Florida Information
A public adjuster in Florida is a licensed professional who works strictly for you—not the insurance company. For commercial property owners, their expertise in navigating complex policies, business interruption claims, and coordinating documentation can significantly improve your settlement outcomes.
Key benefits for commercial property owners:
- Advocates on your behalf—not the insurance company’s.
- Skilled in handling business interruption, inventory, structural damage, and complex policy coverage.
- Manages paperwork, timelines, and negotiations so you can focus on your operations.
Continental Adjusters LLC
info@coadj.com
214-373-6600
Florida-Specific Rules & Consumer Protections
1. Licensing & Regulation
- All Florida public adjusters must hold a 3‑20 Public Adjuster License issued by the Department of Financial Services (DFS). Florida Public Adjuster License Requirements (2025 Guide)
- To verify the license of a public adjuster: FLDFS
2. Contract Requirements & Ethics
- Contracts must:
- Be titled “Public Adjuster Contract”, in 12‑point minimum type.
- Clearly state the adjuster’s name, license, business info, insured’s details, type of claim (emergency/non-emergency/
supplemental), signature dates, and the compensation percentage—in 18‑point bold type. Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine - Include a bold fraud warning per Florida statute before signing. munizzilaw.com
- Be provided in original form to the insured at signing, and submitted to the insurer within 7 days. Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine
- Provide a separate disclosure form before signing explaining adjuster roles, your rights, fee obligations, and independence from insurers. Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine
- Adjusters must deliver you a written, itemized estimate within 60 days of contract; you may cancel the contract if it’s not delivered. Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine
- They must keep that estimate for at least 5 years. Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine
3. Professional Conduct & Claims Handling
- Must act with honesty, integrity, and avoid all conflicts of interest or steering work to vendors. Florida Public Adjuster License Requirements (2025 Guide)
- Cannot perform repair work on claims they handle, nor accept referral fees. Adjusters | Compliance | Insurance Agent and Agency Services | MyFloridaCFO
- Must not obstruct insurer access or inspections, and must notify insurers promptly—insurer cannot exclude them from loss discussions.
When to Consider Hiring a Public Adjuster
Engaging a public adjuster may be the right move if:
- Your commercial property has extensive damage or loss—fire, storm, hurricane, or flooding.
- You’re facing a business interruption claim involving lost revenue and operational disruption.
- Your claim is being delayed, underpaid, or denied.
- You’re dealing with multi-location or specialty commercial property like warehouses, offices, or retail centers.
Resources for Florida Commercial Property Owners
1. Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS)
- Regulates licensing, contracts, ethics, and consumer protections.
- Verification and complaints: [DFS Consumer Helpline: 1 877‑MY‑FL‑CFO (693‑5236)], or Division of Consumer Services at (850) 413‑3089. Working with a Public Adjustor – Your Consumer Rights | Members Insurance Center in Florida
2. FAPIA (Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters)
- A trade group holding members to high ethical standards. FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC INSURANCE ADJUSTERS – Home
3. United Policyholders (UP)
- UP offers valuable commercial-claim guidance and help with resources and sample documents. United Policyholders
Quick Checklist for Florida Commercial Property Owners
| Step | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 1 | Thoroughly document property and business interruption losses (photos, receipts, logs). |
| 2 | Delay permanent repairs until insurer inspection; document any temporary fixes. |
| 3 | Track all communications with adjuster and insurer. |
| 4 | Verify public adjuster’s 3-20 license via DFS; match to their ID. |
| 5 | Ensure contract complies with Florida rules—including title, font, disclosures, fees, estimate, and servicing timeline. |
| 6 | Confirm fee structure is within Florida’s caps (10% or 20%). |
| 7 | Ask about their commercial claim experience and request references. |
| 8 | For ethical concerns, contact DFS or FAPIA; suspected fraud? Call 1-800-378-0445. |
Why Align with Continental Adjusters?
We support Florida commercial property owners by:
- Continental Adjusters operates under all licensing requirements, contract compliance and ethical standards.
- Connecting you with adjusters experienced in commercial property & business interruption claims.
- Guiding you with DFS resources.
- Ensuring your claim is pursued professionally, legally, and fairly.
Florida imposes strict regulations to protect commercial property owners—from licensing and contract rules to fees and ethics standards. A licensed, compliant public adjuster can significantly ease claim complexity and improve outcomes.
Need Help Finding a Public Adjuster in Florida?
Contact Continental Adjusters LLC today — we’ll ensure your interests are protected and your claim is maximized.
