Public adjuster in Clearwater, FL
Aviva Insurance Adjusters is a licensed Florida public adjusting firm serving Clearwater and all of Pinellas County. We represent homeowners, condo owners and business owners, never insurance companies, on hurricane, flood, roof, water and fire claims.
Se habla español. Ajustador público que habla español
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Why Clearwater claims are different
Clearwater took back-to-back hits in 2024. Hurricane Helene’s storm surge peaked at about 6.5 feet in Clearwater Beach in September. Two weeks later, Hurricane Milton spared Pinellas the worst surge but brought hurricane-force winds and record rainfall.
Across both storms, Pinellas County counted more than 40,000 homes with storm damage.
Two storms, two weeks apart, created claim problems we see constantly in Clearwater.
- Which storm did it?
- When Helene’s surge and Milton’s wind and rain hit the same property, carriers may argue over which event caused which damage. On most Florida homeowners policies the hurricane deductible applies once per calendar year, so with the same insurer a Milton claim after a Helene claim usually carries only the remaining hurricane deductible or the regular deductible. Careful documentation of each loss protects you.
- Wind vs. flood disputes
- Surge damage generally falls under flood insurance, while wind and wind-driven rain belong to the homeowners policy. We document what each did and review both policies.
- Condo claims
- Unit owners and associations often argue over who covers what. We review your HO-6 policy alongside the association’s master policy. See our guide to condo storm damage.
- Rain-driven interior damage
- Milton’s rain got into homes through damaged roofs and windows, and that interior damage is often underestimated in the first inspection.
How we resolve Clearwater 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 Clearwater
- 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 Clearwater
Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, Largo, Belleair, Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Oldsmar and the rest of Pinellas County. We also handle claims across Pasco, Hillsborough and Hernando counties and all of Florida.
Why Clearwater property owners choose Aviva
- Pinellas experience. we handle claims throughout Pinellas County, from the beaches to Oldsmar.
- 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.
Clearwater public adjuster FAQ
Helene and Milton both damaged my home. Is that one claim or two?
Usually two claims, one for each storm. But Florida law applies the hurricane deductible only once per calendar year on personal residential policies with the same insurer, so you generally shouldn’t pay a full hurricane deductible twice for Helene and Milton. How the damage is split between storms still affects what you collect, so it’s worth documenting carefully.
I own a condo. Should I claim through the association or my own policy?
Often both. The association’s master policy typically covers the building structure, and your HO-6 covers interiors, improvements and contents, depending on your condo documents. We review both and coordinate the claims.
My home flooded from storm surge. Will my homeowners policy pay?
Usually storm surge falls under a flood policy, not a standard homeowners policy. But most storms cause both wind and water damage, and the wind portion (roof, windows, wind-driven rain) is generally a homeowners claim. We review both policies and document each type of damage separately.
Talk to a Clearwater 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: Axios Tampa Bay, Pinellas County Government and WFLA reporting on Hurricanes Helene and Milton. 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.