Storm-damaged Texas home roof being inspected by a licensed public adjuster
Licensed Public Adjusters - Texas & Florida

Recover Every Dollar
Your Policy May Owe You.

DCS PIA - Dependable Claims Specialists Public Insurance Adjusters

Licensed public adjusters serving Greater Houston, Texas & South Florida - helping homeowners and businesses near you recover what their insurance policies owe.

When your insurance company sends their adjuster, you need your own expert in your corner. We work exclusively for you, not the insurance company.

No Recovery

No Fee

Stress-Free

Claims Process

Licensed

TX & FL

Get a Free Claim Review

No obligation. We will call you back, typically within one business day.

Damaged Property Address * - where the loss happened

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We Get Results

Hurricane Ian Appraisal Award
Sanibel Island, FL

The carrier valued this Hurricane Ian loss below the policy deductible, effectively offering nothing. After the appraisal clause was invoked and DCS served as the policyholder appraiser, the appraisal panel issued an award of $1,427,372.70. Result driven entirely by inspection, scope, and pricing on the record, not by the carrier's prior position.

Carrier's Initial PositionBelow Deductible
Appraisal Award$1,427,372.70
Appraisal Award
Hurricane Beryl
Alvin, TX

A 50-year State Farm customer had major portions of their Beryl claim denied. A large tree struck the front of the house with multiple limb penetrations and water flowed into seven rooms. DCS documented the full scope and reversed the partial denial. Final settlement included a new roof, new A/C unit, and full damage payments.

Initial Insurance Offer$78,035
DCS Settlement$157,879
Amount Recovered+$79,844
Hurricane Beryl (TWIA)
Galveston, TX

A Galveston homeowner with Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) coverage received an initial offer several times smaller than the actual damage warranted. DCS negotiated the settlement up through persistent documentation and construction knowledge.

Initial Insurance Offer$26,000
DCS Settlement$118,000
Amount Recovered+$92,000
December 2024 Tornado
Spring, TX

A late-December 2024 tornado swept through Spring and damaged the home. The initial Homesite scope captured only a fraction of the actual structural and roof-decking damage. DCS lifted shingles, documented fastener pull-through, and built a supplement that grew the settlement by more than 5.65×.

Initial Insurance Offer$21,682.74
DCS Settlement$122,602.83
Amount Recovered+$100,920.09
Concealed Water / HVAC
Friendswood, TX

Extensive concealed water damage from a failed HVAC condensation line. The initial Homeowners of America offer did not account for the full scope of subflooring, wall cavity, and cabinet damage. DCS documented the complete causation and damage trail and negotiated a 25× settlement increase.

Initial Insurance Offer$10,000
DCS Settlement$250,000+
Amount Recovered+$240,000
Plumbing Leak (Denied)
Houston, TX

Allstate denied the plumbing leak claim in full on wear-and-tear grounds. DCS assembled engineering causation evidence, documented the prompt-payment timeline against Texas Insurance Code Chapter 542 deadlines, and negotiated a full reversal to the policy limit.

Initial Insurance OfferDenied
DCS SettlementPolicy Limits
Full Reversal
Hail & Roof Leak
Fulshear, TX

The initial State Farm offer on a hail-and-roof-leak claim captured only visible surface damage. DCS documented the true scope of roof decking, fastener pull-through, and interior water damage from the resulting leak. Final settlement was 6.5× the initial offer.

Initial Insurance Offer$17,248.00
DCS Settlement$111,525.05
Amount Recovered+$94,277.05
Hurricane Beryl (Day-1 Engagement)
Spring, TX

A tree fell on the home during Hurricane Beryl, causing major structural and interior water damage. DCS was engaged from the first day of the claim and documented dwelling, ALE (loss of use), and personal property in full across all coverages.

Initial Insurance OfferDay 1 Engagement
DCS Settlement$380,243+
Full Documentation
Plumbing / Water (Day-1 Engagement)
Conroe, TX

A failed toilet supply line caused extensive water damage across multiple rooms. DCS was engaged from day one and presented a fully documented claim including subfloor, cabinet, and framing damage.

Initial Insurance OfferDay 1 Engagement
DCS Settlement$130,000+
Full Documentation
Plumbing Supply Line Leak
Humble, TX

A plumbing supply line leak caused extensive water damage, but the carrier's initial estimates severely undervalued the restoration scope. Through the formal appraisal process, with DCS serving as the party-appointed appraiser, the panel issued a binding award of $103,598.14 reflecting the documented cost of repair, $76,106.16 above the carrier's initial estimate.

Carrier's Initial Position$27,491.98
Appraisal Award$103,598.14
Award Difference$76,106.16
Property Damage
Houston, TX

The carrier's initial assessment of this loss was $15,644.10. Through the formal appraisal process, with DCS serving as the party-appointed appraiser, the panel issued a binding award of $97,913.50 reflecting the documented cost of repair - a result driven by the evidence on the record.

Carrier's Initial Position$15,644.10
Appraisal Award$97,913.50
Award Difference+$82,269.40
Hurricane Beryl
Houston, TX

The initial Texas Fair Plan scope for this Hurricane Beryl claim drastically undervalued the wind and storm damage. Acting as the public adjuster, the true extent of the property loss was meticulously documented and negotiated, resulting in a final settlement increase of over $81,000.

Initial Insurance Offer$18,450.48
DCS Settlement$99,461.41
Amount Recovered+$81,010.93
Hurricane Ian
Sanibel Island, FL

Hurricane Ian devastated Sanibel Island, and the carrier's initial offers fell severely short of the catastrophic destruction. Acting as the public adjuster, the true extent of wind and structural damage was meticulously scoped and negotiated, pushing the final settlement up by over $181,000 to cover the rebuild.

Initial Insurance Offer$88,884.45
DCS Settlement$270,074.73
Amount Recovered+$181,190.28

Results vary and are not guaranteed. Each outcome shown reflects the facts, policy, and documentation of that specific claim.

Results vary and are not guaranteed. Every claim depends on its own policy, facts, and carrier evaluation.

You Paid for This Coverage.
Now Let Us Help You Collect It.

Your insurance company has a team of adjusters, engineers, and attorneys all working to protect their bottom line. You deserve someone equally experienced working just as hard for yours.

Our founder spent years working inside the insurance industry, handling claims as a field adjuster and team lead before becoming a licensed public adjuster in 2017. Combined with a background in construction and remodeling going back decades, we understand property damage from the ground up, literally.

We take the stress off your shoulders, guide you through every policy obligation, and build the strongest possible case so you receive the full settlement your policy provides. Whether you are in Houston, Fort Lauderdale, or anywhere in our service area, we are the public adjusters near you who will advocate on your claim.

Learn More About DCS PIA

Since 2010

Insurance Industry Experience

Since 2017

Licensed Public Adjuster

Millions

Recovered for Clients

24/7

Emergency Line (After-Hours Routing)

Commercial Claims

Commercial Claim Types

Commercial property claims are complex. We handle everything from small business losses to large industrial properties, making sure nothing is left on the table.

Critical First Steps

What to Do Immediately After a Loss

The steps you take in the first 24 to 72 hours after a property loss can have a major impact on your claim. Your policy is a contract, and it requires you to fulfill certain duties. We are here to help you do everything right.

Ensure Safety First

Before anything else, make sure everyone is safe. If the structure is unsafe, do not enter. Contact emergency services if needed, then call us.

Report Your Loss Promptly

Notify your insurance company of the loss as soon as possible. Your policy requires prompt reporting. Delays can complicate your claim.

Document Everything

Take as many photos and videos as possible. There is no such thing as too many. Photograph every room, every angle, every damaged item before anything is moved or cleaned up.

Preserve All Damaged Items

Do not throw away damaged belongings, even items that appear destroyed. Your insurer has the right to inspect them. Discarding items prematurely can hurt your claim.

Track Every Expense

Keep receipts for every dollar you spend related to the loss, including temporary repairs, hotel stays, meals, and storage. These costs may be reimbursable under your policy.

Prevent Further Damage

Make reasonable temporary repairs to prevent additional damage, such as tarping a damaged roof or boarding broken windows. Keep all receipts. Your policy requires you to mitigate further loss.

Know Your Policy Duties

Your policy is a contract with obligations on both sides. You must cooperate with the investigation, provide a signed proof of loss, and submit to an examination under oath if requested. We help you navigate every requirement.

Call DCS Before Signing Anything

Do not sign any releases or accept any settlements before speaking with a licensed public adjuster. Aside from representing yourself, Texas and Florida licensing law (Tex. Ins. Code Ch. 4102; Fla. Stat. §626.854) reserves claim representation for licensed public adjusters and attorneys. A contractor can rebuild your property, but is not licensed to negotiate your claim or handle coverage disputes on your behalf.

Not sure what to do next? Call us right now. We will walk you through every step at no charge.

Why Choose Dependable Claims Specialists?

We bring carrier-side experience, construction expertise, and genuine care to every single claim we handle.

Exclusively on Your Side

We never work for insurance companies. Our only job is to represent you, the policyholder, and advocate for the settlement your policy provides.

Insider Industry Knowledge

Our founder worked as a field adjuster and team lead for insurance carriers from 2010 to 2017. We know exactly how claims are evaluated and where value is missed.

Real Construction Expertise

With a background in construction and remodeling going back decades, we understand the true cost of repairs and can identify damage that others overlook.

Licensed to Handle Your Claim

Other than representing yourself, only licensed public adjusters and attorneys may represent you in the claims process under Texas and Florida licensing law (Tex. Ins. Code Ch. 4102; Fla. Stat. §626.854). Contractors are vital partners for rebuilding, but when coverage disputes, underpayments, or policy application issues arise, you need a licensed professional advocating for your settlement.

We Handle Everything

From the initial inspection to the final settlement, we manage every detail of your claim so you can focus on your family and your recovery.

No Recovery, No Fee

You pay us nothing upfront. Our fee is a percentage of what we recover for you. If we do not help you collect more, you owe us nothing.

Our Simple 4-Step Process

We take the complexity and stress out of the claims process so you can focus on what matters most.

01

Free Consultation

Contact us for a free, no-obligation review of your policy and property damage. We will tell you honestly whether we can help.

02

Thorough Inspection

We conduct a comprehensive inspection of your property using advanced tools to document all damage, including what is hidden.

03

Claim Preparation

We prepare a complete, detailed claim package and submit it to your insurance company on your behalf.

04

Settlement

We negotiate directly with your insurer and pursue the full settlement your policy provides for the documented loss.

What Our Policyholders Say

Steve Saxenian

5 months ago

“Josh did the best job possible on my Beryl claim. Very professional and very very meticulous. He negotiated a settlement several times the amount the insurance company initially came up with due to his perseverance and knowledge of construction. Really the best decision I've made in years.”

Google Review

John Brau

5 months ago

“Dependable Claims Specialist (DCS) saved us! We have had State Farm Ins. for more than Fifty (50) years, and State Farm was denying major parts of our claim. We were totally frustrated until Josh Osteen at Dependable Claims Specialist came to our rescue. Josh has some of the most sophisticated equipment I have ever seen; he used this to document the damage and calculate the proper amount for the claim. With his help, we were able to get a new roof, new A/C unit and fair payments for the serious damage done by Hurricane BERYL.”

Google Review

Maria Deras

6 months ago

“When Hurricane Beryl hit and a tree fell on our house in Spring, we were completely overwhelmed. Josh stepped in and took all the stress off of us. He explained everything clearly and made sure our home, ALE, and personal property were covered, over $240,000 in total. It was such a relief knowing we were taken care of. I would recommend him to any family dealing with insurance.”

Google Review

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Areas We Serve in Texas and Florida

Licensed statewide in Texas and Florida. DCS accepts claims across both states following a review of the file. The counties below are where we work most often, from the Greater Houston area to South Florida.

Florida | South Florida & Gulf Coast
Additional FL Coverage

Lee County

Collier County

Do not see your city? Contact us to confirm service availability in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

A public adjuster is a state-licensed insurance professional who works exclusively for policyholders, not insurance companies, on property damage claims. We inspect your damage, document losses, prepare and present the claim, and negotiate with your carrier to pursue the full settlement your policy provides. Public adjusters are licensed and regulated by state insurance departments (TDI in Texas, DFS in Florida).
The carrier's adjuster works for the insurance company; a public adjuster works only for you. The insurance adjuster is paid by the carrier and follows its guidelines; a public adjuster is paid by the policyholder and represents only your interests throughout the entire claims process. Public adjusters are state-licensed, bonded, and cannot represent both sides of the same claim.
Yes - "private adjuster" and "personal adjuster" are informal names for the same state-licensed professional: the Public Insurance Adjuster. Texas Insurance Code Chapter 4102 and Florida Statutes §626.854 use the formal title. The role is "private" because the adjuster is hired by the policyholder (not the carrier) and "personal" because they represent you personally. Dependable Claims Specialists - Public Insurance Adjusters operates under the public adjuster license in both states.
There is no upfront cost - we work on a contingency basis and only earn a fee if we recover money on your claim. Our fee is 10% of the claim recovery. If the insurer paid on the claim before the contract date, the fee is 25% of the new money recovered, capped at 10% of the total settlement - you pay whichever is less. Separate from the DCS contract, Texas caps public adjuster fees at 10% under Texas Insurance Code Chapter 4102; Florida caps them at 20% under Statute §626.854, dropping to 10% on claims tied to a Governor-declared state of emergency for one year after the declaration. If we do not help increase your settlement, you owe us nothing.
The best time is before you file the claim, so the public adjuster can document the loss properly from the very first inspection. We also engage after a low offer, after a denial, or for a supplemental claim within statutory deadlines. The sooner we are involved, the better positioned we are to document all damage and present a complete claim package.
We handle all first-party residential and commercial property damage claims: hurricane, hail, wind, fire, water, flood, roof leak, plumbing, mold, tornado, freeze, lightning, theft, vandalism, business interruption, and denied or underpaid claims. We do not handle auto, motorcycle, RV, boat, aircraft, or workers' compensation claims. We serve policyholders throughout Texas and South Florida.
How long a claim takes is largely controlled by the insurer, which holds the funds. DCS works toward a resolution within roughly 120 days; where a claim is not resolving in that window, we consider alternative dispute resolution such as the policy's appraisal clause. Separately, the statutes set deadlines on the carrier: Texas Insurance Code Chapter 542 requires the carrier to acknowledge a claim not later than the 15th day after notice and to pay not later than the 5th business day after notice that the claim is accepted; Florida Statute §627.70131 sets its own deadlines, including a 7-day acknowledgment and a 60-day pay-or-deny period. A public adjuster typically accelerates resolution by submitting complete documentation from the start.
A denial is not final - common wrongful-denial reasons (misapplied exclusions, failure to investigate, cause-of-damage disputes) can be reversed with additional evidence and a written supplement. We review denied claims, request the carrier's complete file, identify the stated basis for denial, gather independent inspection and engineering evidence as needed, and resubmit a documented supplement.
Yes - Dependable Claims Specialists LLC holds Texas Firm License #3134924 and Florida Firm License #W820363, and individual adjuster Joshua Osteen is licensed in both states (TX #2237777 / FL #W045717). All are verifiable through the Texas Department of Insurance and the Florida Department of Financial Services public license lookup tools.
Yes - your policy requires prompt notice of loss, reasonable steps to mitigate further damage, full documentation, preservation of damaged items, cooperation with the carrier's investigation, and (if requested) a sworn proof of loss and examination under oath. Failing to meet these duties can jeopardize your claim. We help you understand and fulfill every obligation so your claim stays on solid ground.
Yes - we are licensed statewide in Texas and headquartered in Webster, and the Greater Houston area is where we work most often, including Harris, Montgomery, Galveston, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Liberty, and Waller counties. With over 100 communities in our Texas service area, we are a public adjuster near you in the Houston metro. Call 833-4UR-LOSS for a free consultation.
Yes - we are licensed statewide in Florida and accept claims across the state following a review of the file. South Florida is where we work most often, including Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Lee, and Collier counties served from our Wellington office: Fort Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Naples, Fort Myers, and surrounding communities. Call 833-4UR-LOSS for a free consultation.
Dependable Claims Specialists is licensed statewide in Texas and Florida and accepts claims across both states following a review of the file. Greater Houston and South Florida are where we work most often. Call 833-4UR-LOSS or schedule a free online consultation to talk through your specific area. Always verify any public adjuster you contact through your state insurance department's online license lookup.

Is Your Policy Actually Protecting You?

Most homeowners do not read their insurance policy until they have a loss. By then, it is too late to fix the problems. There are endorsements, exclusions, and limitations buried in your policy right now that could cost you tens of thousands of dollars when you need your coverage most.

Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Cost

If your policy pays ACV instead of replacement cost, you could receive the depreciated value of a 15-year-old roof, not what it costs to replace it. The difference can be $20,000 or more.

Separate Wind and Hail Deductibles

In Texas, many policies have a wind and hail deductible of 1 to 5 percent of your dwelling coverage. On a $300,000 home, that is up to $15,000 out of pocket before your coverage kicks in.

Flood Is Not Covered

Standard homeowners policies do not cover flood damage. If you are in or near a flood zone and do not have a separate flood policy, you have no coverage for rising water.

Roof Age Limitations

Some policies limit or exclude coverage for roofs over a certain age, or pay only actual cash value on older roofs regardless of the rest of your policy.

Your Insurance Policy Is a Parachute

When the plane is going down, you jump. You pull the cord. And you expect it to open. Whether it opens depends entirely on how it was packed. As long as your policy says it was packed right, we work to hold your carrier to what the policy actually promises.

Not filing a claim when you have a real, covered loss is not a strategy. It is a choice to absorb a loss you paid to be protected from.

Ready to Get What Your Policy Owes You?

Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a licensed public adjuster near you today. No recovery, no fee. No upfront cost to you.