After a hurricane or water loss in Florida, contractors and water-mitigation companies often hand you a stack of paperwork that includes an 'Assignment of Benefits' or AOB. Before you sign, here's what it actually does — and why it's almost never the right move.
What is an Assignment of Benefits?
An AOB is a legal document where you, the policyholder, transfer your insurance benefits to a third party — usually a contractor. After signing, the contractor can negotiate directly with your insurance company, bill them directly, and in some cases sue them in your name.
Why Contractors Push AOBs
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AOBs give contractors leverage they otherwise wouldn't have. They can inflate invoices, perform work without your final approval, and pursue litigation against your carrier — all while you sit on the sidelines, having given up your right to manage your own claim.
Florida AOB Reform
Florida passed major AOB reforms in 2019 and again in 2022 to curb abuse. Among other changes, AOBs now have strict notice requirements, attorney-fee restrictions, and rescission rights. But the document is still legal and still routinely signed by homeowners who don't realize what they're giving up.
AOB vs Public Adjuster — The Key Difference
A public adjuster never asks you to sign an AOB. Public adjusters represent you under a contingency contract — we work for you, the claim stays in your name, and the settlement check is made out to you. You stay in control of every decision.
A contractor with an AOB represents themselves. They control the claim, they control the negotiation, and the check is often payable jointly or directly to them. Their incentive isn't to maximize your settlement — it's to maximize what they bill the carrier.
Our Recommendation
- ▸Don't sign an AOB without consulting a public adjuster or attorney first
- ▸If you need emergency mitigation (tarp, board-up, water extraction), pay the contractor directly and submit the receipts to your claim
- ▸Hire a licensed Florida public adjuster to handle the claim itself
- ▸Keep the claim — and the settlement check — in your name
If a contractor is pressuring you to sign an AOB after a loss, that's a red flag. Call Claim Beast at (386) 747-9440 for a free claim review before you sign anything.
Victoria · Public Adjuster & Co-Owner
A Florida licensed public adjuster, Victoria spent years inside the industry before joining Claim Beast. She brings a homeowner-first approach that pairs precision documentation with genuine compassion for clients going through their worst day.
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