Georgia Insurance Claims — Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions Georgia homeowners and business owners ask about hurricane damage, insurance claims, and public adjusters. Need help now? Call Marc Lancaric 24/7 at 813-402-8895 for a free claims consultation.
What is a public adjuster and what do they do?+
A public adjuster is a licensed insurance professional who works exclusively for you — the policyholder — not the insurance company. When your Georgia home or business suffers hurricane, wind, flood, or other property damage, your insurer sends their own adjuster whose job is to protect the company's bottom line.
A public adjuster levels the playing field. They document every aspect of your loss, review your policy for all available coverage, prepare a detailed claim on your behalf, and negotiate with your insurer to ensure you receive the maximum settlement you are entitled to.
How is a public adjuster different from an insurance company adjuster?+
The key difference is who they represent. An insurance company adjuster is paid by and works for the insurer — their goal is to minimize payout. A public adjuster works solely for you, paid a percentage of your final settlement, meaning they are financially motivated to maximize your recovery.
Hurricane Helene demonstrated in 2024 that Georgia — including inland cities like Atlanta — is far more vulnerable to hurricane damage than many residents realized. We ensure your specific loss receives the thorough review it deserves.
Is it worth hiring a public adjuster in Georgia?+
For most moderate to large hurricane and storm claims in Georgia, yes. Georgia faces hurricane threats along its 100-mile coastline — the Golden Isles, Brunswick, and Savannah areas — as well as severe inland damage from storms that track through the state, as Helene demonstrated catastrophically in 2024.
An experienced public adjuster knows GA's specific insurance laws and can document both coastal and inland storm damage effectively. We offer a free consultation with no obligation.
How much does a public adjuster cost in Georgia?+
Public adjusters work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing upfront. The fee is a percentage of the final insurance settlement, so there is no out-of-pocket cost and no fee if there is no recovery.
Because we typically recover significantly more than clients would receive on their own, most Georgia policyholders come out well ahead even after our fee.
Can I hire a public adjuster after I already filed a claim?+
Yes. You can bring in a public adjuster at any stage of the claims process — including after the insurance company has made a settlement offer you believe is too low. If your Georgia claim has been underpaid, denied, or is still open, we can step in and advocate on your behalf.
We can also often help reopen a closed claim if additional damage was discovered or the original settlement was inadequate.
Are public adjusters licensed in Georgia?+
Yes. Public adjusters in Georgia must be licensed by the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner. Always verify that any public adjuster you hire holds a valid Georgia license before signing any contract.
Global Patriot Adjusters holds Georgia Public Adjuster License # 3105582. You can verify any adjuster's license through the Georgia Office of Insurance.
What types of hurricane damage are most common in Georgia?+
Georgia faces two distinct hurricane damage scenarios. Along the Georgia coast — Savannah, Brunswick, and the Golden Isles — the primary threats are wind damage, storm surge, and coastal flooding. Roof damage, structural damage, and storm surge flooding are the most common coastal claims.
Inland Georgia — including Atlanta and surrounding communities — faces wind damage, flooding, and tornado threats from hurricanes tracking through the state. Helene proved in 2024 that Atlanta and north Georgia can experience catastrophic flooding, power outages, and significant wind damage even from inland hurricane tracks. Agricultural damage — particularly to Georgia's significant timber and farming industries — is also a major category.
Does Georgia homeowners insurance cover hurricane damage?+
Standard Georgia homeowners insurance covers wind damage from hurricanes — roof damage, structural damage, and interior damage from wind-driven rain entering through a wind-created opening. It generally does not cover flooding from storm surge or river flooding, which requires separate flood insurance.
Inland flooding from heavy rainfall — as experienced across Georgia during Helene — is typically not covered under standard homeowners policies unless it results from a covered water event on the insured property itself. A public adjuster can analyze your specific situation and policy to identify every possible covered loss.
What should I do immediately after hurricane damage to my Georgia home?+
1. Ensure safety first — Do not re-enter until officials confirm it is safe. 2. Document before cleanup — Take extensive photos and video of all damage before any removal or temporary repairs. 3. Mitigate further damage — Tarp a damaged roof and keep all receipts for mitigation expenses. 4. Report your claim promptly. 5. Call a public adjuster first — Before giving a recorded statement or accepting any settlement offer. Early professional involvement consistently produces significantly better outcomes.
What is the statute of limitations on an insurance claim in Georgia?+
Most Georgia property insurance policies contain a contractual deadline typically requiring any legal action against the insurer to be brought within one to three years from the date of loss. Review your specific policy carefully.
If you believe your claim has been underpaid or wrongfully denied, contact Global Patriot Adjusters as soon as possible. We always recommend consulting a Georgia insurance attorney for specific legal advice.
What if my Georgia insurance claim was denied?+
A claim denial in Georgia is not always final. Common grounds for denial include wind vs. water causation disputes, maintenance neglect allegations, and documentation gaps — all of which can often be challenged.
A public adjuster can review your denial, assess whether it was justified, and help build a documented case to dispute it. You can also file a complaint with the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner. The consultation is free — call us before accepting any denial.
Dealing with a hurricane or storm damage claim in Georgia?
Call Marc Lancaric and the Global Patriot Adjusters team 24/7 for a free, no-obligation claims consultation.
Call 813-402-8895 NowDoes Georgia homeowners insurance cover mold after a hurricane?+
Mold coverage in Georgia homeowners policies is typically limited. Most standard policies cover mold only when it is the direct result of a covered water loss — such as wind-driven rain entering through a wind-damaged opening. Mold from flood water is generally excluded.
Georgia's hot and humid climate means mold can develop within 24–48 hours of water intrusion. Our adjusters document all mold-related damage thoroughly to ensure it is included in your settlement where coverage applies.
Can a public adjuster help with a commercial property hurricane claim in Georgia?+
Absolutely. Commercial hurricane claims in Georgia are particularly significant given the state's large agricultural and timber industries — both of which suffered billions of dollars in losses from Helene in 2024 — as well as coastal hospitality and retail businesses.
Global Patriot Adjusters has extensive experience with Georgia commercial property claims. We ensure every covered loss — including business income interruption and agricultural losses where applicable — is fully accounted for in your settlement.
How long does a Georgia insurance company have to respond to a claim?+
Georgia insurance regulations require insurers to acknowledge receipt of a claim promptly and begin investigation without delay. Insurers are generally expected to acknowledge a claim within 10 business days and complete their investigation within a reasonable period.
If your Georgia insurer is being unreasonably slow or unresponsive, a public adjuster can apply appropriate pressure and help you file a complaint with the Georgia Office of Insurance.
How many major hurricanes have hit Georgia in the last 10 years, and what kind of damage did they cause?+
Georgia does not experience direct major hurricane landfalls as frequently as Florida, but the state has suffered significant hurricane-related damage over the past decade — most dramatically from Hurricane Irma in 2017 and Hurricane Helene in 2024. Here are the major storms and their impacts:
Hurricane Helene demonstrated that Georgia — including Atlanta — is far more vulnerable to hurricane damage than many residents and business owners realized. If your property was damaged in any of these storms, Global Patriot Adjusters is available 24/7 to help with your insurance claim.
What types of damage do Georgia hurricanes most commonly cause?+
Wind damage — Roof damage is the most common residential claim, ranging from lost shingles to structural failure. Georgia's older housing stock in rural areas is particularly vulnerable. Timber and agricultural losses — Georgia's significant forestry and farming sectors face enormous losses from major storms — Michael and Helene both caused multi-billion dollar agricultural damage. Inland flooding — Heavy rainfall from hurricane remnants causes river and urban flooding far from the coast. Power infrastructure damage — Extended power outages following major storms affect both residential and commercial properties. Storm surge — Coastal Georgia near Savannah and Brunswick faces surge risk from direct-track storms. Mold — Develops rapidly in Georgia's hot and humid climate after any water intrusion.
Why do so many Georgia hurricane claims get underpaid or denied?+
Common reasons Georgia hurricane claims are underpaid or denied include: incomplete damage documentation after statewide events that overwhelm adjusters; wind vs. water causation disputes in coastal areas; failure to account for code upgrade requirements; aggressive depreciation of older Georgia rural housing; exclusion of mold remediation costs; and undervaluation of business interruption and agricultural losses.
After Helene, a significant issue emerged for Georgia policyholders: many residents and business owners had never experienced major hurricane damage before and were unfamiliar with the claims process. Insurers took advantage of this inexperience with lowball initial offers. A skilled public adjuster with Georgia-specific experience is essential to ensure you receive what you are owed.
Helpful Links for Georgia Policyholders
The following state and federal resources provide additional information about insurance regulation, consumer rights, and flood coverage in Georgia.
-
GA GOVGeorgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner The official Georgia state agency regulating insurance companies and adjusters. Verify licenses, file complaints, and access hurricane claim resources and consumer guidance.
-
GA GOVGeorgia OCI — File an Insurance Complaint File a complaint against an insurance company or adjuster in Georgia. The Office of Insurance investigates consumer complaints and enforces state insurance laws.
-
FEMAFEMA — National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Essential for Georgia property owners. Standard homeowners policies do not cover flood damage from storm surge or river flooding. The NFIP provides flood insurance details and claim filing guidance.

