Mediation services
Insurance claim disputes are our focus. We also mediate other county civil matters, by Zoom anywhere in Florida or in person in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit.
Insurance claim disputes
Insurance disputes have their own vocabulary: policy forms, coverage questions, estimates, supplements, PIP benefits, and claim-handling timelines. Jeff's more than 15 years in the insurance industry, and his Florida property & casualty and all-lines adjuster licenses, mean less time explaining the basics and more time working toward resolution.
Property & Homeowners Claims
Disputes over damage to homes, condos, and other property, including scope of loss, repair estimates, and payment amounts.
- Wind, water, roof, and storm claims
- Scope-of-loss and estimate disagreements
- Underpayment and supplemental claim disputes
Auto & PIP Claims
Disagreements over vehicle damage, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, and related payments.
- PIP benefit and medical-bill disputes
- Vehicle damage and valuation
- Provider and insurer payment disputes
Coverage & Claim Value
Disputes over what a policy covers and what a claim is worth.
- Coverage questions and claim denials
- Claim valuation disagreements
- Deductibles, limits, and payment timing
Policyholders & Carriers
A neutral setting where policyholders, insurers, and their representatives can work toward a resolution.
- Homeowners and business policyholders
- Insurers, adjusters, and counsel
- Contractors and medical providers
Agency & E&O-Type Disputes
Business disputes involving insurance agencies and the people they work with.
- Agency-client disputes
- Errors-and-omissions-type claims
- Producer, agency, and book-of-business disputes
Who takes part
Policyholders, insurance carriers and their adjusters, attorneys for either side, public adjusters, contractors, medical providers, and insurance agencies.
Every party gets the same neutral mediator. Jeff does not advocate for policyholders or carriers.
Please note: The mediator does not give coverage opinions or legal advice, and he does not adjust claims as part of a mediation. Parties are encouraged to consult their own attorney or advisor about their rights under a policy.
Other county civil disputes
Florida county court civil cases generally involve claims up to $50,000, including small claims (up to $8,000). Iron City ADR mediates these disputes whether they're already in court or not yet filed.
Contract & Business Disputes
Disagreements between businesses, vendors, contractors, and customers.
- Breach of contract
- Unpaid invoices and services
- Partnership and vendor disputes
Landlord & Tenant
Residential and commercial leasing disputes.
- Security deposits and damages
- Unpaid rent and lease terms
- Move-out and repair disputes
HOA & Condominium
Disputes between associations and owners, including pre-suit mediation that Florida law requires or allows for many of these matters.
- Covenant and rule enforcement
- Assessments and fines
- Use of common areas
Real Estate
Property-related disagreements between buyers, sellers, owners, and neighbors.
- Purchase contracts and deposits
- Repair and disclosure disputes
- Neighbor and boundary issues
Consumer & Debt
Disputes over purchases, accounts, and amounts owed.
- Account and balance disputes
- Consumer purchases and services
- Payment plan negotiations
Circuit civil cases
Jeff is pursuing Florida Supreme Court Circuit Civil Mediator certification (expected December 2026). Circuit civil mediation will be added after that certification is granted. Until then, Iron City ADR handles county civil matters.
For parties, counsel, and organizations
Policyholders
Homeowners, drivers, and businesses with a claim dispute who want a clear process and a respectful setting.
Insurers & Adjusters
Carriers, claim professionals, and independent and public adjusters looking for an efficient, neutral forum.
Attorneys & Law Firms
Counsel for any side in pending or pre-suit county matters, with straightforward online scheduling.
Agencies & Businesses
Insurance agencies and other businesses that want to resolve a dispute and, where possible, preserve the relationship.
Parties Without Counsel
Individuals who want the process explained plainly. (The mediator can't give legal advice.)
Associations, Landlords & Tenants
HOA and condo boards, owners, property managers, and residents.
How a mediation comes together
Book a date
Select an available time on the live calendar or contact us to coordinate among the parties.
Agreement & fees
You receive the agreement to mediate and a written explanation of fees before the session.
Payment
Fees or deposits are paid online through a secure third-party processor.
Confidential summary
Each side may send a short summary of the dispute for the mediator's review.
The session
Joint discussion and private caucuses, by Zoom or in person, working toward a resolution.
During the session
- Opening. The mediator explains the process, ground rules, and confidentiality.
- Discussion. Each side has the chance to explain its view of the dispute.
- Private caucuses. The mediator meets with each side separately to explore options and test proposals.
- Negotiation. Offers and ideas are exchanged with the mediator's help.
- Agreement or impasse. If the parties settle, the terms are put in writing and signed. If not, the parties keep all of their other options. In court-ordered cases, the mediator reports only the outcome to the court.
Important to know
- The mediator is neutral and does not decide who is right.
- The mediator does not give legal advice or coverage opinions. You may bring or consult an attorney.
- Mediation communications are generally confidential and privileged under Florida's Mediation Confidentiality and Privilege Act (§§ 44.401–44.406, Fla. Stat.), subject to limited exceptions.
- Settlement is always voluntary. No outcome is guaranteed.
- People with authority to settle, including carrier representatives, should attend or be available.
Statewide by Zoom, in person in the 12th Circuit
Zoom: All Florida Circuits
Remote mediation for parties in every Florida judicial circuit. Private breakout rooms are used for caucuses, and the confidentiality rules are the same as in person.
In Person: 12th Circuit
Sessions in Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties, at a location confirmed when your mediation is scheduled.
Hybrid
Some participants in the room, others on Zoom. This is common when a carrier representative or decision-maker is out of the area.
Mediation, arbitration, or trial?
| Mediation | Arbitration | Trial | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who decides? | The parties | The arbitrator | Judge or jury |
| Confidential? | Generally yes | Often | Generally public |
| Outcome binding? | Only if the parties sign an agreement | Usually | Yes, subject to appeal |
| Control over terms | High: creative solutions possible | Limited | Limited |
Schedule your mediation
Pick a date on the live calendar, or reach out with questions about your case, timing, or format.