Dolphin Claims
Joe Ford, owner of Dolphin Claims, standing arms crossed in front of a South Florida home

Boutique firm · Boca local since 1990

Florida's Award-Winning Public Adjusters for Property Damage Claims

Joe Ford, owner — when you call, you talk to him. $50M+ settled. No recovery, no fee.

Get a free claim review

No upfront cost. Takes about 60 seconds.

What happened to your property?

Rather talk? Call (954) 204-9376

★★★★★
“Joe at Dolphin Claims handled our insurance claim with the utmost professionalism and expertise.”
— Jella H., Google review

What happens next

  1. 1
    Joe reviews your claim

    The owner himself looks at your damage, policy and any offer or denial letter — no cost, no obligation.

  2. 2
    We document & file

    Full inspection, photos and a line-by-line estimate. We take over every call with your insurer.

  3. 3
    We negotiate your settlement

    We push for the full amount your policy owes. You pay nothing unless we recover.

5.043 Google reviews
$50M+settled for Florida policyholders
60+Florida cities served
Since 2020licensed public adjuster · FL #W026874

Google reviews

Trusted by Florida homeowners & business owners

Real reviews from the policyholders we've represented across South Florida.

5.0★★★★★

Based on 43 Google reviews

G

Grace Cooper

★★★★★

I met Joe during the time of hurricane Ian where my insurance company was not doing right by me. He referred me to a lawyer and like they said patience is a virtue we work together for all those years and finally the settlement came through. Joe is a wonderful [public] adjuster. He will make sure that you are taken care of when insurance companies falls through. I recommend him any time any day. that you will need a [public] adjuster's services, thank you Joe. You are the best. ❤️

Jella Huyen

★★★★★

Joe at Dolphin Claims handled our insurance claim with the utmost professionalism and expertise. He was attentive, thorough, and made sure we were fully informed every step of the way. His dedication to achieving the best outcome for us was clear from the start. We couldn’t have asked for a better adjuster than Joe.

Jonathan Faccento

★★★★★

Joe from Dolphin Claims was a lifesaver during our claim process. As public adjusters, Joe and his team demonstrated unparalleled dedication and expertise. They took the time to explain every part of the process, and their attention to detail was incredible. Joe’s commitment to ensuring we got the best possible outcome was truly impressive.

Lommy Greenhands

★★★★★

The public adjusters at Dolphin Claims are fantastic. Their thorough understanding of insurance claims and proactive approach helped us navigate through our claim with ease. The team was communicative, supportive, and worked tirelessly to ensure we were treated fairly by our insurance. We felt completely supported throughout our journey with them.

Nick Lovell

★★★★★

I had the pleasure of working with Dolphin Claims for my fire damage claim and I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome. Their team was professional, meticulous, and truly cared about getting me the best settlement possible. They handled everything with such finesse that I was left stress-free throughout the process. If you're in need of an adjuster, Dolphin Claims is the way to go. They exceed expectations!

Bradly Altman

★★★★★

Joe provided exceptional service during our time of need. His expertise as a public adjuster, combined with his genuine care for our situation, made a significant difference in our claim process. Joe's dedication to achieving the best outcome for us was evident throughout.

Nancy Pigerberg

★★★★★

Dolphin Claims offers unmatched public adjuster services in Fort Lauderdale. Their team, especially Joe, exemplifies professionalism and expertise. Joe's approach to handling our claim, his attention to detail, and his commitment to securing the best outcome for us were exceptional. Highly recommend their services!

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Case studies

Their first offer vs. our final number

24 selected Florida claims (not typical results): $457,953 in first offers and payments became $2,349,962 in settlements and awards. Tap a video to hear how.

Hurricane Ian · condo association · Fort Myers

First offer

$3,055.68

Total recovered

$551,611.71

The insurance company's first number was $3,055.68 — for an entire association. Joe re-documented the full building loss and pushed the claim far past that first number.

Associations: read your carrier's estimate line by line.

Citizens · Hurricane Ian · roof · West Palm Beach

First offer

$5,588.21

Appraisal award

$112,797.11

Citizens offered $5,588 for the roof. That wasn't close, so we invoked appraisal — a clause already in most Florida policies that settles the number outside of court.

Before you accept a roof offer, ask about appraisal.

Tower Hill · Hurricane Ian · home · Punta Gorda

First offer

$2,500

Total recovered

$117,543.10

Joe sent a full estimate and negotiated with Tower Hill's desk adjuster for months.

If your hurricane offer feels low, it probably is. Get a second opinion.

Tower Hill · Roof · West Palm Beach

Denied

Denied · $0

Settled

$55,000

Tower Hill denied the roof claim. We sent our file to our partner attorney, and about two weeks later it settled.

A denial letter is the insurance company's opinion. It is not the final word.

Selected claims, not typical results. Every claim is different, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Some settlements involved our partner law firm. Case-study narration uses an AI version of Joe Ford's voice. Footage is illustrative, not the client's property.

See all 24 case studies

How we work your claim

What does a public adjuster actually do for you?

Your insurer's adjuster works for the insurance company. We work only for you — here's the whole process, start to settlement.

$50M+ settledHurricane · water · fire · roof · mold
  1. 1
    Free policy & damage review

    We read your policy and tell you what it should cover.

  2. 2
    Full property inspection

    Roof to floor, inside and out — not a 20-minute walk-through.

  3. 3
    Photos, video & moisture readings

    Evidence your insurer can't wave away.

  4. 4
    Line-by-line repair estimate

    Priced to what repairs actually cost in Florida.

  5. 5
    We file and handle the insurer

    Every call, letter, inspection and deadline.

  6. 6
    Negotiate — or push to appraisal

    We don't take the first lowball offer.

  7. 7
    You get paid

    Our fee comes only from what we recover.

You don't have to talk to the insurance company again. Once we're hired, every call and letter comes to us.

Put this team on my claim

Honest pricing

No recovery, no fee. Typically 10–20%.

Florida public adjusters work on contingency. Your claim review is free, there's nothing to pay upfront, and our fee comes out of what we recover after you hire us. On residential and condo-unit claims, Florida law caps it at 10% for declared-emergency (e.g. hurricane) claims made in the first year, and 20% otherwise — with no fee at all on money your insurer paid or agreed to pay before you hired us, and none on your deductible. Your exact fee is set in writing before we start.

See what our fee could be

What kind of claim?

Emergency cap applies to claims made in the first year after a declared state of emergency. Caps apply to residential and condo-unit claims (FS 626.854).

Example settlement

Max fee by Florida law: $10,000

That's the 10% cap — you keep at least $90,000. No fee on your deductible or on anything your insurer paid or agreed to pay before you hired us, and a 1% cap if the insurer pays policy limits right away. Your exact fee is in writing before we start.

Get my free claim review
How public adjuster fees work in Florida →
No upfront feesFee set in writingCapped by Florida lawFree claim review

Already have an offer?

Send us the offer or denial letter. We'll review it for free and tell you honestly whether it's worth fighting.

Free second look

Insurance company said no — or not enough?

Denials and lowball offers are common, and many can be challenged. We review your claim for free and tell you straight whether there's more money on the table.

Bathroom ceiling with water stains, peeling paint and bubbling drywall tape around the light fixtureFree review

Denied, delayed or underpaid

We'll take a second look — free

  • Free review of your policy, denial letter or settlement offer
  • We reopen and supplement underpaid claims
  • No recovery, no fee

Perfect for: policyholders whose claim was denied, stalled, or paid far less than the repair estimate.

Get my free second look
Close-up of a concrete roof tile split by a wide open fracture with branching cracks

Underpaid claims

Did the insurer's estimate miss hidden damage? We document it line by line and file a supplement.

Up to 18 months after the loss
Barrel tile roof with a dark emergency tarp held down by sandbags beside displaced and broken tiles

Claims by carrier

Citizens, Universal, Heritage and more — we know how each carrier handles Florida claims.

Every major Florida carrier
No upfront feesNo recovery, no feeLicensed FL public adjusters

Who we are

A boutique firm. The owner on every claim.

Dolphin Claims is a small, highly efficient public adjusting firm — on purpose. Joe Ford has lived in the Boca Raton area since 1990, and he works your claim himself. You get white-glove service: Joe takes over the claim, keeps you informed at every step, and fights for the full amount your policy owes.

“When you call, you talk to me — the owner of the firm. Not an apprentice with six months of experience.”

— Joe L Ford IV, owner & licensed public adjuster
  1. 1990 · Joe calls the Boca Raton area home
  2. 2017 · Dolphin Claims founded
  3. $50M+ · settled for Florida home & business owners
FL Public Adjuster · #W026874Angi Super Service 2023Angi Super Service 2022
Joe L Ford IV — Managing Member, Dolphin Claims
Joe L Ford IVManaging Member & Public AdjusterFL License #W026874
Featured inForbesBenzingaYelp
Adjuster's hand lifting a cracked ridge cap tile to expose the void beneath during a roof inspection
On the job: inspections, moisture readings and drone roof checks
Call (954) 204-9376

Services

Every kind of property claim, handled by one licensed team

Homes and businesses, big losses and small. If your property is damaged and your policy should cover it, we can help you get paid.

Aerial drone view of a two-story stucco home with a concrete tile roof after a hurricane, showing a torn pool screen enclosure and a bent flagpole in the yard
Most requested · no upfront cost

Residential Insurance Claims

Hurricane, water, fire, roof and mold damage to your home. We document every room and every line item, then negotiate for you.

Free review for this →Details

Also: Water Damage · Fire Damage · Mold Damage · Roof Damage · Wind Damage · Storm Damage · Flood Damage · Denied Claims · Underpaid Claims · Business Interruption · Income Loss

Book my free claim review →

Florida deadlines

Storm damage? The clock starts the day it happens.

Storm-bent palm tree leaning over a broken white vinyl fence beside a single-story home1 year to file · 18 months to supplement

Under FL Statute 627.70132 you have 1 year from the date of loss to file a new windstorm or hurricane claim, and 18 months for a supplemental claim. Miss it and the insurer can refuse to pay.

Photograph everything firstKeep every receiptDon't sign anything yet

New claim

1 year from loss

Supplemental claim

18 months from loss

Estimate based on FL Statute 627.70132 for windstorm and hurricane claims. Your policy may differ — we confirm your exact deadline for free.

Check my claim for free
Hurricane season

Storm just hit? Call before you sign anything or throw anything away.Take photos and video, make temporary repairs to stop more damage, and keep every receipt. We'll take it from there.

Hurricane damage claims →Storm damage claims →
Call (954) 204-9376

From the 9-part series

The games insurance companies play — and how we answer

Game 1: The lowball first offer

Their first check is an opening bid, not a final number.

Game 2: Their engineer

One report, from someone they hired. Bring your own expert, photos and weather data.

Game 5: The denial letter

Sometimes a denial is a bet that you'll go away. The letter looks final. It isn't.

The lever: appraisal

The biggest lever on a stuck claim — and sometimes just demanding it moves the number.

Joe Ford, Licensed Public Adjuster W026874. Some narration uses an AI version of Joe's voice.

FAQ

Public adjuster questions, answered

What does a public adjuster do?

A public adjuster is a Florida-licensed insurance professional who works for the policyholder — never the insurance company. We scope, document, file, and negotiate property damage insurance claims to maximize the policyholder's settlement.

How much does a public adjuster cost in Florida?

Florida public adjusters work on contingency — typically 10–20% of the settlement. Hurricane and other declared-emergency claims are capped at 10% in year one under FL Statute 626.854(11). No upfront fees; no recovery, no fee.

Do I have to pay anything upfront?

No. Your claim review is free and there are no upfront fees. We're paid a percentage of what we recover for you, and the fee is set in writing in your contract before we start. No recovery, no fee.

Can you help if my claim was denied or underpaid?

Yes. We review denial letters and settlement offers for free and tell you honestly whether the claim is worth reopening. Under FL Statute 627.70132, supplemental claims can be filed up to 18 months after the date of loss.

How long do I have to file a property damage claim in Florida?

Under FL Statute 627.70132 (effective Dec 16, 2022), policyholders have 1 year from the date of loss to file a new windstorm or hurricane claim, and 18 months for supplemental claims.

Where is Dolphin Claims located?

Dolphin Claims is based at 1501 Yamato Road, Suite 200, Boca Raton, FL 33431, and serves all of Florida — including Fort Lauderdale and the rest of Broward County, — 60+ cities including Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Miami, Naples, Tampa, and Orlando.

Who will actually handle my claim?

Joe Ford, the owner. Dolphin Claims is a boutique, highly efficient firm on purpose: when you call, you talk to Joe — not an apprentice with six months of experience — and he works your claim himself, start to finish. Joe has lived in the Boca Raton area since 1990.

Is Dolphin Claims licensed?

Yes. Joe L Ford IV, holds Florida Public Claims Adjuster License #W026874. Dolphin Claims holds Florida Public Adjusting Firm License #G043699. Verify any Florida license at myfloridacfo.com/division/agents.

Still have a question? Call (954) 204-9376 · Mon–Sat 10am–6pm · What is a public adjuster?

Ready to get the settlement you're owed?

White-glove service from a boutique firm. When you call, you talk to the owner. Free claim review, no upfront fees — and Joe has lived in the Boca Raton area since 1990.

Hurricane damage? Fees are capped at 10% in year one. How fees work →

Mon–Sat 10am–6pm

No recovery, no fee · Licensed FL #W026874 · 5.0 on Google

Get my free claim review

Public adjusters in Florida

Why Florida claims need an advocate

Florida property owners face hurricanes, tropical storms, roof leaks and water damage that can turn into mold within days — and insurers who know the rules better than most homeowners do. A licensed public adjuster levels that playing field: we document the loss, read the policy, and negotiate for the full amount owed.

Florida law sets strict deadlines and fee caps for public adjusters. Read how Florida public adjuster law and SB 2A reform affect your claim.

Why Florida policyholders choose us

Dolphin Claims is a boutique, highly efficient firm: you deal directly with the owner, Joe Ford, who has lived in the Boca Raton area since 1990— not an apprentice with six months of experience. Our clients' reviews earned us Angi Super Service Awards in 2022 and 2023, and some homeowners and business owners come to us after another adjuster couldn't get results. We've settled over $50 million for our clients, with white-glove, owner-led service. We're headquartered at 1501 Yamato Road, Suite 200, Boca Raton, and Joe L Ford IV holds Florida Public Adjuster License #W026874.

Claim types & guides

Hurricane DamageWater DamageFire DamageMold DamageRoof DamageWind DamageStorm DamageFlood DamageDenied ClaimsUnderpaid ClaimsBusiness InterruptionIncome LossClaims by CarrierPA vs Insurance AdjusterPA vs AttorneyFlorida PA Law

Latest from the blog

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Service areas

Public adjusters across Florida

Headquartered at 1501 Yamato Road, Suite 200, Boca Raton, FL 33431. Serving 60+ cities statewide.

Boca RatonHQPalm Beach CountyFort LauderdaleBroward CountyMiamiMiami-Dade CountyWest Palm BeachPalm Beach CountyPompano BeachBroward CountyPembroke PinesBroward CountyTamaracBroward CountyOrlandoOrange CountyTampaHillsborough CountySarasotaSarasota CountyNaplesCollier CountyFort MyersLee CountyCape CoralLee CountyPunta GordaCharlotte County
Broward CountyMiami-Dade CountyPalm Beach CountyAll of Florida

Don't see your city? See all 60+ Florida locations or call (954) 204-9376.