How licensed public adjusters level the playing field

Philip Maltaghati

President and Public Adjuster

United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc.

What role does insurance play in New York?

Insurance is essential to the resilience of New York’s economy and communities. It’s not just about risk transfer; it’s about recovery. Especially in a state where weather events, aging infrastructure and urban density converge, policyholders need a claims process that is as reliable as the coverage itself. The insurance industry has a responsibility to meet those expectations, and public adjusters help ensure it does.

What’s your role in the insurance industry?

As a licensed public adjuster, I represent residential and commercial policyholders throughout the claims process – investigating losses, challenging inaccurate carrier assessments and recovering full and fair settlements. My role is to restore balance to an industry where policyholders often feel outmatched. At United Public Adjusters, we specialize in complex and contested claims, advocating with precision, professionalism and purpose.

What's on your agenda in 2025?

We are focused on strengthening our reach in underserved communities, holding carriers accountable for vendor oversight and championing greater transparency in the claims process. We also aim to expand education efforts to empower property owners with the knowledge they need before a loss occurs. Advocacy should not begin only after disaster strikes.

What’s one change you’d like to see in the insurance claims process?

I would like to see greater accountability around third-party vendors hired by insurance carriers – particularly consultants whose findings often dictate outcomes. Too often, these entities operate with little oversight or incentive to serve the policyholder’s best interest. Reform begins with transparency and enforceable standards.