Hurricane Irma recovery slowed by shortages of insurance adjusters, contractors

Nov. 11--Two months after Hurricane Irma, reporting damages to insurance companies turned out to be the easiest part of the recovery process for many homeowners.

Putting price tags on repairs and getting workers out to fix the most severely damaged properties is requiring a lot of patience.

Carlos Villanueva is still waiting for his insurance company to determine the cost of repairing roof damage, 16 structural fissures and resulting mold and moisture at his coastal Miami home.

"The process has been inefficient and riddled with levels of incompetence," Villanueva said in an interview Friday. Seven adjusters -- most of them contracted by his insurance company from third-party providers -- have inspected his home.

Several times, the insurer decided the adjuster they sent didn't have enough expertise and dispatched another adjuster.

Tarps have been installed on his roof four times, but each came loose and needed to be reinstalled.

"There are so many third-party adjusters involved," he said. "Coordination has been difficult."

Not all Hurricane Irma claims have been so difficult to resolve. But many have been, industry officials say, and the biggest headaches most likely stem from the shortage of adjusters available after hurricanes Harvey and Irma struck Texas and Florida in quick succession.

According to state data, 809,306 claims worth an estimated $5.6 billion were filed with property and casualty insurers across Florida as of Nov. 3, the most recent reporting date.

Of those, 264,409 were paid out and closed and 180,787 were closed with no payment -- usually because the damage did not exceed policyholders' hurricane deductibles.

Yet nearly half -- 364,110 -- remained open.

"Immediately following Hurricane Irma, the insurance carriers excelled throughout the claims reporting process," said Ryan Papy, president of Miami-based Tom Gallagher Insurance and Keyes Insurance in Pompano Beach. "The service was top notch and claims were filed efficiently."

After initial damage inspections are complete, the focus turns to settlements and repairs.

"The second phase, which we are in currently, is the assessment period which primarily is carried out by third-party adjusters," Papy said. "This process has been frustrating to say the least for many insureds. Many property owners have dealt with delays, multiple different inspectors, and an overall lack of communication on their claim. There is a lot left to be desired."

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