Metro Public Adjustment review: Poor Service 115

DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY. We had a so called agent come out to our house after Hurricane Sandy. The agent stated that he could get us a quick settlement and that it would be 500 percent more than our insurance company would give us. During his "inspection" of the storm damage - roof blew off back of the house and water damage collapsed our entire ceiling on the second floor ruining the carpets and everything else in its path, This so called agent walked around with a sponge looking at Smoke Damage, a cracked bathroom sink and other little NON Hurricane related issues as a way to rip off our insurance company to build up the claim so that he would get a bigger pay day of 25% of our claim. After signing the contract he thencalled us the next day to inform us that the claim could take 3 - 6 months and that we were not to remove any of the soaking wet debr all over our second floor. I asked hm to stop by that day -not telling him what I really wanted - whe he arrived I handed him the signed right to rescind the contract form which they only give you 72 hours to turn in - we did it within 12 hours. So don't you know the sleeze ball still submitted our claim on Monday - and had another agent come out to our property while we were at work to take more pictures. When their so called company left us a message stating that the had filed our claim and that we were not to speak with our own insurance company any further I immediately called this "agent" and asked him why he filed our claim when we rescinded? He stated "we were there first and you allowed our agent out on Monday" It took a call to the local news - the PA Insurance Commissioner to file a complaint -numerous calls to our insurance agent and all contractors working on the house to finally get a call from the "agents" boss who stated that it was submitted in error. I informed the "boss" that if anyone from his company attempted to represent us or attempted to come onto our property again that I would Sue them for insurance fraud and misrepresenation. I told him he should be ashamed of himself for trying to rape the people who are already down on their luck. Fingers crossed that they finally out of the picture. Do not sign anything with this company - and if you did already - rescind it right away or contact the Insurance Comissioner in your state. I also found out during our "walk around" with this sleezeball that they operate on a pyramid scheme - he tried to recruit mei into becoming an public adjuster so that he could make money off of any claims I would find. He laughed and said "of course we do not call them pyramid schemes because they are illegal, we just call it climbing the ladder as a way of promotions" Really? Be very careful - they are fast talkers !

You want to post so much negativity about Metro but look at the facts how many other Public Adjuster came out to see you and how much did you pay out of pocket (answer $0.00). The 25% is a base and could be lower depends on the true amount of the claim which was and is not determined at this point. The inspection I was there so did the rep ask about previous damages before the event, I think if you didn't notice it before it can be safe to say that is was because of the event due to your own accountant of damages above statement. The contract you signed has a 3 day right to decline per law so if you feel that you don't wish to use Metro than all parties can walk away and we don't contact your insurance (now in this event we are once the claim has been reviewed at corporate to help the claim get processed quicker but this is only during this type of weather event). The length of the claim is not determined by Metro it takes the time it takes for the process to go through if you wish to settle for less than yes you can get a quick settlement just like the insurance industry wants you too. I really think you need to research Public Adjusting and how much more a PA can get you it's horrifying how little you get without one. Once you cancel your contract with Metro they don't represent you anymore that's per law also. Metro does help a lot of people both with claims and with becoming a PA due to the fact that the insurance industry doesn't want you to use one. To set the record straight you don't have too recruit to make money in the Metro system and the money your sponsor who trains and helps you get started makes doesn't come from your pay as a representative;so your "pyramid scheme" is debunked and scam takes peoples money Metro 1: get paid out of settlement you don't write them a check. 2: if you join and finish your training within 4 months you get reimbursed over the amount you invest in becoming a Public Adjuster (in most states due to State fees and such). You are upset with what has happened to your house I do hope you get the most out of your claim and get back to normality but you are now stuck with headache of handling this yourself good luck and God Bless.

Not one person understands that most adjusters assigned to a CAT events, like Irene or Sandy, are independent and work on a comission. A claim of $2500 typically pays the adjuster $150 while a claim of $7600 would pay about $450. Adjusters are responsible for all of their expenses. Any adjuster worth his or her salt will try to write any and everything that is storm related. A claim typically takes 4 hours to scope and send up. Do the math. Homeowners that pay for public adjusters are throwing their funds away. Insureds should meet the adjuster and if they feel the adjuster was not complete, request another adjuster. Deductables added to public adjuster expenses will usually cause the homeowner to end up with net nothing. You read all the above BS and remember, the PA is getting paid by you the homeowner for doing just what the regular adjuster does. The independent adjuster DOES NOT work for the insurance company, he or she works for a claims solicitating company. The Public Adjuster wants to to sign up homeowners based on fear. Remeber this is just my opinion even though I have an adjusters liscense but do not take any claims in my name.

Metro is not a scam nor a pyramid scheme. Clearly, there are several comments on this board that are that constructed for the sole purpose of harming this company, perhaps from competing organizations. This tactic is employed by an increasing number of unscrupulous companies. Anyone with a little understanding of the claims process and dealing with insurance companies would understand that it could take months, even a year or two, to settle some insurance claims, especially if lots of money is involved. There aren't any perfect companies nor perfect employees of these companies. By the same token, there are many great employees of companies that dare to take on the mighty insurance industry like Metro, a David against Goliath...

I hired Metro Public Adjustmet, Inc. and was assigned Tom Price as an adjuster. Mr. Price was negligent, would not return calls and I did a lot of the work for which they took their percentage. DO NOT HIRE THIS COMPANY. They are a total ripoff. Mr. Price talked a good game, but did not know what he was doing. He had my belongings sent out to be cleaned from smoke damage before my insurance adjuster came to look at the damage and more damage occurred in this process. I even wrote a letter to the President and he did not respond. They are scam artists and inefficient. One of the companies where my things were sent told me that they would no longer take any work from Metro. That's how bad they are. I ended up having to pay out of my pocket!

well metro is moving to Georgia well Georgia is a police state and we have a lot of laws and a lot of licensing laws and regulations. If they are not on the level in Georgia they will be broke down. And the originators will do fed time and the hirelings will do state so lets all hope their on the level and welcome to Georgia yall have a nice day

It's pretty impressive to look at the range of comments and the trends of those comments over the last few years. 10 year ago Metro was a miserable company. They engaged a manager in the early 2000's who really turned the company around. His adjusters showed up with estimates in hand, had previously actually been to the loss location and had a clue as to what was going on. He required those folks to dress professionally and know their stuff to some degree. Then, about 5 years ago we saw the proliferation of "hotel rah-rah" fests where they would run tone of adds in newspapers, craiglist, monster etc. "Are you an unemployed grunt and want to make $300., 000 per year like our main man Jamal Talib?" Well come on out, eat some cake and coffee and sign up. Ya, before you get to act as a public adjuster you must first solicit (sign up, door to door, beg neighbors, friends, family, etc) to sign up for farcical claims so that you were vetted enough to become a PA. I think this is where the multi-level marketing/pyramid thing came from. At any rate the new Public Adjuster Reform Act in PA is still not going to do a lot for you. You have 3 day rescission period, of course they delay claim reporting and inspection well past the 3 days. It often takes weeks for a company adjuster to get an appointment scheduled with Metro.
As to licensing, oddly the new PA Reform Act took all the "solicitors" (i.e. people who went door to door in Philadelphia asking "hey you have some water damage in your house and want a couple grand') and turned them into Public Adusters who can negotiate a claims settlement versus just signing someone up and then waiting for the PA to come settle the claim.
I am not going to go on about how insurance companies pay $.40 on every dollar they owe. That is absurd and there is zero basis for that statement. Now if you want to look at how much is paid per $1 of premium directly to insureds, then yes it should be around 60-70% of[ premium dollar. Your agent is getting 15-20% right off the top. Then there is administrative costs, facilities, underwriters salaries, and god forbid the lowly claims adjuster salary. So add another 10 -15 Loss Adjustment expense and viola you have 50-60% of premiums going back into the policy holder pockets.
Oh, here is another weird thing. Insurance companies really don't care how much they pay you. Delaying accomplishes nothing. Ewww, we delayed a $100, 000 claim for 6 months and earned 1.3% annualized interest. It's silly. See, because the more insurance companies pay and the higher their loss ratios the easier it is to get rate increases from the state departments of insurance. This results in premium growth, with of course increases reserves and paltry return on investment.
I applaud the majority of statements on here and was rather surprised that people exhibited common sense. For example, Buck14pt, pointing out that much like public adjusters, independent adjuster are paid based upon severity of loss. It PAYS THEM MONEY to find coverage. That has been a real issue for independent adjusters during Sandy. There was so much denial, thus no covered damages, thus billing is based upon a severity of zero.
I don't know. I, for a brief moment, have a slightly elevated faith in the residents of NJ, Philly and NY who typically have super entitled mentalities and want a brand new house because they lost 14 tabs of shingle. Bank of America guys coming out and then presenting themselves as PA's are in violation of the new Public Adjuster Act. Using chemical sponges to try to find soot/smoke due to wind loss?
This reminds me of my poker days when dealing with a lot of European players. There was always the question "But how much did you loose?". The first few posts remind me of that. Folks, labor and building materials are pretty straight forward. When you have a settlement of $10, 000 and Metro takes 40%, where do you think the other $4, 000 is magically going to come from?
Having said that, as someone who gets to go out and clean up the messes of CAT adjusters all the time, I sincerely wish that CAT adjusters would learn to use the proper trade functions and settle the claim right the first time. I know, I know, you are from Texas and they don't have ice and water shield down there but here in the NE US we are, for the most part, required to have this by law. Stop missing. all the supporting trade functions and you will have an irrefutable estimate.

Current customer waste of time and energy, no one knows anything very poorly run company. No one returns any calls. Worst 25% ever spent.

all metro does is hire as many people they can, and it is all to use these people to go out to there family and friends to find damages that don't even exist! when they are out of people to bother about damages they are done with them and hire more people, IT IS A CYCLE OF THEM USING PEOPLE FOR THERE SCAM, I FLAG ALL ADS ON CRAIGSLIST, THEY SUCK AND USE PEOPLE DON'T WORK FOR THEM THEY ARE BULL@@@@, PERIOD!

I have during my 9 years (CAT) independent adjusting career worked with PA's. I can honestly say by reading the post by homeowners can understand their complaints. I believe the way Metro hires people without any knowledge of how to properly inspect storm or sudden and accidential damaged property, the PA you worked with could only offer hopes of getting paid more from the insurance company due to their lack of experience. To me the PA's that set off most of these complaints are most likley the ones that are living the hype of high income that they see and here daily that is earned by experienced PA's. The problem is these new PA's do not know that they cannot do the job without several years in the field working with property losses and insurance adjusters. They again are hoping they can surrvive their mistakes while leaning and gaining experience, I would say their is a very high presentage that leaves this type work with-in a month if that long. I would think this is where most of the lack of communication starts. So if you were signed up by one of these type PA's thats struggling they would not return calls because thay have no idea of how to give you truthful answers. So they repeat this daily trying to break the ice and become so overwhelmed they quit. This leaves the PA company "Metro' in a difficult situation because the PA that quit most likley did not keep thier team leader/supervisior or chain of command informed of progress of the claim. I have not delt with Metro as an adjuster but can honestly say the PA's I have worked with have been very professional and knowledgeable. I'm sure Metro have well trained and knowledgeable PA's on the staff and as a homeowner you will know you have a knowledgeable PA just by watching them inspect the property paying attention to their body language and facial expressions. If they have a clue as to what they are doing look out because the tape measure will be flying around the room, camera flashing will look like a lighting storm and scope notes on a pad will let you know they understand their job. If the PA does not do this on day one, Do not sign the contract. If they want you to sign up today and inspect later, tell them you will sign after they have inspected the property and provide you with an estimate that you can read and compare to your insurance adjusters estimate. By doing this it will help you to make the right decision.

I have had a bad experience with Metro PA also. Are there any lawsuits out there about this company? If so, I would be interested in joining. rlnick@yahoo.com

WOW ... Sounds like a someone(s) has an axe to grind. I had a great experience.

Metro is a joke. I started working there and they told me that they take care of you and help you find people. Bunch of crock. The recruiter was helpful but everyone else that I asked to get help with finding more homeowners just gave me the crap of "well go to Home Depot and ask around" and all that crap. A lot of the adjusters are misleading and tell you that they are there to help but the don't do squat to help you. May of 2012 on a Saturday orientation one of the presenters did a giveaway of a binder and this ###'s game was "who can make the most phone calls and schedule the most appointments". It's like, dude people just got here, many do not even have the license to inspect. That presenter was one of the worst I've ever met. Another one named Harold Well was presenting with if you treat the job as a job you get paid, if like a hobby then you end up paying for it. It's a bunch of crap, it's how connected you are. With connections you can cash in treating this job as a secondary hobby, but good getting that connected. The overall experience was awful. But hey, you live and learn.

Metro is horrible. I hired them after dealing with my own insurance company. Their representative came out on a Sunday. After I signed the contract, I realized that the date was for the day before (Saturday). I asked him why he pre-dated the contract. He stated that it was "technically illegal" to sign the contract on Sunday. First red flag. I was so stressed after dealing with my insurance company, I just went with it.

Metro spent almost a year on my case. I had 2 properties that received damage. After countless numbers of phone calls not returned, I contacted the main office and asked to speak with a supervisor. I was told that Metro doesn't have supervisors. What a joke.

They allowed my insurance company to send out an engineer that my insurance company paid for. Metro stated that he was an impartial 3rd party and they would accept his opinion. I told them that the engineer cannot be considered impartial if my insurance company paid him and that they would not continue to hire people who gave them undesirable outcomes. No luck. My claims rep told me that I should hire a lawyer to recover more money.

Metro is a scam. Do not make the same mistake I did. I am still trying to clean up their mess nearly a year later.

I' m sorry that you all had issues with this company. We definitely will take the comments and run!

I just hired metro to handle a claim that I have been trying to get the insurance company to handle. i will keep everyone posted as to my progress. so far i feel some remorse but i am glad i am still alive and the four trees that stuck my home in mid-may due to storm event can be repaired. this process is one that only a few unfortunates have to deal with in their lives and for now it is a burden that i am responsible for. of course we want repairs completed as quickly as possible but we also want due diligence to be carried out in that effort. it is my sincere conviction that metro will do what they say. if not then you will here the play by play of events as they unfold. good luck and happier times to all of you.

Metro Public Adjustment, answered an ad in the Manasquan newspaper, the Coast Star, for Property Inspections, went to orientation in the Sea Girt office, went to Fast Track meeting at Doubletree Conference Center Eatonton NJ, started filing job for one of Metros managers, what I was being taught by Metro was how to commit Insurance Fraud by doing in home free property inspections, taking pre-existing damage to the home and putting a current date of loss on the insurance claim form, damage that was months to many years old, it's called insurance fraud.

Glad I read here first. I was about to set up an appt with Metro to become a PA. But after reading some of the posts for others who attended the interview process, I think I'll skip. I don't much like trying to recruit family, friends or neighbors to try and get them to file claims by using Metro. I had some misgivings about this whole thing, so I did an Internet search. If they need upfront fees from me for training or whatever forget about it. I need a job to earn money, not to spend money. They made it sound so great. Thanks for all of your honesty on here.

I am just curious? How many postings on here were done by Home Owners Insurance Companies? And how many were done by Metro Public Adjustments, Inc.? It seems that in a real world comments can be posted by either, if you know what I mean?

Just curious? How many posts on here are from large Home Owners Insurance Company's reps? And how many are from Metro Public Adjustments, Inc. reps? Not sure who is who & what the actual truth is?

I really need a job that pays well (at least $30, 000 per year). I am currently a temp and take home $800 per month. I saw an add for "part-time job with full-time pay". (Metro) Has anyone else applied for a job there as a property inspector? If so, is it legit? What is the pay during training? Is it commisison only? How are claims allocated between inspectors? Is there pressure to play a "game" or can you retain some morals doing this job? Please let me know. TR

I am going to start working for Metro and really excited about it. If anyone worked for an insurance company would understand that having an adjuster represent you is for your benefit. I know many people who have filed a claim with and without. People who file there claim without either result in a denied claim or a check that will not cover the cost of repairs. People who have used a public adjuster have enough to get there home back to pre-damage status and some. This is commission based. How much you make is totally up to you and how devoted you are. Unfortunately not all adjusters are devoted and are. Looking for a quick buck. There is no such thing as a quick buck. If you treat your clients well the word will spread like a wild fire . Same thing if you don't. Except bad adjusters bring down the company with them...

Against my better judgement I contacted Metro and I have lived first hand all the nightmares I've been reading here. The funny thing is I am a reporter and they just messed with the wrong client. There is nothing stronger than the power of the press to put an end to the injustice and unprofessional way that they continue to treat their clients. If anyone needs our help with this company please let us know.

When you have to pay $40.00 to join a company, you don't pay the $40.00.

They took me to court because I refused to pay because this poor excuse of a company is incompetent. They did nothing and expected to get paid. I fought back and won half the money back. Their attorney is the biggest Piece so ### you will ever see. Fight back! You will at least win back some of your money.

totally disagree ! first of all, u don't waste Ur money, because u don't pay anything upfront.seconD its so obivious that the insurance company don't want to pay u money if u do it urself OR hire a public adjuster indivisual or METRO PA, so its a insurance company that u have loyally paying all the premiums all these years, don't paying u back for Ur damages to get repaired.and u, we all know this fact, and that is the reason PUBLIC ADJUSTER exist ! Legally Licensed and Bonded by State Goverment.

I am so sorry I am using Metro. They suck. They have the worst customer service ever! When you call your point of contact you get an attitude like you are bothering them. I thought it was there job. on top of it they lie. I caught them in many lies... please do not use them...

The "positive reviews" written in here clearly are employees of Metro. I am 9 months into a claim that would have been resolved much quicker had I handled it myself.

My claim is smoke damage from a home that burned down to the ground next door. That home? 10 months later is completely rebuilt. My home? I'm still currently being told to "hold off doing repairs or I could hurt my claim" - not to mention money being held up. But Metro takes their "percentage" right up front. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO START YOUR PROJECT WITHOUT GIVING METRO A PERCENTAGE OF EACH AND EVER CHECK, which obviously limits your repairs (unless you have a stock pile of money to grab from).
DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING METRO ASKS! YOU WILL BE SORRY. If you're unsure? I will gladly give anyone my address and paperwork to drive by and SEE the sign I put on my lawn with an arrow to my damage "used Metro Public Adjusters" and an arrow pointing to the beautiful new home next door "did not use any public adjuster, simply did claim themselves".

If the complaints above are true then they should be reported to the Dept of Insurance and Banking Commission not to a 'complaint message board'. All public adjusters have to be licensed and bonded with their State of residency and could possibly lose their license if the actions noted above actually occurred. Why are you "talking to the Hand"? I can only close with a thought someone once shared with me..."Do you want to be heard (then scream and yell), or do you want to be listened to"? Share your concerns with the person(s) who can actually help you.

Do not sign anything from these people. Do not believe anything they say. If you signed, you have 3 business days till midnight to get out! Forgot about the salesman or your representative. They will disappear, and they will do everything to keep you in the contract. Promptly fax the main headquarters your notice of termination. On the fax, ask for a confirmation in return. Fax them an additional typed letter saying who you are, and that you want out on such and such date and sign it. The headquarters will reply in the mail saying your off the hook. If you are having trouble, contact your state attorney general immediately.

Donot not use Metro Public Adjuster every, I went to work for them. they told me the training is free but it was not free and they told me they will help me to start the business but they did not they told me go fine us clint. the must important you should know if you call them and do your claim. they will get 35% from your check. that mean if your floor cost $9000 they will get $3000 and you will be short to fix your floor or you have to get cheap. when i ask this question they did not have any answer.
Please donot use they just google and get some information what the insurance is cover and you can call your insurance and safe that 35%.

So there's the accusation that those who support Metro work for them and those who do not support Metro are the insurance companies trying to get people NOT to use a PA because then they can pay 25-40% (as claimed above) for what they should be paying to US, the people who buy their insurance. Okay people, think about it, do your homework and remember that everyone on here is just a name behind a computer and no one has to be telling the truth. Then look at the insurance companies and tell yourself, do you trust them? Then, IF you decide to call a PA (whether Metro or ANY PA company) read the damn contract, SEE what you are going to get and see what you will be paying for. IF you don't like what the contract says, then go elsewhere or go head to head with the insurance company (I loved the comparison above that you will on trial and you are using the prosecutor as an attorney because that is exactly what it is when you trust the insurance companies to get you the best deal). Is Metro awesome? I don't know. I think they could have good and bad people working for them. But I KNOW for a fact that the insurance companies will not give you what you deserve. And no where, NO WHERE does any public adjuster claim to be a building inspector. They are trained to look for certain damage that is covered by insurance companies - that is all. And while some are just starting out and are not real experienced, they do have claims adjusters who do have a certain amount MORE experience. If you don't like paying them, then by all means don't use a PA. But FACT: Insurance companies WILL rip you off. So, get smart and learn what they have to pay for and learn what's wrong or right. Or hire a PA. Or get ripped off.

You don't need a public adjuster. Find yourself a good honest contractor whom you want to work with. Public Adjusters will claim they get you more money but think about it, do you think the insurance company is going to pay more because you hired a public adjuster? The public adjuster will take a portion of your money and they you left with having to find a contractor who will work for less than the insurance company estimate.
Your insurance company will work with your contractor to reach an agreement. If you honestly are looking to just have your covered damages repaired and try and pocket a bunch of money and upgrade your stuff, you will be fine with your insurance company. If the insurance company did not pay enough to fix your house the insurance system would fail. If your trying to get a free roof when you really don't have a real loss, you will have problems no matter what.
You will have problems with your repairs if you hire a public adjuster, unless of course your not really doing any repairs, then go ahead and give away your money.
Public adjusters should be illegal. They show up at your door when you have had a fire and try and fill your head with BS so they can take part of your settlement.
Be careful and stay away from Public Adjusters.

We signed a contract after our Hurricane Florence claim came back from our insurance company only to realize after we went back to read the fine print that Metro would keep 10% of the original claim we were offered by our insurance company even if Metro was unable to get it increased. BS. Thankfully we were able to get out before our 3 day free look was up.