We often get asked: what exactly does a public adjuster do? At SMW, the answer is “anything related to your property loss claim.” This includes everything from start to finish. One of the key aspects of the claims process is inventory. To get a sense of what the inventory process is like, we recently spent a day with SMW’s own Dayle Swerling Burke. With more than 30 years of experience as a public adjuster, Dayle provides specialized expertise in documenting all the details of post-loss personal property. These detailed inventories help ensure the best possible recovery for SMW clients.
We visited Dayle at the site of a burnt-out home in MetroWest Boston. This beautiful structure is located in a new development of large, well-appointed houses in a popular suburb. The cause of the fire is still being investigated, but the claims process is well underway.
Dayle goes room to room and identifies each and every item of damaged personal property in the house. Many of the items have already been boxed, so she goes through and describes the items while speaking into a recording device. These voice files will later be transcribed onto a spreadsheet, creating an inventory of the recorded items. Dayle then prices each one with today’s replacement costs based on the brand, size and comparable value.
How does this make a difference? If you paid $600 for a pair of designer shoes, you want that brand and label accounted for when the insurance carrier pays you for damaged items. Very few insurance adjusters take the time to go through each item of personal property and create a detailed inventory. SMW does this – thanks largely to Dayle – and this is one of the ways we help insureds max out their claims. Dayle spent several days at this house. Good thing she has thick-soled boots and work gloves. This really is the best way to ensure a proper recovery. We are lucky to have her.
