Stephen Hnat & Associates - Public Adjuster

01/04/2026

“He’s No Herb Denenberg”

A client recently said something to me that stuck.
After she received a letter from the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance Commissioner stating that there was “nothing they could do” about her claim, she told me: “He’s no Herb Denenberg.”
I’ll be honest — at the time, I didn’t know who Herb Denenberg was. So I did what any curious adjuster would do. I looked googled the name.

What I found was surprising.

Herb Denenberg served as Pennsylvania’s Insurance Commissioner from 1970 to 1974. He was appointed by Governor Milton Shapp, with strong backing from consumer advocate Ralph Nader. During his tenure, TIME Magazine ran a now-famous article titled: “They Are All Afraid of Herb the Horrible.”

(link to the article: https://time.com/archive/6844215/insurance-they-are-all-afraid-of-herb-the-horrible/)

But Denenberg wasn’t “horrible” to consumers — he was horrible to an insurance industry that had grown far too comfortable putting profits ahead of policyholders.

As Commissioner, Denenberg shook the industry to its core.
He openly called the auto insurance claims system “a legalized racket.” He published plain-language “Shopper’s Guides” that compared auto and life insurance rates side by side, giving consumers transparency they had never had before. He rejected unjustified rate hikes and forced insurers to support their filings with real data. He conducted unannounced inspections of insurance companies, personally reviewing records and practices.
Behind his desk, he kept a sign written in Latin:
“Populus iamdum defutatus est.” Translated plainly: “The consumer has been screwed long enough.”

Herb Denenberg believed in accountability. He believed that regulators were supposed to regulate — not defer, deflect, or disappear when consumers needed help. He understood that the insurance department exists to protect the public, not to shield the industry from scrutiny.

Fifty years later, after watching policyholders receive form letters and dead-end responses, I can’t help but ask:

Do we need another Herb Denenberg?

12/09/2025

You want to be fair with your insurance company, but are they going to be fair with you?

State Farm denied wrongdoing. Insurance giant State Farm under fire for allegedly hiding key info: 'Obstruction' first appeared on The Cool Down.

09/07/2025

🔥 : 8 months after the Palisades & Eaton wildfires, CA policyholders say they’re still stuck in “delay, deny, defend” mode. Long waits, lowball offers & smoke claims denied—FAIR Plan under fire.

Eight months after the Palisades and Eaton wildfires in Los Angeles, commercial and residential policyholders continue to report unreasonably long delays,

08/20/2025

05/22/2025

We’re Hiring!
Join Our Team as an Insurance Claim Specialist Admin

Are you organized, detail-oriented, and ready to be part of a growing team helping property owners recover from disasters? We’re looking for a full-time or part-time Insurance Claim Specialist Admin to join our office. This is a in person job.

Key Responsibilities Include:
• Entering and updating claim data in our CRM system
• Pricing and verifying itemized contents lists
• Answering phones and communicating with clients
• Organizing and maintaining claim files
• Helping manage marketing (Facebook, Google, direct mail, etc.)
• Writing client letters and marketing content
• Scheduling property inspections and estimates
• Creating accurate floor plans and sketches (multi-level/roof) using Xactimate very similar to sketch up software
• Assisting with construction estimates in Xactimate
• Comparing estimates using Excel
• General administrative support

Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel, Google Workspace and Xactimate, is a plus but not required.

If you’re a motivated self-starter who’s great with details, communication, and organization, we want to hear from you!

Apply now through our Indeed listing or message us via facebook to where to send your resume to: https://www.indeed.com/job/property-insurance-claims-specialist-admin-869cbb590bcca5fd

02/13/2025

🚨 State Farm Seeks 22% Rate Increase During California Wildfire Recovery

NBC News Los Angeles reports on State Farm's latest move to raise home insurance rates in California – just weeks after devastating wildfires impacted thousands of homeowners.

Our PCAPIA President Denise Hsu Sze spoke with NBC, stating: "Most of these people have claims that are open or have lost their homes. It's not the proper time to hike up."

The numbers tell the story:

📊 8,700+ wildfire-related claims filed
💰 Over $1 billion paid to affected customers
📝 Previous rate hike requests still under review
⚖️ CA Department of Insurance investigating

As public adjusters, we're committed to advocating for fair settlements during these challenging times.

Read our full analysis here: https://getinsuranceclaimhelp.com/home-insurance-rate-hike-after-california-wildfires/

What do you think about raising insurance rates during disaster recovery?

Let us know in the comments.

State Farm seeks 22% home insurance rate hike in California following recent wildfires, sparking concern among victims. Public adjusters a...

02/12/2025

📺 Excited to share that ABC News featured public insurance adjusters the other day, highlighting the crucial role we play in helping policyholders navigate their insurance claims. Thank you Good Morning America for spreading awareness about how public adjusters advocate for fair claim settlements!

08/24/2024

https://youtu.be/WrWG8Rs7fe4?feature=shared

Are they really your good neighbor?

After years of renovations, a Washington County family said they were on their last project in their home when the worst thing imaginable happened. The Camer...

08/22/2024

Great Article about one of my clients that we are helping.

A renovation project gone wrong has led to a string of problems for Rick and Shelly Cameron.

01/25/2024

🏡 Attention Homeowners: Top 5 Reasons to Hire a Public Adjuster for Your Insurance Claim! 🌟

Dealing with a property insurance claim? Don't navigate the complexities alone! Here are the top 5 reasons why hiring a Public Adjuster is a smart move:

Insurance Expertise: They know the policies inside out to maximize your compensation.
Thorough Damage Assessment: No detail is overlooked in their comprehensive property evaluation.
Negotiation Skills: Skilled negotiators who level the playing field with insurance companies.
Efficient Claims Process: Streamline paperwork, documentation, and negotiations for a swift resolution.
Legal Knowledge: Ensures your rights are protected, and insurance companies play by the rules.
Don't settle for less! Your property deserves the best advocacy. 💪✨

05/31/2023

At Stephen Hnat & Associates, we are state licensed public insurance adjusters, who represent and help homeowners, business owners and property owners with their property and business insurance claims. We negotiate the best settlement possible for the insureds on their property claims.

We specialize in: residential insurance claims, commercial claims, apartments buildings claims, business insurance claims. Our knowledgeable staff will help you to negotiate your claim, so you could be back to a pre-loss condition and back to your normal routine with minimal headaches on your part. Our many years of experience include: water damage claims, flood, sewage damage claims, smoke damage, fire damage, wind damage claims, rain damage, toilet over flow, vandalism claims, business loss claims and many more. If you own a business, or a home or a commercial property and you have an insurance claim question please do not hesitate to call Stephen Hnat & Associates for answers to your questions on your claim! Call today (412) 276-5555
getinsuranceclaimhelp.com/

We are a Pittsburgh based Public Adjuster Firm, that handles underpaid, denied and new claims

04/27/2023

How to Reopen a Denied Insurance Claim

Your insurance claim has just been denied. Your property may have been subject to burglary, vandalism, flooding, and even a devastating fire. What do you do? What are your options? Insurance claims can lead to denial for various reasons. We take pride in having helped a multitude of property owners who have had their insurance companies deny or underpay their claims. As public adjusters, who specialize in reopening claims, we can work on your behalf. We can find out why your claim was denied and advise as to what to do next to recover the expenses for your damages.Stephen Hnat and Associates has provided some of the steps below:
https://www.tumblr.com/stephenhnatpublicadjuster/715770380448677888/how-to-reopen-a-denied-insurance-claim-your

At Stephen Hnat and Associates, We help property owners recover after a property loss. We handle denied claims, underpaid claims and new claims. Get a public insurance adjuster involved early! Call now. We can help even if you've already filed your claim. Call us and get a free evaluation. There is no fee unless we get you a settlement. Call Stephen Hnat & Associates for answers to your questions on your claim! Call today (412) 276-5555
https://getinsuranceclaimhelp.com/