Think your insurance company is on your side after a fire or flood? Public adjuster Melissa Sherwood explains why the insurance companies’ adjuster works for them, not you. Most homeowners have no idea that when they file an insurance claim, the adjuster the insurance company sends out is working for the insurance company, not for them. In this episode, Brian and Mona sit down with Melissa Sherwood, a public insurance adjuster whose family firm, Panakio Adjusters, has represented homeowners (not insurers) in property loss claims since 1937. Melissa breaks down exactly when it makes sense to call a public adjuster, why timing matters, and how insurance companies quietly set a "reserve" on your claim the moment their adjuster walks through the door. She also shares two jaw-dropping real client stories: a theft claim involving a designer handbag collection, and a case where an elderly client was swindled out of jewelry by someone she trusted. Along the way, Melissa gets real about the shady side of her industry, the core values (empathy, integrity, professionalism) that guide her practice, and why "call me first" isn't just a tagline, it's the difference between leaving money on the table and getting what you're actually owed. Whether you've never made a claim or you're in the middle of one right now, this episode will change how you think about your homeowner's policy. Jump to: [00:00] Introduction — meet your hosts and today's topic [00:24] Meet Melissa Sherwood and Panakio Adjusters' 89-year history representing homeowners, not insurers [00:46] What a public adjuster actually does (and why it's different from the insurance company's adjuster) [03:04] When it's actually worth calling a public adjuster — and Melissa's "call me first" philosophy [05:14] Why the insurance company's adjuster has no duty to tell you if you're owed more [06:14] Real case: a theft claim over a designer handbag collection [08:40] Real case: an elderly client swindled out of jewelry [10:30] The shady side of the industry, and the core values that set Melissa apart [13:21] How long you actually have to recover on a claim (two years — most people don't know this) [15:31] How soon to call after a loss, fire vs. a burst pipe, and is it ever "too late"? [17:38] What happens when a claim goes to litigation (and why it's more common in states like Florida) Who we are Mona Wong 23 years in the mortgage industry, from underwriting and operations to loan origination and business development. She's guided hundreds of families through financing, and she's navigated the buyer's side of it too, from her first condo to her forever home, so she knows the process from both sides of the closing table. Brian Denton, CDLP 42-year mortgage industry veteran, U.S. Air Force veteran, husband, father, and grandfather. Brian has been closing loans since the days of pencil, paper, and no fax machine, a rare, firsthand perspective on how far mortgage lending (and homebuying) has come. Melissa Rowe Sherwood President and Public Adjuster at Panakio Adjusters, with 25+ years of business experience in sales, marketing, and negotiation. She specializes in large-loss property claims, going head-to-head with insurance companies to win fair settlements for homeowners and commercial property owners. Resources/Links Mentioned Free Homebuyer Guide — Email us to request your copy: hello@homebuyinguncensored.com Panakio Adjusters — Melissa Rowe Sherwood, President, Public Adjuster. Reach her directly at 781-576-9317, melissa@panakio.com, or panakio.com if you need help with a property claim. What to do Next Loved this episode? Subscribe to Home Buying Uncensored so you never miss one. And if you know someone navigating a home purchase (or fighting an insurance claim), send them this episode — it might save them thousands. Connect With Us Website: crosscountrymortgage.com/newton-ma-3986 Newsletter: drop us an email at: hello@homebuyinguncensored.com Socials: Instagram: @homebuyinguncensored Facebook: @homebuyinguncensored YouTube: @homebuyinguncensored
