Shoreline, WA public adjuster for storm, water and fire claims
Acuity Adjusters works for Shoreline policyholders, not insurers, on claims for postwar ramblers in Ridgecrest and Echo Lake, view homes in Richmond Beach and Innis Arden, and buildings along Aurora Avenue. Record Puget Sound water levels, extreme heat and wildfire smoke have all hit the area since 2020, and each leaves damage an insurer can underprice. You pay nothing up front: we are paid only when you are paid.
We answer our phones 24/7/365. Licensed public adjusters for Oregon, Washington and California.
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Who we help in Shoreline
We help property owners across Shoreline, including:
- Owners of 1950s ramblers and ranches in Ridgecrest, Echo Lake, North City, Briarcrest and Meridian Park, many still on original plumbing and wiring
- Families in the waterfront and view neighborhoods of Richmond Beach, Innis Arden and Highland Terrace
- Owners of commercial buildings and rentals along Aurora Avenue, 15th Avenue NE and Ballinger Way
We take on new claims, slow ones, low offers and denials.
The public adjusters who handle your claim
Delano Howell, founder and public adjuster
A Stanford University graduate and former NFL starting safety with the Indianapolis Colts, Delano has eight years of adjusting experience advocating for policyholders.
Randy Gower, public adjuster, appraiser and umpire
Nearly 30 years in adjusting: Claim Supervisor with COUNTRY Financial over seven offices in Oregon and Washington, more than 17 years as an Executive Adjuster with Adjusters International, and owner of Gower Adjusting and Appraisal Services since 2000.
Every client gets a dedicated claim adjuster, so you always know who is handling your file. Meet the team or verify our California license.
Shoreline claim profile
Weather and air-quality records for Shoreline and neighboring Seattle, dated below, show the risks behind claims here:
Record high water, December 27, 2022
On December 27, 2022, a winter storm arrived on top of high tides and NOAA’s Seattle tide station, with records back to 1899, reached 3.76 feet above mean higher high water, beating the 3.16-foot record set in January 2022. Saltwater on a waterfront lot is a flood loss, while wind and rain damage to the house is a storm damage claim.
Heat dome, June 2021
Seattle, on Shoreline’s southern border, set back-to-back all-time heat records of 104°F on June 27 and 108°F on June 28, 2021, according to NOAA Climate.gov; in the previous 126 years the city had reached 100°F only three times. Heat on that scale strains older wiring and cooling equipment; see fire damage claims if a fire followed.
Wildfire smoke, September 2020
Wildfire smoke affected air quality at every Puget Sound Clean Air Agency monitoring site in September 2020 and led to harmful levels on 12 days, from September 8 to 18; the agency recorded its highest fine-particle levels since it began measuring them in 1999, and King County logged four unhealthy and four very unhealthy air days that year. Smoke residue in insulation, ducts and fabrics can be part of a smoke damage claim.
Useful numbers and offices in Shoreline
If water is rising or you are about to start repairs, start with these Shoreline resources:
- Emergency Services: Dial 911 for immediate danger.
- Fire Department: Shoreline Fire Department serves Shoreline.
- City Building Permits: Repair work usually requires permits from the Shoreline Permit Services counter.
- Policyholder Rights: Review the Insurance Commissioner’s guide to filing a homeowner insurance claim.
Our Shoreline claim process
Our Shoreline estimates are priced at King County contractor rates, not national averages, and we handle the paperwork and the negotiation; each step is described on our water damage, fire damage, storm damage and vandalism and theft claim pages.
Where we work
In Washington, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner licenses public adjusters and explains how to file a home insurance claim. Besides Shoreline, we serve policyholders across Washington, Oregon and Southern California; see all of our service areas.
Shoreline claim questions
Is coastal flooding at Richmond Beach covered by homeowners insurance?
No. Saltwater and tidal flooding are excluded from standard homeowners policies and are paid only under flood insurance. The December 27, 2022 storm showed why that matters: NOAA’s Seattle station recorded its highest water level since records began in 1899. Wind-driven rain through a damaged roof or window is a different cause and is normally a homeowners claim.
Will my insurer pay to bring an older Shoreline home up to code after a loss?
Only if your policy includes ordinance or law coverage, and that coverage usually has a limit. Many Shoreline houses are 1950s ramblers with original wiring and plumbing, so code upgrades after a fire or water loss can be a large part of the repair bill; we check your limits before the estimate is agreed.
What should I do first after a storm damages my Shoreline home?
Prevent further damage, photograph everything before cleanup and keep receipts for emergency repairs. The City of Shoreline takes reports of flooding and blocked storm drains 24 hours a day and runs a free sandbag station at Hamlin Park, according to its surface water utility. Then call us before the insurer’s adjuster visits.
How much does a public adjuster cost in Shoreline?
Nothing up front. Our fee is a percentage of your claim, and we are paid only when your insurance company pays you.
Talk to a Shoreline public adjuster about your claim
Tell us what happened. We’ll tell you what your policy owes you.
Call us any time, or send your claim details with the form. The first conversation is free.