I began my journey in property insurance claims right after Hurricane Katrina hit the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 2005. My wife and I had moved from Texas a few years earlier to be closer to her parents, and so I could finish my business degree. Before that, I had a career recording music for radio and television.The destruction from Katrina was unlike anything I'd ever seen. There was an immediate need for catastrophic insurance adjusters, so I took a position with an independent adjusting firm in Mobile, AL. For several years, I traveled across the southeast, handling storm claims. Eventually, I moved on to work for major insurance companies and global independent claims adjusting firms, where I received formal training and worked my way up to handling large, complex commercial claims.Over my 19 years in the field, I started to feel uneasy about the way insurance companies held all the power over their customers. At the same time, the stress of the job was taking its toll. Adjusting claims is tough—high workloads, working with the public, and dealing with the losses people face can really weigh on you. Add in the chaos of working during natural disasters, and it becomes even harder. There came a point where I realized I’d be much happier advocating for insurance customers instead of the companies. I can pinpoint the moment this idea first hit me. It was during Hurricane Sandy in 2012, while I was working in New York and New Jersey. I met with a small business owner whose specialty meat company had been devastated by wind and flooding. We sat at his desk for hours going through his policy, discussing what was covered and what wasn’t. While I fell behind on my schedule and got some pushback from my manager, the gratitude he showed me for taking that time has stayed with me ever since.That’s why I’m here now. If you’re dealing with a tough property insurance claim or just want to ask a question, let’s chat.228-229-4817 | Christopher.friedley@clfpa.com

There are three types of insurance adjusters involved in settling property insurance claims. First, “staff adjusters” work directly for the insurance company and assist policyholders after they’ve experienced damage to their property, such as a home or commercial building. Next, “independent adjusters” are contractors hired by the insurer to help when there’s a staffing shortage, during busy periods like after a natural disaster, to offer specialized expertise, or because they’re closer to the location of the loss. Finally, a “public adjuster” is hired by the policyholder, not the insurance company, to investigate, negotiate, and speed up the claims process on behalf of the policyholder.I am a licensed and bonded Public Adjuster, and I assist policyholders in navigating the process of working with the insurance company’s staff and independent adjusters. Whether you’re facing a dispute over the settlement amount or the scope of damages, I’m here to help. My services are fee-based, and the fee, which isn’t covered by your insurance policy, typically cannot exceed 10% of any insurance proceeds paid in most states. Each state licenses public adjusters independently, and additional restrictions may apply depending on where you are.

Property insurance policies often include an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) provision, known as the "appraisal provision." This is used to resolve disputes between insurers and policyholders regarding the amount owed for a loss, but it doesn't apply to coverage disputes—only disagreements over the amount of damages. In this process, both parties select an appraiser, and those two appraisers then agree on a third appraiser to serve as an umpire. Each party is responsible for paying their own appraiser, and the cost of the umpire is shared between them. The appraisers independently assess the property damage, and if their estimates align, the insurer pays that amount to the policyholder. If the estimates differ, the umpire provides a binding decision on the final loss amount.I am available to serve as either an appraiser or an umpire, depending on your needs. While Louisiana is the only state that registers appraisers, I am currently registered as an appraiser there.

Commercial lines independent adjuster.

Commercial lines independent adjuster.

Commercial lines staff adjuster.

Residential lines staff adjuster.

Catastrophic storm adjuster.