What is a public adjuster, and is "public claims adjuster" the same thing?+
Yes — "public adjuster," "public claims adjuster," and "public insurance adjuster" all refer to the same role: a state-licensed professional who represents the policyholder (you) in a property insurance claim. In Florida, public adjusters are licensed and regulated by the Department of Financial Services (DFS) under FS 626.854. They are not the same as the insurance company's "company adjuster" or an "independent adjuster" — those work for the carrier.
How do I find a licensed and certified public adjuster near me in Florida?+
Start by verifying any adjuster's license number through the Florida DFS licensee search. Every public adjuster on the PANM network carries an active Florida public adjuster license (P-series), is in good standing with the state, and meets the continuing-education requirements set by FS 626.866. We match you with a licensed firm that handles your damage type and your county — for free, within 24 hours.
Are you a public adjuster firm or a directory of public adjuster companies?+
Both. PANM is a matching service backed by a vetted network of independent, Florida-licensed public adjuster firms. When you submit a claim review request, we route it to the firm best suited to your damage type, county, and carrier. You work directly with that firm under their license; we earn a referral relationship, not a piece of your settlement.
Can a public adjuster help with hurricane, water, fire, flood, or roof damage?+
Yes — public adjusters handle the full spectrum of Florida residential and commercial property claims: hurricane and wind, water and pipe burst, fire and smoke, flood (including NFIP), roof leaks, hail, mold, sinkhole, theft, vehicle impact, and more. For damage-specific guidance, see /claim-types — every covered peril has a dedicated Florida claim guide.
How fast can a public adjuster respond after I file my claim?+
On a free claim review submitted through PANM, the matched firm typically calls within 24 hours during business days. For active emergencies (hurricane evacuation, fire, major water loss), call (888) 824-1306 directly — same-day inspection is usually possible across South Florida and the I-4 corridor.
How does a public adjuster get paid? Is there an upfront fee?+
No upfront fee. Florida public adjusters work on a contingency basis — capped by statute at 20% on most claims and 10% during the first year of a declared catastrophe (FS 626.854(11)). The fee is calculated only on the settlement amount the carrier pays. If we don't recover more than what was already offered, you owe nothing.
Do you only serve specific cities, or all of Florida?+
All 67 Florida counties, with dedicated landing pages for major metros (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Orange, Hillsborough, Lee, Collier, Duval, and more) and 350+ city-level pages including Fort Lauderdale, Naples, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Miami Gardens, and Suwannee. Visit /locations for the full directory.
