A Florida church was severely underpaid by their insurance company after storm damage—offered just $84,000 for widespread destruction. Panther Public Adjusting stepped in, conducted a full evaluation, invoked appraisal, and ultimately secured a $399,000 settlement. This case highlights the critical role of public adjusters in insurance disputes and how policyholders can benefit from professional representation. If you’re in Florida and think your claim was underpaid or denied, call 833-726-8437 or email Claims@PantherPA.com to protect your property and get what you’re owed.
The Property: A Church Severely Damaged by a Storm
In the beautiful city of Venice, Florida a historic church faced catastrophic damage after a major storm swept through the area. Like many homeowners in Miami and Englewood, the church leaders assumed their insurance company would do right by them. The company responded with an offer of $84,000—far below what was needed to recover.
That’s when they turned to Panther Public Adjusting.
Initial Inspection: Damages the Insurance Company Missed
Our public adjusting team, often called on by residents in Tampa and Palmetto, spent a full day on-site evaluating the church. What we discovered was extensive:
- Roof completely destroyed by wind in Saint Petersburg-like conditions
- Damaged bell tower—structural compromise seen frequently in Sarasota claims
- Flooded drywall, carpet, and ceiling tiles—common in Miami homes after summer storms
- Cracked antique stained-glass windows
- Exterior brickwork damage
- Water-damaged church pews, much like we’ve seen in Ruskin
All of this had been missed or ignored by the insurance company’s original adjuster.
How the Insurance Company Responded
Not surprisingly, the insurer wasn’t happy to see us in Palmetto. They sent a team of three engineers and contractors to the site—compared to our one adjuster and expert engineer.
Despite the company’s efforts, our documentation stood strong. In fact, similar tactics have been used by carriers in Tampa and Saint Petersburg to stall or diminish valid claims.
But we didn’t back down.
Invoking Appraisal: The Game-Changer for Florida Policyholders
Just like many homeowners in Sarasota or Englewood don’t realize, the insurance policy had an appraisal clause—a powerful legal tool for resolving claim disputes.
We helped the insured exercise this clause and brought in David Herring from Rise Dock, a trusted appraiser with commercial experience across Florida cities like Miami and Tampa. The insurance company appointed their own appraiser, and together they selected a neutral umpire.
The final award?
💰 $399,000 — almost 5x more than what the insurance company first offered.
Why Hiring a Public Adjuster from the Start Matters in Florida
Whether you’re a homeowner in Ruskin, Venice, or Saint Petersburg, this case proves one thing: insurance companies are not on your side.
Had the church accepted the original offer, they would have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in needed repairs. Panther Public Adjusting didn’t just file paperwork—we fought, we inspected, and we won.
If you’re a homeowner in Tampa, Palmetto, or Miami, this story is a warning: Don’t face your insurance company alone.
Florida Homeowners: Don’t Let This Happen to You
We’ve helped families and commercial property owners in Englewood, Sarasota, and Ruskin recover from underpaid or denied claims. If your property has suffered fire, flood, storm, or roof damage, it’s time to get the compensation you deserve.
📞 Call us now at 833-726-8437
📧 Email your policy to Claims@PantherPA.com for a no-obligation review
💻 Submit your case at PantherPA.com
Related Resources for Florida Homeowners:
- What you must do if a tree falls on your house – Especially common in places like Tampa and Venice
- Ensure your flood claim gets paid after a hurricane – Crucial for Miami and Palmetto residents
- Are carriers committing fraud in Hurricane Ian claims? – A must-read for Sarasota and Ruskin policyholders
Want to See This Story Play Out?
🎥 Watch the full story on our YouTube channel, My Insurance Claim Expert, hosted by Mendy—where we break down real claims from Florida cities like Saint Petersburg, Venice, and Miami.
🧑💬 Join our growing Facebook community, Anything About Property Insurance Claims 101, where homeowners from Tampa, Englewood, and beyond share stories, advice, and get help navigating claims.
Final Takeaways for Florida Property Owners
- Insurance companies in Miami, Ruskin, and Palmetto often lowball first offers
- Public adjusters protect your interests—not the insurer’s
- The appraisal clause is a powerful path to justice
- Don’t wait—Panther Public Adjusting gets results across Florida
✅ FAQs
❓1. What is an appraisal clause, and how can it help me?
An appraisal clause allows a policyholder in Miami or Sarasota to dispute an unfair claim. With the help of a public adjuster, this legal mechanism can bring in neutral appraisers to reassess the damage. In this church case, it led to a final payout of $399,000—versus the original $84,000.
❓2. Can I hire a public adjuster after I’ve filed a claim in Florida?
Yes. In fact, many Tampa and Englewood homeowners come to us after their claims have been underpaid or denied. It’s never too late to get the help you need.
❓3. Does Panther Public Adjusting only help with large commercial properties?
Not at all. We assist homeowners from Venice to Saint Petersburg and everywhere in between. Whether it’s a home flood, roof collapse, or fire damage, we fight for maximum payouts across Florida.
Ready to Protect Your Florida Property?
📞 Call now: 833-726-8437
📧 Email us at Claims@PantherPA.com with your policy
💻 Get help today at PantherPA.com