Public adjuster in Destin, FL
Aviva Insurance Adjusters is a licensed Florida public adjusting firm that works Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa County. We represent Okaloosa County homeowners, condo owners and business owners, never insurance companies, on hurricane, flood, roof and water claims.
Se habla español. Ajustador público que habla español
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Why Destin claims are different
Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin at about 8:30 p.m. on October 9, 2026, as a Category 2 hurricane with 105 mph winds. In Okaloosa County, the National Weather Service measured sustained winds of 62 knots in Fort Walton Beach with numerous gusts of 80 to 90 knots, and about 63% of the county lost power.
About 11 inches of rain fell in a short period, causing significant flash flooding in Fort Walton Beach. Storm surge reached 3.98 feet above normal high tide at Old Pass Lagoon, and dunes near the Jetty East Condominiums on the Destin coast were destroyed. Isaias also tore roofing off buildings in Destin.
That leaves Okaloosa 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.
- Condos and vacation rentals
- Destin’s condos need claims under the association’s master policy and each owner’s HO-6. Rental owners should also claim lost rental income.
- Flash flooding vs. roof leaks
- Eleven inches of rain finds every opening. Water through a storm-damaged roof is a homeowners claim; rising water is flood. We trace the path.
- Roof and siding damage
- Wind-driven rain behind lifted shingles and siding causes interior damage that shows up later. Supplemental claims have an 18-month deadline.
- Claim deadlines
- Florida law requires notice of a new Isaias claim by October 9, 2027.
How we resolve Destin 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 Destin
- 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 Destin
Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island, Mary Esther, Niceville, Valparaiso, Shalimar, Crestview and the rest of Okaloosa County. We also handle claims in Santa Rosa, Walton and Escambia counties, across the Panhandle and all of Florida.
Why Destin 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.
Destin 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.
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.
Rainwater flooded my house during Isaias. Is that covered?
It depends on how the water got in. Water rising from the ground is generally excluded unless you have flood insurance. Water through a storm-damaged roof or window is usually a homeowners claim. We trace the path of the water.
Talk to a Destin 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: National Weather Service Mobile/Pensacola Hurricane Isaias impact summary; AP, CNN and FOX Weather reporting on Isaias’s landfall. 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.