ALL Public Adjuster estimate are “Excessive.” Well, that’s at least the opinion of one insurance company’s “expert” engineer. At Godbey Giardina Law Group, we represent policyholders—not insurance companies. And one thing we see again and again in property damage claims is this: insurance companies hire so-called “experts” whose real job isn’t to find the truth—it’s to help the insurer save money, repeat a narrative, and spread distrust in our industry.
If you've ever had your claim underpaid or denied based on an engineering report or a second-opinion estimate, here's what you need to know: some of these 'opinions' are laced with bias toward the insurance company than providing an honest evaluation.
I recently took the deposition of an engineer hired by the insurance company to review our client's claim. What he said under oath confirms what we’ve long argued—many of these experts are just following a script or a pre-determined bias without actually looking at the evidence.
Here’s a real exchange in a deposition about a public adjuster’s estimate:
Q: What is your opinion on this estimate?
A: Excessive.
Q: In what way?
A: It's a typical public adjustor's type of estimate. They throw everything but the kitchen sink in the estimate.
Q: What specific areas are excessive?
A: I just think they're replacing too much stuff that doesn't reflect what is actually damaged by the event.
Q: So are you saying that the areas that [they] note are damaged are not the areas that you note are damaged?
A: I think their repair protocol is excessive.
Q: Considering their original estimate to this estimate, what significant changes did you note?
A: I didn't compare the two estimates.
Q: So you believe both are excessive; is that correct?
A: I believe so, yes, sir.· But I don't remember comparing them. I did not compare them and I don't remember what the -- what the numbers were.
Q: So just picking roof flashing on this estimate, what is excessive about the roof flashing repair protocol in your opinion?
A: I don't know. I didn't review the -- the --I didn't review it in great detail. I just can't – I can't answer that.
This is not expert testimony. This is a rehearsed narrative, driven not by data or inspection—but by assumption and bias. This particular engineer admitted to not looking at the estimates, but still had an opinion. To give him an opportunity, I went a step further to show him the estimate so he can give his opinion on the repair protocol. The engineer was looking at the line items of the public adjusters estimate and could have given an opinion on the proper repair protocol, but refused and stuck to his narrative. He could not point to a specific issue with the estimate, but in his “opinion” it was excessive.
Public adjusters share a vital role in the claim industry to find the truth and help policyholders. Often, public adjusters are the first line of defense against bias such as this. Without the support of knowledgeable claims professionals, policyholders are left to the mercy of the insurance company who already has a rehearsed narrative and financial interest in the claim.
Does this mean that all insurance company experts are biased and public adjusters’ estimates cannot be excessive, of course not. Things happen in claims But, to put ALL public adjusters in the same basket is not fair and not dealing in good faith. I’m also not attempting to put all insurance company professionals in the same basket, but this bias can be seen over and over in the claim industry and the narrative of the insurance company to delay, deny and underpay claims.
This is why it is so important for policyholders to retain reputable public adjusters and/or attorneys that know how to combat the insurance company’s narrative and bias. Don’t just accept their denial or underpayment of your claim.
Insurance companies are required to conduct a fair and thorough investigation of your claim. But when they rely on engineers or consultants who don’t:
Then the “expert opinion” they provide isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. Instead of impartial analysis, you get vague, unsubstantiated criticism of legitimate repair protocols—simply because they were written by a public adjuster or contractor working for the truth, not the insurer.
Insurers will label your expert as biased, while paying thousands of dollars to their experts to deliver canned opinions that conveniently support denial or reduction of your claim. This is especially common with:
You don’t have to accept the word of a biased “expert” hired by your insurance company. You have the right to:
- Challenge their findings
- Hire your own experts (engineers, roofers, public adjusters)
- Demand a full and fair payout under your policy
And if that doesn’t happen, we’re here to help.
We know the tactics. We’ve read the reports. We’ve cross-examined the engineers and their so-called experts. We know the difference between real science and rehearsed spin. And when the insurance company sends in a hired gun—we’re ready to meet them in court. At Godbey Giardina Law Group we know the experts that will deliver the truth for you and as always, we fight for you with no up-front out of pocket expenses and we don’t get paid unless you get paid!
If your claim was denied or underpaid based on a one-sided report or denial letter, contact us today. Let’s fight back together.