CLIENT:

PROPERTY TYPE: Municipal facilities.

INITIAL INSURANCE CARRIER POSITION: Denial of facility damages and significant underpayment (less than $1 million).

CHALLENGE: Following a significant combined hailstorm/windstorm that swept through the region, several of the municipality’s crucial buildings sustained widespread roof damage, including mechanical system failures and water infiltration. The insurance company’s initial inspections failed to account for the full extent of the damage, leaving the city facing millions in unrecovered costs. City leadership needed a knowledgeable and aggressive claims expert to advocate for a fair recovery and turned to D.A. Lamont Public Adjusters for representation.

SCOPE OF WORK: The company met with the city regarding the insurance claims process and deployed an experienced team to conduct detailed evaluations and develop a long-term recovery strategy. Services included:

• Comprehensive inspections of affected buildings
• Coordination with forensic consultants, engineers, and contractors
• Extensive testing using state-of-the-art equipment to detect hidden damage and assess structural integrity
• Site-specific damage assessments that included detailed technical documentation and realistic repair cost estimates
• Active participation in mediation sessions to support the full scope of the claim

OUTCOME: Following an extended claims dispute process involving multiple reviews, D.A. Lamont Public Adjusters successfully secured over $11 million from the insurance carrier for the city. Thorough documentation, testing, and technical reviews proved key for confirming obvious and hidden storm-caused damage. Wins included:

• Full roof replacements for the City Hall, Civic Center, police department, fire stations, public works buildings, community centers, maintenance facilities, libraries, and airport buildings
• Code-compliant upgrades and energy-efficient improvements
• Interior repairs (e.g., ceilings, insulation)

CLIENT IMPACT:

• City funds remained intact; budget shortfalls were avoided
• Infrastructure and essential services were restored without delay
• Public buildings were enhanced with code upgrades and modern materials and have improved resilience for future weather events

WHY CHOOSE D.A. LAMONT?

• Proven experience with municipal property claims
• Zero upfront cost – no recovery, no fee
• Comprehensive claims management, start to finish

“Thank you! We were wired the money today.
I know I would have never gotten this money without you.”

– City administrator

The post CASE STUDY: $11M+ Settlement For A Texas Municipality appeared first on D.A. Lamont.

CHALLENGE:

OUR ROLE: Recognizing the need for specialized support, the Nebraska school district engaged D.A. Lamont Public Adjusters, a firm with extensive experience in large-scale claims for educational institutions.

SCOPE OF WORK:

• Initiated a comprehensive inspection of all affected campuses immediately
• Conducted extensive testing using state-of-the-art equipment to detect hidden damage and assess structural integrity
• Compiled detailed, site-specific damage assessments, repair cost estimates, and recommendations for recovery
• Managed all communications and negotiations with the insurance carrier
• Engaged in aggressive negotiation and advocacy
• Delivered undeniable proof throughout the claims dispute process

OUTCOME: A triumph for the Nebraska ISD! After a sustained and determined effort by DA Lamont Public Adjusters, the insurance company ultimately conceded to the overwhelming evidence and expert arguments presented. The ISD was awarded over $5.5 million in settlement funds.

CLIENT IMPACT:

• Preserved the ISD’s budget and educational priorities
• Ensured safe, functional learning environments for students and staff
• Reduced future risk through code compliance and full-scope restoration
• Realized the strength of partnering with dedicated, licensed professionals working on the ISD’s behalf
• Established a relationship with a proven PA firm that can provide trustworthy support for future property challenges

WHY CHOOSE D.A. LAMONT PUBLIC ADUSTERS?

• Extensive experience with large-scale claims
• Proven educational facility expertise
• Zero upfront costs – no recovery, no fee
• Comprehensive claims management, start to finish

The post CASE STUDY: Procuring A $5.5M+ Settlement For A Nebraska ISD appeared first on D.A. Lamont.

For many commercial property owners, the first time they truly test their insurance policy is after a loss. That experience can be eye-opening. What is expected to be a smooth, supportive process can instead feel slow, discouraging, and confusing. It’s not uncommon for policyholders to encounter delays, vague communication, and settlement offers that may not reflect the real cost of repairs. What is behind the lack of due diligence?

Insurance adjusters typically manage high claim volumes and rely on internal guidelines or time-bound inspections. As a result, the full extent of damage may not be realized immediately. The disconnect between observed damage, hidden damage, and what is reflected on the carrier’s estimate is where frustration grows. It can leave policyholders feeling exasperated and uncertain about how to move forward.

An experienced public adjuster can help bring balance and clarity to the process. Public adjusters work exclusively for policyholders. Their responsibilities include reviewing clients’ policies carefully, documenting damage thoroughly, and presenting claims with the accuracy and detail needed for a fair evaluation. The goal isn’t to fight the insurance company; it is to make sure the facts are complete and the coverage you have paid for is fully considered.

Every claim tells a story that deserves to be documented truthfully and completely. With sound evidence, adept insights, and persistence, the claims process can shift from inefficient to expedient.

Prepared by years of experience and qualified to the core, D.A. Lamont Public Adjusters has the resources and expertise to facilitate a smooth road to recovery. If a severe weather event has harmed your commercial property, call us. We are ready to work for you!

The post What a Public Adjuster Can Do for You appeared first on D.A. Lamont.

After severe weather, commercial property owners typically want repairs to commence as soon as possible. While an insurance company’s initial settlement offer might seem like sweet relief and a good deal, it’s not unusual for that first number to underestimate the full extent of the damage and the repairs needed. Before accepting a settlement, keep this information in mind and consider your options.

The First Offer Is Often a Starting Point, Not the Final Word

Insurance companies aim to settle claims efficiently and economically. The first offer you receive may not be the full amount needed to restore your property to pre-loss condition; it is often based on an initial inspection or a fast-tracked estimate that may miss hidden or secondary damage altogether.

Commercial roofs — along with the HVAC and electrical systems that reside on them — and building interiors can sustain storm impacts that aren’t immediately visible. Once work begins, it’s not unusual to discover additional damage that requires more extensive repairs. For example, while replacing shingles, a roofing company might find that the roof deck is damaged and not only needs to be replaced but brought up to code — at substantial extra cost. It’s wise to schedule a reinspection or obtain a second opinion from a qualified professional before you accept an underpaid claim.

A Complex Loss Requires a Complete Scope

Storm losses on commercial properties are rarely straightforward. Water intrusion, wind uplift, and business interruption issues often overlap. Your insurance carrier’s initial offer may cover surface-level damage but not the full cost of code upgrades, material pricing fluctuations, or specialized labor.

An accurate scope of loss, built from a professional assessment and detailed documentation, is the foundation of a fair settlement. Without it, property owners risk leaving significant compensation on the table.

You Have the Right to Ask for Clarification and to Challenge the Offer

Accepting the first offer isn’t your only option. Policyholders have the right to request clarification, obtain independent estimates to ensure accuracy, and submit additional evidence. This is where a public adjuster can make life substantially easier for the insured. Adjusters are highly experienced with this process and know how to negotiate directly with the carrier for a settlement that reflects the true cost of recovery.

Settling Too Soon Can Cost You Later

Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, reopening a claim can be difficult or next to impossible. Plus, if hidden damage eventually surfaces, you could be left covering the difference out of pocket. Delaying acceptance until you are confident that all damage has been addressed and valued is often the most financially sound decision you can make.

Expertise and Thorough Documentation Make a Difference

Your leverage in a claim comes from documentation — detailed notes, multiple photos, test results, and on-target repair estimates. With strong proof, your insurance company can’t wiggle out of what you are owed.

Public adjusters specialize in comprehensive documentation and turning it into a well-supported claim. They understand how to interpret policy language, recognize undervalued items, and ensure that a settlement covers all storm-caused damage.

The Bottom Line

The first offer from your insurance carrier may look appealing in the moment, but it’s often merely a starting point for negotiations. Taking the time to verify the scope of your loss and cross-checking estimates can mean the difference between an insufficient payout and a fair one. An experienced public adjuster can help substantiate and expedite the process.

At D.A. Lamont Public Adjusters, we help commercial property owners recover every dollar their policy promises. If your property was damaged in a recent storm, let us review your claim before you accept that first offer.

The post Before You Say ‘Yes’: Why the First Insurance Offer Isn’t Always the Best appeared first on D.A. Lamont.

PROPERTY TYPE: Educational facilities (administration, athletic, and elementary/middle/high school buildings)

NUMBER OF CAMPUSES: 50+

INITIAL INSURANCE CARRIER OFFER: Less than 15% of the actual damages were identified; minimal repairs were approved.

CHALLENGE: Following a series of severe wind and hail events, numerous campuses began experiencing widespread roof leaks, structural deterioration, and interior damage. Initial inspections by the insurance carrier failed to recognize the full scope and extent of the damage. The district faced the daunting possibility of covering millions of dollars in repairs, which threatened their budgets for operations, maintenance, and long-term facility planning.

OUR ROLE: D.A. Lamont Public Adjusters was brought in as the district’s exclusive public adjusting firm to manage the claims from start to finish. With extensive experience in large-scale claims for educational institutions, our firm quickly mobilized a strategic response.

SCOPE OF WORK:

• Inspected 50+ school campuses and facilities
• Conducted extensive testing using state-of-the-art equipment to detect hidden damage and assess structural integrity
• Coordinated with roofing engineers, forensic specialists, and restoration experts
• Compiled detailed, site-specific damage assessments and repair cost estimates
• Managed all communications and negotiations with the insurance carrier
• Attended multiple joint inspections and mediation sessions on behalf of the district
• Delivered expert testimony and documentation throughout the claims dispute process

OUTCOME: After an extensive claims process involving re-inspections, documentation challenges, and persistent negotiations, D.A. Lamont Public Adjusters helped the ISD secure a settlement exceeding $40 million.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Full roof replacement on multiple campuses
• HVAC replacements for several campuses
• Technical review and testing, plus thorough documentation of observed and hidden damage caused by the storm events, proved to be the strong points for winning the large award

CLIENT IMPACT:

• Preserved the ISD’s budget and educational priorities
• Ensured safe, functional, and weather-resilient facilities for students and staff
• Reduced future risk through code compliance and full-scope restoration
• Realized the strength of partnering with dedicated, licensed professionals working on the ISD’s behalf
• Established a relationship with a proven PA firm that can provide trustworthy support for future property challenges

WHY CHOOSE D.A. LAMONT PUBLIC ADJUSTERS?

• Extensive experience with large-scale claims
• Proven educational facility expertise
• Zero upfront cost – no recovery, no fee
• Comprehensive claims management, start to finish

The post CASE STUDY: Securing a $40M+ Settlement for a Texas ISD With Storm Damage appeared first on D.A. Lamont.