Tacoma, WA public adjuster for coastal flood, wind and smoke claims
Acuity Adjusters takes Tacoma property claims for homeowners, landlords and businesses, from North End craftsman houses to Ruston Way condos and Hilltop rentals. Record high water at Tacoma’s tide station, windstorms and wildfire smoke have all damaged property here since 2019, and each of those losses gives an insurer room to argue. 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.
Home › Service areas › Tacoma, WA
Who we help in Tacoma
Tacoma clients we work for include:
- Owners of older homes in the North End, the Stadium District, Proctor and Hilltop
- Condo and home owners along Ruston Way, near Point Defiance and in Northeast Tacoma, close to Commencement Bay
- Landlords and businesses downtown, on the Tideflats, along South Tacoma Way and in the Lincoln District
We can help at any point, from the first call to your insurer to a claim that has been reopened or denied.
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.
Tacoma claim profile
Three documented events behind Tacoma property claims:
Record high water, December 27, 2022
When a strong winter storm met above-normal tides on December 27, 2022, the Tacoma tide station reached 3.90 feet above mean higher high water, beating the 3.27-foot record set on January 7, 2022, according to NOAA’s National Ocean Service; the station’s records go back to 1997. Saltwater in a building is a flood-policy loss, while wind damage from the same storm is a storm damage claim.
Salmon Beach landslide, February 2001
During the February 28, 2001 earthquake (Federal Disaster 1361), part of the hillside above Tacoma’s Salmon Beach community slid down the hill, damaging a number of homes and cutting off electric service and physical access, according to the Pierce County Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Earthquake and earth movement are excluded from many standard homeowners policies, so a loss like this starts with reading exactly what your policy and any endorsements cover.
Windstorm, January 2019
A south windstorm in January 2019, with gusts over 50 mph, left 20,000 customers without power after a large tree knocked out a Tacoma Public Utilities substation in Graham, according to the draft 2025-2030 Pierce County Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. A long outage can turn into a water damage claim when a sump pump stops.
Tacoma offices for emergencies and permits
Keep these Tacoma contacts close while repairs are planned:
- Emergency Services: Dial 911 for immediate danger.
- Fire Department: Tacoma Fire Department serves Tacoma.
- City Building Permits: Repair work usually requires permits from Tacoma Permit Services.
- Policyholder Rights: Review the Insurance Commissioner’s guide to filing a homeowner insurance claim.
How we handle a Tacoma claim
On Tacoma claims we measure and photograph every damaged area, price the repairs at Pierce County contractor rates and negotiate with the insurer until the estimate matches the work; more detail is 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 Tacoma, we serve policyholders across Washington, Oregon and Southern California; see all of our service areas.
Tacoma claim questions
Is coastal flooding on the Tacoma waterfront covered by homeowners insurance?
No. Saltwater flooding from a high tide or storm surge is excluded from standard homeowners policies and is paid under flood insurance. In December 2022 the Tacoma tide station set a record of 3.90 feet above mean higher high water, so waterfront owners should check what they carry before the next king tide.
A windstorm put a tree on my Tacoma house. What now?
Make the house safe, photograph the tree and the damage before anything is cut, and keep receipts for removal and tarping. Windstorms like the one in January 2019, with gusts over 50 mph, bring trees down across Pierce County, and your homeowners policy usually covers the damage a falling tree causes; we inspect the roof, framing, siding and fences so the estimate is complete.
Do I need a permit for storm repairs in Tacoma?
Structural, roofing and electrical repairs often need a City of Tacoma permit; start at the city’s apply for a permit page linked above. When your policy includes ordinance or law coverage, the cost of bringing repaired work up to current code can be part of the claim.
How much does a public adjuster cost in Tacoma?
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 Tacoma 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.