Public Adjusters Better Call Paul Podcast # 60

Episode 60 Public Adjusters with Dalia Bryant

Dalia Bryant, a public insurance adjuster, explains her role in helping homeowners navigate insurance claims. She emphasizes the importance of calling a public adjuster first after a disaster to ensure maximum coverage. Bryant shares her personal experience with a sewer line break, highlighting the challenges homeowners face without professional assistance. She notes that public adjusters earn commissions only if they secure more money from insurance companies and stresses the need for early intervention. Bryant also discusses the pitfalls of using mitigation contractors and the importance of understanding insurance policies to avoid claim denials.

Dalia Bryant

Public Adjuster Hillis Adjustment Agency

 (215) 245-6205  dbryant@hillispublicadjusters.com

https://www.hillis1.com

Outline

Introduction to Public Adjusters

• Mark Mitten introduces the episode, emphasizing the importance of calling a public insurance adjuster first after a disaster.
• Paul McAlary welcomes Dahlia Bryant, a public adjuster, and explains her role in representing homeowners in insurance claims.
• Dahlia Bryant explains that adjusters help homeowners and commercial property owners navigate the insurance claim process, ensuring they receive the maximum coverage.
• Dahlia highlights that public adjusters do not charge out-of-pocket fees; they earn a commission only if they secure more money from the insurance company.

Dahlia’s Journey into Public Adjusting

• Paul McAlary asks Dahlia how she got into being a public adjuster.
• Dahlia shares her personal experience with a sewer line break and the challenges she faced with her insurance company.
• Dahlia explains how she spent nine months negotiating with her insurance company and the Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner to get her full claim amount.
• This experience led Dahlia to research public adjusters and eventually get her license and a job with Hillis Adjustment Agency.

Importance of Calling a Public Adjuster Early

• Paul McAlary and Dahlia discuss the common mistake of homeowners contacting insurance companies before public adjusters.
• Dahlia provides an example of how using the wrong terminology (e.g., “sewer backup” instead of “plumbing leak”) can lead to claim denials.
• Dahlia emphasizes the importance of calling an adjuster right from the start to avoid such pitfalls.
• Paul McAlary and Dahlia agree that it’s never too late to consult a public adjuster, even if the homeowner has already negotiated with the insurance company.

Challenges with Mitigation Contractors

• Paul McAlary and Dahlia discuss the role of mitigation contractors like Servpro in insurance claims.
• Dahlia advises homeowners to act like consumers and not blindly trust mitigation contractors who say they will handle everything with the insurance company.
• Dahlia warns that homeowners may end up paying for mitigation services that the insurance company does not cover.
• Dahlia suggests that homeowners should get multiple quotes and consult professionals like public adjusters to ensure they are not overspending.

The Impact of Public Adjusters on Insurance Claims

• Paul McAlary shares an AI-generated statistic that claims with public adjusters are 574% higher than without.
• Dahlia agrees with the statistic, explaining that adjusters often secure full replacements for items like roofs and flooring instead of partial repairs.
• Dahlia provides examples of how adjusters can secure full replacements for items that would otherwise require costly partial repairs.
• Dahlia mentions that adjusters also make a significant difference in catastrophic events like hurricanes, where FEMA handles many claims.

Common Insurance Claims and Exclusions

• Dahlia lists common insurance claims that public adjusters handle, including smoke, fire, water damage, mold, roof damage, and plumbing leaks.
• Dahlia explains the importance of reading insurance contracts to understand what is and is not covered.
• Dahlia highlights the issue of ongoing seepage or ongoing damages, which are often excluded from insurance coverage.
• Dahlia advises homeowners to look for endorsements that cover ongoing seepage if they are not already included in their policy.

The Role of Public Adjusters in Negotiating Claims

• Dahlia explains that public adjusters negotiate with insurance companies to ensure homeowners receive the maximum coverage.
• Dahlia provides an example of how she discovered additional coverage for ALE (Alternate Living Expenses) in a client’s policy.
• Dahlia emphasizes the importance of public adjusters in understanding and navigating the complexities of insurance contracts.
• Dahlia advises homeowners to consult public adjusters even if they are already in the claims process to ensure they are not missing out on any benefits.

Public Perception and Misconceptions

• Dahlia discusses the negative perception of adjusters due to bad press and misconceptions.
• Dahlia explains that public adjusters are heavily regulated and licensed, and they do not charge homeowners out-of-pocket fees.
• Dahlia advises homeowners to do their research and understand the benefits of hiring a public adjuster.
• Dahlia emphasizes that adjusters are professionals who represent homeowners’ interests in insurance claims.

Personal Anecdotes and Success Stories

• Dahlia shares a personal anecdote about securing additional ALE coverage for a client, resulting in a significant financial benefit.
• Dahlia recounts another case where she overturned a denial for a raccoon infestation claim by proving raccoons are not rodents.
• Dahlia highlights the importance of thorough research and understanding insurance contracts to secure the best possible outcomes for clients.
• Dahlia emphasizes that public adjusters can make a significant difference in both small and large insurance claims.

Final Thoughts and Advice

• Paul McAlary and Dahlia discuss the importance of consulting professionals like kitchen designers and adjusters early in the process.
• Dahlia advises homeowners to always consult a public adjuster if they are unsure about their insurance claim or policy.
• Paul McAlary shares his experience of answering calls from homeowners who are initially resistant to hiring a kitchen designer.
• Dahlia and Paul agree that seeking professional advice can save homeowners time, money, and frustration in the long run.

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