D.A. LAMONT PUBLIC ADJUSTERS'
mission is to achieve the highest standards in being the most professional and successful, as well as efficient in any claim settlement while serving the best interests of the policyholder. We stand to exceed expectations while priding ourselves in ethics, respect, loyalty, integrity, and professionalism.
Don A. Lamont
President and C.E.O.
A public adjuster is a professional claims handler/ claims adjuster who advocates for the policyholder in adjusting and negotiating a claimant’s insurance claim.
A flood adjuster must be qualified and must complete the process of becoming an NFIP certified adjuster to adjust NFIP claims. NFIP adjusters achieve levels of authority based on flood adjusting experience and knowledge of the Program.
An appraisal is a professional appraiser’s opinion of value. The preparation of an appraisal involves research into appropriate market areas; the assembly and analysis of information pertinent to a property; and the knowledge, experience, and professional judgment of the appraiser.
Business owner’s may find themselves disagreeing with the insurance company’s response to their insurance claim. Even after everything is done according to the policy, a business owner may not receive the response needed to cover the damages you have suffered.
It is important that as policyholders a business owner understands that with the Appraisal Clause, or Appraisal Provision you have a right to dispute the analysis of the insurance company. A policyholder has the right to dispute and resolve their claim with the insurance company. The Appraisal Provision is not the same as Arbitration, which involves legal action and an attorney.
Most Insurance Policies have an Appraisal Clause. Check to see if your policy includes a clause similar to this:
APPRAISAL – If you and we fail to agree on the amount of loss, either one can demand that the amount of the loss be set by appraisal. If either makes a written demand for appraisal, each shall select a competent, independent appraiser. Each shall notify the other of the appraiser’s identity within 20 days of receipt of the written demand. The two appraisers shall then select a competent, impartial umpire. If the two appraisers are unable to agree upon an umpire within 15 days, you or we can ask a judge of a court of record in the state where the residence premises is located to select an umpire. The appraisers shall then set the amount of the loss. If the appraisers fail to agree within a reasonable time, they shall submit their differences to the umpire. Written agreement signed by any two of these three shall set the amount of the loss.
The Appraisal Provision allows the policyholder (you) to hire an independent appraiser to determine the value of their damages. The insurance company will in turn hire their own appraiser. The two appraisers one representing (you) the policyholder and one representing the insurance company will select an umpire. If the two appraisers disagree on damages they will submit their differences to the umpire for a ruling.
The Appraisal Clause is to determine the “amount of loss” to property only.
If the insurance company offers a settlement of $10,000 to repair a roof and the policyholder has contractor bids for $15,000, then the Appraisal Process may not be the best option. The Appraisal Process may cost more than the $5,000 that’s being disputed. Unfortunately, the differences in repair/replacement costs are usually much greater. When an insurance company generates an estimate for a claim of $75,000 and the policyholder has acquired professional bids several contractors of $200,000 or more, it’s time to invoke the appraisal clause.
Most appraisal clauses in insurance contracts provide that if the insurer and the insured cannot agree on the value of the property or the amount of the loss, either party may make a written demand for an appraisal. If they cannot agree on the value of the property or the amount of the loss, then the matter is submitted to the Umpire for resolution. The Umpire’s decision becomes binding only by a majority agreement (2 of 3).
Don Lamont has been a private pilot for 21 years.
Why we do this...
Owner Don Lamont, started the company in March 2011. Don’s genuine desire to help people is part of the reason that he started the firm, D.A. Lamont Public Adjusters. Mr. Lamont wanted to make sure business and commercial property owners/policyholders were being treated fairly by their insurance companies and that their claims were adjusted properly. Don is dedicated to staying on the cutting-edge of technology to help us present claims in a clear and precise manner.
D. A. Lamont Public Adjusters have evolved more every year because of extensive education for all of our employees, more and more state-of-the-art tools for detecting “damage” and advancing in technical knowledge and know-how.
The D.A. Lamont difference
We got this! We are passionate about claim management and getting our clients their rightful compensation. We are here to support our clients through their loss. We empathize with each situation and desire to be their peace-of-mind so they never have to worry about their claim.
Company Values
We are a trustworthy team, always honest and respectful with each other and our clients. We are dedicated and professional. We are dedicated to transparency and known in the industry for honesty and integrity. When there is no damage to a property, we outwardly admit it, we also boldly defend our findings when damage is in fact present.
Customer Satisfaction
Accountability
Efficiency
Loyalty
Professionalism
Respect
Public adjusters should interact with each other on a claim with respect. Respecting the profession includes following a first-come, first-serve approach when several adjusters arrive on a loss site. Adjusters should join together to help protect policyholders.
Loyalty
A Public Insurance Adjuster, for compensation, acts on behalf of an insured “you” in negotiating the claim or claims for damage under any insurance policy covering real or personal property. A Public Insurance Adjuster, for compensation, advises, investigates, adjusts, settles, and assists you in the handling of your claim to be presented to the insurance company.
Integrity
Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles or moral uprightness. It is a personal choice to hold one’s self to consistent standards. In ethics, integrity is regarded as the honesty and truthfulness or accuracy of one’s actions.
We work exclusively for YOU, not the insurance company.
Our team of adjusters has managed and negotiated thousands of commercial property insurance claims for nearly every type of natural and man-made disaster within a variety of industries.
Local in our approach.
Partnering with you as your public adjusters.
D.A. LAMONT PUBLIC ADJUSTERS‘ mission is to achieve the highest standards in being the most professional and successful, as well as efficient in any claim settlement while serving the best interests of the policyholder. We stand to exceed expectations while priding ourselves in ethics, respect, loyalty, integrity, and professionalism.
The D. A. Lamont Difference
D. A. Lamont continually educates our team to stay trained and certified in new technologies, the latest regulations and new product developments. C.E.O. Don Lamont, is a Licensed Aircraft Pilot and avid flyer. He has been known to be one of the first to land during a disaster.