What happens in a consultation
At Ocean Point, the free consultation is a licensed Florida public adjuster's honest assessment of three things:
- Is your claim situation genuinely one where representation will help?
- If so, what does engagement look like?
- If not, what can you do on your own?
It's not a sales pitch. We tell people when representation isn't warranted.
What to bring (or have ready)
Policy documents
- Declarations page (current)
- Full policy form
- Any endorsements attached
If you don't have these, request them from your carrier before the consultation.
Claim documents
- Claim number
- All correspondence from the carrier (emails, letters, estimate)
- Any denial letters or partial-settlement letters
- Carrier's Xactimate estimate (if received)
Damage documentation
- Photos and videos of damage
- Contractor quotes if obtained
- Expert reports if obtained
- Any mitigation invoices
Timeline
- Date of loss
- Date of notice to carrier
- Date of carrier inspection (if occurred)
- Dates of significant communications
Questions to ask
About the claim
- What's my likely recovery range given current documentation?
- What documentation is missing?
- What statutory deadlines apply to me?
- Is appraisal, mediation, or CRN likely to help?
About the PA
- What's your specialty in this claim type?
- What's your DFS license number?
- How long have you been licensed in Florida?
- How many similar claims have you handled?
- Who on your team handles my claim type?
About the engagement
- What's your fee percentage?
- When is the fee earned?
- What services are included?
- What's the expected timeline?
- What happens if we don't recover anything?
What to expect the PA to ask
- Details about the loss event
- Details about the property
- Claim handling to date
- What you want to accomplish
- Any concerns about representation
Red flags in any PA consultation
- Pressure to sign immediately
- No written contract offered
- Fee percentage above the statutory cap set by Fla. Stat. 626.854
- Unlicensed or unverifiable DFS status
- Lack of specialty-match for your claim type
- Vague answers about expected outcomes
After the consultation
If representation is warranted:
- Review the PA contract carefully before signing
- Understand the 10-day right of cancellation
- Know what your out-of-pocket costs are (usually zero)
- Schedule the first meaningful action (inspection, documentation push, etc.)
If representation isn't warranted:
- You leave with specific guidance on what to do yourself
- No charge for the consultation
- Follow up if the situation changes