Aaron Barnes is a licensed Texas public adjuster based in Bastrop — the same community that was devastated by the 2011 wildfire and has faced repeated flooding, hail, and wind events since. Aaron joined Insurance Claim Hero because he believes rural and semi-rural policyholders are consistently underserved: carriers send a single adjuster to a 10-acre property and scope it like a city townhouse. Aaron brings the same documentation discipline and negotiation experience to Bastrop County that ICH applies in Austin and across Texas — calibrated inspections, line-by-line estimate review, and persistent follow-through until the claim is settled fairly. He works exclusively for policyholders on a contingency basis: no recovery, no fee.
3+ years in claimsSpeaks English
Get in touch
Tell Aaron about your claim. Most inquiries get a reply the same day.
Share what happened. Review your policy and damage. No cost, no pressure.
2
Inspection & documentation
On-site assessment, photos, measurements, and scope of loss — the record carriers take seriously.
3
Claim filing & negotiation
Your claim is filed, tracked, and negotiated on your behalf with a clear paper trail.
4
Settlement recovery
You only pay if you recover — a percentage of what's collected. No recovery, no fee.
Credentials & License
State license
3246624 · TX
Issued by Texas Department of Insurance
Verified· Apr 2026
Professional credentials
NAPIA (National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters)Licensed Texas Public Adjuster — License #3246624
Self-reported by the provider
Service area
Bastrop, TX
Bastrop
Bastrop metro area
Texas statewide
Why hire a licensed public adjuster in Texas
Works for you, not the carrier
A licensed public adjuster is the only claims professional legally allowed to represent you — the policyholder. Field adjusters and independent adjusters work for the insurance company.
Documents losses the carrier takes seriously
Claims move faster and pay fairer when the paperwork, photos, and scope of loss are prepared the way carriers expect. That's the whole job.
Only gets paid if you recover
Contingency-fee billing means no out-of-pocket cost. The percentage is disclosed in writing upfront and regulated by state law.
Handles denials, underpayments, and supplements
Even a claim you already settled can be reopened. Supplements on missed line items are common — and often substantial.
Past work
Ranch home slab leak — carrier scope missed half the damage
WATER
A Bastrop County homeowner on a 5-acre ranch noticed buckling laminate in two rooms. The carrier's adjuster scoped the visible flooring and a small section of baseboard — $11,400 total. ICH performed full moisture mapping across the affected wing, documented moisture migration into the subfloor and interior wall framing, and catalogued code-required electrical work in the wet zone. The supplemented claim settled at $54,000, covering full flooring replacement across four rooms, wall framing repair, and two months of ALE while the family stayed with relatives.
Post-storm barn and outbuilding denial reversed — $6K to $38K
WIND
A late-season storm moved through Bastrop County with straight-line winds exceeding 60 mph. The carrier's estimate covered only the main house fascia and one section of fence — $6,200. Aaron documented structural damage to a 1,200 sq ft equipment barn (roof decking uplift, compromised ridge beam), a detached carport (rafter separation), and approximately 300 linear feet of cedar privacy fencing. Each structure was a scheduled separate structure under the policy. After Aaron's re-presentation with structural photos and contractor estimates, the claim settled at $38,000.
Wildfire smoke and ash — rural home, $19K to $76K
FIRE
When a grass fire jumped a firebreak near a Bastrop County property, the main structure was not touched by flame — but smoke and ash infiltrated every room through the HVAC and attic vents. The carrier's initial estimate covered surface cleaning and HVAC filter replacement — $19K. Aaron documented protein residue on interior surfaces, ash contamination in the attic insulation, smoke absorption into soft goods and contents, and the requirement for full HVAC cleaning and sealed ductwork replacement per industrial hygienist protocol. Final settlement: $76,000, including contents restoration and temporary housing.
Carriers Aaron has worked with
Aaron has handled claims involving these insurance carriers.
State FarmAllstateFarmersTravelersUSAALiberty MutualNationwideProgressiveChubbTexas Farm Bureau
Carriers use per-square-foot replacement cost tables calibrated for metro labor markets. Rural properties with longer haul distances, specialty materials, or larger lot footprints get underpaid because the adjuster never adjusts for those factors. Aaron documents the real scope and pushes back on carrier pricing assumptions.
Do you handle outbuildings, barns, and fences?
Yes. Bastrop County properties often include structures beyond the main dwelling — barns, storage buildings, carports, fencing, and ag equipment storage. These are separate covered structures under most policies and frequently overlooked in the carrier's initial estimate.
How does your fee work?
Contingency. A percentage of what we recover for you, disclosed in writing before any work begins, regulated by Texas state law. If you don't recover, you don't pay.
Can you help with a claim the carrier already closed?
Often yes. Texas allows supplementing a claim within the policy's contractual period. We review the final settlement against the actual damage documentation and file a supplement for items the carrier missed or underpaid.
What areas do you cover?
Aaron is based in Bastrop and covers Bastrop County, Lee County, Caldwell County, Fayette County, and neighboring areas. He coordinates with the ICH Austin team for larger losses that span multiple counties.