A public insurance adjuster in Texas is a licensed professional who works directly for you, not the insurance company. We serve as your advocate throughout the entire claims process to protect your best interests.

Any professional sent by an insurance company may have a conscious or subconscious bias toward helping the insurer. Michael was an independent insurance adjuster for over four years and can tell you firsthand that they don’t bite the hand that feeds them. You paid your premium as an investment, and Mike will help you get the maximum return you deserve.

Insurance companies in Texas are not allowed to drop you for filing a claim related to a catastrophic event or natural disaster. Rates can increase for various reasons, and your insurance agent is typically the best resource for rate information.

Don’t be someone who receives an increased rate despite not filing a legitimate claim for covered damage. It would also be unfortunate to sell your property and pay retail pricing for repairs that should have been covered by your insurance policy.

There is no fee for no recovery. If Michael is unable to deliver the results you deserve, he will happily refer you to several qualified insurance attorneys who can take your case to the next level.

The process varies depending on your situation. Key factors include whether your claim is brand new with a pending insurance company inspection or if it has already been inspected and resulted in underpayment or denial.

Contact our office at (210) 487-8802 to schedule a free consultation. We’ll review your specific circumstances and explain exactly how we can help.

Insurance companies are in business to earn profits. They make billions of dollars annually by denying or underpaying legitimate insurance claims. Whenever a claim is filed, they owe you money. They have everything to gain by paying you nothing or as little as possible.

Think about it: are you allowed to pay whatever you think is fair when your premiums are due? Or do they set the price and expect you to pay it; otherwise, they won’t bind your coverage?

The internal guidelines and procedures followed by insurance adjusters have nothing to do with the agent who sold you your policy. Many wonderful agents get frustrated when the companies they represent don’t treat their customers fairly.

Michael works on a contingency basis, charging 10% of the final Replacement Cost Value (RCV) awarded by your insurance company. You pay nothing up front, and if we don’t increase your settlement, you owe nothing.

This is significantly less than litigation attorneys, who typically charge 30–40% of the final settlement and often take much longer to resolve claims. High attorney fees can sometimes leave insufficient funds for proper repairs, making attorneys best used as a last resort. A public adjuster is a solid investment, especially on disputed amounts of $30,000 and below.

Contact Mike Acerra

Michael Acerra serves property owners throughout Central Texas, including San Antonio, Austin, New Braunfels, San Marcos, and surrounding communities. We have two convenient office locations in North San Antonio and Austin, making it easy to serve customers across the region.

The more damage your property receives, the more you should consider hiring a public adjuster. During high-stress situations, it’s easy to either go it alone or contact the first adjuster you find. However, trying to negotiate claims while managing family, work, and recovery can result in important details slipping through the cracks.

Choosing an experienced public adjuster in San Antonio or Austin can save you thousands of dollars. We strongly advise doing your research and selecting someone with proven expertise and a track record of results.

Michael has a unique background that sets him apart:

• 5+ years in insurance and storm restoration
• Worked as insurance company adjuster — knows their tactics
• Licensed as both public adjuster and contractor
• MBA from Our Lady of the Lake University
• Settled thousands of claims across multiple states
• Level 2 certified in Xactimate software

This combination of insider knowledge, technical expertise, and negotiation skills consistently delivers maximum settlements for clients.

Most insurance claims are resolved within 3–9 months when working with a public adjuster, depending on claim complexity, damage extent, and insurance company cooperation.

We work diligently to expedite your claim while ensuring thorough evaluation, documentation, and negotiation to maximize your compensation.

To everyone recently affected by severe weather in Austin, San Antonio, and surrounding areas, you have our deepest sympathies. Michael and our Central Texas team are here to assist you and provide the help you deserve.

Storm damage claims require immediate action. Contact us right away at (210) 487-8802 or schedule your free consultation online.

If you woke up this morning to dimpled shingles, shattered skylights, or a car that looks like a golf ball — you’re not alone. Austin sits in the heart of “Hail Alley,” and every spring storm season brings new rounds of hail damage claims across Travis County, Williamson County, and the surrounding Hill Country.

But here’s the thing most Austin homeowners don’t know: what you do in the 24–72 hours after a hail storm can make or break your insurance claim. Insurance companies are not on your side. Their job is to minimize your payout. Your job is to protect yourself — and that starts long before you pick up the phone.

Why Austin Gets Hit So Hard

Austin’s geography is a perfect storm (literally). The convergence of warm Gulf moisture, dry air from the west, and cold fronts dropping down from the Panhandle creates the ideal conditions for large hail — especially from March through June. Storms like the 2016 San Antonio-to-Austin hail event caused over $3 billion in insured losses across Central Texas.

Neighborhoods from Pflugerville and Round Rock to South Austin and Westlake have all seen repeat storm damage. And because many Austin homes have cedar shake, slate, or tile roofing, the damage is often more severe — and harder to price — than a simple asphalt shingle replacement.

Important reminder

Most Texas homeowner policies require you to file a hail damage claim within one year of the storm date. Missing this window can result in a denied claim, even if the damage is clearly visible. Some policies also expect repairs to be completed within one year, or in some cases as little as 6 months from the day of loss.

Step 1: Document Everything Before Anyone Touches Your Property

The single most powerful thing you can do after a hail storm is build your own evidence file — before your insurance adjuster arrives. Insurance companies send their own adjusters, whose job is to find reasons to reduce your claim. Your documentation is your counter-evidence.

• Step 01 — Photograph every angle: Get the roof, gutters, fascia, siding, windows, AC unit, fencing, and vehicles. Use your phone’s timestamp feature and shoot in good light.
• Step 02 — Save the storm date: Screenshot National Weather Service records or weather apps showing hail size and storm path over your Austin ZIP code.
• Step 03 — Note your neighbors’ damage: If others on your street have damaged roofs or vehicles, that corroborates the storm intensity. Document it visually.
• Step 04 — Get a roofer’s report: Before the adjuster comes, have a licensed Austin roofer inspect and document their findings. This creates an independent damage report.
• Step 05 — Collect and preserve hail samples: If possible, gather hailstones from your property and place them in your freezer. Photograph the hail next to a ruler, coin, or other object for scale before storing. Preserved hail samples serve as physical evidence of the storm’s intensity and can support your claim if the insurance company disputes hail size or severity.

Step 2: Understand What Your Policy Actually Covers

Not all Texas homeowner policies are the same — and the difference between Actual Cash Value (ACV) and Replacement Cost Value (RCV) coverage could mean thousands of dollars on a hail claim. Pull out your declarations page and look for these key terms before you call your insurer.

ACV policies deduct for depreciation — meaning if your 12-year-old roof is damaged, the insurer may only pay a fraction of replacement cost based on the roof’s “remaining life.” RCV policies pay the full cost to repair or replace with like materials, regardless of age. If you’re not sure which you have, that’s the first question to ask — and a licensed public adjuster can help you interpret the language before you’re locked into the insurer’s interpretation.

Step 3: Don’t Let the Insurance Company’s Adjuster Tell the Whole Story

When you file a hail damage claim in Austin, your insurance company may send an independent adjuster. Despite the name, this person works on behalf of the insurer — not you. They are trained to assess damage quickly, minimize scope, and close claims efficiently for the insurance company’s benefit.

Common tactics include marking only “functional” damage, ignoring damage like dented gutters or bruised siding, missing damage on difficult-to-access roof sections, and underpricing repair costs using low-ball software estimates.

Know your rights in Texas

Under the Texas Insurance Code, you have the right to hire your own licensed public adjuster to represent your interests during the claims process. A public adjuster works exclusively for you — not the insurance company — and is paid a percentage of your final settlement.

Step 4: Be Careful with Some Storm Chasers

After every major Austin hail storm, out-of-town roofing contractors flood the area offering quick fixes and “insurance assistance.” While some are legitimate, many are storm chasers who disappear after taking a deposit, use substandard materials, or file inflated claims that could leave you liable for insurance fraud.

Always hire locally licensed contractors with a proven track record in Austin and Travis County. Ask for their contractor license number, check reviews on the Better Business Bureau and Google, and never sign a contract that hands over your claim rights to a contractor.

Step 5: Consider a Licensed Public Adjuster Before You File

This is the step most Austin homeowners skip — and it often costs them significantly. A licensed Texas public adjuster reviews your policy, documents your damage independently, negotiates directly with your insurer, and advocates for the maximum settlement you’re entitled to under your policy.

Public adjusters typically increase hail claim settlements by 30–50% compared to what homeowners receive on their own. And because they’re paid on contingency — a percentage of the final settlement — there’s no out-of-pocket cost if they don’t increase your payout.

Mike A, The Public Adjuster — Serving Austin & Central Texas

As a licensed Texas public adjuster based in Austin, I exclusively represent homeowners and business owners during the insurance claims process. If your property was damaged in a recent hail storm, I’ll review your claim at no cost — and fight to make sure you receive every dollar your policy entitles you to.

Evidence can deteriorate quickly. The sooner you involve a public adjuster:

• Document damage before it worsens
• Meet all policy deadlines
• Prevent insurance company delays
• Maximize your final settlement

Don’t wait. Contact us immediately after property damage.

Call Now: (210) 487-8802