After I sat down with Brian Goodman for the newest episode of Declare Sport, I knew the dialog would run deep. Brian shouldn’t be solely the grandson of William Goodman, one of many founders of NAPIA and its first president, however he has additionally served because the affiliation’s Basic Counsel for greater than twenty-five years. His perspective combines household historical past, authorized perception, and frontline advocacy for public adjusters throughout the nation.
Our dialogue ranged from the hazards of surplus traces carriers to the rising drawback of unauthorized adjusting. My impression because the dialogue progressed is that the general public adjusting occupation stands at a essential crossroads on quite a few points.
Brian started by tracing his uncommon path into the sphere. In contrast to his household, he selected legislation over public adjusting. Finally, he was “pulled again in” when Harvey and Randy Goodman requested him to function NAPIA’s Basic Counsel. Since then, he has labored tirelessly to defend public adjusters on the nationwide stage, juggling legislative monitoring, governance points, and even representing the occupation on the NAIC. “Simply after I thought I used to be out, they pulled me again in,” Brian mentioned, recalling his early days within the function. It was clear from his tone that his dedication is as sturdy now because it was many years in the past.
One of many dominant themes of our dialog was the rise of unauthorized observe of public adjusting, or UPPA. Brian identified that whereas many states have legal guidelines on the books making UPPA against the law, the issue lies in enforcement. “It’s not a ‘horny’ crime, so prosecutors ignore it,” he defined, stressing how civil litigation is starting to fill the hole. He cited current instances in Texas and Iowa the place courts voided contracts for unlicensed roofers masquerading as adjusters, calling these developments “an enormous win” for licensed professionals.
We additionally dug into the alarming development of surplus traces carriers utilizing anti-public adjuster clauses. Some insurance policies now comprise language that voids protection if a policyholder hires a public adjuster. This, Brian warned, is nothing lower than an existential risk. “It’s outrageous,” he mentioned. “Texas made them unlawful, and I hope extra states comply with.” Our dialog turned to how unregulated surplus traces carriers are writing insurance policies that go away protection riddled with exclusions, creating what Brian aptly described as a “Swiss cheese insurance coverage market.”
One other recurring problem was the function of insurer-controlled specialists. After years of litigating towards engineers, industrial hygienists, and forensic consultants employed by carriers, I pressed Brian on the impression these captive specialists have on claims. His response was blunt: “These specialists are sometimes biased, on retainer, and motivated by insurer loyalty.” We each famous how such practices skew outcomes in wildfire and disaster claims, the place stories are tailor-made to reduce losses slightly than uncover the reality. As I discussed through the present, when insurers pay a lot cash and even give awards to their distributors, it isn’t exhausting to guess how these relationships affect outcomes.
Brian’s reflections on the general public picture of adjusters had been notably essential. Too typically, adjusters are accused of fraud merely for presenting larger estimates than insurers. Brian dismissed this outright. “There’s a delusion that if a public adjuster’s estimate is larger than the insurer’s, it’s fraud. That’s nonsense. It’s no totally different than a plaintiff vs. protection legal professional making a case.” His voice carried the authority of years spent preventing these battles. There is a vital want for public adjusters to face tall of their function supporting correct valuations of loss, because the insurance coverage trade is more and more attempting to restrict restoration in worth and protection.
As we wrapped up, Brian emphasised the significance of elevating requirements via schooling and licensing reform. He praised NAPIA’s persevering with education schemes, which he has personally helped form for greater than twenty years. He argued that licensing exams have to be more durable to weed out these on the lookout for a fast payday.
He left our dialogue with little question about his ongoing dedication to the occupation. “I’m in my 60s—feeling good, considering straight, and nonetheless energized. I gained’t be doing this till I’m 90, like Paul Cordish, my predecessor. However for now, I’m dedicated.”
The dialog with Brian Goodman confirmed each the fragility and the resilience of public adjusting over time. The threats are actual and embody unauthorized actors, hostile coverage language, payment caps, and biased specialists, which threaten to erode the function of the licensed public adjuster. But, via advocacy, schooling, and persistence, there’s additionally progress. NAPIA and leaders like Goodman are guaranteeing that public adjusters stay not simply related, however important to policyholders in search of truthful remedy.
Here’s a hyperlink to our Declare Sport podcast with Brian Goodman.
Thought For The Day
“The important thing to profitable management right this moment is affect, not authority. Nice leaders act like shepherds, not bosses.”
—Ken Blanchard
