Author Archives for Diane Swerling
About Diane Swerling
Diane Swerling is a Principal at Swerling Milton Winnick, and current Vice President of the Massachusetts Association of Public Insurance Adjusters. She has particular expertise in claims involving condominium associations and commercial policies.
March 9, 2021 2:00 pm
Published by Diane Swerling
When homeowners suffer a property loss, one of the first things they do – even before they know the amount of coverage they will receive from their insurer – is call a contractor. The contractor looks at the damage, and estimates the likely cost of repairing the property. Maybe that estimate is greater than the… View More
December 1, 2020 2:14 pm
Published by Diane Swerling
Ellen Shapiro knows about condos. She’s a partner at Marcus, Errico, Emmer & Brooks PC – New England’s pre-eminent law firm focusing exclusively on condominium law. In her vast experience helping condominium communities, she’s seen just about every legal issue imaginable. When it comes to managing the insurance claims process, Ellen steers her clients… View More
November 17, 2020 2:35 pm
Published by Diane Swerling
All condominiums in the state of Massachusetts must have a Declaration of Trust and Condominium Bylaws. In our profession, we read the bylaws – specifically the Insurance Section – related to every condominium loss that SMW handles. The wording in this section may tell us what items are and are not covered in each condo… View More
November 10, 2020 2:02 pm
Published by Diane Swerling
Our last blog focused on the insurance claim experience of a local restaurant, Piattini. We asked owner Josephine Oliviero Megwa to tell us how the pandemic crisis has affected her business, and what she’s doing to make it work in these trying times. SMW: Tell us how COVID has affected your business. Josephine: We had… View More
November 3, 2020 2:19 pm
Published by Diane Swerling
Josephine Oliviero Megwa is the proud owner of Piattini, a much-loved wine bar/restaurant located on Newbury Street in Boston’s Back Bay, famous for its small plates and Italian entrees. On the evening of Sunday, October 16, 2016, Josephine received news that any business owner would surely dread: her restaurant was on fire. The fire started… View More
October 5, 2020 4:35 pm
Published by Diane Swerling
Courtney Flynn is the manager of Trident Booksellers and Café, the legendary bookshop that has been a Newbury Street landmark since Courtney’s parents opened the shop in 1984. Late on the night of February 28, 2018, a fire blazed through Trident’s second floor, leading to extensive fire and water damage that forced Courtney to close… View More
September 12, 2018 4:11 pm
Published by Diane Swerling
In my early days as a public adjuster, I worked with a grizzled old pro who was a leading flood adjuster. He once concisely explained to me the basic purpose of NFIP flood insurance: “The point is to get homeowners some relief – it’s not supposed to make you whole.” I’ve been thinking about that… View More