The Florida Association of Public Insurance Coverage Adjusters is on the edge of commemorating its 30th Anniversary. A turning point that stimulates a deep sense of fond memories in me, as I existed at its creation, thanks to an invite from Ray Altieri, Jr. It feels fitting, provided the event, to highlight Ray in an interview, giving readers an insight into the knowledge of somebody exceptionally versed in public adjusting, the subtleties of securing insurance policy holders, and the complexities of the occupation.
Over the years, I have actually viewed with eager interest as Ray’s charming, family-driven public adjusting company has actually progressed. What was when led by the household patriarch is now in the capable hands of the next generation. Modification, as they state, is the only constant. Nevertheless, it’s the lessons from our past that brighten our course forward, directing us to make more educated choices. Without more ado, here’s my honest discussion with Ray:
How did you start your journey as a public adjuster?
I started my adjusting journey in 1980 with Aetna Life & & Casualty in Syracuse, New York City. Their training was unrivaled, and I was delegated with managing substantial claims in my area versus a few of the country’s leading public adjusters, significantly from National Fire Modification (NFA) in Syracuse and Basloe, Levin, & & Cuccaro (BLC) from Utica, NY. Throughout among my projects, Jim Donovan from BLC welcomed me with an easy, “Hey Ray, How are you doing?” Instead of the normal “Great,” I reacted with “Bad!”– a reflection of my growing discontent after 5 years with Aetna. This led him to ask if I ‘d ever considered ending up being a public adjuster. I took a minute, then revealed my openness to the concept. That was 1985. Coincidentally, Adjusters International (AI) had actually just recently been developed, with BLC as a fundamental member and BLC’s Ron Cuccaro as AI’s president. The concept of transitioning to this function was attracting; wearing expert outfit daily, driving a smooth automobile, getting appreciation from customers I helped throughout difficult times, and, obviously, the monetary benefits. When opposing them, I constantly appreciated the efficiency of public adjusters– their precision, extensive policy understanding, and large capability to provide an engaging case. It made me desire use that level of proficiency and assistance to somebody.
Could you share a standout story from your early days as a public adjuster in New york city?
One story that stands apart from my preliminary years as a 28-year-old public adjuster in New york city isn’t a particular occurrence however a blend of various customer solicitations versus contending public adjusters. Racing to a brand-new loss felt comparable to contending in a high-stakes sports champion. My heart raced as I intended to surpass rivals to the loss website, looking for the owner. Upon discovering them, I ‘d need to quickly release into my pitch, all the while watching for competing public adjusters who may disrupt my discussion. Internally, the pressure was palpable, yet I needed to keep a calm outside to encourage the owner of my ability and why employing me remained in their benefit. And when I handled to protect that agreement in the middle of this whirlwind? The sensation was definitely thrilling. It really was an exceptional dance.
What triggered your moving to Florida, and how was the shift?
In 1986, the appeal of transferring to Florida ended up being alluring, driven by a mix of my hostility to severe winter seasons, an enthusiasm for baseball, and the goal for my 2 kids (ultimately, 4 kids) to play baseball in the bright state. Additional sweetening the possibility was the existence of a youth good friend and his household in Tampa. Regardless of these temptations, the moving wasn’t simple. I was leaving a valued task, treasured associates who had actually used me golden chances, and the reassuring welcome of household back in Utica, New York City. My preliminary days in Tampa saw me dealing with the Hartford Insurer, however the appeal of public changing beckoned. By the month’s end, I had actually dug deep into reconnaissance to release my own public adjusting company. This involved connecting to regional public and independent adjusters to understand fire loss activities and getting in touch with the 8 counties making up the Tampa Bay area for fire-related data and their approximated damages. With these insights, I diligently crafted a report, laboring till the wee hours one night. This report was then sent by mail to my partners at BLC, extending them the very first chance in Tampa. Their affirmative followed a year, and when questioned about the hold-up, Ron Cuccaro humorously mentioned, “We needed to guarantee your better half was set on staying and not hankering for a return house!” His thinking was sound!
As the calendar relied on January 1, 1988, I happily inaugurated the general public adjusting company, American Loss Modification. This was followed by my association with NAPIA in 1989 and a brand name advancement to Adjusters Global Florida by 1990. The year 1995 marked a brand-new chapter as I ventured individually to develop what we now acknowledge as Altieri Insurance coverage Professionals. Thanks to some proficient adjusters and an undeviating dedication to precision, perseverance, and professionalism, we have actually formed it into the renowned entity it is today.
What’s your existing position at Altieri Insurance coverage Professionals, and what are your duties?
Presently, as the Chairman of Altieri Insurance Coverage Professionals, my function has actually progressed into among technique, assistance, and mentorship. Mainly, I’m taken part in claim technique solution and assessment, though sometimes, I’ll straight handle a claim. My 43 years of proficiency in residential or commercial property claims changing now supply customers with more direct and expedited access to important insights. Furthermore, this position allows me to manage and affect the claims managed by our group, guaranteeing customers get ideal settlements. We’re lucky to have a group of extremely proficient expert adjusters at Altieri, and I completely trust their abilities and commitment in handling both complex and common loss claims. My accessibility for spontaneous assessment and recommendations guarantees our adjusters get prompt assistance when they experience pushing inquiries. We likewise boast an excellent assistance group, led by our CFO, Andy Altieri. His management guarantees me that the business’s service and monetary operations remain in the most safe, most competent hands.
Following my elevation to Chairman, I have actually been elated with the management group I have actually set up, comprising my kids Ray and Frank Altieri, together with Andrew Knox and Kevin Kimball. These people aren’t simply experienced adjusters however likewise proficient leaders. Their proficiency varies from managing numerous multi-million-dollar losses at the same time to accomplishing pinnacle outcomes. Both Ray and Frank have actually matured immersed in this field, paralleled by Andrew and Kevin, who likewise have familial ties to public adjusting. Their integrated backgrounds have actually improved the company, with Andrew and Kevin presenting forward-thinking methods and systems that have raised our functional effectiveness. Our senior adjusters have actually contributed in our development, structure upon the track record we have actually supported given that our structure, improving our technical expertise, and providing top-tier outcomes for our customers. The cumulative contributions of our group fill me with tremendous pride.
How did the concept for FAPIA happen, and what was it like working together with me and the other creators?
Back in August 1992, while I served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Public Insurance Coverage Adjusters (NAPIA), Typhoon Andrew wrecked South Florida. This disaster drew public adjusters from all corners of the country. Nevertheless, in the middle of authentic adjusters, some deceitful people created chaos, developing concerns for both insurance policy holders and insurance companies. The seriousness was such that Insurance Coverage Commissioner Tom Gallagher even warned South Floridians versus employing public adjusters.
This matter took spotlight at our Mid-Year National Convention in December 1992 in Miami Lakes. Here, an agent from the Department of Insurance coverage meant prospective legal actions that might spell completion for public adjusting in Florida. Throughout that discourse, Jerry Levin, my coworker from BLC/AI, whispered that to endure this looming obstacle, Florida’s public adjusters required their own state association. You, Chip, existed and lined up with this idea. You proposed partnering with lawyer Doug Grose, and together, both of you managed outreach to all certified Public Insurance coverage Adjusters in Florida. The objective? To combine our efforts and supply input prior to any brand-new legal actions were set in movement. Your tip, advising us to place our declarations from a customer’s viewpoint, resonated deeply. It birthed the mantra, “We should be on the side of Angels!” This tactical method persuaded authorities of our requirement and caused collective policy preparing that stays pertinent today.
The inaugural FAPIA conference was both fascinating and funny, considered that much of us were direct rivals. Yet, it was the sociability and shared regard, mostly affected by your relationships, that brought cohesiveness. You and Doug promoted unity, highlighting that it was our lifeline. This spirit of uniformity still thrives 3 years later on. Calling the company after NAPIA’s design, choosing its management, and specifying its goals were essential early actions. Your assistance throughout this procedure was indispensable.
Both you and Doug contributed distinctively. If I were to draw a parallel, I ‘d compare you to the cerebral coach, diligently planning every relocation, while Doug was the enthusiastic incentive, guaranteeing we constantly charged ahead with passion. Interaction, however challenging in an age without prevalent web or economical mobile phone, was effectively handled by your and Doug’s workplace groups.
FAPIA’s climb for many years is breathtaking. The credit goes not simply to the management however substantially to stalwarts like Nancy Dominguez and Robert Perez Ruibal and their devoted groups. Today, FAPIA stands high as the nation’s premier Public Changing company. Their conventions represent quality in education, setting, price, and home entertainment. It’s heartening to see brand-new generations bring fresh viewpoints, improving the association’s development and track record.
You experienced a substantial divergence of believed with FAPIA, which caused your departure. Can you elaborate on how you discovered your method back?
By 2013, a few of us from the initial FAPIA subscription, frequently described as the “Old Guard,” discovered it challenging to line up with the emerging viewpoints within the company. We were trained by revered veterans in the general public adjusting sphere, who highlighted working quietly. Drawing from this abundant tradition, our companied believe that the difficulties in Tallahassee stemmed mainly from a handful of adjusters practicing service in a way we discovered doubtful. The essence of the difference was a divergence in method in between the Old Guard and the brand-new management over an arrangement with the Legislature relating to a Charge Cap.
Nevertheless, in reaction to our departure, a group people started a brand-new non-competing association. This body made up varied stakeholders from the residential or commercial property declares domain, intending to combine the market and address continuous difficulties. Regardless of our departure from FAPIA, I held no animosity towards its management. I think distinctions in viewpoint are important for efficient discourse and can cause educated choices.
Your journey with NAPIA saw you rise to its presidency. Could you share insights into this journey and your period as President?
Advancing through NAPIA’s ranks showed important in improving my expert abilities. Interactions with essential market figures, from Insurance coverage Commissioners to insurance coverage claim specialists, enriched my understanding and efficiency. Moreover, the sociability with peers and the shared exchange of methods and options cultivated enduring relationships and shared regard.
Nevertheless, it was likewise a time marked by difficulties, mainly due to the turbulence in Florida’s public adjusting sector. Serving in management positions for both NAPIA and FAPIA at the same time, I frequently discovered myself captured in between the 2, addressing for the actions of one association to the other.
Yet, being chosen as the President of NAPIA, an internationally acknowledged public adjuster company, stays a valued award in my profession. Observing renowned predecessors, I was when intimidated by the concept of leading such a group. It terrified the heck out of me. Nevertheless, when the minute showed up, I accepted it, grateful for the chances and development it provided.
Why should public adjusters sign up with local public adjuster associations? Why should experienced and brand-new public adjusters sign up with NAPIA?
If you are a public adjuster and you wish to much better yourself as an expert, wish to be a more efficient supporter for your customers, or wish to be somebody who really makes a distinction in the lives of individuals, then you will gather around those who come previously so you might gain from their experiences. You will do this to much better your discussion, to much better your outcomes, and to be more prominent when handling insurance companies.
Do you wish to settle claims quicker, for more cash, and keep a credibility for quality? Then, join your local and nationwide associations. You will never ever regret it. Does it cost cash? Yes! However it is a financial investment into your future and your individual success that will return time and once again. From a local perspective, it is smart to sign up with that company also to keep up to date on all state concerns pertinent to your day-to-day work. The local associations make up specialists who see much of the exact same things you see every day. Those who speak and supply education deal targeted details to your state that assists you the very first day after the conference is over. There are responses to issues inside those satisfying spaces, and they are there for you to make the most of.
Belonging of the National and Regional associations likewise brings big networking chances. To satisfy specialists that associate your worths and methods of service brings chances that you would not have if you did not buy the associations, participate in the occasions, and be active within the companies.
Inform me about your member of the family dealing with you.
As you understand, with me are my sibling Andrew Altieri, my first-born boy Ray Altieri III, and second-born boy Frank Altieri, as essential parts to the success of our business and in existing day management.
The household component began with my sibling, Andy Altieri, leaving his accounting position inside a significant Energy business in upstate New york city, where he managed budgeting and accounting throughout the structure of a Nuclear Center on Lake Ontario. I had the ability to draw him from the snowy tundra to bright Florida with his brand-new better half in 1997 to end up being an important part of my business. His monetary abilities were simply what I required to service Company Earnings losses for our establishing business book of service. After ending up being a public adjuster, Andy managed all sort of residential or commercial property claims for several years. Throughout those times, Andy’s accounting abilities saw him enacted as Treasurer of FAPIA, then going up the ladder to eventually end up being FAPIA’s President in 2006. Andy is presently the Chief Financial Officer of Altieri Insurance Coverage Professionals, where he runs business side of our operation.
My earliest boy, Raymond III, has actually been with the company given that 2003, and is now the President and CEO of the business. Ray has actually operated in every capability that a public adjuster can work, now, besides the tasks of his workplace, he focuses his supervisory efforts on the whole Sales and Marketing device of the company. Ray has actually become among the very best Service Advancement individuals I have actually ever dealt with, which consists of numerous of the excellent operators I have had the enjoyment of dealing with in years past at Adjusters International. Ray has actually been a two-term member of the NAPIA Board of Directors and was simply voted on to the Officer Ladder of NAPIA at its June 2023 Yearly Conference in Nashville, TN, as its Treasurer. Ray is on speed to end up being the association’s President in 2030, making him just the 2nd public adjuster from Florida chose to that workplace.
My 2nd boy Frank has actually been with the company given that 2006 after finishing from the University of South Florida. Frank is Executive Vice President of the business and manages our company’s Residential Department, in addition to being a premier Industrial Big Loss adjuster for us. Frank has actually likewise operated in every capability that a public adjuster can work and has actually revealed an excellent tendency for creating expertly friendly relationships with much of the insurance provider Big Loss Adjusters throughout the United States. Public adjusting can be a controversial occupation, however Frank’s genuine, diligent method to managing claims is a function that just a few can master, and it advances our customers’ causes to considerably effective conclusions. Frank has actually served on the FAPIA Board of Directors and was voted onto its Officer Ladder as its Secretary in 2021, where he will increase to the Presidency in 2026, making him and I the very first Father-Son mix to each work as the association’s President.
The household environment is still growing. Andy’s boy, Anthony Altieri, has actually just recently joined us after finishing from Florida State.
How do the difficulties and benefits of working together with household, consisting of the 2nd generation, play out in your experience?
Including household into our service landscape, particularly my sibling and 2 of my 4 kids has actually definitely been an elaborate dance. Remarkably, the world of public adjusting frequently appears to gravitate towards family-run business, with lots of renowned companies being given through numerous generations. This tradition not just verifies that a family-based operation can keep professionalism and eminence however likewise counters any idea that we’re simply a “household business”– a label that some rivals may try to utilize pejoratively.
Household, in my eyes, extends beyond blood ties. Our work household does not need to imply just those with the Altieri name. Our business culture promotes a familial bond among all staff member, cultivating a sense of unity, trust, and shared issue. This bond isn’t practically a shared surname however is built on shared worths, objectives, and a principles of fairness. While the business has to do with more than simply monetary gains, I have faith that today management will support these treasured customs for several years to come.
Reflecting on your expert journey, exists anything you ‘d have approached in a different way?
Reflection exposes that a lot of difficulties, even apparently substantial mistakes, have actually used important lessons or unforeseen favorable results. My directing concept I attempt to hand down is that “you can just manage what you do. You can not manage what others do.” I can manage just what’s within my province, not letting the misbehavior of others sway my stability. Rooted in faith, I have actually looked for magnificent assistance in my choices, thinking that lining up with a greater function typically causes satisfaction with one’s options.
As FAPIA nears its 30th anniversary with a robust subscription, what recommendations would you use to its developing management and brand-new entrants?
FAPIA’s development is a testimony to its undeviating dedication to its cause. Yet, preserving a seat at the table in Tallahassee has actually been a continuous obstacle, frequently made complex by moving political surfaces. Regardless of our best shots to be proactive, we have actually sometimes discovered ourselves blindsided by regulative steps crafted behind closed doors.
To browse these difficulties, I propose:
- Enhance Oversight Cooperation: Think about Mark Boardman’s concept of FAPIA partnering with the DFS. By serving as a preliminary checkpoint for grievances versus public adjusters, FAPIA might simplify the procedure, dealing with small concerns internally and forwarding substantial issues to the DFS. This collective method might enhance making use of resources and keep the stability of our occupation.
- Engage with Prominent Stakeholders: Look for and foster relationships with internal regulators or lawmakers who have the influence to result modification, both for the improvement of insurance policy holders and the elevation of our occupation’s requirements.
- Type a Unified Council: Develop a Council including leaders from state, local, and nationwide public adjuster associations. Such a council might assist in open discussion on pushing concerns, simplify interaction, and work jointly to raise awareness about the indispensable service public adjusters supply.
In my journey through the often-convoluted insurance coverage claim world, I have actually experienced myriad difficulties. I have actually likewise been beautified with numerous accomplishments. I am particular others have actually had a comparable experience. Each stumble, every success, has actually been a lesson, molding us into the specialists and people we are today.
Here’s one essential point: the heart of my expert dedication to insurance policy holder interests is shared by those desiring be the very best they can be as public adjusters. It isn’t simply in comprehending policy stipulations or working out settlements. It remains in the authentic desire to stand together with those in requirement, to be the directing light in their hour of darkness, and there for them in the halls of legislatures and regulative workplaces.
Today’s certified Florida public adjusters have actually been lucky to have Ray Altieri and the other starting FAPIA members in this undertaking. Their assistance and shared vision have actually contributed in preserving the capability to stand versus those opposed to complete insurance policy holder healing and rights. Every coworker of Ray’s who’s stood with him in the face of difficulty thirty years earlier should have applause. Rays’s objective of service and stability through one’s work ought to be replicated by all.
To those entering residential or commercial property insurance coverage declares or maybe feeling wearied by its needs, remember this: our work isn’t practically structures or personal belongings. It has to do with individuals, their hopes, dreams, and the sanctity of their houses. It has to do with bring back not simply residential or commercial property however assurance. It’s an honorable contacting us to assist insurance policy holders, requiring both expert proficiency and a thoughtful heart. It was these ideas that Ray and I shared thirty years earlier when beginning FAPIA. It practically appears like the other day.
Idea For The Day
The achievement of a male is not in just how much wealth he obtains, however in his stability and his capability to impact those around him favorably.
— Bob Marley