Just because a Public Adjuster has a License, does not mean they are qualified. Look at all the drivers on our busy streets who have a Driver’s License. Are all of them good drivers?
Following a major commercial fire at a Ybor City nightclub in Tampa, Fl. the property owners made a quick decision to hire what turned out to be an unqualified Public Adjuster. That adjuster decided to bring in a restoration company that he was friends with and together they made many mistakes with the claim. The insurance company offered $85,000 on the claim that obviously required a greater sum to put the property back to pre-loss condition. Client frustration built up and subsequently both companies were fired. But the damage was done, and the claim was a mess. In fact, the damage became worse!
Soon thereafter, Tutwiler & Associates was hired and moved quickly to make a wrong situation right. Mr. Tutwiler retained an Industrial Hygienist who conducted a very detailed smoke and soot assessment to determine if the smoke and soot cleaning conducted by the local restoration company was conducted adequately and thoroughly. It was not. After a thorough file review and intense negotiation, Tutwiler procured an offer of $1.2 million that also included business interruption for the client and proper restoration was able to proceed.