Fire damage public adjuster for denied, delayed or underpaid claims

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Who we help

We represent residential and commercial policyholders on fire damage claims, including:

• Homeowners with fire, smoke and soot damage, including smoke damage in rooms the fire never reached
• Landlords and multifamily property owners
• Business and commercial property owners

We can help whether your claim is new, stalled, underpaid or already denied.

The public adjusters who handle your claim

Delano Howell, founder and public adjuster

A Stanford University graduate and former NFL starting safety with the Indianapolis Colts, Delano has eight years of adjusting experience advocating for policyholders.

Randy Gower, public adjuster, appraiser and umpire

Nearly 30 years in adjusting: Claim Supervisor with COUNTRY Financial over seven offices in Oregon and Washington, more than 17 years as an Executive Adjuster with Adjusters International, and owner of Gower Adjusting and Appraisal Services since 2000.

Every client gets a dedicated claim adjuster, so you always know who is handling your file. Meet the team or verify our California license.

See all recent claims

How we handle your claim

1. Inspect and document. We document fire, smoke and soot damage before cleanup or permanent repairs, including smoke in ducts and concealed spaces that is not immediately visible.
2. Price the loss. We build the structure estimate and a detailed contents inventory with brand, model, age and condition, so your belongings are valued at like kind and quality.
3. Review the policy. We check the coverage that decides fire claims, such as actual cash value versus replacement cost, restorable versus non-restorable contents, and additional living expenses.
4. Negotiate. We negotiate directly with your insurer, and we appeal a denial when the claim has been refused.
5. Settle. Our fee is a percentage of your claim, paid only when you are paid. There are no up-front or hidden fees.

What insurers dispute on fire damage claims

Does smoke damage count where nothing burned?

Yes. Smoke and soot spread far beyond the fire and damage walls, ceilings, contents and ductwork in areas the flames never reached, and they leave odor that needs professional remediation. Insurers frequently undervalue or overlook this damage, so we document it throughout the property. Read smoke damage claims after a fire.

Is a generic contents list enough?

No. Policies promise replacement with like kind and quality, but the burden is on you to show what you owned. If the list just says toaster, the adjuster may pay for the cheapest model rather than the one you had. We build a specific inventory with brand, model, age and condition, using phone photos, card statements and family videos when the items themselves burned. Read why a generic inventory list costs you thousands.

Can it be cleaned, or must it be replaced?

In a partial loss the insurer will often try to clean everything. Some items cannot be made safe that way: mattresses and pillows trap smoke particles, and smoke acids corrode electronics that may fail months later. We push for these items to be treated as a total loss and replaced.

Why is the first payment lower than the replacement cost?

Most policies pay actual cash value first, which is the depreciated value. With replacement cost coverage, the difference, called recoverable depreciation, is released after you replace the item and submit the receipt. We help you manage that process so the depreciation is recovered. See how to maximize a fire damage settlement.

Where we work

Acuity Adjusters represents policyholders in Oregon, Washington and Southern California. Your state insurance regulator licenses public adjusters and helps consumers with insurance problems: the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation, the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner and the California Department of Insurance.

Our licensed public adjusters serve homeowners and businesses across the Pacific Northwest: Portland, OR · Vancouver, WA · Shoreline, WA · Tacoma, WA · Tigard, OR · Sammamish, WA · Renton, WA · Redmond, WA · Oregon City, OR · Lakewood, WA · Lake Oswego, OR · Kirkland, WA · Kent, WA · Hillsboro, OR · Gresham, OR · Federal Way, WA · Burien, WA · Bothell, WA · Everett, WA · Bellevue, WA · Beaverton, OR · Auburn, WA.

We also serve policyholders in Eugene, OR and across California, and we handle water damage claims, storm damage claims, vandalism and theft claims and California wildfire claims.

Fire damage claim questions