UNITED STATES PUBLIC ADJUSTERS
USPA ® Expedites Getting Your Insurance Money After Disasters
By Marylynne Newmark South Florida Sun-Times
Following Wilma’s disastrous impact that destroyed her roof, Lorna Pemberton of Fort Lauderdale received the shocking news that she was denied her claim for repair by her homeowners insurance company. Recently widowed and with no one to help her, she was at her wit’s end, until a friend mentioned her plight to Dimitriy Manasov of United States Public Adjusters, LLC. He immediately became Lorna’s hero by stepping in, contesting the decision of the insurer, and successfully getting Lorna an insurance check payable to her for $38,712.64.
This is just one of the many success stories behind the activities of United States Public Adjusters (USPA).
The reason for the phenomenal success of this company during especially trying times is that all of the principals in this group are licensed public insurance adjusters, who previously were professionals employed by major insurance companies. They understand insurance policies inside and out. They understand the verbiage, know the loopholes and are familiar with the exact criteria and logic behind the decisions made by insurance companies. Most of all, however, they know structure. They read between the lines, know what to argue, and know just how to make settlements happen quickly. “Insurance companies are businesses just like any other business,” says Dimitriy Manasov of U.S. Public Adjusters, LLC. “The insurance company’s goal is to profit and grow. Their primary interest is their own bottom line, so they approach each claim with a way to minimize dollar outlay. Often, they cut corners rather than expend realistic dollars needed to make the proper repairs. For example, they may recommend cleaning or painting rather than replacement. Aside from that, when it comes to a regional disaster, their paperwork becomes so backlogged that property owners sometimes can wait years to get a resolution to the problem,” he adds.
Manasov decided to enter the private sector when he saw these discrepancies. “Several likeminded associates and I wanted to help the people who pay good money for coverage and reassurance that they will be compensated for their damages,” he explained. “Since we know how the insurance companies operate, we are not intimidated by their decisions or in confronting them. In fact, we like fighting the big guys... and we have a history of winning!”
Lorna Pemberton calls the team at U.S. Public Adjusters her ‘angels’. She now has a new roof and peace of mind that comes along with knowing that she has a team behind her that has her interest at heart.
“It’s best if homeowners come to us right away,” says Manasov. “We advise them to not even call their insurance company when they first experience damage. They may wait months for an adjuster to come out, which is obvious by the many blue tarps that are still on roofs. Then, it takes months beyond that for the check to come through. We will file our client’s claim immediately, and will track its progress through the system,” he adds. “We will hound the insurer until they come through, and will get our property owners top dollar for their repairs as quickly as possible.”
The best part of all of this is that there is no out-ofpocket cost for the services at U.S. Public Adjusters. The USPA fee is based on a percentage of the total amount that the company retrieves for the insured, which is guaranteed to be top dollar. USPA principals are so certain of their success in retrieving dollars for the client, that they stand behind their policy that if the insured receives no compensation, they also do not get paid.
U.S. Public Adjusters also specializes in retrieving funds for supplemental losses, which includes items that are usually excluded, such as fences or portions of the roof. Insurance companies often deem these as being not necessary and deny payment to the homeowner to cover repairs.
“Our main goal is to maximize the client’s recovery,” says Manasov. “The property owner should never let the insurance company decide what they are owed without a public adjuster getting involved. Having an independent public adjuster protects the client’s right to just compensation.”
“Having your own public adjuster when it comes to property damage is as important as having an attorney represent you in a law suit or an accountant to manage your taxes,” says Manasov. “Attorneys are important in their areas of expertise, but when it comes to structure and communication with insurance companies, a public adjuster is definitely the one who is best qualified to represent your interest.”
Staff at United States Public Adjusters, LLC includes former insurance company adjusters, public insurance adjusters, structural engineers, mold and flood professionals, certified estimators and insurance policy professionals. “With this kind of expertise collaborating within our organization, we know exactly how to approach an owner’s claim and get you the best settlement possible,” says Manasov. He notes that from a business perspective, insurance agents do not have the same motivation to fight tooth-and-nail for the client as an independent public adjuster, since insurance agents are compensated only by commissions from policy premiums. “They have no benefit financially when fighting for the client. On the other hand, United States Public Adjusters LLC is only paid when the property owner receives his or her check from the insurance company.
Therefore, not only is the staff at U.S. Public Adjusters motivated to get top dollar for you, their client, but that amount also affects the company’s own bottom line. That intensifies their motivation on your behalf.
The property owner pays nothing in advance when contracting with U.S. Public Adjusters. The firm works for the property owner on a contingency basis. If there is no recovery, which rarely happens, there is no fee for the firm. U.S. Public Adjusters services individual homeowners, businesses, financial institutions, condominiums and community associations. Any entity with loss of property is a potential client. Since Hurricane Wilma, Manasov and his staff have been invited to make presentations before civic and county meetings throughout South Florida, as well as in the west coast of the state, where residents are still waiting for insurance companies to come through for damages inflicted in 2004 and 2005. The company can revisit claims that have been settled for four years.
U.S. Public Adjusters is licensed and bonded by the Florida Department of Financial Services, and can service claims on any size loss, large or small. Corporate headquarters are right here on Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood. Manasov suggests that you visit the company website for more information, or call with your questions toll-free at 877- 411-USPA (8772).