Middletown >> Insurance experts will host a series of free workshops on Valley Fire recovery with the first on Saturday.
Bob and Karen Ellenberg have spent the last 10 months working out of their office in Middletown, helping fire survivors through their nonprofit, Policyholders Recovery.
The couple moved to Lake County in September because of the fire. Bob Ellenberg has dealt with issues that arise after a catastrophe like the Valley Fire, having worked with people after natural disasters including Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy and the Northridge earthquake.
What made you decide to move to Lake County?
Bob Ellenberg: Well actually, I almost didn’t come. I’d been in Weed, California for over a year, helping the people there with fire recovery and I was tired. But my partner, Victor Romero, really wanted to come to Lake County so I told my wife, “Check out the area and the community and if you want to stay there, we will go as a family.” So she visited and spent almost a week here. She got back to me and said, “I love it.” So I said, “Alright then, we’re going.”
What kind of help does Policyholders Recovery offer to Valley Fire survivors right now?
We meet with folks one-on-one, for free, to review their policies and claims and to help them create their contents-lists in a way that doesn’t let the insurance companies depreciate their belongings. We teach them about the debris removal, which is going to be a huge issue once the bills start arriving. And we hold free workshops about Valley Fire recovery.
What is your advice to people who are weary of dealing with their insurance companies and just want to move on?
That answer really boils down to money and I hate it when I see people get so worn down by their insurance company that they give up, because that’s the game. One of the things I ask folks is, “Look, if we were sitting here and I spotted a $20 bill out in the yard, would you go pick it up?” And they say, “Well, sure.” And I say, “Well, continue to fight for the money that is yours. And if you get weary, let me help you fight.”
What is one of your most memorable stories from working in disaster relief?
In Los Alamos, in 2000, there was a fire that caused a lot of trauma. One of the issues that came up was PTSD claims. I told one lady I would handle her claim. Because of PTSD, she had a continual outbreak of shingles on her face and looked like a different person. The government adjuster I was working with asked me “What’ll it take to settle this claim?” This was on a Friday afternoon and I said, “I tell you what, there are two things I want you to look at before you leave this afternoon. Look at her before and after photographs. Call me on Monday and tell me what you think it’s worth and see if we can reach an agreement.” He called me on Monday morning and he said “Could we settle for $135,000?” The lady just bawled her eyes out. My attorney friend couldn’t believe it. It’s probably the most personally satisfying claim that I’ve ever handled — and it wasn’t a property claim.
How does your business work?
I’m a public adjuster, but not a typical one. Most public adjusters have an office in a large city somewhere and they “chase fires.” I only work disasters and I stay for the long-haul. Victor and I have over 40 years of experience working the claims side of property insurance and we are both licensed general contractors. We help folks under our nonprofit, Policyholders Recovery, by showing them what they are entitled to under their policy. One of the most important things we do is teach people how to properly and fully complete their contents inventories. Victor has over 20 years of experience doing this and he is the best of the best. Everyone he worked with in Weed got their policy limits.
Bob and Karen Ellenberg will host the free workshops in July and August at their office located at 21208 Calistoga Road in Middletown. Saturday’s workshop will begin at 10 a.m.
Call (707) 987-4673 for more information or to schedule a one-on-one appointment.
Interview by Rachel Joy Watson.
