Public Roof Adjuster: What They Do and When You'd Need One
You're searching "public roof adjuster" because you have roof damage — from a storm, a leak, hail, or age — and you're trying to figure out who can actually help you deal with your insurance company about it, separate from a roofer or the insurer's own adjuster.
Florida property insurance claims: the deadlines and the fee cap
- Notice of a claim
- Under Fla. Stat. §627.70132, a property insurance claim or reopened claim is barred unless notice was given to the insurer within 1 year after the date of loss. A supplemental claim is barred unless notice was given within 18 months after the date of loss. — Fla. Stat. §627.70132(2)
- Time to bring a court action
- An action for breach of a property insurance contract must be brought within 5 years, running from the date of loss. This is a separate clock from the notice deadline, and §627.70132(5) states that the notice statute does not affect it. — Fla. Stat. §95.11(2)(e)
- What a public adjuster may charge
- A public adjuster’s compensation is capped at 20 percent of the amount of insurance claim payments or settlements, exclusive of attorney fees and costs, paid to the insured by the insurer. For claims based on events that are the subject of a declaration of a state of emergency by the Governor the cap is 10 percent, and that limit applies to claims made during the year after the declaration of emergency. — Fla. Stat. §626.854(11)(b)
- Which deadline applies to you
- Which of these applies to your claim depends on your policy and your date of loss.
Public Loss Adjusters, LLC — Robert Mack, Florida public adjuster, Lic. #A161638. The review is free and carries no obligation. Call 352-353-4556.
Robert Mack — Public Loss Adjusters, LLC
Florida Public Adjuster License #A161638 · SPPA · AIC · AIC-M · CCC
What happens next
- You call. One conversation, and you will know whether there is anything here worth looking at further.
- A free policy and loss review. We read the policy you actually hold and look at what was actually lost. No cost, no obligation.
- We deal with the insurer. If there is a claim, we take it from there. No recovery, no fee.
A public roof adjuster is a state-licensed adjuster who represents you, the property owner, in an insurance claim involving roof damage — not the insurance company. They inspect the roof, document the cause and extent of damage, prepare or challenge the repair/replacement estimate, and handle the claim submission and negotiation with your insurer. This is different from a roofing contractor (who repairs the roof) and different from the insurance company's adjuster (who works for the carrier). Whether your specific roof damage is covered, and for how much, depends entirely on your policy's language, the cause of loss, and timing.
How this affects your insurance claim
Roof damage is one of the most disputed categories in Florida property claims — insurers frequently attribute it to wear, prior damage, or maintenance rather than a covered event like wind or storm. Before any repair, tarping beyond what's necessary for mitigation, or full replacement, the roof's current condition needs to be documented as it exists right now. Once shingles are replaced, tarped over for weeks, or a contractor starts work, the evidence an adjuster would need to support a claim can be gone.
What to do now
- Photograph the roof damage from the ground and, if safe, from a ladder — wide shots and close-ups of each damaged area
- Photograph the attic or ceiling from inside if there's any sign of a leak, staining, or daylight through the deck
- Do only the mitigation needed to stop further damage (tarp, temporary patch) — avoid tearing off or replacing the roof before it's documented
- Keep any receipts for emergency tarping or temporary repairs
- Note the approximate date you first noticed the damage or the date of the storm/event
- Avoid signing a contractor's assignment of benefits or full contract until you understand how it affects your claim
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What clients say
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“I came here especially to thank Robert and write a review for him (he didn’t ask me to)”
“It will seem like they are helping you out with a claim, but PLA pointed out how they were cutting corners and not paying what is really due.”
“This company was on top of my issue from the moment I called to the very end.”
“As it turned out, I didn’t use Robert. But he put in the time and effort to visit me and provide me with solid information and guidance should the insurance company not be responsive.”
What the insurance company will need
- Full policy documents, including any roof-specific endorsements or schedules
- Photos and video of the roof damage taken as soon as possible after discovery
- Photos of the attic/interior showing any related leak or water intrusion
- Date and description of the storm or event believed to have caused the damage
- Any prior roof inspection reports, permits, or replacement records
- Contractor or roofer estimates or reports, if already obtained
- Weather data or storm reports for the date in question
- Correspondence with the insurance company, including any denial or partial-payment letters
- Photos of failed or damaged materials if any were removed
What your insurance may or may not cover
Whether roof damage is covered depends on the cause of loss, your policy's roof-specific language (many Florida policies now have separate roof deductibles, actual-cash-value-on-roof endorsements, or age-based limitations), when the damage occurred, and whether it was reported within your policy's timeframe. Wind and hail-caused damage is treated differently than damage attributed to age, wear, or lack of maintenance — and that distinction is often exactly where disputes happen.
What could reduce or defeat the claim
The most common dispute on roof claims is causation: the insurer's adjuster attributes cracked shingles, granule loss, or leaks to age, wear, or improper maintenance rather than a specific covered event like wind or hail. Other frequent issues include disputes over whether a partial repair vs. full replacement is warranted, mismatched or discontinued shingles, and depreciation applied under an actual-cash-value roof endorsement.
Should you file a claim?
A roof claim is generally worth a closer review when the damage is widespread, tied to a specific storm or wind event, affects the interior (leaks, staining), or when the insurer's initial offer seems to only cover a partial repair despite significant visible damage. It may not be worth pursuing as a claim if the damage is minor, clearly maintenance-related, or below your deductible.
How a public adjuster helps in this situation
A public roof adjuster from Public Loss Adjusters inspects the roof and documents the damage independently, determines how the damage aligns with your policy's covered causes of loss, prepares a detailed scope and estimate (or reviews the insurer's estimate line by line), and presents and negotiates the claim directly with your insurance company on your behalf — so you're not navigating causation disputes, scope disagreements, or depreciation questions alone.
When you may not need a public adjuster
If the roof damage is minor, cosmetic, clearly below your deductible, or you've already accepted a repair estimate you're satisfied with, a public adjuster review may not add value — a straightforward small repair paid out of pocket can sometimes be simpler than opening a claim.
Frequently asked questions
What is a public roof adjuster?
A public roof adjuster is a state-licensed insurance adjuster who represents the property owner, not the insurance company, in a claim involving roof damage. They inspect, document, and help present the claim to the insurer.
How is a public roof adjuster different from a roofer?
A roofer repairs or replaces the roof. A public adjuster does not do physical repair work — they handle the insurance claim: documenting damage, estimating loss value, and negotiating with the insurance company.
How is a public adjuster different from the insurance company's adjuster?
The insurance company's adjuster is hired and paid by the insurer and represents its interests. A public adjuster is hired by you and represents your interests in the same claim.
Does my homeowners policy cover roof damage?
It depends on your specific policy, the cause of the damage, and its age-related endorsements. Wind, hail, and storm damage are often treated differently than damage attributed to wear or lack of maintenance.
My insurance company says my roof damage is just wear and tear — is that true?
It may or may not be accurate. Causation disputes are one of the most common issues in roof claims, and an independent inspection can help determine whether a covered event contributed to the damage.
Can I still get help if my roof claim was already denied?
A denial isn't necessarily the end of the process. It depends on the reason given and your policy, but a review of the denial letter and your policy can clarify what options may exist.
Do I need a new roof or can it just be patched?
Whether a full replacement or partial repair is appropriate depends on the extent and pattern of the damage, your policy's language, and sometimes local code requirements — this is often a point of disagreement with insurers.
What does a public adjuster cost?
Florida law caps public adjuster fees as a percentage of the claim recovery, and Public Loss Adjusters works on a no-recovery, no-fee basis — there's no upfront cost to have your claim reviewed.
Should I call a roofer or a public adjuster first?
If there's active leaking, mitigate the immediate damage first. But before full repairs or replacement begin, it's worth having the damage documented, since repair work can eliminate evidence needed for the claim.
How long do I have to file a roof damage claim in Florida?
Florida law places deadlines on reporting property claims, and the specific timeframe depends on your policy and the date of loss. It's best not to delay documenting or reporting the damage.
What if my roof is old — can I still file a claim?
An older roof can still have a valid claim if a covered event like wind or hail caused new or additional damage, though age-related endorsements in your policy may affect how the claim is valued.
Will my insurance rates go up if I file a roof claim?
This depends on your carrier and policy history; it's a fair question to weigh, but it shouldn't be the only factor if there's legitimate storm damage that hasn't been addressed.
What is a roof deductible and how does it affect my claim?
Many Florida policies have a separate, often percentage-based deductible specifically for roof claims, which can be higher than your standard deductible — reviewing your policy clarifies what applies to you.
What is actual cash value vs. replacement cost for a roof?
Some policies pay roof claims at depreciated actual cash value rather than full replacement cost, depending on the roof's age and the endorsement in your policy — this significantly affects what you may receive.
Can a public adjuster help if my roof claim was underpaid, not denied?
Yes — a review of an underpayment often involves comparing the insurer's estimate against an independent scope of the actual damage.
Do I need proof it was a specific storm that damaged my roof?
Tying damage to a specific date or event strengthens a claim, but it depends on your policy and the type of damage; documentation and weather records can help establish this.
What should I photograph if I think my roof has storm damage?
Wide and close-up photos of every damaged area from the ground or safely from a ladder, plus interior photos of any related ceiling stains or attic leaks.
Can I still file a claim if I already made temporary repairs?
Yes, but keep any removed materials, receipts, and photos taken before the temporary repair — this preserves evidence of the original damage.
Send photos of your roof damage and a copy of your policy's declarations page for a free claim review — there's no cost or obligation to find out where your claim actually stands.
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If the roof came off worse than the estimate says, the insurance side of this is a separate question from the repair: roof insurance claim help in Florida.