Water damage public adjuster for denied, delayed or underpaid claims

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Who we help

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

• Homeowners dealing with a burst pipe, slab leak, toilet overflow, or a dishwasher, kitchen or bathroom leak
• 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.

Recent water damage claims we handled in California

• Slab leak, Canoga Park, CA. The carrier was stalling on coverage. We secured it and negotiated full replacement of the kitchen cabinets and continuous tile, plus temporary housing during repairs. Canoga Park slab leak case
• Denied bathroom leak, La Verne, CA. The insurer denied the claim for an upstairs bathroom leak. We built the case that secured coverage, and the client completed every repair without personal expense. La Verne denied claim case
• Burst water pipe, Newhall, CA. We secured the full scope, including kitchen cabinets and continuous carpet through a 4,000 sq ft home, for a $160,000 settlement. Newhall burst pipe case

See all recent claims

How we handle your claim

1. Inspect and document. We inspect the property and use moisture meters and thermal imaging to show how far the water travelled, beyond what the naked eye can see.
2. Price the loss. We prepare and value the claim: the building, your contents and additional living expenses such as temporary housing during repairs.
3. Review the policy. We check the coverage that decides water claims, such as sudden and accidental damage, resulting damage, and tear-out and access to the leak.
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 water damage claims

Was the water damage sudden or gradual?

This is the most common fight. Most standard homeowner policies cover sudden and accidental water damage, such as a pipe that freezes and bursts, but exclude wear and tear and continuous or repeated seepage. When an adjuster calls the damage gradual, we prove the timeline with water usage data from utility bills, mold analysis and an analysis of the failed pipe. Read how insurers use the sudden and accidental clause.

Does the policy pay to break the slab to reach a leak?

Often, yes. Insurers rarely pay for the broken pipe itself, but many HO-3 policies cover the cost to tear out and replace the part of the building needed to repair the plumbing. Carriers frequently argue that access is excluded along with the pipe, and we hold them to the tear-out language. Read why slab leak claims are an insurance minefield.

Can soaked cabinets be dried in place?

Not when they are particle board that has swollen. Particle board cabinets act like a sponge, lose structural integrity and can grow mold behind the toe-kick. We document the moisture and push for replacement, including countertops and backsplash, so the kitchen matches.

What if the insurer has already denied the claim?

A denial can be challenged. We review the decision, re-document the loss and reopen negotiations with your insurer, as we did on the La Verne bathroom leak above. See next steps after a denied water damage claim.

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 fire damage claims, storm damage claims, vandalism and theft claims and California wildfire claims.

Water damage claim questions