Why hiring a public adjuster makes sense

Dan Odess

When Hurricane Wilma damaged an apartment complex in Lauderdale Lakes in 2005, the insurer initially paid $200,000. But after engaging a public adjuster to review the actual losses and handle the claims process, the insurer eventually paid out $4.285 million.

In Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Naples and throughout Florida, the story is the same: Hiring a licensed public adjuster results in a substantially larger claim payment. In fact, a 2009 survey by the state of Florida found that there was a 747% increase when an adjuster was hired at the start of the claims process.