FAQs

Public Adjusters are licensed insurance professionals who represent policyholders in the event of damage or loss. They work exclusively for the public and are highly regulated by the state to ensure compliance with legal standards and statutes. In Florida, Public Adjusters must complete an insurance course, pass a state-administered exam, undergo fingerprinting and background checks, be bonded for $50,000, and apprentice under a licensed Public Adjuster for a full year or have relevant claim experience before becoming fully licensed.

When you file an insurance claim, it’s your responsibility to provide proof of your loss to your insurance company. Aside from an attorney, only a licensed Public Adjuster is authorized by the state to represent you. Public Adjusters handle the entire claims process on your behalf. At Mockingbird Public Adjusting, we leverage our extensive experience and expertise to secure the maximum settlement under your policy. Our team of seasoned professionals understands insurance policies, endorsements, forms, key deadlines, and your rights as a policyholder. Our priority is you, and our role is to advocate for you with the insurance company.

Public Adjusters work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if you do. Our fee is a small percentage of the insurance settlement received (after the deductible), with no upfront costs for our services. These fees are regulated by the Florida Department of Financial Services. We represent our clients by earning our payment only from the recovery amount received from the insurance company.

The Insurance Adjuster or Independent Claim Adjuster ultimately works for the insurance company. They will often offer to pay what they see fit on a claim which is not always in your favor. A Public Adjuster is an expert who works exclusively for you, not the insurance company.  We are experts in understanding your insurance policy and reading the fine print in order to negotiate a better claim settlement.

Insurance policies are filled with numerous provisions, stipulations, and constantly changing forms and endorsements. Endorsements, which modify your coverage, can be complex and unfamiliar. While it’s important to understand these documents, most people lack the expertise to interpret the technical language and procedures outlined in their policy. Insurance adjusters are trained to protect the interests of the insurance company. To safeguard your rights, it’s essential to hire a Public Adjuster who works solely for you. Failing to meet certain policy conditions when filing a claim can result in a reduced settlement or even a denied claim.

Just as the insurance company has adjusters representing their best interests, you should have someone representing yours. 

Yes, public adjusters must undergo testing, fingerprinting, background checks, licensing, bonding, and receive authorization to practice in their respective states, all regulated by the local state insurance departments.

It’s likely not too late to reopen your claim. In Florida, you have up to five years from the date of loss to file a supplemental claim. Public Adjusters can reopen closed claims, provided no release was signed, though your state's statute of limitations may limit the time you have. If you believe you were underpaid, we offer a free claim review, where we will carefully audit and analyze your claim, presenting all available options. If necessary, we’ll help you re-open the claim and work to secure a fairer, often larger, settlement. Contact us today to discuss your options!

No, it’s not too late. Many of the clients we’ve helped had their claims underpaid by their insurance companies. We can reopen claims that were underpaid, lowballed, denied, or ignored. Our team will negotiate with the insurer to secure payment for the covered damages. Contact us today, and we’ll explain how we can help reopen your claim.

Using a Public Adjuster is one of the best things you can do in this situation. We advocate for you with your insurance company to help you get the money you need to restore your sense of place.

In most cases, hiring a Public Adjuster leads to a higher settlement from the insurance company. A thorough and detailed claim generally results in a better outcome. We meticulously review all evidence, inspect the damage site carefully, and document everything accurately. Research shows that claims filed without a Public Adjuster often lack completeness and sufficient evidence, resulting in lower settlements and a higher likelihood of denial. Claims handled with the help of a Public Adjuster are taken more seriously and managed more effectively by insurance companies.

Public Adjusters are hired by individual renters and homeowners, business owners, corporations, business professionals, property management companies, Condominium Associations and Home Owner Associations (HOAs). We work with attorneys, banks, accountants, business owners, hotel managers, management companies, industrial facilities, schools, churches, restaurants and retirement homes.

No, not under any circumstances. If an Insurance Company were to cancel your policy because you hired a Public Adjuster, they would be breaking the law. Consumer access to Public Adjusters is a right given to you by the State Legislature.

Once you contact us and the process is underway, we will inspect the damages and create a detailed estimate and inventory. From there, we’ll develop a strategic plan before submitting your claim documentation to the insurance company. We maintain ongoing communication with your insurer throughout the entire claims process. Once coverage is confirmed, we’ll begin negotiations to reach a settlement. After that, it’s time for your check! Give us a call today for more information. We look forward to working with you!

The timeline for resolving a claim can vary, as every case is unique and each insurance company or independent adjuster operates differently with varying workloads. At Mockingbird Public Adjusting, we are committed to consistently pushing the insurance company toward a resolution. Some states, like Florida, have mandated deadlines for claims decisions—Florida requires claims to be paid or denied within 90 days. However, if there is a dispute, such as underpayment or denial, and litigation becomes necessary, the process may take longer. Rest assured, we’ll be with you every step of the way, no matter how long it takes!

Since you may not be a professional adjuster, you might underestimate the extent of the damage and repair costs.  If your loss is caused by a hurricane, your policy might include an annual hurricane deductible. Filing a claim and documenting your damages can potentially reduce the deductible applied to future hurricane-related losses within the same calendar year. Contacting our office will provide you with guidance, an insurance policy review, and consultation. Additionally, after a natural disaster, FEMA requires a claim to be filed before providing assistance.

At Mockingbird Public Adjusting, we handle claims of all sizes—no claim is too big or too small for us. Simply give us a call to discuss your situation, and we’ll provide a free consultation and professional opinion. We are dedicated to helping all clients, whether dealing with a $1,000 or a $1,000,000 claim. It’s all about addressing your needs and managing your loss.

Yes, Mockingbird Public Adjusters provides free evaluations and consultations for condominium association board members regarding their insurance claim. If your claim has been denied or the insurance company's offer is insufficient to repair the property, contact us for an appointment with a licensed Public Adjuster. You won’t incur any fees or costs if we’re not successful, and there are no upfront payments required. If we achieve a successful settlement, you’ll only pay a small percentage of the insurance payout. Call us to arrange a free consultation and discuss your case in detail.

Insurance Appraisal is a process policyholders can use if they believe their insurance company is not offering a fair settlement for their damages. The Appraisal Clause, or Appraisal Provision, enables third parties to assess the damages and determine the amount to be paid. It functions similarly to court arbitration but does not involve courtrooms, lawyers, or judges. Most insurance policies include an Appraisal Clause, typically found in the “Conditions” or “What to do after a loss” section of your policy. Mockingbird Public Adjusting is ready to take your claim through the appraisal process.

Insurance mediation is a process used to resolve disputes between the insured and the insurance company over certain types of claims. During mediation, the insurance company will have a representative to present their perspective on the claim, while the policyholder should have their own representative to advocate for their interests. Policyholders often attend mediation alone, which can be more costly than anticipated. Both parties meet at a scheduled time and place to negotiate and agree on a fair settlement. Contact us as we are expert negotiators in Insurance Mediation.

Yes. Many of our clients who benefited most from our services had their claims denied by their insurance companies. We can help reopen claims that were underpaid, undervalued, denied, or just ignored. Our team will negotiate with the insurance company to secure payment for the covered damages. Contact us today and we’ll explain how we can assist in reopening your insurance claim.