Public adjuster in Panama City, FL
Aviva Insurance Adjusters is a licensed Florida public adjusting firm that works Panama City, Panama City Beach and Bay County. We represent Bay County homeowners, condo owners and business owners, never insurance companies, on hurricane, tornado, storm surge, roof and water claims.
Se habla español. Ajustador público que habla español
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Why Panama City claims are different
Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach and Tyndall Air Force Base on October 10, 2018, as a Category 5 with 160 mph winds, the strongest hurricane on record to hit the Panhandle. Panama City saw 5.31 feet of inundation, second only to Hurricane Opal in 1995, and Mexico Beach and Panama City took the worst of Michael’s wind and surge.
Bay County has been hit again since. On January 9, 2024, an EF3 tornado with 140 mph winds came ashore as a waterspout in Lower Grand Lagoon, the county’s first EF3 in more than 50 years, and some homes it hit had been damaged in Michael. In October 2026, Hurricane Isaias brought about 5 feet of storm surge and serious beach erosion to Panama City Beach, and up to 63,680 Bay County customers lost power.
That leaves Bay County owners with claim problems we see again and again.
Filing after Hurricane Isaias? Our Hurricane Isaias insurance claim guide covers your deadlines, what your insurer must do and when, and FEMA help for Panhandle counties.
- Repeat damage to the same home
- Michael, the 2024 tornado and Isaias hit many of the same neighborhoods. Carriers blame old damage. Repair records from each storm make the difference.
- Condos and vacation rentals
- Beach condos need claims under the master policy and each owner’s HO-6, and rental owners should claim lost rental income too.
- Tornado or hurricane deductible
- A tornado on a winter morning isn’t a hurricane claim. A tornado during a hurricane can be. The deductible depends on timing and policy wording.
- Wind vs. surge
- Surge falls under flood insurance; wind under the homeowners policy. We document each separately.
How we resolve Panama City claims
Every claim starts with a complete, documented estimate of the damage. From there, we use whichever path gets the claim paid in full.
- Negotiated settlement
- We present the evidence, submit supplements for missed damage and negotiate directly with the carrier. Many claims are resolved here with a signed settlement and release.
- Appraisal
- When the dispute is over the amount of the loss and your policy includes an appraisal clause, each side names an appraiser and an umpire decides any disagreement. Jose Villacis is a WIND- and IAUA-certified appraiser and umpire.
- Mediation
- We prepare the claim and represent you at mediation, where a neutral mediator helps both sides reach a settlement. Mediation is one of the most common ways our claims are resolved.
- Litigation support
- If a carrier still won’t pay what the policy owes, we prepare the complete claim file, including documentation, estimates and claim history, so it’s ready for your attorney before a lawsuit is filed. Attorneys also hire us as insurance loss consultants to prepare estimates and document damages for their cases.
Every claim is different, and the right path depends on your policy and the dispute.
Claims we handle in Panama City
- Hurricane and windstorm
- Flood and storm surge
- Roof leaks and roof damage
- Pipe bursts and water damage
- Mold from a covered peril
- Fire and smoke
- Fallen trees
- Lightning
- Power surges
Areas we serve around Panama City
Panama City, Panama City Beach, Lower Grand Lagoon, Lynn Haven, Callaway, Parker, Springfield, Mexico Beach, Southport and the rest of Bay County. We also handle claims across the Panhandle and all of Florida.
Why Panama City property owners choose Aviva
- On site when it counts. we inspect your property in person, then handle follow-up by phone, email and video so your claim keeps moving.
- Licensed. Florida Public Adjusting Firm License #W869253. Jose Villacis, President and Principal Adjuster, holds Florida Public Adjuster License #P110421.
- Appraisal and umpire experience. Jose is a WIND- and IAUA-certified appraiser and umpire, which matters when a claim goes to appraisal.
- 18+ years of Florida property claims experience.
- Bilingual. English and Spanish, from the first call to the final settlement.
- No upfront cost. We only get paid if your claim pays, and our fee never exceeds Florida’s legal caps.
Panama City public adjuster FAQ
Hurricane Isaias damaged my home in October 2026. How long do I have to file?
Under Florida law, notice of a new or reopened property claim must be given within 1 year of the date of loss, and a supplemental claim within 18 months. For Isaias, which made landfall on October 9, 2026, that means notice of a new claim by October 9, 2027. Don’t wait for the deadline: damage is easier to prove while it’s fresh.
How does my hurricane deductible work?
On most Florida homeowners policies the hurricane deductible is a percentage of your dwelling limit, often 2% to 10%, and it applies once per calendar year with the same insurer. A tornado or windstorm outside a hurricane usually falls under the smaller all-other-perils deductible instead. Which deductible applies is worth checking before you accept a payment.
My condo is a vacation rental. Can I claim the bookings I lost?
If your policy includes fair rental value or loss of rents coverage, it can pay rental income you lose while the unit is being repaired. We document cancelled bookings and claim it with the building damage.
Talk to a Panama City public adjuster today
Free claim review, no upfront cost. Se habla español.
Aviva Insurance Adjusters, Corp., 7416 Community Ct., Hudson, FL 34667Storm and local facts: NOAA and the National Hurricane Center; The Weather Channel; National Weather Service Tallahassee tornado survey and Hurricane Isaias impact summary. Aviva Insurance Adjusters, Corp. is an independent Florida public adjusting firm and is not affiliated with Aviva plc, Aviva Canada or any insurance carrier. FL Public Adjusting Firm Lic.# W869253.