Pace Public Adjuster

Pace is inland, but hurricanes still reach it. We work for you, not your insurance company. Free, no-obligation damage inspection and policy evaluation, with no upfront cost.

David Otero, President
Licensed Florida public insurance adjuster
7+ years of claims experience

A Pace Public Adjuster 15 miles from your door

Otero Property Adjusting & Appraisals Inc represents homeowners, landlords and business owners in Pace, FL and the rest of Santa Rosa County. We work only for policyholders.

Our office on West Michigan Ave in Pensacola is about 15 miles away. We inspect in person, and when you call, you talk to our Pensacola team. David Otero oversees your claim.

Get a free claim review

Tell us about the damage. We will follow up to schedule your free, no-obligation inspection.

Claims we handle in Pace

Pace grew from 20,093 people in 2010 to 24,684 in 2020, so many homes here are newer. Inland storms hit them with wind, falling trees and heavy rain rather than storm surge.

Wind damage

Wind strips shingles and siding and brings trees down on roofs and fences. On a newer home, the insurer may call it an installation problem instead of storm damage.

Hurricane damage

Hurricane Sally in 2020 brought downed trees, power outages and heavy rain across Santa Rosa County. Sally moved slowly, and much of its damage came from rain.

Water damage

A failed supply line or water heater can ruin floors and cabinets in hours. Sudden leaks are usually covered, while long-term seepage usually isn't.

Roof leaks

Newer roofs still leak after a storm. We show whether the wind or the workmanship caused it, because that decides who pays.

Mold damage

A leak behind a wall or under flooring can grow mold before you see it. Many policies limit mold coverage, so the source needs to be documented.

Fire and smoke damage

Kitchen fires, electrical fires and lightning leave smoke damage that reaches far past the room where it started.

Flood damage

Homes near Escambia Bay can take on surge or rising water, which falls under a separate flood policy. Most of Pace sits farther inland, but check your flood zone.

Commercial property claims

Businesses along Highway 90 can claim building damage and, with the right coverage, lost income.

Where Pace claims come up short

Pace owners tend to lose money on newer homes and first-time claims.

“It's a construction defect”

On newer homes, insurers often point to installation problems instead of storm damage. Wind lift, creased shingles and impact marks tell a different story when they're documented.

Matching

If damaged shingles or siding are no longer made in the same color or style, a patch leaves a mismatched house. Ask how your policy and Florida law handle matching before you accept a partial repair.

Trees and wind inland

Mature trees on older lots and wind-driven rain cause most inland claims. Fences, sheds and gutters a tree damaged belong in the claim along with the roof.

A first claim with no records

If you've never filed before, you may not have before photos or know what to document. We start by photographing and measuring everything, then go through your policy with you.

How we handle your claim

Your insurer sends an adjuster who works for the insurer. We work for you, and we make sure a first-time claim is filed the right way.

Policy review

We read the whole policy, endorsements and exclusions included, because a lot of disputes are settled on paper before anyone climbs a ladder.

Inspection

We inspect the property ourselves and photograph the roof, attic, interior and exterior, including damage the first adjuster didn’t look for.

Our estimate

We write a line-item estimate for the full repair at current local prices.

Negotiation

We deal with your insurer directly. Anyone inspecting for the insurer has to give at least 48 hours’ notice, which gives us time to be there with you.

Appraisal, if it comes to that

If you and the insurer still disagree on the amount, many policies let either side demand appraisal. Each side picks an appraiser, and those two choose an umpire. An award signed by any two of them sets the amount of the loss. Check your policy first, because not every policy has this clause.

Through to payment

We handle the paperwork, supplements and deadlines until the claim is paid. Florida gives your insurer 60 days from notice to pay or deny a claim, with limited exceptions (§627.70131), and we hold it to that.

What our clients say

5.0 on Google from 22 reviews. Read them all on Google

“Working with David was a game changer. Having someone with so much knowledge in your corner is the only way to go about claims against insurance companies!”

Bailey, Google review

“He was up front about the process and followed through on everything he informed us. He kept us up-to-date the entire time. I highly recommend.”

Wendy L., Google review

“We’re extremely grateful for the time, effort, and professionalism shown by David and Tamara in helping us with our home insurance claim.”

GT H., Google review

Areas we serve near Pace

From our Pensacola office we serve Pace, the rest of Santa Rosa County and the Panhandle, and we handle claims throughout Florida. See all service areas.

What it costs and your rights in Florida

If this is your first claim, these Florida rules are worth knowing.

The inspection and policy review are free, and there’s nothing to pay upfront. Our fee is a percentage of what your insurer pays, and Florida caps it (§626.854):

10% at most for claims from an event the Governor declared a state of emergency, when the claim is made in the year after the declaration. After that year, the 20% cap applies.
20% at most for all other claims.
0% on anything your insurer paid, or agreed in writing to pay, before you signed with us.
1% at most on any part of the policy where the insurer pays or agrees to pay the full limit within 14 days of the loss or within 10 days of signing with us, whichever is later.
Reopened or supplemental claims: the fee is based only on new money we recover after you sign, and it can’t go over 20%.

Your right to cancel. You can cancel a public adjuster contract for any reason, without penalty, within 10 days of signing. After a declared state of emergency, the window is 30 days from the date of loss or 10 days from signing, whichever is longer. You can also cancel if we haven’t given you and your insurer a written estimate within 60 days of signing, unless the delay was outside our control.

Deadlines to know (§627.70132). A new or reopened claim has to be reported within 1 year of the date of loss. A supplemental claim, for more damage found later on a claim you already filed, has 18 months.

This is general information, not legal advice. Your policy and the facts of your claim decide what applies to you.

Pace Public Adjuster FAQs

Pace isn't on the coast. Do I really need a public adjuster for storm damage?

Not for every claim. A public adjuster helps most when the damage is large, the insurer disputes the cause, or the offer seems low. The inspection is free, so you can find out before deciding.

My house is only a few years old. Why would the insurer deny roof damage?

Insurers sometimes blame installation or manufacturing instead of the storm. We document the storm damage and compare it with the rest of the roof.

Only part of my roof or siding was damaged. Will insurance pay to match the rest?

Sometimes. It depends on your policy and on whether matching materials are still available. We check both and push for a repair that leaves the house uniform.

Can I have a public adjuster there when the insurance adjuster inspects?

Yes. Your insurer must give at least 48 hours’ notice before an on-site inspection, and we can attend.

What should I photograph before calling anyone?

Everything damaged, from several angles, before cleanup: roof, ceilings, floors, fences, trees and belongings. Keep damaged items if you safely can, and save receipts for emergency repairs.

Do you come to Pace for inspections?

Yes. Our office is about 15 miles away in Pensacola, and every inspection happens at your property.

How much does a public adjuster cost in Florida?

The fee is capped at 10% of claim payments for claims made in the year after a declared state of emergency, and 20% for other claims. Our inspection and policy evaluation are free, with no upfront cost.

Do you handle claims in Milton and the rest of Santa Rosa County?

Yes. We cover Milton, Navarre, Gulf Breeze and the rest of Santa Rosa County, plus the Panhandle and the rest of Florida.

Storm or water damage in Pace?

Get a free, no-obligation damage inspection and policy evaluation. We work for you, not your insurance company.