It became clear that I was out of my league. The experience taught me "a wise man knows when another man knows better". We collected for things that I could not have thought up in my wildest dreams. All of them perfectly appropriate under the terms of my insurance policy, but not things the insurance company adjuster or my broker would have suggested. I consider myself a savvy businessman and was certain that all those around me.. My accountant, lawyers, broker, etc… had the skills to handle the matter. Fortunately for me, it did not take me long to realize otherwise. The best decision I made was to hire a public adjuster. If there is one point that this letter should serve, it is to implore those reading it to put aside their preconceived notions of insurance companies as being their friends and to sit down with a qualified public adjuster and listen… then decide.

James Taggart, President - ECS Refining
Santa Clara, CA
  1. 1

    You just suffered serious damage to your recycling center and are wondering what to do next.

  2. 2

    You call your insurance company and wait for an adjuster to come out, hoping they will have your best interests at heart.

  3. 3

    You move from the asset side of your insurance company's ledger to the liability side.

We Can Help

Knowing everything you possibly can about the "fine print" of your insurance policy before you have any substantive dialogue with your insurer is an absolute necessity. Know what you are covered for and how to claim it. What you say to your insurance company's adjuster and how you say it can make a dramatic difference in how much you get paid. The more you know, the better the results.

Recycling Center Factors to Consider

Be sure to understand each of the following factors before engaging with the insurance company. Knowledge is the key to a successful claim outcome.

  • What is my broker's/agent’s role?
  • Does the adjuster work for us or the insurance company? Why they can't work for both. It's a conflict.
  • Does the insurance company pay for professionals necessary to evaluate my claim? Are they working for me or them?
  • Warranties and Protective Safeguard requirements. What do they mean? Can I still collect if I am not in full compliance?
  • Precious metals. How to quantify quantities in the debris.
  • Can I compensate employees who help with cleaning or restoration?
  • Is the insurance company using an independent building or equipment consultant to prepare a bid? Who are these consultants? Who are they working for? Do they only work for insurance companies?
  • How quickly can I get started rebuilding?
  • What happens when the insurance company engages a forensic accountant? Who does that accountant work for?
  • How does my policy address increased costs due to new codes? If my coverage is limited, what can I do about it?
  • Does my risk manager have the requisite skill sets to negotiate a large property claim?
  • Can I continue to pay my employees?
  • What is the difference between a schedule of values and a schedule of limits?
  • What are extra expenses? What can be included? Can I use extra expenses to offset shortfalls in property coverages?
  • Is there coinsurance in my policy? What does it mean?
  • How is actual cash value determined? Why should I care?
  • Replacement properties. Lease purchase strategy. Is it good for me?
  • Replacing versus repairing equipment/processing lines. Pros and cons.
  • Will the insurance company pay for a construction manager?
  • Should I have concerns as to how my insurer deals with pollutants - hazardous materials - lead & asbestos?
  • Stock in the yard. How far from the building is coverage afforded? Measured from where?
  • How do smoke and the water used to fight the fire affect my machinery? Equipment? Computers? Other electronics?
  • Can I recast my financial statements? If so, why?
  • Do I understand why coinsurance clauses in loss of income coverage can lead to disastrous results when including labor expenses in the cost of goods manufactured and excluding those labor expenses in the business interruption evaluation?
  • Credit for continuing sales. How are they calculated?
  • What is the difference between Actual Loss Sustained and Sales Value of Production and how does it affect my claim?
  • What are expediting expenses? How do they differ from extra expenses?
  • How do I project lost sales? Sales declines?
  • Can I use proformas/budgets to calculate loss of income?
  • Increased efficiency and productivity with new equipment. Does the insurance company get a “credit?”
  • Debris removal can be a tricky issue. What if I am the only licensed facility in the area that can handle my waste stream?

Recycling Center References

In addition to the 5,000+ references on our list, here are some well-known names in the recycling industry we have helped.

The Difference Public Adjusters Make

We work exclusively for YOU, not the insurance company. Our insurance professionals have managed and negotiated thousands of claims for nearly every type of natural and man-made disaster. Local in our approach, we have over forty offices across the U.S. and Canada, and an unmatched network of expert resources to efficiently mobilize and be at your side.

Our Results

ECS Refining

$750,000
Without
Greenspan Adjusters International
$4,000,000
With
Greenspan Adjusters International

Swanson Bark & Wood

$2,923,000
Without
Greenspan Adjusters International
$4,923,270
With
Greenspan Adjusters International
We did some research and it became clear to us that yours was the firm that we wanted to represent us. We made the decision to hire your firm to represent our interest and to ensure that we would be able to rebuild and… Read More about Jerry Des Roche, President, CEO / National Power Company

Jerry Des Roche, President, CEO / National Power Company

It became clear that I was out of my league. The experience taught me "a wise man knows when another man knows better". We collected for things that I could not have thought up in my wildest dreams. All of them… Read More about James Taggart, Pres.

James Taggart, Pres., ECS Refining

Actual results will vary based on individual circumstance and nature of insurance claim loss. There are no guarantees you will experience the same results.