When I sat down with Brian Goodman for the latest episode of Claim Game, I knew the conversation would run deep. Brian is not only the grandson of William Goodman, one of the founders of NAPIA and its first president, but he has also served as the association’s General Counsel for more than twenty-five years. His perspective combines family history, legal insight, and frontline advocacy for public adjusters across the country.
Our discussion ranged from the dangers of surplus lines carriers to the growing problem of unauthorized adjusting. My impression as the discussion progressed is that the public adjusting profession stands at a critical crossroads on numerous issues.
Brian began by tracing his unusual path into the field. Unlike his family, he chose law over public adjusting. Eventually, he was “pulled back in” when Harvey and Randy Goodman asked him to serve as NAPIA’s General Counsel. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to defend public adjusters on the national stage, juggling legislative monitoring, governance issues, and even representing the profession at the NAIC. “Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in,” Brian said, recalling his early days in the role. It was clear from his tone that his commitment is as strong now as it was decades ago.
One of the dominant themes of our conversation was the rise of unauthorized practice of public adjusting, or UPPA. Brian pointed out that while many states have laws on the books making UPPA a crime, the problem lies in enforcement. “It’s not a ‘sexy’ crime, so prosecutors ignore it,” he explained, stressing how civil litigation is beginning to fill the gap. He cited recent cases in Texas and Iowa where courts voided contracts for unlicensed roofers masquerading as adjusters, calling these developments “a big win” for licensed professionals.
We also dug into the alarming trend of surplus lines carriers using anti-public adjuster clauses. Some policies now contain language that voids coverage if a policyholder hires a public adjuster. This, Brian warned, is nothing less than an existential threat. “It’s outrageous,” he said. “Texas made them illegal, and I hope more states follow.” Our conversation turned to how unregulated surplus lines carriers are writing policies that leave coverage riddled with exclusions, creating what Brian aptly described as a “Swiss cheese insurance market.”
Another recurring issue was the role of insurer-controlled experts. After years of litigating against engineers, industrial hygienists, and forensic consultants hired by carriers, I pressed Brian on the impact these captive experts have on claims. His response was blunt: “These experts are often biased, on retainer, and motivated by insurer loyalty.” We both noted how such practices skew outcomes in wildfire and catastrophe claims, where reports are tailored to minimize losses rather than uncover the truth. As I mentioned during the show, when insurers pay so much money and even give awards to their vendors, it is not hard to guess how those relationships influence results.
Brian’s reflections on the public image of adjusters were particularly important. Too often, adjusters are accused of fraud simply for presenting higher estimates than insurers. Brian dismissed this outright. “There’s a myth that if a public adjuster’s estimate is higher than the insurer’s, it’s fraud. That’s nonsense. It’s no different than a plaintiff vs. defense attorney making a case.” His voice carried the authority of years spent fighting these battles. There is an important need for public adjusters to stand tall in their role supporting proper valuations of loss, as the insurance industry is increasingly trying to limit recovery in value and coverage.
As we wrapped up, Brian emphasized the importance of raising standards through education and licensing reform. He praised NAPIA’s continuing education programs, which he has personally helped shape for more than twenty years. He argued that licensing exams must be tougher to weed out those looking for a quick payday.
He left our discussion with no doubt about his ongoing dedication to the profession. “I’m in my 60s—feeling good, thinking straight, and still energized. I won’t be doing this until I’m 90, like Paul Cordish, my predecessor. But for now, I’m committed.”
The conversation with Brian Goodman showed both the fragility and the resilience of public adjusting over the years. The threats are real and include unauthorized actors, hostile policy language, fee caps, and biased experts, which threaten to erode the role of the licensed public adjuster. Yet, through advocacy, education, and persistence, there is also progress. NAPIA and leaders like Goodman are ensuring that public adjusters remain not just relevant, but essential to policyholders seeking fair treatment.
Here is a link to our Claim Game podcast with Brian Goodman.
Thought For The Day
“The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority. Great leaders act like shepherds, not bosses.”
—Ken Blanchard
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