Los Angeles Office Address
3530 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 699, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Phone: (213) 817-5741
Fax: (888) 327-7089
Email: [email protected]
Santa Clara Office Address
5201 Great America Parkway Suite 320 – [#284] Santa Clara, CA 95054
In Pacific Palisades, property owners often find that the real struggle begins after the fire is put out. Smoke and soot weave their way into every surface, damaging walls, upholstery, and ventilation systems. It can be overwhelming to face the insurance process on your own during such a stressful time.
At Excel Adjusters, we stand by Pacific Palisades property owners, advocating for fair compensation and offering the support needed to recover from smoke damage and reclaim what’s been lost.
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Before & After Public Adjuster (PA)
What Qualifies as a Smoke Damage Claim?
The effects of smoke can last well beyond the initial fire, sometimes appearing in places never touched by flames. Smoke-related claims don’t rely solely on visible fire damage. If you notice any of the following in your home or business, you may have a viable smoke claim:
- Discoloration or staining on walls, ceilings, furniture, or personal belongings
- Persistent smoke odor that lingers despite surface-level cleaning
- Corrosion or breakdown of materials like metal, wood, or electronics
- Health hazards caused by smoke residue, especially for sensitive individuals
- Damage to porous items like upholstery, clothing, or documents
Moreover, Southern California’s recent wildfires have raised new environmental hazards, particularly toxic deposits and metallic contaminants. Ash and soot often contain harmful materials such as:
- Lead
- Arsenic
- Benzene
- Formaldehyde
- Acrolein
- Cadmium
- Chromium
- Lithium
- Chloride Anions
WHY CHOOSE US
Deep Industry Expertise
With over 20 years immersed in the claims and reconstruction process, we bring proven knowledge to every case we manage.
Higher Payouts
Our mission is to recover every dollar you’re owed by documenting your losses thoroughly and negotiating assertively.
Client-Focused, Results-Driven
You’ll benefit from expert guidance that’s shaped around your specific needs and focused on delivering the best possible outcome.
Need to File a Smoke Damage Claim? Excel Adjusters Will Help To:
- Advocate on your behalf with the insurance company for a fair and reasonable settlement
- Expedite the claims process
- Assess building damage
- Investigate and measure the extent of the loss
- Evaluate replacement cost and/or depreciation
- Prepare documentation
- Review your insurance policy coverage
- Provide damage restoration services
- Evaluate your compliance responsibilities
- Assemble business equipment claims (if applicable)
- Assemble support data for a loss of income claim (if applicable)
- Assess total loss claims and review insurance estimates
How Excel Adjusters Can Help With Your Smoke Damage Insurance Claims
In Pacific Palisades, smoke and soot can quietly compromise your property in ways that are not always visible or easy to document. That’s why our licensed public adjusters step in early, representing your interests with deep knowledge of fire-related claims so your insurance company acknowledges the full scope of the damage you’ve sustained.
Advocating for a Fair and Reasonable Settlement
We’re here to make sure your final settlement reflects every aspect of the damage your property has sustained, not just what can be seen right away. Our team meticulously investigates and records smoke, soot, and hazardous residue across all areas, even those that may be out of sight or prone to long-term effects. We then use this information to craft a detailed claim aimed at helping you recover the full amount you’re entitled to.
Navigating the Claims Process
Handling a smoke damage claim goes well beyond just submitting forms. For Pacific Palisades property owners, we oversee every part of the process, from initial damage assessments and detailed paperwork to speaking with the insurance company and managing all negotiations, so you're fully supported throughout.
If the fire also triggered damage from sprinklers, extinguishers, or built-in systems, our team knows exactly how to document and include those losses as part of your insurance claim.
Assist with Denied Claims
In cases where your claim has been denied or undervalued, we come in to review the details and reinforce your case with expert documentation. We focus on damages that may have been overlooked, such as smoke odors that linger, weakened air systems, or early corrosion, and use those findings to advocate for a more accurate adjustment.
We’re also here to help you handle any emerging issues like microbial contamination, water leaks, or harmful wildfire pollutants before they grow into larger and more costly problems.
Helping with Every Stage of Your Smoke Damage Claim
- When insurance companies refuse to pay for your Loss of Use or ALE coverage, we work on your behalf to challenge that decision and help you recover temporary living expenses you are rightfully owed.
- If you're not satisfied with the workmanship or if the contractor hired by your insurer lacks proper qualifications, we fight for enforcement of your policy’s “like-for-like” clause to ensure your property is fully and properly restored.
Testimonials
George Z.
22:40 16 May 25
It's been a wild ride but Excel Adjustors delivered. Insurance companies truly try to underpay and Excel Adjustors called them out. After a long process and Excels tenacity insurance company paid out. The company is easy to work with, responsive to questions, and guide you every step of the way. Isaac was amazing and I thank him for not giving up. Highly recommend them.
Damian P.
17:00 07 Apr 25
Excel Adjusters really helped us to recover from a major water damage claim. I worked with Sarah and the team, who helped us to get a hotel the next day and further helped us to process the lengthy claim to the end. It was almost 6 months leaving away from home, but thanks to Excel team, we are back at our beautifully remodeled home. I highly recommend Excel Adjusters to be on your side!
Elijah Z.
21:33 30 Jan 25
We had an amazing experience with Excel as they represented us during our insurance claim. Dealing directly with our insurance company was absolutely horrible until we contacted Excel for help, and it was a total game changer when they took over. Andrew and the entire Excel team were amazing to work with. He communicated everything on our behalf, was super responsive, and helped us navigate the lengthy process of dealing with our claim. They fought hard to get every penny we deserved in order to repair the damages covered under our insurance policy and took so much of the weight and stress off our shoulders. Because of Excel, we settled for 3x the amount of what the insurance originally offered. I highly recommend Excel to anyone dealing with insurance claims and can’t thank them enough for helping us with this entire process!
Matt C.
19:49 24 Jan 25
While the representative was polite and professional, their quote of 20% was double the rates of the four other public adjusters I contacted that same day. This was surprising, especially given that all adjusters are also overwhelmed with work during the Eaton and Palisade fire crisis. While the state does not explicitly cap public adjuster fees at a specific percentage, it indirectly limits the amount they can charge by ensuring the insured receives the full settlement amount offered by the insurer prior to any contract with the public adjuster.
For residential claims, industry practice in California typically caps public adjuster fees at 10%, though this specific percentage may not be directly stated in Section 15027. A public adjuster quoting 20% for a residential claim may be considered unreasonable or exploitative, particularly during a crisis.
For residential claims, industry practice in California typically caps public adjuster fees at 10%, though this specific percentage may not be directly stated in Section 15027. A public adjuster quoting 20% for a residential claim may be considered unreasonable or exploitative, particularly during a crisis.
