Hurricane Isaias Claim Help for Pensacola & Milton

Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin on the evening of October 9, 2026, as a Category 2 hurricane with 105 mph winds. The western Panhandle took the worst of the east side of the storm. The National Weather Service recorded gusts of 118 mph in Jay, 116 mph at Oriole Beach, and 114 mph near Whiting Field outside Milton. Pensacola saw gusts near 100 mph, and parts of the area got more than 8 inches of rain.

That combination, hours of high wind followed by heavy rain, causes damage that is easy to miss and easy to undervalue: lifted shingles and torn underlayment, water coming in at flashing and soffits, wet insulation and drywall, damaged fences and screen enclosures, and fallen-tree impacts.

Florida law sets firm deadlines for hurricane claims. For hurricanes, the date of loss is the landfall date. For Isaias, that's October 9, 2026.

• New or reopened claims: notice to your insurer within 1 year of the date of loss, by October 9, 2027 (Fla. Stat. § 627.70132)
• Supplemental claims (more damage found after the insurer adjusted the claim): within 18 months, by April 9, 2028

Your policy may also require "prompt" notice, so report damage to your insurer as soon as you can, even if it looks minor.

This is general information, not legal advice. Read your policy and confirm your deadlines.

The adjuster your insurance company sends works for the insurance company. A public adjuster is licensed by the State of Florida to represent the policyholder. Here's what we do:

1. Tell us what happened. Fill out the free intake form or call. We'll ask about the damage, your policy, and where the claim stands.
2. We inspect and document. We walk the property, photograph and measure the damage, and prepare a detailed estimate. We read your policy so we know what it actually covers, including your hurricane deductible.
3. We handle the carrier. We present the claim, meet the insurer's adjuster, answer their requests, and push back when the numbers don't reflect the damage.
4. You get a clear answer. We keep you updated in plain language. You make the final decision on any settlement.

• Roof damage: shingles, tiles, metal, underlayment, flashing
• Wind damage: siding, soffits, fascia, fences, screen enclosures, carports
• Water intrusion after wind damage: ceilings, walls, flooring, insulation
• Fallen-tree damage
• Mold that follows storm-related water
• Contents and personal property
• Additional living expenses (ALE)
• Commercial properties, condos, and HOAs
• Denied, delayed, or underpaid Isaias claims, including claims you already filed

Flood vs. wind: Rising water (storm surge, flooded streets) is usually covered by a separate flood policy (NFIP or private), not your homeowners policy. Wind-driven rain coming through storm-damaged openings is usually a homeowners claim. Many Isaias losses involve both. We'll help you figure out which policy applies.

It usually isn't too late. We can step in after you file, after the insurer's inspection, or after you get an offer you don't agree with. Bring us the denial letter or the carrier's estimate. We'll compare it to the actual damage and your policy and tell you honestly whether we see a path forward.

• Local. Based in Milton, in Santa Rosa County. We live with the same storms you do.
• Licensed. Rod Buvens, Florida Public Adjuster License P197884. Firm License W806682.
• Experienced. More than $500 million recovered for clients and 150+ years of combined team experience.
• Simple fee. 10% of what we recover for you, no recovery, no fee, nothing up front. Our fee applies only to payments obtained after you hire us. It's written into your contract before any work begins.
• Available. Open 24/7. Call and you'll reach the owner directly.

1. Make sure everyone is safe. Stay away from downed lines.
2. Photograph and video all damage before cleanup, inside and out.
3. Make reasonable temporary repairs (tarp, board-up, water extraction) to prevent more damage, and save every receipt.
4. Keep damaged items if you safely can.
5. Report the claim to your insurer and write down the claim number.
6. If you have uninsured losses, you may also apply for FEMA assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov or 1-800-621-3362. FEMA Individual Assistance is approved for Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and other Panhandle counties under DR-4955-FL.
7. Call us for a free claim review.

Helpful public resources: Florida DFS Insurance Consumer Helpline 1-877-693-5236 (myfloridacfo.com/division/ICA/isaias) · FloridaDisaster.org · Santa Rosa County Disaster Recovery (santarosa.fl.gov). Archer Claims is a private licensed public adjusting firm. We are not affiliated with FEMA, the State of Florida, any county, or any insurance company.

Based in Milton, FL. We serve Milton, Pace, East Milton, Navarre, Gulf Breeze, Jay, Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, Cantonment, Perdido Key, Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Crestview, and communities across Santa Rosa, Escambia, and Okaloosa counties, plus homeowners throughout Florida.