Depreciation
If your policy provides replacement cost coverage, we help you recover the depreciation holdback after repairs are completed:
- We advise you on the documentation needed (invoices, receipts)
- We track the deadline for submitting the recovery claim
- We submit the depreciation recovery request to the insurer
- We follow up until payment is received
What Sets Greater Claims Consulting Apart
Every public adjuster follows a similar general process. What distinguishes Greater Claims Consulting & Appraisal Inc.:
Thoroughness: We inspect properties with the detail of a forensic investigation, not a quick walkthrough.
Technology: We use Xactimate, moisture meters, thermal imaging, and digital documentation tools to build irrefutable claims.
Experience: Reginald Amedee and our team have handled thousands of Florida property claims. We know the tactics insurers use and how to counter them.
Communication: We keep you informed at every stage. You will never wonder what is happening with your claim.
Results: Our track record speaks for itself. We consistently recover substantially more than the insurer’s initial offer.
The Timeline
Every claim is different, but here is a general timeline for what to expect:
| Stage | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Initial consultation | Same day |
| Property inspection | Within 1-3 days |
| Claim preparation | 1-2 weeks |
| Filing/submission | Within days of preparation |
| Insurer investigation | 2-8 weeks |
| Negotiation | 2-8 weeks |
| Settlement | 1-2 weeks after agreement |
| Total | 6-16 weeks for most claims |
Complex claims, especially those involving disputes or appraisal, may take longer. We set realistic expectations from the start.
Start the Process Today
If your Florida property has been damaged and you want professional representation in your insurance claim, call Greater Claims Consulting & Appraisal Inc. at (877) 462-7036.
Reginald Amedee and our licensed public insurance adjusters are ready to inspect your property, prepare your claim, and fight for the maximum settlement you deserve.
We serve homeowners throughout South Florida and work on a contingency basis — you pay nothing unless we recover money for you.