Pittsburgh Public Adjuster Secures Additional $91,000 for North Hills Homeowners

In July 2019, Dave and Judy returned to their Pittsburgh North Hills home late on a Saturday night after attending a wedding. Walking into their house, they discovered a homeowner’s nightmare: water pouring from their kitchen ceiling, severely damaging their cooktop stove and ovens. They immediately shut off the water and contacted their insurance company.

Insurance Company Response

After contacting their insurer, Dave and Judy received minimal guidance. They were only told to find a restoration company to dry out their home. The following week, an insurance adjuster spent about an hour at their property. This included taking pictures and measurements while the couple arranged for a restoration company to begin drying efforts.

Insufficient Settlement

For several weeks, communication from the insurance company was sparse. When Dave and Judy finally received a settlement check for just over $32,000, they quickly discovered this amount was inadequate. Multiple contractors informed them that the necessary repairs would cost significantly more. At this point they began noticing additional damage not included in the original assessment.

When they contacted their insurance company about these concerns, the adjuster dismissed their claims. The adjuster suggested the contractor was overcharging and insisting some items could be repaired rather than replaced.

Seeking Professional Help

After weeks without a functioning kitchen and facing an unresponsive insurance company, Dave and Judy knew they needed expert assistance. They contacted Pittsburgh Public Adjuster, Stephen Hnat, for help.

Mr. Hnat conducted a thorough inspection of their home. He prepared a comprehensive damage report and repair estimate, which he submitted to the insurance company. In response, the insurer hired their own consultant to reinspect the property.

Following this meeting, Mr. Hnat prepared a revised estimate of just under $50,000—still recognizing this was insufficient for the actual damage. He persistently advocated for Dave and Judy, holding the insurance company accountable for all damages.

Successful Resolution

The insurance company eventually sent another expert consultant to meet with Mr. Hnat. Through diligent follow-up calls and proper documentation, Mr. Hnat successfully negotiated a final settlement of over $124,000—nearly four times the original offer.

With this fair settlement, Dave and Judy were able to properly repair all damage to their home using their preferred contractor.