Public adjuster in St. Petersburg, FL
Aviva Insurance Adjusters is a licensed Florida public adjusting firm serving St. Petersburg and all of Pinellas County. We represent homeowners and business owners, never insurance companies, on hurricane, flood, roof, water and fire claims.
Se habla español. Ajustador público que habla español
2,196 of 2,642 homesin Shore Acres flooded during Hurricane Helene, about 83 in every 100.
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Why St. Petersburg claims are different
Hurricane Helene pushed record-setting storm surge into Shore Acres and surrounding St. Petersburg neighborhoods in September 2024, flooding 2,196 of Shore Acres’ 2,642 homes. Two weeks later, Hurricane Milton brought over 18 inches of rain and 101 mph wind gusts to parts of the city.
The city issued nearly 14,400 post-disaster emergency permits for Helene and Milton damage.
Repeated flooding and back-to-back storms create specific claim problems in St. Pete.
- Repeat flooding
- Shore Acres has flooded again and again, and many homes have now taken water several times. Carriers use prior losses to argue damage was pre-existing or never repaired. Good repair records are your best defense.
- Substantial damage and elevation
- When damage approaches half a home’s value, rebuilding rules can require elevation. Documenting the full scope of damage matters for your claim, your permit and any elevation grant.
- Which storm did it?
- Helene’s surge and Milton’s wind and rain often hit the same home, and carriers argue over which storm caused what. Florida applies the hurricane deductible once per calendar year on most homeowners policies, so the second storm usually shouldn’t cost you a second full hurricane deductible. We document each loss separately.
- Wind vs. flood disputes
- Surge damage generally falls under flood insurance, while wind and rain intrusion belong to the homeowners policy. We review both so nothing falls between them.
How we resolve St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg
- 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 St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, Shore Acres, Snell Isle, Northeast St. Pete, Gulfport, St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, Pinellas Park, Kenneth City and the rest of Pinellas County. We also handle claims across Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties and all of Florida.
Why St. Petersburg property owners choose Aviva
- Pinellas experience. we handle claims throughout St. Petersburg and the beaches.
- 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.
St. Petersburg public adjuster FAQ
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.
My home has flooded before. Can I still get a fair payment?
Yes, but you need to show what was repaired after each loss. Receipts, permits and photos of completed repairs help separate new damage from old. We help gather that evidence and present it to the carrier.
Helene and Milton both damaged my home. Is that one claim or two?
Usually two claims, one per storm. On personal residential policies, Florida applies the hurricane deductible only once per calendar year with the same insurer, so you generally shouldn’t pay it in full twice. How damage is split between the storms still affects what you collect.
Talk to a St. Petersburg 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: ABC Action News, Michael Lowry, FOX 13 and St. Petersburg city permit data reported by FOX 13. 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.