Serving most cities in the following counties:
Riverside
Orange
San Bernadino
Los Angeles
San Diego
We Represent the Insured for Fire Loss Claims
Making the right decisions from the beginning of your claim is critical to ultimately getting what is rightfully yours. Let Public Adjusters of Southern California represent you in the fire claims process.
Fire Claim Representation for the Insured
We are experts in negotiating for the maximum allowable benefits you are entitled to under your policy of insurance.
We Fight Your Insurance Company Head On
Benefit from our years of industry knowledge and expertise. We know how to fight your insurance company to get what you are owed.
We Support You Through the Claims Process
We are always available to give you personal service and attention as we support you through the entire claims process.
Our Services
We Specialize in Representing Fire Claim Losses
Hiring a Public Adjuster Helps You Avoid the Early Mistakes.
What you do right after the fire will determine how successful your fire claim will be and how fast the rebuilding process will go. While most homeowner insurance policies cover fire damage claims, the intricacies of the fire claim process can be challenging to understand and work through.
The untrained eye might miss the entire scope of damage such as smoke and water damage from home sprinkler systems and/or high-powered fire hoses, or structural damage to non-burn areas due to extreme heat.
We Vet Your Policy For Accurate Payout.
Our seasoned Public Adjusters can detect all damage, both seen and unseen. For these and other reasons, it is wise to hire the help of a Public Adjuster.
Public Adjusters of Southern California specializes in fire claims. We represent you to your insurance company to make sure you get a fair and fast settlement. We delve deep into your insurance policy, fine print, and all, to make sure you are paid exactly what your policy says you are entitled to.
You can trust Public Adjusters of Southern California to represent you.
We are driven by honesty and integrity in everything we do and have a team of dedicated workers who work tirelessly for our clients and on their behalf. We have many happy and satisfied clients and would love to service your claim needs as well.
Our Services Include:
The Public Adjuster
What is a Public Adjuster and exactly what do we do that makes utilizing our services so important to the bottom line of your claim?
Who We Are
Public Adjusters are insurance adjusters who are trained & experienced in measuring losses and adjusting insurance claims for those who have suffered a loss but have not yet filed a claim with their insurance company. They are the only adjusters legally licensed to represent the Insured.
What We Do
Public Insurance Adjusters advise the Insured of all their options and measure, document, prepare, present, and negotiate the loss exclusively for the Insured. The Public Adjuster meets with the insurance company's adjuster to adjust and settle the claim as the Insured desires and in as prompt a manner as possible.
How We Can Help You
Public insurance adjusters are the only people available who can represent you, the policyholder. The Insured, unless they are public adjusters themselves, do not know all the available options to them or have the training, knowledge, experience, or time necessary to deal with filing a claim. We do!
When To Contact Us
Call and retain a competent and experienced Public Adjuster immediately after your property loss has been sustained. Time is critical to your claim. Your property must be secured, and the claim filed as soon as possible
Going It Alone Can Be Risky
Occasionally the Insured seeks to avoid the Public Adjuster's fee and attempts to adjust the claim on his or her own or believes the insurance company adjuster works for them. Without a Public Adjuster on your side you, the Insured, must deal and negotiate with the insurance company's trained professionals who are not permitted to adjust claims on the behalf of you, the policy owner. So who exactly are these professionals?
Different types of adjusters are used
Your insurance company uses different types of adjusters including Company Adjusters, Independent Adjusters, TPA’s Third Party Administrators, and Supervisor’s & Management that review large claims before payment is issued.
An employee that is trained to measure and adjust claims to their company's specifications and on their behalf.
A third-party adjuster who tends to adjust claims in the insurance company’s favor in an effort to get more business from them.
Your insurance company does not use any adjuster that will work on your behalf. They will work to mitigate their financial loss, not yours.
Team
Our professional Adjusters and dedicated staff make a great, well-balanced team. We pledge to work hard every day to represent you and in resolving your claim payout in a timely manner. Each member stays current with updates and changes in our industry and takes part in continuing education requirements required by California State regulators.
Vincent Troy Schmidt
Public Insurance AdjusterLicense #2772979
Troy has been a Public Insurance Adjuster since 1991.
Gary L. Anderson
Public Insurance AdjusterLicense #2F84366
Gary has been a Public Insurance Adjuster since 2009.
Audrey Jeanine Giber
Public Insurance AdjusterLicense #2C66073
Audrey has been a Public Insurance Adjuster since 2002.
Amberlee Ritchey
Public Insurance AdjusterLicense #2K98560
Amberlee has been a Public Insurance Adjuster since 2017.
Marc Andreas Hoeck
Public Insurance AdjusterLicense #2G81767
Marc has been a Public Insurance Adjuster since 2011.
Thad Joseph Anderson
Public Insurance AdjusterLicense #4358565
TJ has been a Public Insurance Adjuster since 2023.
Our Rates
How much does it cost to utilize our services?
When all is said and done, the services of a Public Adjuster do not cost the client any money. The reason?
Would you rather have 100% of a thousand dollars or 90% of two thousand dollars?
Public Adjusters of Southern California gets significantly more for their clients than the insurance company's initially structure settlement estimate offer.
This information is based on case histories where victims, after being offered settlements by their insurance companies, called our office for referrals to get the work done.
Knowing that they could not restore their property for the amount their insurance companies offered, we advised the services of professional Public Adjusters.
The final outcome was sometimes two to three times the original offer. Because we continually get more than the insurance company's estimate offer, these results prove it a wise decision to appoint a Public Adjuster to represent you.
The results are in. Your payout is higher with a Public Adjuster.
We will complete all paperwork and negotiate the settlement with your insurance company on your behalf for a fee of only 10% of what we collect for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a Public Adjuster?
A Public Adjuster is a licensed professional claims adjuster and advocate. We prepare, present, and negotiate your property claim with your insurer. A Public Adjuster is solely your representative, an authority on loss adjustments who you can retain to assist you in preparing, filing, and adjusting your insurance claims.
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What is the role of the Insurance Company Adjuster?
As a representative of your insurance company, the insurance adjuster works for them. He will review, audit, and adjust the documentation you are required to prepare to substantiate your claim. You can bet that they don't have your best interest in mind.
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How can Public Adjusters of Southern California help me?
Before the rebuilding process can begin, an accurate and comprehensive assessment of all losses must be conducted. We are skilled in preparing these involved claims to help you receive the full amount to which you are entitled, in accordance with policy terms. But most importantly, the services of a public adjuster will save you money.
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When should I consider calling Public Adjusters of Southern California?
Immediately - We will inspect your loss and answer your questions without cost or obligation. Don't wait! The steps you take today could have a profound effect on the outcome of your claim.
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Is the first meeting with your company free?
A consultation is free and absolutely without obligation.
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What is the full extent of Public Adjusters of Southern California’s responsibility?
Your Public Insurance Adjuster assists with every phase of preparing and presenting your claim, as well as accomplishing an adjustment for you, which is equitable and includes everything to which you are entitled under your insurance policy.
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How is actual loss determined?
We take a physical inventory, obtain all pertinent appraisals and make sure all provisions in your policy are properly fulfilled. This often involves numerous steps of which you may know little or nothing but can make a significant difference in the amount of the final adjustment.
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Can I prepare my own claim?
Sure, but it stands to reason that the accredited Public Adjuster who has years of experience and training can do so with more competence than the policyholder. More specifically, Public Adjuster will assist you in the preparation of inventories, estimates, and other factual proofs of loss. He or she will handle all the necessary details for compiling and filing claims, as required by the terms of your insurance policies. Your Public Adjuster will also confer, on your behalf, with insurance company representatives and handle all matters essential to a proper and satisfactory adjustment.
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Why do I need my own adjuster?
Your insurance company will utilize the services of staff or sub-contracted Claims Adjusters to represent their interests. The very same company that owes you a fair settlement pays the skilled professional that your insurer will send to investigate and calculate your loss. The conflict is obvious.
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Why should I utilize a public adjuster to obtain what is rightfully mine?
Insurance companies offer to pay what is due to you as they see it. Public Adjuster are your exclusive representatives. With our experience and knowledge, we are better able to obtain a more favorable adjustment for you, the insured.
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In the event of a loss, what steps should I take?
Promptly report the loss to the agent or broker, or directly to the insurance company and immediately retain the services of an accredited Public Adjuster to serve you. We would love to help.
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How is your company compensated?
A Public Adjuster will work for a small percentage of your settlement, usually payable after you are indemnified. The difference in your settlement, a direct result of having your own skilled advocate, will most likely cover this fee.
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How much does your company charge for your service?
Public Adjusters of Southern California charges a percentage of the insurance company"'s settlement with you. In the final analysis, you will find our service has been financially beneficial to you.
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How does your company prepare a claim?
In addition to being skilled negotiators, we use the services of structural appraisers, engineers, accountants, inventory specialists, and other experts as needed. Your insurer will use their own experts to document their opinion of your claim. Again, the conflict is apparent.
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What problems most commonly occur while adjusting a claim?
All claims are subject to differences of opinion and policy interpretation. Each claim is unique and includes many variable factors. Generally, differences between the insured and the insurance company arise concerning the scope of damage and type of restoration required, depreciation percentages to be applied, if applicable, and appropriate labor and material costs.
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How quickly can I expect a satisfactory settlement?
We lose no time in complying with the policy requirements to obtain and evaluate the facts and prepare the claim. The alert, knowledgeable and prompt service we render often preserves evidence that may otherwise be overlooked or destroyed. The more thoroughly and completely your claim is compiled and prepared, the faster your Public Adjuster can accomplish an equitable and proper settlement in your best interest. Once a policyholder has witnessed the skill and knowledge of the accredited Public Adjuster, he or she rarely will attempt to settle a claim without the benefit of their specialized assistance. The Public Adjusters most frequent sources of new clients are the recommendations of those they have previously served.
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What information will be required to prove my claim?
• Detailed unit cost appraisal to replace building damage with like-kind, and quality.
• Detailed physical inventory and appraisal of all contents, including furniture, fixtures, equipment, and stock, whether damaged or undamaged.
• Insurable value appraisal of building and contents for co-insurance requirements.
• Identification and evaluation of the betterments and improvements, including your insurable interests.
• Physical depreciation schedule on all property.
• Determination of salvage disposal.
• Analysis of gross earnings value and loss for Business Interruption claim.
• Analysis of accounting records in relation to property values. -
What about emergency and/or temporary repairs?
Within the fine print of all insurance policies is a complex list of obligations that the policyholder has in the event of a loss. A Public Adjuster will give you expert guidance. The period right after a loss is a critical time; the right decisions can save your business or home and also protect your rights. The wrong decisions can lead to disaster. One mistake in this complex process can void your policy or severely impair your ability to collect your rightful settlement.
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Will my insurance company pay the entire loss of my property?
This depends upon the type and amount of insurance you carry. It also depends on your expertise or the expertise of your representative, not that of the Insurance Company's Adjuster. Many insurance policies may pay more than the amount shown on the declaration page. A qualified expert working for you can determine everything to which you are entitled.
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Do you take care of claims other than fire?
Yes, we will assist you in any claims you may have due to windstorm, explosion, and any other insured losses that are sustained (inland marine, business interruption, rental income, improvements and betterments, commission and profit, reporting forms, additional expense, etc.).
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Can a public adjuster be brought in after my insurance company has started the claim process?
Occasionally the Insured seeks to avoid the Public Adjuster's fee and attempts to adjust the claim of his or her own, or believes the insurance company Adjuster works for them.
Only after considerable frustration does the Insured then turn to the Public Adjuster to remedy what has already become a bad situation. The Public Adjuster can still help at this stage but may be unable to reverse all of the damage that has been done and which may not have occurred had he been retained earlier.
Eventually, it is too late for even a Public Adjuster to be able to help. Your next option is to hire an attorney to sue the insurance company for bad faith. Hopefully, you will have properly documented your claim. Don't make the same mistake this time in thinking the insurance company's attorney will represent you in court too.
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How do I set up a free consultation with Public Adjusters of Southern California?
Contact us either by phone or e-mail and we will set up an appointment to meet with you free of charge and with no obligation.
Let Us Represent You
Don't go it alone. Hiring a Public Adjuster will make the process easier for you and is proven to result in a higher settlement.
Contact
Public Adjusters of Southern California
A great reputation combined with years of adjusting experience.
Riverside Business Office
CA Dept of Insurance License: #2F84365
4372 Central Avenue, Riverside, CA 92506-2918
Phone: (951) 248-0020
Fax: (951) 248-0040
Call:
Fire Loss: (951) 453-4605
Office: (951) 248-0020
Individual Adjusters
See Team profiles for contact information.