I am reposting the review from 2/17/2016 that Yelp took down. I guess Yelp must not appreciate articulate and comprehensive prose. Sorry to disappoint the censors, but this really IS how I communicate. Call me and find out, Yelp. Your misguided speculation because I didn't misspell, use poor grammar, and keep it brief does NOT invalidate my experience OR my willingness to publicly recognize when someone does a good job for a change. You should consider that BEFORE weighing your heavy hands upon contributors.
Let's be fair: If insurance companies all did what they said they would do all the time, there would be no industry for independent public adjusters. Make sense? The fact that they exist suggests that in spite of colorful, effusive advertising and promises, the reality is that insurance companies, (I'll be gentle,) could do "better" when it comes to handling claims.
More than that, I think it's also fair to speculate that most of us grumble about paying out premiums - especially if you're fortunate enough to never NEED to make a claim. However, when catastrophe strikes your first thought is, "I'm glad I have insurance". Right? Then - you make the call.
Initiating a claim, for me, seemed an almost positive experience. My file was opened courteously, information was exchanged, contact was promised... and now I remember being asked, "Will you be using your own adjuster, or do you want us to handle it for you?" Never having dealt with ANYTHING like having a seasonal home _destroyed_ by a leaking ice maker, we'd never had to consider such a question. Why would I want to get someone involved outside of the company and just complicate things more, was my thought. It didn't take long to discover the error in my ways.
The adjuster assigned BEGAN promptly and addressed the immediate issues well - such as remediation, salvage, and demolition. Our house was gutted down to studs and sub-floor. The companies chosen by the adjuster did a spectacular, competent, and thorough job. After a few weeks we were contacted and told checks would be on the way for the building and personal property damages and we could then set about selecting the contractor we wished to use to effect renovation. The insurance company refused to be involved with that as it could expose them to responsibility for the contractor's work. Fine. No, not really fine, as we were 2700 miles away... but, fine.
With what information I had I began, by "remote control", (internet search,) to try to identify possible contractors from whom to seek bids. I did manage to get a couple to arrange to visit the property and provide initial estimates. The estimates were as much as almost twice the settlement amount offered by the insurance company. That prompted a call to the adjuster.
The insurance company's adjuster said it didn't make any difference to him whom I chose to do the work. "We'll make it work out for you," I was told matter-of-factly. THAT indifference and disregard set off the alarms - finally. Shortly after this, my stepson asked why we hadn't chosen a public adjuster? Like I said, never having done this before - and regardless of it being offered as a choice RIGHT UP FRONT by the insurance company itself - I never even considered the possibility. So, new search.
Of the three I tried to call, Todd was the one that actually ANSWERED THE PHONE. In a situation like this, I feel, if you run your business by remote control how much service can I really expect from you from the start. Todd spoke with me and got a sense for the circumstance. He gave a little pitch about his company, and I made my decision. The first RIGHT decision of the whole saga. That was in July of 2015.
To say Todd and his staff persevered would be a tremendous understatement. The litany of hyperbole to follow is earned and well-deserved. Courteous, thorough, professional, determined, attentive, tenacious, unrelenting, and believably concerned. Just who you wanted on your side in the first place. Just who you thought you were paying for when you took out that policy.
It's now February 2017 and Todd's people have FINALLY brought the saga to a successful close - as far as the insurance company is concerned. Needless to say... no, no, it needs to be said. The Public's Adjuster Team got close to four times the original settlement offered for us so that we were able to restore our damaged seasonal home, and count on it as our home for retirement. Did I mention relentless? It was not an easy task. They absolutely earned their fee with this case. The insurance company balked repeatedly - and should probably feel embarrassed about what it feels like they tried to get away with.
I hope I never have to go through anything like this again. If you've read this far, then you might well be starting to go through what we did. Do yourself a favor. Stop reading and call Todd. Don't wait to make that "first right decision". Really. read more
