Boat & Yacht Claims in Key Largo
Florida's first marine-only public adjusting firm serving Key Largo vessel owners in Monroe County.
Our Services in Key Largo
Claims Services
Full-spectrum marine claims representation and consulting for boat and yacht owners throughout Florida. From new claims to denied claims, we fight for what you deserve.
Learn More →Hurricane Claims
When a hurricane strikes, our team of Certified & Accredited Marine Surveyors and public adjusters guides Florida boat owners through the complex process of hurricane damage claims.
Learn More →Free Assessment
Upon contacting our office after a loss, we always provide a free file review, and we will inspect qualifying claims and vessels in person for free.
Learn More →New Claims
When disaster strikes your boat or yacht, our Certified & Accredited Marine Surveyors and licensed public adjusters step in immediately to file, document, and fight for your new insurance claim.
Learn More →Key Largo stretches 33 miles from the Card Sound Bridge to Tavernier, with marinas and boat docks lining both the oceanside and bayside coasts. The island's dual exposure to the Atlantic and Florida Bay means boats here face wave, wind, and surge from two different directions during storms. Marina facilities at Ocean Reef Club, Anchorage Resort and Yacht Club, and Pilot House marina hold everything from flats skiffs to deepwater sportfish. Our marine claims adjusters handle every vessel type and damage scenario across Key Largo.
Blackwater Sound and Largo Sound provide protected anchorage for cruisers and sailboats, but these shallow basins become traps during hurricanes when surge raises water levels and then recedes rapidly, dropping boats onto hard bottom. Keel damage, rudder failures, and hull punctures from grounding during surge recession are among the most common Key Largo storm claims. Carriers fight these claims by arguing the vessel should have been hauled before the storm.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary surround Key Largo's waters, adding environmental regulations to every marine incident. A grounding on coral generates both vessel damage and environmental remediation costs that can exceed the hull repair. Our team files comprehensive claims that include environmental cleanup when covered by the policy.
Key Largo boat owners facing a claim dispute can reach our adjusters through the contact form or by phone. Every consultation starts with a free assessment of your vessel damage and policy.
All Claims Services
Boating Challenges in Key Largo
Key Largo's elongated geography means the island takes weather from the Atlantic on the east and Florida Bay on the west simultaneously during tropical storms. Boats at bayside marinas sustain damage from a completely different wind and wave pattern than boats on the oceanside, and each side generates distinct claim documentation requirements. A single storm creates two damage profiles across the island.
The shallow waters surrounding Key Largo, including Blackwater Sound, Largo Sound, and the bayside flats, create surge recession grounding hazards that are unique to the Keys. As hurricane surge recedes, water drains from these shallow basins rapidly, dropping boats onto coral rubble and hard bottom. The resulting damage includes hull punctures, keel stress, and standing rigging failures on sailboats, all caused by the storm but occurring after the wind passes.
Environmental liability in Key Largo waters is a claim complication that mainland boat owners rarely face. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary imposes strict remediation requirements for groundings on coral, seagrass beds, and protected habitat. Insurance policies may cap or exclude environmental cleanup costs, and boat owners face both the repair bill and the regulatory fine unless their public adjuster catches the coverage gap and files for full recovery.
Key Largo Areas We Cover
Ocean Reef Club and North Key Largo
Exclusive gated community with a private marina holding sport yachts and motor yachts, isolated at the north end of the island with limited hurricane evacuation options.
Blackwater Sound and Bayside
Protected bayside anchorage and marina district where cruisers and sailboats face shallow-water surge grounding, debris damage, and seagrass-related claim complications.
Tavernier and Oceanside
Southern Key Largo with Atlantic-facing marinas and docks where boats sustain direct ocean storm exposure, reef-related damage, and inlet hazards at Snake Creek.
What Clients Say
Insurance is so confusing... but Scott was AMAZING! He had patience, knowledge, and understanding to my situation and advised me on how to navigate and move forward with my boat claim. I can confidently make the decisions I have to make without being intimidated by my insurance company! You can trust what he says...he doesn't have ulterior motives... Just wants to help you! Too bad, I could only give him 5 stars... I would have given him 10 stars!
Scott and Valeria were extremely helpful and professional in providing their knowledge and guidance through this most difficult ordeal. And their help turned out to be free! After paying insurance premiums on my boats over the years, my first attempt at filing a claim was a disaster. In the first 4 weeks after Hurricane Ian, I had several conversations with insurance adjusters, but never the same person twice. Fortunately, by the time I was provided with what appeared to be a permanent adjuster, I had already spoken to Scott and Valeria. In my meeting with this adjuster, I asked for a copy of the insurance company's estimate, telling him that Scott would be reviewing it and the boat. A written estimate was provided within 2 days of the meeting. It was shared with Scott immediately. After Scott reviewed the boat and the estimate, he called to tell me that I was lucky. I had gotten a fair estimate and did not need to hire him. Responsible, knowledgeable, and honest. WOW!
Excellent service, Scott and Valeria work extremely hard to deliver services that are 2nd to none. They went above and beyond with service excellence. I had a 1981 O'Day sailboat that was submerged underwater, and they made sure that I got a just and fair settlement.
Why Key Largo Boat Owners Trust Us
Public Yacht Adjusters is Florida's first marine-only public adjusting firm. We bring 25 years of boat building and marine experience, Certified & Accredited Marine Surveyor credentials, and licensed public adjuster expertise to every claim in Key Largo.
We work on a contingency basis with nothing upfront. If we do not increase your settlement, you owe us nothing. Call (305) 351-9194 for a free consultation.
Ready for a Free Assessment in Key Largo?
Our marine claims team will inspect your vessel at no cost. No obligation, no upfront fees.