TL;DR:
After a hurricane damaged a brand new home, the insurance company lowballed the homeowner with a $3,200 offer. Panther Public Adjusting got involved, conducted a thorough inspection, escalated the claim to appraisal, and presented key documentation that proved the need for full roof replacement. The result? A $150,000+ payout to fully restore the home. This case highlights why hiring a public adjuster from day one is essential.
Hurricane Damage Hits Just Weeks After Construction
Imagine finally finishing construction on your dream home. Everything brand new, from the roof to the floors. And then, just a month later, a hurricane barrels through your neighborhood, ripping shingles off your roof, scratching your windows, and leaving stains on your freshly painted ceilings.
That was the reality for our client. Although the damage wasnât catastrophic, it affected multiple parts of the home:
- Dozens of shingles were torn from the roof
- Windows were scratched by flying debris
- Soffit and fascia were damaged
- Interior ceilings showed signs of water intrusion
These are the kinds of issues that can compromise a home’s long-term value if not addressed properly.
So what did the insurance company do? After dragging their feet, they came back with a measly $3,200 estimate, claiming it was under the deductible and not worth a payout.
Thatâs when we stepped in.
Why You Need a Public Adjuster at the Inspection
The first mistake many homeowners make is letting the insurance company conduct the inspection on their own. When this happens, critical damage is often overlooked or intentionally ignored.
Thatâs why we insisted on being present during the inspection. It took nearly a month for the insurance carrier to agree to meet us there, but we persisted.
During the walkthrough, we:
- Removed the roof tarp to expose damaged shingles
- Documented soffit, fascia, and window damage
- Pointed out ceiling stains and signs of water intrusion
- Took detailed, unbiased photos of every area affected
If we hadnât been there, the adjuster couldâve easily taken a few âcleanâ photos and claimed there was no visible damage.
Your adjuster represents the insurance company. We represent YOU.
The Power of the Appraisal Process
After the carrier stuck with their $3,200 estimate, we recommended the homeowner proceed to appraisal, a powerful tool for policyholders when thereâs a disagreement about the value of a claim.
Not familiar with how appraisal works?
đ Check out our videos on My Insurance Claim Expert, our YouTube channel, where we break it down step by step.
In this case, our appraiser and the insurance companyâs appraiser couldnât agree, so the decision went to an umpire, a neutral third party.
Hereâs where our preparation paid off.
We provided documentation from one of the largest shingle manufacturers in America stating that shingles should not be installed over decking thatâs been in place for fewer than five years.
Since the home was newly built, this meant the insurance company couldnât just patch in new shingles. They had to replace the entire roof, including the decking.
Armed with this evidence, the umpire ruled in our clientâs favor. The result
â
A $150,000+ award, enough to restore the home to pre-loss condition the right way.
Why Panther Public Adjusting Should Be Your First Call
This case proves an essential truth. The earlier you get a public adjuster involved, the better your outcome will be.
Without our help, this homeowner might have:
- Accepted the $3,200 offer
- Never discovered the full extent of the damage
- Failed to present proper documentation during appraisal
At Panther Public Adjusting, we:
- Represent you, not the insurance company
- Know how to spot hidden damage
- Understand policy language and claim timelines
- Leverage industry research and building code to justify full replacements
We Serve Homeowners Across Florida
Whether you live on the Gulf Coast or inland, our team is ready to help you fight back against underpaid or denied claims. We work with clients in:
- Tampa â Get support from Tampaâs top public adjusters
- Saint Petersburg â Let our local adjusters fight for your full settlement
- Sarasota â Learn how Sarasotaâs public adjusters maximize payouts
- Miami â We help homeowners from South Beach to Hialeah
- Venice and Englewood â See how Englewoodâs trusted public adjusters fight for your rights
Ready to Take Action?
Don’t let the insurance company decide what your damage is worth. Let Panther Public Adjusting review your policy and fight for what youâre truly owed.
đ Call us today at 833-726-8437
đ§ Email your policy to Claims@PantherPA.com for a free review
đ Or reach out through our contact form
Want to Learn More About Fighting Insurance Tactics?
We share stories, tips, and behind-the-scenes breakdowns of how we handle real claims.
đ„ Watch more videos on our YouTube channel, My Insurance Claim Expert
đ„ Join our Facebook community, Anything About Property Insurance Claims 101
Final Thoughts: Donât Settle for Less
If you take one thing from this story, let it be this. You donât have to accept the insurance companyâs first offer.
Whether youâve suffered from hurricane, wind, water, or fire damage, Panther Public Adjusting is here to help. Weâve secured millions in settlements for Florida homeowners who were told ânoâ or âthatâs all we can offer.â
đ Call now: 833-726-8437
đ§ Send your policy to Claims@PantherPA.com
đ Visit our contact page to get started
đ§ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: When should I hire a public adjuster for my insurance claim?
A: You should hire a public adjuster immediately after discovering damage. Getting expert help from the beginning ensures all damages are documented properly and your claim is positioned for maximum payout.
Q2: What is the insurance appraisal process?
A: Appraisal is a method of resolving disputes over the value of a claim. If you and your insurer disagree, each side chooses an appraiser, and a neutral umpire helps reach a final decision.
Q3: Can I appeal a low insurance offer on my own?
A: You can, but it’s not advisable. Insurance companies have experienced adjusters working for them. Hiring a public adjuster like Panther Public Adjusting ensures you have professionals fighting on your behalf.