What is a public adjuster, and how do they differ from an insurance adjuster?

A public adjuster works for you, not the insurance company. They help you file and negotiate claims to get a fair payout. Insurance adjusters, on the other hand, work for the insurance company and try to minimize the amount they pay you.

Do I need a public adjuster?

If your insurance claim is large, complicated, or has been denied, a public adjuster can help make sure you get the full amount you’re entitled to. They also save you time by handling paperwork and negotiations.

How do public adjusters get paid?

Most public adjusters work on a contingency fee, meaning they take a percentage (usually 5–15%) of the final claim payout. You don’t pay anything upfront, and they only get paid if you do. But here at Anderson Bettencourt we are very flexible and can develop custom payment plans for every case.

How long does the claim process take?

It depends on the complexity of the claim. Simple cases may take a few weeks, while complex commercial or high-value claims can take months. Public adjusters work to speed up the process as much as possible.

What happens if my claim is denied?

If your claim is denied, a public adjuster can review it, find errors or missing information, and help you file an appeal. Many denied claims are overturned with the right evidence and argument.

Can you reopen an old insurance claim?

Yes, in many cases, if you believe you were underpaid or the insurance company overlooked damages, you can reopen the claim. Public adjusters can help with this, but there are time limits based on your policy and location.

Can I file a claim on my own without a public adjuster?

Yes, you can, but you may not get the maximum payout. Insurance companies have experts working for them, so having a public adjuster on your side levels the playing field.

How much more can a public adjuster get me compared to my insurance offer?

On average, policyholders who use public adjusters receive significantly higher payouts—often 30–70% more—because adjusters know how to document losses and negotiate effectively.

When should I hire a public adjuster? Right after a loss or later?

It’s best to hire one as soon as possible, ideally before filing the claim. They can help gather the right documentation and prevent mistakes that could hurt your claim.

Does hiring a public adjuster delay my claim?

No. In fact, public adjusters often speed up the process by managing paperwork, following up with insurers, and making sure everything is submitted correctly the first time.

How can a public adjuster help my business recover from a large-loss claim?

They make sure your claim covers not just repairs, but also business interruption losses, temporary relocations, and hidden damages. They negotiate aggressively to get you the highest settlement possible.

What types of business claims do public adjusters handle?

They handle claims for fire, floods, storms, theft, vandalism, business interruption, and equipment damage. They also help with complex claims involving multiple locations or supply chain disruptions.

How do I know if my business is underinsured?

If your policy doesn’t cover all potential risks (like floods or business interruption), or if your coverage limits are too low, you may be underinsured. A public adjuster can review your policy and help identify any gaps in coverage.

When Fire Shuts Your Business Down,
We Step In.

When Fire Shuts Your Business Down, We Step In.

We build detailed, defensible commercial fire claims that include
what standard adjusters overlook.

We build detailed, defensible commercial fire claims that include what standard adjusters overlook.

Fire Impacts Every Part of Your Business

Most adjusters don’t account for what it costs to truly rebuild.

We Do.

Our team investigates structural loss, system failures, business interruption, and contaminated contents to make sure your full claim is captured and paid.

Structural elements, framing, roof systems, and foundations
HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems
Smoke, soot, and chemical contamination
Restaurant-grade kitchens, medical equipment, and server rooms
Furnishings, signage, computers, and electronics
Inventory, raw materials, tools, and packaging
Business personal property (BPP) and tenant improvements
Code-required rebuilds, accessibility requirements, and fire suppression systems

Who We Help With Fire Damage Claims

We Represent the Businesses That Can’t Afford to Be Underpaid

Landlords & Property Managers

We handle complex claims across multi-unit buildings, from common areas to individual tenant spaces.

Restaurants & Hospitality Groups

We document all damage to kitchens, ventilation, furnishings, and lost income from operational downtime.

Warehouse & Logistics Operators

We slow things down. Our experts do a full forensic evaluation to protect you from mass-adjuster shortcuts.

Retail & Franchise Owners

From storefront damage to inventory loss, we document and recover the full value of what you’ve built.

Medical & Dental Practices

We recover high-value claims involving cabinetry, specialized equipment, and loss of patient revenue.

Insurers Undervalue Commercial Fire Claims

Let Us Tip the Scale in Your Favor

Commercial fire claims affect more than just the structure. They impact revenue, operations, tenants, and compliance, and insurers often undervalue the true extent.

Insurers overlook revenue loss — We document business interruption and prove lost income.
Insurers deny code upgrades — We demand coverage for fire-mandated rebuild requirements.
Insurers use blanket estimates — We bring in commercial estimators to prove true repair costs.
Insurers dispute coverage — We build airtight cases with fire investigators and legal teams.

We uncover every operational,
financial, and structural loss.

Building Systems & Structural Losses

We inspect framing, HVAC, electrical, roofing, and all fire-related damage — including hidden or delayed effects insurers often ignore.

Tenant Displacement & Income Loss

We quantify lost rental income, lease disruptions, and downtime with documentation insurers can’t deny.

Inventory & Interior Contents

From electronics to specialty stock, we create a detailed inventory and fight for full replacement value — not depreciated pennies.

Code Upgrades & Legal Compliance

We ensure fire code updates, accessibility upgrades, and required rebuild enhancements are fully covered.

Why Commercial Property Owners Trust
Anderson Bettencourt

Why Commercial Property Owners Trust Anderson Bettencourt

Insurance companies are trained to minimize commercial fire payouts.

We’re Experts at Maximizing Them.

They rush assessments, downplay structural loss, and ignore income disruption to protect their bottom line.

We fix what they miss. With expert valuations, legal-backed strategy, and relentless documentation, we fight to recover every dollar your business is owed.

Clients choose us because:

We secure higher payouts. Many clients recover 2× to 5× more than the insurer’s first offer.
We manage everything. From documentation to negotiation — so you can focus on recovery.
We don’t get paid until you do. No upfront costs, no empty promises — just results.
We know every tactic insurers use. With insider experience, we counter delays, denials, and underpayments.
We build legal-grade claims. Our team includes public adjusters, forensic experts, and legal partners.

Real Success Stories

We don’t just talk about results—we deliver them.
Here’s how we’ve helped past clients recover significantly more than their insurer’s initial offer.

After a fire at my cottage left a lingering smoke smell despite insurance repairs, I knew to call a Public Adjuster when my barn later caught fire. Susan at Anderson Bettencourt helped me avoid a co-insurance penalty and secured a major settlement for my damaged crop and a full barn replacement.

Anderson Bettencourt truly cares about their clients. With deep insurance industry knowledge, Susan explains every option clearly, stands firm against insurers, and ensures you collect all the money owed. Whenever I face insurance issues, I want Susan on my side!

After a major fire at my parents' home, the insurance company delayed payment for nearly a year, claiming ongoing investigations. Hiring Anderson Bettencourt was the best decision — Susan has been a true angel, keeping us informed and fighting for us. We've already recovered far more than we ever expected, and she’s still pushing for more so we can rebuild. We’re incredibly grateful we found her.

I’m a medical professional paying high home insurance. After wrongly blaming my autistic son for a fire, my insurer denied my claim. Anderson Bettencourt fought hard, overturned their decision, and helped me recover nearly $2 million — and I haven’t even begun rebuilding. They’re truly the best.

Our Process for Commercial Fire Claims

Our step-by-step process ensures your commercial fire damage insurance claim is
thoroughly documented, accurately valued, and positioned for full recovery.
Here’s how we take over your claim and protect your business property:

Free Consultation
Damage and Loss Assessment
Negotiation and Claim Filing
Maximum Settlement Secured

Free Consultation

We offer a no-cost consultation to review your policy, property type, and fire-related damage.
We assess how the fire has impacted your operations, and where the insurer might underpay or deny coverage.
We flag policy gaps and coverage issues early so you can move forward strategically.

Get in Touch

Claims coordinator speaking on phone while managing client file on laptop

Damage and Loss Assessment

We bring in structural engineers, estimators, contents specialists, and restoration pros to document every layer of loss.
We account for structural damage, tenant impact, electrical and mechanical systems, and business personal property.
We develop detailed reports to support your claim’s full commercial value.

Get in Touch

Severely damaged apartment building surrounded by rubble after a catastrophic disaster.

Negotiation and Claim Filing

We manage all back-and-forth with the insurer — from documentation to settlement discussions.
We challenge lowball offers and advocate for coverage of building upgrades, code compliance, and lost income.
If needed, we coordinate appraisals or legal review to resolve disputes.

Get in Touch

Two professionals shaking hands over a desk with paperwork, coffee, and a laptop, symbolizing agreement or successful negotiation.

Maximum Settlement Secured

We don’t stop at repair costs — we pursue compensation for all losses your policy allows.
We finalize all paperwork, meet insurer demands, and fight to get your business back on track.
You don’t pay us unless we secure results.

Get in Touch

Close-up of a hand holding multiple Canadian 100-dollar bills in a fanned-out arrangement.

Your Claim is Time-Sensitive.
Don’t Let Your Insurer Delay Your Recovery

Your Natural Disaster Claim is Time-Sensitive. Don’t Let Your Insurer Delay Your Recovery

Frequently Asked Questions

? What should I do immediately after a fire at my commercial property?

Secure the site, take lots of photos and videos to document the damage, and contact a public adjuster before speaking extensively with your insurer. Early missteps can impact your payout, so beware. It could cost you.

? How is a commercial fire claim different from a residential one?

Commercial claims often involve structural loss, tenant disruption, code upgrades, inventory damage, and business interruption — making them far more complex.

? What if my insurance company says some items aren’t covered?

Insurers often misclassify or overlook critical losses. We review your policy and challenge improper exclusions or interpretations.

? Can I claim lost income due to the fire?

Yes. If your policy includes business interruption coverage, we calculate and submit the full value of lost income and extra expenses.

? How long will my claim take to resolve?

Timelines vary based on complexity, but we push aggressively to shorten delays and hold insurers accountable every step of the way.

? What if I already started the claim on my own?

No problem. We regularly take over mid-claim and recover significantly more than originally offered — even after denials or delays.

? Do I need to hire multiple experts myself?

We bring in our own vetted team of estimators, structural engineers, inventory specialists, and legal partners to build a stronger case.

Still have questions?

When Fire Shuts Your Business Down,
We Step In.

When Fire Shuts Your Business Down, We Step In.

Fire Impacts Every Part of Your Business

Fire Impacts Every Part of Your Business

Most adjusters don’t account for what it costs to truly rebuild.