Why Every Real Estate Investor Needs a Public Adjuster | Insurance Claim Tips with Andy Gurczak

Andy Gurczak (00:00)
Yeah, I don’t know if there’s anything in particular Q. I would say for, you know, for your listeners, foreign investors, landlords, the importance of actually using the public adjuster and how important it is having one on your team, whether it’s I know, I know mentors that I’ve met real estate mentors that actually preach getting a public adjuster on your team, just like you have an attorney, right? Just like you have a real estate agent and tax account. Just the same thing.

A public adjuster, what we do and how we maximize the claim and the situations we put our investors in and how they come out is amazing.

Quentin Edmonds (02:02)
Hello everyone. Welcome to the Real Estate Pros podcast. I am your host Q Edmonds and I am excited to be here today. I am excited about my guests. You guys know I do a lot of podcasts and I think this is the first time I have someone within this space that’s, know, operating and helping out the real estate professional. And I’m so glad he’s going to talk about it. He’s been in it for 12 years.

knows exactly what he’s talking about. is that, and from just talking to him, it’s a real passion to help people. This is what I’m sensing, you know, there’s a lot of things that’s going on that’s not helping people, but I’m so glad he’s in a position to help people. And so I am so excited to introduce you all to Mr. Andy Gurczak Mr. Andy, how you doing today, sir?

Andy Gurczak (02:46)
I’m doing awesome Q, thank you for having me. Midwest is getting like 80 degree weather, so yeah, it’s great. We’re here.

Quentin Edmonds (02:52)
Yeah, yeah. Oh, man. Yeah, we.

Yeah, yeah. I’m in Maryland, man. And we this week, I think we’re going to be in the 80 degrees as well. And so as long as there’s no humidity, I’m good. But when that humidity kicking, brother, you can count me out. Absolutely. Well, it’s any I’m so glad you’re here, sir. And listen, I’m going to type. like to dive right in. So I would love for you to tell the people what’s your main focus these days.

Andy Gurczak (02:59)
OOF

Yeah.

Quentin Edmonds (03:16)
If you don’t mind, give us a little bit of a origin story, kind of how you got into the space that you’re in. And then you already told them the Midwest. And so if you want to tell them again where you are, people love to know where you geographically, man. So, Andy, sir, you got the floor,

Andy Gurczak (03:28)
Yeah, appreciate it. So we’re in a little town called Crown Point, Indiana, right here in Northwest Indiana. It’s about 50 minutes from Chicago. Grew up in Chicago, actually grew up in Europe, immigrated here when I was nine years old. Worked various jobs, sales, construction for a long time and then met an adjuster who mentored me in this industry. now we opened up All City. Then we ended up opening up All City.

It’s been now 12 years that we’ve been licensed. We’re licensed in 40 states and we’re a licensed public adjusting company. So we advocate for the insured against the insurance company. Our clients majority are investors, landlords, business owners. We help them against their insurance, make sure they maximize their claim, get everything paid, watch their exclusions. Basically handle the whole claim process from them, put them in a great situation when they’re all said and done.

And yeah, we’ve just built and built our company based on referrals and good investors and just sticking with them. as investors grow, our business grows with them. So it works hand by hand.

Quentin Edmonds (04:25)
Thank you for sharing brother. Thank you for telling us where you are, kind of how you got here. And as you was talking, I was actively listening and I was writing some things now as you was talking. And you said, know, in Indiana, but grew up in Europe and in Chicago, because right, those two places was in Europe and it came to Chicago, worked in sales. You’re licensed now in 40 States.

Andy Gurczak (04:43)
Yes.

Quentin Edmonds (04:47)
And I wrote it like this and hopefully it’s not offensive. I was like, you helped the little people go against the insurance company. That’s what I put. Is that both synthesizing it about right?

Andy Gurczak (05:43)
You know what’s funny? I just designed a shirt and I sent it to our printer and it’s literally on the back of the t-shirts for our field guys is David and Goliath. it’s, yeah, Goliath is, it says insurance and then it’s got our colors for David. ⁓ And it was funny. So that’s funny that you say, yes, that’s exactly how we feel. Yeah.

Quentin Edmonds (05:58)
Yeah!

I love it. That’s what I was synthesized, what you was talking about. And I love it. I love that you said that. And I have a saying, destiny has no wasted moments, right? Meaning no matter what we go through, those moments build us to the moments where we are today, right? And sometimes we reflect and we see how we borrow different things on our journey. Now we got this, know what our passion is. We know what our why is. We know why we fight. It’s hard to be fight.

And it’s all because of these moments that we have been throughout throughout our journey. so, man, you Europe, Chicago, worked in sales, licensed in 40 states, really fighting for the people. I would love to know what has these moments in a journey taught you about yourself? Has it you discipline? Has it taught you resilience, humbleness? Like what has these moments taught you about you,

Andy Gurczak (06:45)
Yeah, I think, you know, in our industry, I think it’s kind of all right resilience because you have to have tough skin. You’re going up against, you know, insurance guys, you know, insurance industry. They have some of the best people on their side. So you have to be resilient because they’re going to keep going after you and trying to lowball like it’s a it’s a constant fight. So you you also have to have, you know, you have to able to like take it because they’re going to keep saying no, no. And like you have to be just.

just have that eagerness to just not give up. So I think it’s all of those like traits that builds up in this tree because one day you’re arguing next year, you’re negotiating all the time. You also have to be able to interpret policy. So like all these things you just build in this, it’s a very good industry and a very good business that really builds up a lot of character in a person.

Quentin Edmonds (07:31)
I love it, man. Speaking of character, things that build character, how does adversity look in your world? Like, what’s some of the things that you run into that cause adversity? You know, because I said, this is the first time we have an insurance adjusted company on. So like, how does adversity look in your world? Like, take us a little bit into it.

Andy Gurczak (07:49)
Yeah. You know, when you have a claim, just like we have for an investor in Michigan, had a big tornado, the insurance we send the claim in, there’s an anti public adjuster act in the policy. Basically, the policy states that you cannot hire a public adjuster, which in the state of Michigan is illegal. Like that can’t be in there. So it’s like, it feels like every claim, every step is just someone trying to say, you know, like they

They just want to control the claim for the insurance, right? Because that’s kind of the whole process of the insurance company. If they can control the claim, they’ll control the money to pay out and lower the payout. So every claim, we see something different, like in this one where it’s like we started off right away saying the policy is stating, hey, you can’t even hire a public adjuster. So we spent a month fighting that endorsement in the policy and got over it. So every day there’s no claim is the same. So every policy, every claim is going to be different.

coming from the insurance side against us.

Quentin Edmonds (08:42)
Welcome us through that, taking us into the world, like how things could look, right? Because, you know, this is good. Like I said, first time on that I think we have in the subject matter. So tell me, what is your guys, what is the next goal? Like, what are you looking to solve a scale next, Andy?

Andy Gurczak (09:29)
Yes, we’re at with the company now at All City. We handle 40 states. We have a good client investors. We have a good base of clients. We’re really trying to build that like real company where it’s a business. it can grow on its own, on its own, but bring in more people and kind of build those procedures. Kind of the growth of the company and building a structure really has been the main focus now.

Quentin Edmonds (09:55)
Yeah, yeah. I love it, man. I absolutely love it. So give me the name of the company and then tell me the story behind the name. Because I’m not sure if I heard you mention the name just yet. But yeah, give me the name of the company and tell me the story behind it. Yeah.

Andy Gurczak (10:07)
Yeah. Yeah. It’s all city adjusting. It’s right there on

the head. All city adjusting. How it started when we were when I was looking for names, I really liked Allstate. I hate I hate I f and I hate Allstate, but I love the name. I’m like, Allstate, that’s such a cool name. I can’t be Allstate adjusting because it you know, I don’t know if that’s too close.

Quentin Edmonds (10:24)
You

you

Andy Gurczak (10:29)
I’m like, you know what, fuck it, we’re not going to be all say we’re going to be in all city, maybe in every city. So we called it all city. The towers actually, if you could see, that’s actually because we were based in Chicago originally. that’s Sears Tower and then there was Hancock and they actually had the I had the antennas, but then we ended up removing them. But that’s what the buildings represent in the house.

Quentin Edmonds (10:50)
Yeah.

Andy Gurczak (10:51)
So was downtown

Chicago. the guy that designed it actually put a lot of the lines, means something like everything actually meant something when we designed it.

Quentin Edmonds (10:56)
Yeah.

Yeah. I love. Well, listen, all state, if you hear us, we coming for your neck. You got all state, we all city. coming for.

Andy Gurczak (11:02)
Don’t

share their cue because they got a lot more money than I do, man. They’ll take you out.

Quentin Edmonds (11:07)
Look, look, look, look, look, look, look,

look, look, look, look, look, look,

Andy Gurczak (11:12)
Yeah.

Hugh, if something happens to me the next couple days, just want to say it out here. It was all safe. Okay?

Quentin Edmonds (11:19)
mean, it’s sad, Andy. You ever seen those Chick-fil-A commercials? It’s like on, Chick-fil-A, they always saying, you know, have a pleasant day or something like that. And they got these little reels going around when somebody didn’t say it. And then just like corporate comes out of nowhere and just snatch them off the line. know, place them with somebody else. It’s pretty, it’s pretty, it’s pretty funny. Yeah, yeah. It’s pretty funny. Man, I love your spirit. I know one of the things.

Andy Gurczak (11:21)
Hahaha

I haven’t seen those, but that sounds actually pretty good.

Quentin Edmonds (11:45)
that we talked about before, you mentioned the word culture. You said you’re creating a culture. And so I’m gonna say this word, and when I say it, I wanna hear what comes to mind. Relationship. When I say the word relationship, what comes to mind to you, Andy?

Andy Gurczak (11:58)
Uh, relationship, uh, it’s basically what we have. It’s relationship with each employee, the employees that have a relationship with each other, that it’s like a family culture. Um, that’s what’s important. Um, you know, you know, just to reflect back on, you know, I love the office and you know how Michael Scott was always big, you know, I’m, I’m the dad, this is my family. You know, I don’t say it that way, but that’s how I feel. They were all family. were, they weren’t that close that, you know, everyone can kind of, uh,

look, ask for someone for help. kind of that’s, that’s why it’s important when we hire, we hire people that can mesh and get along with the team we have that we’re building.

Quentin Edmonds (12:34)
Yeah, no, I love it. You know, often I use the word community, right? And community means common unity. It’s when people have common unity to move something forward or just to just live in an ecosystem with each other. like, you know, there’s a difference between people being in unity and uniformity. Uniformity is everybody looking alike doing the same thing all at one time.

But unity is when you have people that’s doing different things, but for the same common goal. And so you, you you hire people for their skillset so that they can move the business forward. That way everything is working the way it’s supposed to work. So I love when you talk about culture and I told you, I often bring up the word community because I believe that when you had the right community around you, everything is whole, everything is well and works the way it’s supposed to work. Does that make sense?

Andy Gurczak (14:03)
100%. Yeah, and that’s what we’ve really tried to build that with everyone we’ve hired. yeah, like I said, it’s great thing when I know this person, one employee is calling another employee, I ask like, it’s just that open, right? No one’s kind of reserved to themselves. Everyone’s working together, yeah.

Quentin Edmonds (14:18)
Yeah, I love it, man. So listen, Andy, is there any topic that I have not brought up that you would like to talk about, or is there any other kind of words of inspiration, education, motivation? Like if there’s something that you came in here with on your mind, just wanted to make sure our viewers know, I kind of just want to open up the floor that way you can deliver that message.

Andy Gurczak (14:37)
Yeah, I don’t know if there’s anything in particular Q. I would say for, you know, for your listeners, foreign investors, landlords, the importance of actually using the public adjuster and how important it is having one on your team, whether it’s I know, I know mentors that I’ve met real estate mentors that actually preach getting a public adjuster on your team, just like you have an attorney, right? Just like you have a real estate agent and tax account. Just the same thing.

A public adjuster, what we do and how we maximize the claim and the situations we put our investors in and how they come out is amazing.

And we have tons of proof of it. So yeah, the importance of it and not trying to do it yourself, because that’s not going to get you anywhere. And we have a lot of proof of that too.

Quentin Edmonds (15:17)
Yeah, no, I love it. And I loved you said that about having them on your team because I think this is kind of why we exist. So the real estate professional can expand their team, right? So they can close the gaps. Like you said, the lawyer, the, the, wow, I’m joining by the inspector, right? There’s, there’s these little pieces within real estate that you need to make sure that you show up and having a public adjuster on the team can actually help you shore up your business as you grow and expand it that way that there are no gaps.

And so I love it. love to have you on. I love you talking about it, man. I really, really appreciate you, Andy, listen, if someone wanted to reach out to you, connect with you, collaborate with you, learn more about what you’re doing, how can they get in contact with you,

Andy Gurczak (15:55)
Yeah, so they can definitely look us up. Also the adjusting calm, but for your listeners, I’ll leave him with my direct number. While I still can’t give away my my phone number, and people can reach me, text me, call me anytime. It’s 708 area code 655-4186. That’s direct to me. You can try it and I’ll give you a text to me so you know. And I’m you know, I’m pretty responsive. So if anyone ever needs any help or advice, I’m always there.

Quentin Edmonds (16:15)
Yeah.

Yeah. Andy, man, sir, let me say three things to you. First, thank you for your time. You know, can be doing anything in the world, been anywhere in the world, but you’re here with us. So definitely thank you for your time. Secondly, thank you for your story, man, for your narrative, for what you do and coming and sharing that with our audience. I believe stories.

are premium, like they have a way of cutting through all the noise and getting to the heart of people. And I believe that they sow seeds sometimes. And people may not have been thinking about something, but just because you said something, it sparks an idea. So what you talking about the adjustment world, I believe that you really planted seeds that people may not have thought that they needed. So thank you for your story, Lastly, man, thank you for your mindset, the way you think in bringing that mindset to this platform. I really appreciate you being on,

Andy Gurczak (17:01)
Thank so much for having me. It’s always pleasure. Like this is awesome. Love doing this. Love giving people some tips and hopefully they get something from it. And again, thank you for having me.

Quentin Edmonds (17:10)
Nah, absolutely. But listen, y’all heard Mr. Andy checking the show notes. I don’t know if y’all picked up on, he said he’ll give out his number for now. So this means he’s gonna grow to a stage where… no!

Andy Gurczak (17:19)
Well, I hope one day I can’t go away

like I hope.

Quentin Edmonds (17:23)
We speaking

it. We speaking it. Like I heard you when you said, Jack, we speaking it. Listen, get in contact with him now while you can because soon you’re going to be talking to the VA. You’re going be talking to the AI person. Listen, get in contact with him now while you can still get this person to person. But I’m sure he’s always going to have some kind of personal attachment. he’s going to grow. So get in contact with him now. Definitely look into the show notes. The information is there. Definitely make sure you are subscribed here because I

Andy Gurczak (17:27)
Yeah.

Hahaha!

Thanks.

Quentin Edmonds (17:48)
I you, we’re gonna continue to bring up amazing people, just like Mr. Andy. So sir, I say thank you again for coming on, and everyone else, listen, y’all have a fantastic day.