PUBLIC ADJUSTER - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Founder of Tutwiler & Associates
Having received this level of recognition, Dick has been called upon to speak and teach at insurance executive seminars, conferences, and other civic and industry-related forums on issues concerning the insurance loss adjustment process and disaster preparedness. He has appeared in various television markets throughout Florida and is recognized as a noted authority and guest speaker on issues involving hurricanes, fire and flood losses and related insurance claim matters. Most notably, he has appeared on The Today Show, broadcast from New York in a special report on Hurricane Andrew. If your group is in search of a property insurance claims expert, Dick is happy to make himself available to educate and speak to your group about trends in property claims.
Dick formerly served as a director on the board of the Windstorm Insurance Network Inc.(WIND), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting a cooperative dialogue among individuals and groups concerned with windstorm issues. He was also past president of WIND in 2004/2005 and was awarded the second annual WIND Presidential Recognition Award at the 2011 Windstorm Insurance Conference in Houston, Texas. The award was established to recognize annually a member who has contributed significant knowledge, service and leadership to better the Windstorm Insurance Network (WIND). Subsequently, in 2014 Dick was part of the first group of property insurance experts to be named to the Windstorm Network Fellows Program established to recognize within the insurance industry, individuals that demonstrate professionalism and technical knowledge in the field of property and windstorm insurance claims. He is a former director on the board of the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA) a national organization that represents the interests and professional conduct of public insurance adjusters.
This beautiful home in Davie, FL was ravaged by Hurricance Wilma. Public Adjuster Ed Collier of Tutwiler and Associates, Inc. was retained. After multiple reinspections by the carrier and public adjuster, consultations with experts on both sides, and after attorney involvement, extensive negotiations resulted in additional payment by the homeowner's carrier in the amount of...
Job Titles:
- Member of the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters
"On another note, public adjuster Frank Fortson has been absolutely awesome. He has been so helpful and detailed and caught so many things. We really appreciate everything he has done."
Frank obtained his Florida public insurance adjuster license in 2001 and anchors the Palm City, Florida office of Tutwiler & Associates. He has successfully assisted clients with their hurricane, water damage, fire, sinkhole, business interruption and collapse losses. His clients include one of the nation's largest hotel chains where millions of dollars were recovered as a result of the four devastating hurricanes that hit Florida in 2004. One of the things Frank enjoys most about being a public adjuster and working with clients is assisting them when they've become frustrated by their insurance company!
Frank is a member of the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA) and the Windstorm Insurance Network Inc. where he has served as a presenter in conference workshops involving mold and the implications for insurance mold insurance claims. He is certified as an expert in Florida courts regarding loss and damage evaluation appraisal insurance loss. He is licensed as a public insurance adjuster in Florida, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana and Texas, Georgia and the Virgin Islands.
Since joining Tutwiler & Associates, Keith has successfully settled hundreds of commercial, industrial, and residential property claims including hurricane, flood, water damage, mold, sinkhole, fire, collapse and many others. The 2004 hurricane season included four major hurricanes which presented unprecedented challenges to the insurance industry. Keith's expertise and vigilance resulted in multi-million dollar insurance settlements for his clients.
"Making a call to Tutwiler and Associates was one of the smartest decisions I made in the whole process. In particular, Mike Platts, our adjuster; came in immediately to study our policy and organize our claim for submission. In a bad situation the outcome was dramatic."
A homeowner was offered $8K after deductible and depreciation by their insurance company for their Hurricane Ian claim. A neighbor, who was a prior client of Tutwiler & Associates Public Adjusters referred them to Venice, FL public adjuster Nick Chase. Nick immediately documented the loss and submitted the claim. After a few months of arguing damages and causation, Nick was able to recover an additional $96K to properly repair their home.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- President
- President of the Windstorm Insurance Network
- President of Tutwiler & Associates
Rick serves as President of Tutwiler & Associates and is a second-generation public adjuster. His interest in the profession began at an early age after witnessing firsthand how disasters can impact people's livelihoods. He officially joined Tutwiler & Associates in 2005 after completing the Property Loss Adjustment Program from Crawford & Company's University in Atlanta, GA, the only adjuster's education program of its kind. Since then, he has successfully negotiated and settled numerous claims involving fire, flood, tornado, windstorm, hurricane, vandalism and theft, water losses, lightning damage, explosion, power failure, collapse and business interruption for residential, commercial, and industrial properties. He has also acted as an Appraiser for various insurance claims resulting in very successful outcomes for the insured policyholder. Rick is also a Certified Umpire under the Windstorm Insurance Network's certification program. He is a member of the Insurance Appraisal and Umpire Association. In addition to Florida, he also holds licenses and works in New York, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Kentucky, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In 2005, Rick led the team following Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Wilma. In 2008 he led the team following Hurricane Ike in Texas. In 2010 he worked in the Caribbean after Hurricane Earl battered the islands with heavy rain and roof-ripping winds as a major Category 4 storm. In 2012, Rick was in charge of heading up the firm's New York office following the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy and in 2015 he was in charge of the firm's Northeast operation assisting clients in Boston, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Virginia affected by the historic Blizzard of 2015. In 2016, Rick led the team after Hurricane Hermine and Hurricane Matthew, which impacted the firm's Hotel clients in Daytona Beach.
Rick was appointed President of the Windstorm Insurance Network (WIND) in 2019. Prior to that he has been a Board Member since 2012 and was the recipient of the 7th Annual WIND Presidential Recognition Award in 2016. He has also served on the Conference Committee, Chair of the Membership/Marketing Committee, Nominating Committee and Co-Chair of the WIND 2016 Conference Committee and was elected Secretary in 2016. In 2017 he received the Windstorm Network "Fellow" Designation that recognizes individuals who demonstrate the upmost professionalism and technical knowledge in the field of property and windstorm insurance claims. In 2016, Rick received the WIND "Professional" Designation and was part of the first group of property insurance experts to be named to the Windstorm Network Fellows Program. He has served on several insurance claim expert panels during the WIND Conferences. Rick also is an current board member and serves as an Ambassador for the Florida Association of Insurance Adjusters, FAPIA.
Job Titles:
- Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II - Business Executive & Lawyer
"Mr. Tutwiler's performance was both professional and effective beyond my reasonable exceptions. I believe I am a competent judge of Mr. Tutwiler's performance in as much as I have been a licensed lawyer for over 50 years. I can recommend Mr. Tutwiler without reservation to anyone who sustains property damage and believes that the damage sustained is covered by a policy of insurance."
Job Titles:
- Corporate Office Director / Client Relationship Liason
Troy Frederick grew up in Amherst Ohio where he attended Lorain College and studied criminology. He relocated to Florida and began an 18 year career in law enforcement. Throughout his years with the department he served in many areas such as a corrections, transport, court bailiff, and road deputy. He earned the rank of Corporal and Detective and also served as a Field Training Officer, Honor Guard member and Mounted Unit supervisor. During his time as an officer Troy had many experiences with people in the worst times of their lives and often felt helpless in his ability to assist them fully due to the constraints of his position. This is one of the factors that drove him to the public adjusting profession. After getting married and having three children, he recognized more fully the daily risks he was taking with his life, which ultimately impacted his decision to pursue a different career path as a property restoration contractor.
In his free time, Troy is a classic car enthusiast with a particular love for Chevy's. He enjoys time with his family, boating, is a committed member of Grace Family Church and continues to give back to those in need through a variety of charitable organizations.
In Oct. 2017 at 4am I heard a noise outside my BR window, when I got up to investigate, there were a series of 4 electrical explosions, my backyard and deck area was engulfed in flames. Fortunately, I was able to escape. The house was totally consumed within 3hrs as I watched 4 fire companies try to put it out. I ended up in the hospital that night, but soon received a text from a friend who had seen it on the news. Hire a PUBLIC ADJUSTER ASAP, was the msg. I had never heard of one, but then became acquainted with Mr. Zachary Flora from Tutwiler & Assoc. He had left an informational package with my neighbor which I read and then met with him. I was very impressed with his knowledge of the insurance business, how claims work, the difference between insurance adjusters and a public adjuster (one who advocates primarily in the clients best interest). He was friendly, forthright, and most knowledgeable. There was no "hard sell," I felt comfortable speaking with him. He presented cases which he had settled and the noticeable differences in claim amounts offered by the ins. co. I hired him on the spot and am so glad that I did. He was there for me every step of the way, he did all of the footwork which alleviated the stress and confusion of me trying to do it myself while under duress. This was most helpful with the "contents" portion of the claim. That was most difficult. The claim was recently settled. I got much more than was originally offered and I opted not to rebuild. I got a maximum total payout. Many people think they will be wholly taken care of under the umbrella of their trusted Ins. Co., but there are so many variables to consider in negotiations that a client may miss or may be overlooked by insurance co. adjusters or "preferred" contractors. This is especially true if you have a policy that allows for replacement cost value for the home as it existed. Example: replacing plaster with drywall, slate roof with shingles, or depreciation amounts. These are things that come up which would change the bottom line settlement. The public adjuster is prepared for these issues and will get you exactly what you are entitled to. I highly recommend Mr. Zachary Flora with Tutwiler and Assoc.