Red Flags to Watch for When Hiring a Public Adjuster in Arizona

Arizona policyholders should know the warning signs before hiring a public adjuster. Learn what to look for, which reviews matter, and how to protect your claim.

If you are a policyholder dealing with a property insurance claim in Arizona, hiring the right public adjuster matters. This professional represents you, not the insurance company. Knowing what red flags to watch for can help you avoid costly mistakes and delays.

Lack of transparency about who handles your insurance claim

In Arizona, public adjusters must be licensed by the Arizona Department of Insurance. A reputable Arizona public adjuster will clearly identify who owns the firm and who will personally handle your claim.

A major red flag is a website with no About page or no information about the adjusters working on claims. If you cannot find names, experience, or licensing details, proceed with caution. Policyholders should always know who is negotiating their property damage claim.

No independent reviews or reviews only on the company website

Another warning sign is a lack of third party reviews.

Testimonials posted only on a company’s website cannot be independently verified. When researching an Arizona public adjuster, look for reviews on established platforms that require accountability and consumer verification.

Why review platforms matter when choosing a public adjuster

Where reviews appear is just as important as what they say.

The Better Business Bureau is one of the most reliable platforms for evaluating a public adjuster. BBB reviews are based on real consumer interactions. Complaints are verified, responses are tracked, and patterns over time are visible. These reviews reflect actual policyholders and real insurance claims.

Policyholders should also know that BBB reviews are only publicly visible for three years. A firm with a long history in Arizona may not show decades of reviews even though they have handled claims for many years. In these cases, a consistent BBB rating and long standing accreditation are strong indicators of credibility.

Platforms like Google or Yelp can still provide insight, but they have limitations. Anyone can leave a review on those platforms, even without being a client or having an actual claim. Some reviews may come from phone calls or brief interactions unrelated to claim handling.

For this reason, policyholders should focus on review quality, detail, and platform credibility rather than star counts alone.

An unusually high number of reviews can be a red flag

Public adjusting is not a high volume business. Insurance claims take time.

In Arizona, wind, hail, fire, and water damage claims often require months of inspections, documentation, and negotiation. A small public adjusting firm cannot realistically manage hundreds of claims at once.

If a firm has an unusually large number of reviews in a short time frame, policyholders should question how that volume is possible.

Generic reviews that lack detail

Not all reviews are equal.

Reviews that simply say “great job” or “good service” offer little value. Strong reviews usually describe how the public adjuster communicated, documented damage, negotiated with the insurance carrier, or stayed involved throughout the claim process. Detailed reviews are far more credible.

Pressure tactics or guaranteed results

Arizona policyholders should be cautious of public adjusters who pressure them to sign immediately or promise guaranteed outcomes. No ethical public adjuster can guarantee a claim result.

A professional Arizona public adjuster will explain the claim process, discuss realistic timelines, and allow policyholders time to make informed decisions.

What policyholders should look for in an Arizona public adjuster

A reputable Arizona public adjusting firm will be transparent, experienced, and accessible. Policyholders should know who is handling their claim, how long the firm has worked in Arizona, and how claims are managed from start to finish.

AJR Public Adjusters follows this approach. Claims are handled directly by experienced, licensed public adjusters, not handed off to unknown staff. AJR has a long established presence in Arizona, a consistent BBB history, and a hands on approach that reflects the complexity of property insurance claims.

Final thoughts for Arizona policyholders

A property insurance claim can have a major financial impact. Take time to research before hiring a public adjuster. Verify licensing, review independent platforms, and ask direct questions.

For Arizona policyholders, experience, transparency, and accountability matter far more than marketing claims or inflated review numbers.

How Do You Know the Right Steps to Take After a Property Insurance Claim? AJR Public Adjusters Can Help

Property Damage in Arizona: Why AJR Public Adjusters Should Be Your First Call.

When property damage strikes, the aftermath can feel overwhelming. Most homeowners and business owners don’t know the exact steps to take once a claim is filed with their insurance company. Missed deadlines, incomplete documentation, or poor communication can result in denied or underpaid claims.

That’s where AJR Public Adjusters steps in. With over 37 years of combined experience, AJR has been helping Arizona policyholders navigate the claims process and secure the fair settlements they deserve.

The Claims Process with AJR’s Assistance

Here’s how AJR guides you through every step of a property insurance claim:

1. Initial Contact and Damage Review

The first step is contacting AJR after you discover property damage. Bruce and Stacy personally review your situation, explain your policy coverage, and outline the process so you know what to expect from the start.

2. Documentation and Evidence Gathering

Insurance companies require detailed proof of damage. AJR helps you gather photographs, receipts, estimates, and reports. They ensure nothing is missed so your claim is fully supported.

3. Filing and Negotiating the Claim

Filing a claim can be confusing. AJR handles the paperwork, communicates with the insurance adjuster, and negotiates on your behalf. Their goal is to prevent delays and avoid the common pitfalls that lead to reduced settlements.

4. Settlement and Final Resolution

AJR’s experience ensures that you receive the maximum settlement available under your policy. From water damage and fire losses to storm and hail claims, they make sure policyholders are treated fairly.

Why Choose AJR Public Adjusters?

  • Local Arizona Expertise – Serving Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Peoria, Tempe, and surrounding areas.
  • Policyholder Advocates – AJR works only for you, never for the insurance company.
  • Proven Results – A+ BBB rating, recognized as a top public adjuster in Metro Phoenix, and backed by decades of hands-on experience.

If you’re asking yourself, “What are the right steps to take after property damage?” the answer is simple: call AJR Public Adjusters first. (602) 795-5227. With AJR by your side, you’ll never face the insurance process alone.

Contact Bruce and Stacy today at AJR Public Adjusters and let Arizona’s trusted experts help you protect what matters most.

Why BBB Accreditation Is Key for Your Public Adjuster Choice

Why BBB Accreditation Matters When Choosing a Public Adjuster
Recognized by BBB Pacific Southwest – and proud of it.

We were recently featured by BBB Pacific Southwest for our ongoing commitment to professionalism and integrity in the public adjusting industry. We’re proud to share this recognition—it reinforces the values that AJR Public Adjusters has stood for since day one.

In a field where trust matters most, being BBB Accredited with an A+ rating isn’t just a badge. It’s a promise to our clients.

What BBB Accreditation Means

The Better Business Bureau isn’t a marketing platform—it’s a nonprofit organization that evaluates businesses based on clear standards of trust, transparency, and responsiveness. Accreditation means that a company not only meets those standards but actively maintains them.

To be accredited, a business must:

  • Be responsive to customer concerns
  • Honor commitments
  • Practice honesty in advertising
  • Operate with transparency

At AJR, we’re proud to meet and exceed those expectations every day.

Why Our A+ Rating Matters

Not all public adjusters operate with the same level of accountability. In fact, many companies aren’t accredited at all.

Our A+ rating with the BBB reflects:

In a highly competitive and sometimes misleading industry, we want our clients to feel confident from the first phone call to the final settlement. This rating helps give them that peace of mind.

What It Means for You as a Policyholder

When you’re dealing with an insurance loss, the last thing you need is uncertainty about who’s on your side. Choosing a BBB Accredited Public Adjuster helps ensure you’re working with someone accountable—not someone chasing storms or cutting corners.

A few things clients tell us they value most:

  • Clear, honest answers
  • Timely responses
  • An advocate who explains the process—not someone who pressures them to sign

We don’t just promise that—we back it up with action. And our BBB record proves it.

Follow Us and Stay Connected

We’re grateful for the shoutout from the BBB. You can see the original post here.

Due to account access issues, our original Instagram account,@ajrpublicadjuster, is currently locked. Please follow us on our active business account @ajrpublicadj for updates, tips, and real claim stories. If you found us through the BBB post or on our website, please leave us a comment—let us know, and we’ll follow you back.

Final Thoughts

As we shared in the BBB feature, our advice to new business owners is simple:
“Lead with truthfulness. Your word is your reputation. Listen, communicate, and always follow through.”

We’ve built our business on that belief. We’re thankful to the BBB for helping consumers identify companies that share those same values.

Why Policyholders Need Protection: Key Takeaways from the Senate Hearing on Insurance Claim Practices

Last week’s hearing on Capitol Hill, titled Examining the Insurance Industry’s Claims Practices Following Recent Natural Disasters,” highlighted a serious issue. An issue that is finally receiving the long-overdue attention it deserves and affects homeowners nationwide. As storms and disasters become more frequent and severe, too many policyholders find themselves underpaid. They experience delays or are denied by their insurance carriers. This happens when they need help the most.

The public deserves better. Transparency, accountability, and fair treatment should not be optional. Policyholders have the right from the very beginning to seek guidance and protection by hiring a licensed public adjuster.

That’s exactly why AJR Public Adjusters exists. We work solely for the insured—not the insurance company. Our goal is to level the playing field. We want to ensure the claim process is clear and fair. We also aim to help our clients avoid the all-too-common frustrations highlighted during this hearing.

If you’re dealing with property damage or simply want to understand your rights, we’re here to help. We will help you every step of the way.

Click on the link above to access the hearing for anyone who would like to learn more.

#InsuranceClaims #PublicAdjuster #NaturalDisasterRecovery #PolicyholderRights #TransparencyMatters #AJRPublicAdjusters #ArizonaBusiness #ClientAdvocacy #StormDamage #FairClaimsProcess

Empowering Policyholders: Bruce Horowitz’s Journey

Every journey has defining moments. For Bruce Horowitz, those moments were grounded in a lifelong commitment to fairness. They were also characterized by compassion and a willingness to stand up for those without a voice. Bruce was passionate about helping others. He had a relentless drive to bring about meaningful change. His path to becoming a trusted public adjuster was shaped long before he ever entered the insurance world.

A Personal Beginning

From an early age, Bruce understood the importance of speaking up for others. In his community and within his family, he developed a strong sense of justice. He also had a commitment to verify that people received the support they deserved. These early values would later form the foundation of his career.

Bruce’s professional journey began in his family’s insurance business in Philadelphia. There, he gained hands-on experience and observed the often-adversarial relationship between policyholders and insurance companies. Witnessing how many people felt overwhelmed and underrepresented during the claims process sparked a deep motivation to make a difference. He realized that most policyholders didn’t fully understand their rights — or the actual value of their claims.

Motivated to level the playing field, Bruce left the family business and launched AJR Insurance Consultants in South Carolina. After relocating to Arizona, he renamed the company AJR Public Adjusters. This change solidified his focus on licensed public adjusting services. It also emphasized policyholder advocacy. From the beginning, the firm was built on a simple principle. Every client deserves personal attention. Clients also need honest guidance. They must have strong representation.

The Turning Point: Empowering Policyholders

Through years of experience, Bruce gained invaluable insight into the inner workings of the insurance claims process. But what truly set him apart was his empathy. He understood what it felt like to be on the other side of the claim. People feel confused by technical language. They are uncertain about the next steps. They face an uphill battle after a loss.

Bruce’s role, he believed, wasn’t just about interpreting policy language or negotiating settlements. It was about being a steady presence during some of life’s most difficult moments. For Bruce, public adjusting became more than a service — it became an opportunity to empower.

He committed himself to demystifying the claims process. He ensured clients understood their options and what was at stake. He helped them make informed decisions. His approach is rooted in transparency, education, and compassion.

Lessons Learned Along the Way

Throughout his career, Bruce has relied on key principles to guide his work:

🟦 The Power of Listening

Bruce learned that the most crucial part of any claim isn’t just the paperwork or negotiation, it’s listening. Understanding a client’s story, their loss, and their goals enables him to offer the most effective support and strategy.

🟦 Integrity Above All

In an industry where trust can be hard to come by, Bruce made integrity the cornerstone of his practice. He consistently prioritizes honesty, advocating for clients with transparency and helping them understand their rights.

🟦 Adaptability is Key

As the industry evolves, Bruce remains committed to learning and innovating. New technologies, changing regulations, and rising client expectations drive this evolution. He embraces tools that streamline the process without sacrificing the personalized service that defines AJR.

What Sets Bruce Apart

While many public adjusters focus solely on settlements, Bruce’s approach goes deeper. He doesn’t just want to win a claim — he wants clients to walk away feeling confident, informed, and respected. His goal is not only to maximize compensation, but to bring peace of mind in times of uncertainty.

Bruce is known for securing settlements that often exceed the initial offer made by insurance companies. He has deep industry knowledge and genuinely understands his clients’ needs. With this understanding, he bridges the gap between policyholders and insurers. He creates solutions that satisfy both parties.

A Legacy of Advocacy

For Bruce Horowitz, public adjusting isn’t just a profession — it’s a calling. His legacy is built on delivering clarity, support, and strong advocacy during life’s unexpected challenges. As a trusted advisor, he continues to redefine what it means to have a true partner during the claims process.

In an industry that often gets a bad reputation, Bruce stands as a beacon of integrity and professionalism. He doesn’t just adjust claims. He transforms the experience. He gives clients the support they need when they need it most.

✅ Call to Action

If you’re dealing with a property loss, and you feel unsure about your next steps. You don’t have to face the process alone. Seek guidance and support. Contact AJR Public Adjusters today for a free consultation. Let Bruce and the AJR team advocate for you with experience, compassion, and results that matter.

📞 Call us at (602) 795-5227
📩 Email: info@ajrpa.com
🌐 Visit our website

Why Choose AJR Public Adjusters: Our Commitment to Integrity

What’s New at AJR Public Adjusters: A Look Behind the Scenes

At AJR Public Adjusters, our commitment to helping homeowners and property owners recover after a loss hasn’t changed—but our impact continues to grow. With over 35 years of combined experience and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, we’ve proudly continued to serve Arizona residents with personalized, professional claims representation.

Here’s a quick look at what we’ve been up to lately:

Expanding Our Reach Through Client Education

One of our biggest focuses this year has been education. Most people don’t realize the value of hiring a public adjuster until they’re deep into the stress of handling an insurance claim. That’s why we’ve been working hard to raise awareness through our updated website, community engagement, and helpful blog posts to inform property owners before a disaster strikes.

From sharing tips on how to prepare for monsoon season, to clearing up common myths about public adjusting, we’re doing our part to empower insureds with the knowledge they need to make the right choices after a fire, water loss, or storm damage.

Real Client Wins

Every claim we handle is personal. Unlike larger firms, we don’t hand off your file to someone else. When you hire AJR, you work directly with Bruce and Stacy—from start to finish.

This hands-on approach has led to some powerful client outcomes recently:

  • We helped a family recover from a devastating kitchen fire that their insurance undervalued.
  • A homeowner experiencing extensive water damage from a hidden pipe leak received a significantly increased settlement after we stepped in.
  • Several clients affected by monsoon roof damage were initially denied coverage, but with our involvement, their claims were re-evaluated and paid fairly.

These are just a few examples of how our advocacy directly impacts people’s lives.

BBB Accreditation: A Continued Commitment to Integrity

Since joining the BBB over a decade ago, we’ve used their platform to build trust and transparency with new clients. This year, we were honored to be nominated again for the BBB Torch Award for Ethics—a recognition that reflects how we treat our clients, our peers, and the adjusting profession as a whole.

We believe reviews on the BBB matter because they come from real clients, not just social media followers. That’s why we continue to encourage satisfied clients to share their stories there—it’s one of the most respected resources for homeowners researching trustworthy adjusters.

Client Testimonials: The Heart of What We Do

There’s nothing more rewarding than hearing from clients who feel truly seen and supported during the claims process. Lately, we’ve been spotlighting testimonials that highlight what sets us apart:

  • Consistent communication.
  • Patience and clarity when explaining the process.
  • The comfort clients feel knowing they have someone on their side—not the insurance company’s.

Many of our clients express that they wish they had called us sooner—and we’re working to make sure future clients know we’re just a phone call away when the unexpected happens.

Strengthening Industry Connections

As members of the Rocky Mountain Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (RMAPIA) and the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA), we remain involved in compliance updates and ethical best practices. These memberships keep us sharp and informed so we can bring highly effective professionalism to each claim we handle.

We’ve also continued to build strong relationships with local professionals—contractors, restoration teams, and realtors—who recognize the value of having a public adjuster on board to ensure their clients are treated fairly by their insurance providers.

Technology Updates & Tools for Clients

To make the claims process smoother for our clients, we’ve started implementing better ways to share updates, organize documents, and stay in touch. Whether that means a simple text update, quick document scan via phone, or secure email follow-ups—we tailor our communication to fit the client’s comfort level.

Our goal is to keep things simple and stress-free, even when the situation feels overwhelming.

What We Stand For

At our core, AJR Public Adjusters stands for:

  • Truthfulness and transparency.
  • Client-first service, always.
  • A relentless commitment to maximizing recovery.

We don’t give up on our clients. From that first call to the final payment—and sometimes even beyond—we’re here to advocate, explain, and walk with you through one of the most difficult times a property owner can face.

Looking Ahead

We’re not slowing down. With monsoon and wildfire seasons on the horizon, we’re preparing to be a resource for Arizona homeowners who need urgent, experienced support. We’re also planning more outreach to make sure people know their rights when dealing with property insurance claims.

If you or someone you know experiences damage to a home or rental property, please don’t wait for the insurance company to take the lead. Call us first. A brief conversation can save you time, money, and a lot of stress down the line.


Contact AJR Public Adjusters
📍 Based in Phoenix, Serving All of Arizona
📞 Call Bruce Horowitz: (480) 519-9099
🌐 www.publicadjusteraz.com
✅ A+ BBB Accredited | RMAPIA | NAPIA

Thank you to all our past and present clients for trusting us. We’re proud of the work we’ve done together and look forward to continuing to serve Arizona with integrity and heart.