5 Claim Tips from a Public Adjuster
Property losses such as fires and pipe breaks typically come without warning, will you know what to do when and if it happens to you? On the other hand, hurricanes and other storm claims may come with warnings but what happens next, after the loss? Everyone agrees that after filing a claim you will expect your insurance company to pay the claim but do you know YOUR responsibilities after the loss? Most people don’t have many claims and therefore do not have experience with how to handle an insurance claim.
As a Public Adjuster, I am going to offer my 5 most important claim tips to help you avoid potential problems in the event that you suffer a loss whether from a fire, water damage, hurricane, or any other peril.
Here are 5 claim tips from a Public Adjuster:
- Personal Property / Contents – This can and usually is a complicated portion of the claim when you suffer a large loss. Most of us do not hang on to every receipt for all of our contents and proving what you had can be a difficult task after the loss occurs. I recommend putting together a detailed inventory list BEFORE you suffer a loss. If you would like a copy of the form our public adjusters use you can download a pdf copy here.
- Photos – The saying that a picture is worth a thousand words can be changed to a picture worth thousands of dollars in the event of a loss. I recommend taking more photos than you think you will ever need of your contents as well as the condition of your home. If you have a camera that offers a date stamp, use it. When you have a claim the more proof of what you had and the condition is only going to make the claim go that much smoother.
- Invoices & Receipts – This is very important in areas that have gone through hurricanes in the past several years. If and when another hurricane rolls through an area that was already hit, it is going to create some confusion. The insurance companies are not going to pay for the same damages twice and you may need to prove to them that you have already made the repairs. I recommend scanning all important invoices/receipts for and storing them in a cloud-based system so that you will be able to access them in the event that your home computer is damaged or missing. I personally use and highly recommend Dropbox.com.
- KNOW YOUR POLICY! Read and Understand your policy and what protection it offers you and what it does not offer. Unlike all of the commercials, we see every day, all policies are NOT the same. It is imperative that you make sure you have the right policy for you and your property. If you are not clear on something now is the time to work it out with your agent, after the loss is too late. Did you know that not all policies offer protection in the event of a water loss? Read and understand your policy, you may be surprised at what you find out.
- When discussing the claim with adjusters and company representatives, only state facts that you know are certain. Be kind and professional and choose your words wisely. Do Not speculate and verbalize every potential scenario that may have led to the loss. If they request a Recorded Statement or Examination Under Oath, seek representation as these could both be detrimental to the success of your claim.
Once you have all of these photos and documents together you want to make sure you store them in a place that will be accessible in the event of a loss. I recommend Google Drive or dropbox.com. They offer paid and free plans but best of all, it is easy to use. Many people store these documents in safes or back them up on external drives, this is fine but I do recommend having another copy off-site as hard drives can break and safes can get stolen.
Being prepared will help avoid potential problems, expedite the claim process, and likely increase your claim payment. Don’t wait until it is too late, prepare now! We offer a free claim consultation with a Florida Public Adjuster in the event that you suffer a loss.
Read some of our hidden gems within our blog archives, where public adjusters share their expertise and know-how about damage insurance claims.
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Read Reviews From Our Happy Clients
Meet the Senior Public Adjusters at Claim Concepts
Our Commitment
Greg Roover, SPPA
Inspired by Personal Experience
Greg’s path to becoming a Public Adjuster was deeply personal. The Northridge Earthquake was a turning point, where his family’s experience with a public adjuster opened his eyes to the profound impact of this role. Greg embarked on a strategic career journey, motivated by a desire to help others as his family was helped. He honed his skills working for insurance companies as an independent insurance adjuster.
In 2006, Greg’s vision came to fruition with the founding of Claim Concepts. His insider knowledge, gained from years within the industry, and his passion for aiding others have been instrumental in the company’s success.
In 2025, Greg earned the Senior Professional Public Adjuster (SPPA) designation from The Institutes, the highest designation available to public adjusters. Awarded only to seasoned professionals who complete a rigorous course of study and examinations, the SPPA reflects Greg’s commitment to mastering every aspect of the claims process on behalf of the policyholders he serves.
Greg’s expertise is not just in his impressive resume but in the countless testimonials from those he has aided, reflecting his dedication to securing the rightful settlements for our clients.
Greg's Expertise Backed by Industry Accreditations
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Florida Public Adjuster -
Lic #P017831 -
Georgia Public Adjuster -
Lic #2790971 -
South Carolina Public Adjuster -
Lic #716585 -
Tennessee Public Adjuster -
Lic #716858 - SPPA - Senior Professional Public Adjuster Designation
- NFIP Certified Flood Adjuster
- Former Independent Adjuster working for the Insurance Companies
- Former ICC Certified Residential Building Inspector
- Former Licensed: Mold Inspector/ Home Inspector
- Member FAPIA - Florida Association of Public Adjusters
- Member GAPIA - Georgia Association of Public Adjusters
Morgan "Eric" Thomas
From Adjuster to Advocate
Eric’s journey in the insurance world began in 1989, marking the start of a career defined by expertise and dedication. Fresh out of college, he jumped into the role of an independent adjuster, swiftly advancing to a general adjuster position at a major firm. There, Eric specialized in complex homeowners and commercial property insurance claims, showcasing his skill in navigating intricate scenarios.
In 2001, his career took a pivotal turn towards the construction aspect of insurance. As the General Manager for a renowned Insurance Restoration Contractor, Eric oversaw everything from estimating to maintaining vital relationships with insurance companies. His profound understanding of insurance and construction led him to Claim Concepts, where he now thrives as a Public Adjuster. His unparalleled insight has been crucial in ensuring that our clients receive the settlements they genuinely deserve
Eric's Expertise Backed by Industry Accreditations
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Florida Public Adjuster -
Lic #A263869 -
Georgia Public Adjuster -
Lic #3233218 -
South Carolina Public Adjuster -
Lic #3607940 -
North Carolina Public Adjuster -
Lic #3607940 - Former Independent Adjuster working for Insurance Companies (Since 1989)
- Former Insurance Restoration Contractor (Working for the Insurance Companies)
- Member FAPIA - Florida Association of Public Adjusters
- AIC - Associates In Claims
- Vale Institute - Large Loss Estimating
THE PROCESS
Our Proven Process Built on Precision, Leverage, and the Art of Resolving Complex Claims
Over many years, our team of seasoned professional Public Adjuster have developed a proactive claim management process to ensure our clients receive the proper settlement for their losses. We understand that proving your claim can be a daunting and time-consuming task, and we are here to alleviate that burden for you. Our goal is to make this process as seamless and stress-free as possible for you while ensuring that you recover the full and proper settlement for your loss that you need and deserve.
Step 1 - THE DISCUSSION
Your Claim, Our Strategy – It all begins with a no-obligation, in-depth review of your claim. We know that by the time most clients reach us, they’ve already experienced confusion, frustration, or a settlement offer that simply didn’t feel right. We will review all claim documentation including estimates, letters, policy, photos, and any other relevant items. We will then work directly with you to map out the most effective path forward. Rest assured that we will only make an offer to work with you if we are confident that we will add value to your claim.
Step 2 - THE EVALUATION
Exhaustive Inspection & Document Review – Once we partner, our team immediately gets to work on your claim. We dive deep into your policy to ensure we fully understand how it applies to your specific loss, while carefully reviewing all existing estimates, photos and documentation. We then conduct an exhaustive, technology-driven inspection of the property using advanced field tools to document every aspect of your loss, ensuring nothing gets overlooked.
Step 3 - THE DEMAND
Estimate Preparation & Submission – We develop a comprehensive, line-item estimate utilizing industry-standard software, subjecting it to a rigorous three-tier review process covering field accuracy, technical precision, and compliance, to ensure nothing is missed. Once completed, we share it with you for your review, input and approval before submitting our entire claim package to the insurance company as The Demand.
Step 4 - THE NEGOTIATIONS
Expert Negotiation, Focused on Your Best Outcome – We stand strong on your behalf, skillfully negotiating for the resolution you need and deserve. When negotiations stall, we don’t back down, we guide you through your available dispute resolution options, to keep your claim moving toward the outcome you deserve.
Step 5 - THE RESOLUTION
Successful Resolution, Your Satisfaction is Key: The final step, this is what everything has been building toward. A fair resolution isn’t just our goal, it’s our standard. Our clients’ outcomes speak for themselves, and yours will too!
CLAIM QUESTIONS? WE HAVE ANSWERS
Peace of mind! We are here to represent you and your interest in the claim. Unfortunately, insurance companies often times deny claims that should be paid or do not pay enough money on a covered claim. This is not always the case and even when it is it may not be intentional. I know that most adjusters have the best of intentions but sometimes they may be inexperienced or simply trained to see things one way, the way the big insurance company wants it to be seen. As Public Adjusters our number one job is to get you the largest settlement available to you under your policy with the insurance company.
NO. Most states have laws stating that Public Adjusters are not allowed to represent the insurance companies. At Claim Concepts, we only represent the insuring public.
The public adjuster is employed by you, the insured. Their function is to represent your interests and ensure that you recover the proper settlement for all of your losses per the terms of your insurance policy. The insurance company’s adjuster works for the insurance company and is responsible to protect their interests throughout the claim.
Public Adjusters typically work on a contingency basis which equals a small percentage of any money recovered by the insurance company.
NO! This is NOT required under any policy that I have seen to date and I do not recommend it. In the event of a loss it is best to employ a Reputable Public Adjuster that knows what the policy will cover and what it takes to get your property back to its pre-loss condition. Many contractors will provide you with a competitive bid to make repairs but not necessarily get your property back to its pre-loss condition.
Yes! In most cases we can reopen your file with a supplemental claim. There are many factors involved. Give us a call and we will be happy to offer you a free claim consultation.
Not necessarily. It is not recommended to file a claim every time you spill a glass of water as you may become classified as a nuisance claim maker. Property insurance is typically rated based on your area which is why all homeowner rates increased in Florida after the hurricanes, whether you filed a claim or not. The risk is more related to the area where your property is located and in commercial situations the use of the property. However, it is known that there are databases where claim activity is logged and each insurance company may have their own stipulations based on claim activity of the individual or the property. Ultimately, you buy insurance to protect you in the time of a loss. If you are debating whether you should file a claim or not, please feel free to call and speak with one of our Public Adjusters about your particular situation, we are always happy to help.
Do not do anything before having a qualified Public Adjuster or Attorney take a look at your file. Depending on the way everything is written you may be agreeing to their offer by depositing the check. Please call our office and speak with one of our Public Adjusters about your particular situation, we are always happy to help in any way we can.