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Our Expert

Rafael Leyva is a licensed General, Roofing, and Plumbing Contractor, as well as a certified Independent Insurance Adjuster in the state of Florida. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, earned in 1993.  Mr. Leyva has been deposed over 680 times, offering expert testimony on first-party insurance claims.  His expertise includes analyzing the cause, origin, duration, and scope of damages, particularly related to roofing wind damage, plumbing, and air conditioning water losses. He has prepared over 1,800 estimates using Xactimate software and has conducted more than 3,300 roof inspections in the capacity of an expert.  Mr. Leyva has testified in 69 trials and 4 DOAH hearings. 
Mr. Leyva is also the owner of Bananas Group Inc., which provides roofing and plumbing services 2010. He continues to provide hands on service to many residential and commercial customers.  More information can be found below. 

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Certifications and Licenses

  • Certified General Contractor License No. CGC1527091 (Active); 2004

  • Certified Roofing Contractor License No. CCC1331744 (Active); 2007

  • Certified Plumbing Contractor License No. CFC1430157 (Active); 2011

  • Independent Insurance Adjuster-Florida License No. A155188 (2009)

  • Citizens-Endorsed Wind Mitigation Inspector (2010)

  • Certified Renovator 40 CFR Part 745.225 (EPA) 7/2013

  • Certified Moisture Management Inspector (CMM I#6544) 11/2018

  • Certified Environmental Mold Remediator (CEMR #6550) 11/2018

  • Windstorm Insurance Network – Wind Certified Appraiser® 2023-2026

  • Windstorm Insurance Network – Wind Certified Umpire® 2023-2026

  • Haag Certified Residential Roof Inspector No.201008123 (2009) Inactive

Professional Associations

  • Windstorm Insurance Network 2020

  • Claims & Litigation Management Alliance- Fellowship 2020

  • International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC)

  • FRSA-Florida Roofing and Sheet-Metal Association

  • Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues, Inc (RICOWI)

30 Years of Experience

  • LinkedIn
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