Naples Public Adjuster
Southwest Florida's Insurance Claim Experts
A Naples public adjuster serves as your professional advocate when filing property damage insurance claims. Unlike the adjuster your insurance company assigns—who works exclusively in the carrier's interest—we work solely for you. Our responsibility is documenting every aspect of your damage, interpreting your policy's coverage provisions, preparing comprehensive claims, and negotiating aggressively until you receive the settlement your policy provides.
✓ No Fee Unless We Recover
✓ Licensed Florida Public Adjusters (#G199012)
✓ Serving Southwest Florida
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On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian made landfall near Cayo Costa as a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 150 mph. Within hours, Naples and the surrounding communities of Collier County experienced catastrophic destruction that would fundamentally reshape the Southwest Florida insurance landscape. Storm surge exceeded 15 feet in some coastal areas. Entire neighborhoods were submerged. Historic properties along the Gordon River were devastated. The damage estimates quickly climbed into the billions.
Shoreline Public Adjusters watched this destruction unfold from our headquarters right here in Naples—at 780 Fifth Avenue South, Suite 200, just blocks from the waterfront that bore the brunt of Ian's fury. We're not an out-of-state firm that shows up after storms seeking quick fees. We're your neighbors who weathered the same storm, understand the unique challenges of Southwest Florida property ownership, and have dedicated ourselves to helping our community recover fair insurance settlements.
As Seen On:
Why Naples Property Owners Need a Public Adjuster
The Southwest Florida insurance market has undergone dramatic upheaval since Hurricane Ian. Multiple carriers have withdrawn from the Florida market entirely. Those remaining have implemented stricter underwriting standards, higher deductibles, and more aggressive claim handling procedures. For Naples property owners, this creates a particularly challenging environment when damage occurs.
What Happens When You File Without Professional Representation
Consider what happens when you file a claim without professional representation. Your insurance company assigns their adjuster—often someone flown in from another state with no understanding of Naples construction standards, local contractor pricing, or the specific vulnerabilities of coastal Southwest Florida properties. They spend minimal time inspecting your property, frequently missing hidden damage that won't become apparent for months. Their estimate reflects the carrier's interest in closing claims economically, not your interest in properly repairing your home.
The Numbers Don't Lie: Public Adjusters Recover More
The statistics tell a compelling story. Studies consistently demonstrate that policyholders who work with public adjusters recover substantially larger settlements than those who negotiate alone. The National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters reports that public adjuster clients typically receive settlements 30-50% higher than initial insurance company offers. In complex hurricane damage claims—common throughout Naples—that difference can amount to tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Naples' Unique Insurance Challenges
Naples presents unique insurance challenges that make professional representation particularly valuable:
High Property Values: The city's affluent market means higher stakes when damage occurs
Luxury Construction: Custom finishes and premium materials require specialized documentation
Coastal Exposure: Complex coverage questions involving wind versus flood damage
Storm Surge Risk: Multiple policy coordination between homeowners and flood insurance
Types of Property Damage We Handle in Naples
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Naples' position on the Gulf Coast places it directly in the path of hurricanes approaching from the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. The warm waters of the Gulf provide fuel that strengthens storms as they approach, often resulting in rapid intensification just before landfall—exactly what occurred with Hurricane Ian in 2022 and Hurricane Milton in 2024.
Hurricane damage manifests in numerous ways beyond obvious structural destruction:
Wind-driven rain penetrating building envelopes through compromised roofing, window seals, and siding
Pressure differentials cracking foundations and shifting structural framing
Flying debris damaging exterior surfaces that may appear acceptable but have lost protective integrity
Storm surge destroying HVAC systems, electrical infrastructure, and interior finishes
Our team documents all hurricane-related damage, including secondary and consequential damage that insurance company adjusters routinely overlook. When necessary, we engage structural engineers, roofing consultants, and other specialists.
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Naples' coastal geography makes storm surge damage a defining feature of major hurricane events. During Hurricane Ian, storm surge reached 10-15 feet in many Naples neighborhoods, inundating properties from ground level through first-floor ceilings. This saltwater intrusion destroys building materials, electrical systems, HVAC equipment, and contents with devastating thoroughness.
Storm surge claims involve complex coverage questions because surge is technically flooding—requiring flood insurance—but often occurs simultaneously with wind damage covered by homeowners policies. Determining which policy covers which damage requires careful analysis of damage patterns, surge height data, and policy language.
National Flood Insurance Program policies have coverage limits ($250,000 for structures, $100,000 for contents) that often fall far short of actual losses in Naples' high-value market. Understanding how to maximize recovery across multiple policies requires expertise our public adjusters provide.
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Naples' low elevation, high water table, and proximity to both the Gulf of Mexico and the Everglades create multiple sources of water intrusion: storm surge, heavy rainfall, rising groundwater, plumbing failures, appliance malfunctions, and roof leaks.
Insurance companies exploit the complexity of water damage to minimize payouts. The distinction between covered water damage (from sources "above ground" like burst pipes) and excluded flooding (water entering from ground level) creates frequent disputes. Our public adjusters document water damage claims to establish clear causation and ensure each policy responds appropriately.
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Fire claims are among the most complex, involving structural damage, smoke penetration, water damage from firefighting efforts, and personal property losses. Smoke penetrates every porous surface in a structure, contaminating materials throughout the property even in rooms far from actual flames. Heat damages electrical wiring, plumbing systems, and structural components without leaving obvious visual evidence.
Insurance companies often undervalue smoke damage. Our team documents the full scope of fire-related losses, orders air quality testing to establish contamination levels, and ensures all affected contents are inventoried at proper replacement values.
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Florida's combination of intense sun, heavy tropical rainfall, and hurricane-force winds places extraordinary stress on roofing systems. Naples roofs face additional challenges from salt air corrosion and coastal temperature extremes.
When storms damage roofing, insurance companies frequently attempt to minimize payouts by claiming damage is "cosmetic" rather than functional, or attributing storm damage to age and wear. Florida law provides important protections: when roof repairs exceed 25% of the roof area, Florida Building Code generally requires upgrading the entire roof to current standards. We ensure secondary damage from roof failures—interior water damage, mold growth, damaged insulation—is fully documented.
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Naples businesses—from Fifth Avenue South retailers to Marco Island resorts—face unique insurance challenges. Commercial policies are more complex than residential coverage, often including business interruption, extra expense coverage, and equipment breakdown. Our commercial claims specialists understand the documentation and negotiation strategies needed for business claims, including careful documentation of lost income and ongoing expenses.
Our Naples Claims Process
When you contact Shoreline Public Adjusters, we immediately begin working to protect your interests and maximize your claim.
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We start with a comprehensive review of your insurance policy and thorough inspection of your property. Using advanced documentation technology—including drone photography for roof assessment and thermal imaging for hidden water damage—we identify all damage that should be included in your claim. This initial consultation is completely free.
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We create a comprehensive damage inventory with photographs, video documentation, measurements, and detailed descriptions. This documentation often reveals damage that homeowners miss or that insurance company adjusters overlook. We also obtain repair estimates from licensed contractors to establish the true cost of restoration.
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We prepare your claim package using industry-standard estimating software (Xactimate) that insurance companies use themselves. This creates an apples-to-apples comparison that is difficult for adjusters to dispute. We handle all communication with your insurance company, ensuring deadlines are met and your rights under Florida law are protected.
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Insurance companies rarely accept initial claims at full value. We negotiate assertively on your behalf, presenting evidence, countering lowball offers, and invoking policy provisions that support maximum payment. If necessary, we can pursue appraisal or other dispute resolution mechanisms provided in your policy.
Florida Insurance Law Protections
Florida has enacted strong consumer protection laws for insurance policyholders. Understanding these protections is essential for anyone filing a property damage claim in Naples.
Prompt Payment Requirements
Under Florida Statute 627.70131, insurance companies must acknowledge receipt of your claim within 14 days and must pay or deny the claim within 90 days after receiving proof of loss. If your insurer fails to meet these deadlines without valid justification, you may have additional legal remedies.
Fee Regulations
Florida law caps public adjuster fees at 20% for standard claims and 10% for claims arising within one year of a Governor-declared state of emergency. Public adjusters must provide written contracts clearly disclosing all fees and terms before beginning work.
Your Right to a Public Adjuster
Florida law explicitly authorizes policyholders to hire public adjusters to represent their interests. Your insurance company cannot penalize you or deny coverage because you choose professional representation. Policyholders generally have 10 business days to cancel a public adjuster contract without penalty.
Areas We Serve in Southwest Florida
Shoreline Public Adjusters provides comprehensive claims assistance throughout the Naples metropolitan area and surrounding communities in Collier and Lee counties:
Naples: Downtown, Park Shore, Pelican Bay, Vanderbilt Beach, North Naples, East Naples, and all city neighborhoods
Marco Island: Waterfront condominiums, beach homes, and commercial properties
Bonita Springs & Estero: Residential communities and commercial developments
Fort Myers & Fort Myers Beach: Including Sanibel Island and Captiva Island
Cape Coral: Residential and commercial properties throughout Lee County
Immokalee & Ave Maria: Eastern Collier County communities
Golden Gate & Everglades City: Rural Collier County properties
Why Choose Shoreline Public Adjusters in Naples
Licensed Public Adjuster Florida (#G199012)
Local Headquarters
Our offices are located at 780 Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples—this is our home base, not a satellite office. We're permanent members of the Southwest Florida business community with roots in the area and commitment to our neighbors' recovery.
Hurricane Expertise
We've helped Naples and Southwest Florida property owners navigate claims from Hurricane Ian (2022), Hurricane Milton (2024), Hurricane Irma (2017), and numerous other storm events. We understand the specific damage patterns these storms create and the systematic tactics insurance companies deploy to minimize payouts.
No Upfront Costs
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we successfully increase your claim settlement. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement, aligned with your success. If we do not improve your claim outcome, you owe us nothing.
Licensed and Experienced
Shoreline Public Adjusters holds Florida Public Adjuster License #G199012. We also hold licenses in Minnesota (#40962416) and Wisconsin (#21156868). Our team maintains all required continuing education and stays current on Florida insurance law changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Public adjusters in Florida typically charge between 10-20% of the claim settlement, depending on claim size and complexity. Florida law caps fees at 20% for most claims and 10% for claims related to a Governor-declared state of emergency. You pay nothing upfront—our fee comes from the settlement we obtain for you. Studies consistently show that policyholders working with public adjusters recover significantly larger settlements—often enough larger that net recovery after fees exceeds what they would have received alone.
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Ideally, contact us as soon as damage occurs—before filing your initial claim. However, we can also help if your claim has been denied, underpaid, or is taking too long. We regularly reopen claims that insurance companies have closed with inadequate payments.
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An insurance company adjuster works for the insurance company—their job is to close claims cost-effectively for their employer. A public adjuster works exclusively for policyholders, advocating for maximum payment. We are licensed by the state and held to strict ethical standards. The insurance company will have professional representation; you deserve the same.
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No. Florida law protects your right to hire a public adjuster. Your insurer cannot cancel your policy, raise your rates, or otherwise penalize you for exercising this right. In fact, insurance companies often take claims more seriously when a public adjuster is involved.
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Timeframes vary based on claim complexity and insurance company responsiveness. Simple claims may resolve in weeks, while complex hurricane damage claims can take several months. Florida law requires insurers to acknowledge claims within 14 days and pay or deny within 90 days. We monitor all deadlines and push for timely resolution.
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Yes. Many of our Naples clients come to us after receiving a denial or lowball offer. We review the denial, identify errors or omissions, gather additional evidence, and present a compelling case for reconsideration. Our success rate with reopened claims demonstrates that initial denials are often not the final word.
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Most Naples homeowners policies cover wind damage from hurricanes, but flood damage—including storm surge—requires separate flood insurance. Many policies have separate hurricane deductibles (usually 2-5% of dwelling coverage). Understanding exactly what your policies cover before damage occurs is essential. Our team can help you analyze your coverage.
Get Your Free Naples Claim Review
Do not let your insurance company undervalue your property damage claim. Contact Shoreline Public Adjusters today for a free, no-obligation review of your situation. Whether you have a new claim, a denied claim, or a settlement offer that seems too low, we can help.
Florida License #G199012
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