Your Altadena public adjuster
Altadena was hit harder than almost any community by the Eaton Fire in January 2025. Whether your home was destroyed or still stands with smoke and ash damage, the claim can take months of paperwork, and the insurance company's first offer is rarely the whole picture. We work for you, not the insurance company, and we handle the documentation and negotiation so you can focus on your family.
If your claim was denied, underpaid or delayed, or you are not sure the insurance company's number makes sense, call us before you agree to a settlement or sign anything.
What shapes insurance claims in Altadena
For homes that were destroyed, a total loss claim involves much more than the dwelling limit. It includes contents, additional living expenses while you are displaced, debris removal and the extra cost of rebuilding to current code. For homes that survived, smoke, ash and soot can reach the HVAC system, attic, ductwork and walls, and a quick wipe-down estimate rarely covers it. Our Eaton Fire case study shows how a cleaning scope that was cut back was restored through supplements.
California law gives wildfire survivors extra protections after a declared state of emergency. For the total loss of a primary residence, those can include at least 24 months of additional living expenses, at least 36 months to collect full replacement cost, and a contents payment of at least 30 percent of the dwelling limit, up to $250,000, without an itemized inventory. The details depend on your policy, and the California Department of Insurance explains the protections in Bulletin 2025-2.
Many Altadena homes are older, and some owners carry limited coverage or a FAIR Plan policy. That makes a thorough, well documented claim even more important, because the insurance company will only pay for what the file supports.
Claims we handle in Altadena
- Fire and smoke damage, including wildfire smoke and ash in homes that did not burn.
- Water damage, from burst pipes and failed supply lines to hidden leaks and mold disputes.
- Wind and roof damage, including partial repair offers when the whole roof needs replacing.
- Vandalism and burglary, from stolen belongings to broken doors and windows.
- Personal property and contents, so your belongings are valued fairly.
- Condo and HOA claims, where the master policy and the unit owner's policy both come into play.
How it works
- Free claim review. Tell us what happened. We look at your policy and the insurance company's position and tell you where you stand.
- Documentation. We inspect the property, document the damage and prepare a detailed estimate and photo report.
- Negotiation. We deal with the adjuster, respond to their estimate and push back on anything that was left out or undervalued.
- Appraisal if needed. When the two sides cannot agree, we can invoke the appraisal clause in your policy.
Public adjusters are paid a percentage of the amount recovered, and the fee is spelled out in a written contract before you sign anything.
Serving Altadena and nearby areas
We work with property owners across Altadena, including west Altadena, east Altadena, the foothill streets and the Lake Avenue corridor. We also help clients in Pasadena, Glendale and La Cañada Flintridge and Sierra Madre and across Los Angeles County.
Our office is at 414 N Orange St, Unit 107, Glendale, CA 91203. Get directions.
