Lee County Public Adjuster: Barrier Island, Canal & River Claims

Florida law (Fla. Stat. 627.70132) generally requires notice of a new or reopened claim within 1 year of the date of loss and a supplemental claim within 18 months. For hurricanes, the date of loss is the landfall date. Your policy may require faster notice. If you are unsure whether your Lee County file is still open, bring the policy and carrier letters to a free review at (239) 444-8101.

Usually not. Storm surge is generally treated as flood, which is covered by a separate NFIP or private flood policy. Wind, wind-driven rain through a storm-created opening, and many roof and interior losses stay with the homeowners policy. We document what each policy should pay so one carrier cannot point at the other.

Florida law sets deadlines measured from the hurricane’s landfall date: 1 year for a new or reopened claim and 18 months for a supplemental claim (Fla. Stat. 627.70132). Ian (2022) and Milton (2024) are past those windows for most files, but bring the letters to a free review if a payment or appraisal is still open.

Florida law caps public adjuster contingency fees in most property claims at 20% of the amount paid by the insurer under the policy. For claims arising from a declared state of emergency, a lower 10% cap typically applies for one year after the declaration. Ask for fees and services in writing before you sign. A free review does not create a fee.