A fire or burst pipe can leave a commercial property owner facing more than repair bills. There may be damaged equipment, lost rental income, business interruption, and an insurance claim that takes time and expertise to document. When the insurance company sends its adjuster, who is representing the property owner’s interests?
In this episode, Aviva Sonenreich and public adjuster Andy Gurczak explain how public adjusters help property owners navigate insurance claims after a loss. Andy breaks down the difference between an insurance company’s adjuster and a public adjuster hired by the policyholder, including how his team documents damage, prepares estimates, and negotiates claims.
They also discuss when to bring in a public adjuster, how contingency fees work, and why it can be useful to review a loss before filing a claim. Andy shares examples involving a fire-damaged church and a multifamily property to illustrate how claim documentation and coverage disputes can affect the outcome. The conversation offers practical context for investors and owners who want to understand their options before an emergency occurs.
Key Topics Discussed
- What a public adjuster does and whom they represent
- How public adjusters differ from insurance company adjusters
- What goes into documenting building damage, damaged contents, and business interruption losses
- Why bringing in a public adjuster early can make a claim easier to investigate
- How delayed, disputed, and denied claims are reviewed
- What can affect the timeline for settling a property insurance claim
- How contingency-based public adjuster fees work
- Why owners should consider repair costs and deductibles before filing smaller claims
- What Andy’s church fire and multifamily claim examples reveal about the claims process
- When a property insurance dispute may require an attorney
About the Guest
Andy Gurczak is the Founder and CEO of AllCity Adjusting, a public adjusting firm that represents commercial and residential property owners in insurance claims. With a background in construction, sales, and real estate investing, Andy brings an understanding of building systems, repair costs, and property ownership to the claims process. His firm has handled multiple multimillion-dollar property damage claims, helping policyholders document losses and pursue fair settlements. As a property investor himself, Andy brings a firsthand perspective on how insurance claims can affect a property’s operations, finances, and long-term value.
About the Host
Aviva Sonenreich is the Managing Broker and Owner of the Warehouse Hotline, a Denver commercial real estate brokerage specializing exclusively in industrial properties. She leads the firm’s brokerage operations, negotiates industrial sales and leasing transactions, advises clients on acquisition and disposition strategies, and oversees the company’s marketing and business development efforts. Through Commercial Real Estate Secrets, she interviews leading investors, brokers, developers, and industry experts to provide actionable insights on commercial real estate investing, brokerage, leasing, development, and market trends.
Planning Your Next Industrial Real Estate Investment?
Understanding risk is part of owning commercial property. So is choosing a building that fits your investment goals, evaluating its condition, and understanding how it can be used.
The Warehouse Hotline helps investors and business owners buy industrial properties throughout the Denver metro area. Whether you’re purchasing your first warehouse or expanding an existing portfolio, we can help you evaluate opportunities and navigate the acquisition process.
