Santa Monica did not burn in January 2025, but the northern half of the city was evacuated and the whole city sat downwind of the Palisades Fire for days. Smoke, soot and ash claims from Santa Monica homes and apartment buildings have been widely underpaid because the damage is not visible from the street.
Beyond the fire, Santa Monica has some of the oldest multifamily housing stock on the Westside. Slab leaks, failed galvanized plumbing, roof and window intrusion in salt air, and losses in rent-controlled buildings all carry claim issues that a generic adjustment misses.
Services We Provide in Santa Monica
Fire Damage Claims
Complete fire, smoke, and soot damage claim assistance.
Three types of loss make up most of what we see in Santa Monica.
Smoke and Ash From the Palisades Fire
North of Montana, the San Vicente corridor and much of the city took heavy smoke and ash. Insurers offered surface cleaning or nothing. Proper claims include testing, duct and insulation replacement, contents cleaning and the cost of living elsewhere during remediation.
Water Intrusion in Older Buildings
Santa Monica apartment buildings and pre-war homes suffer slab leaks, pipe failures and roof intrusion made worse by coastal moisture. Carriers lean on wear-and-tear and long-term seepage exclusions. Establishing a sudden event is the key.
Multifamily and Rent-Controlled Losses
Owners of rent-controlled buildings face relocation obligations, loss of rents and repair standards that ordinary residential claims never touch. We price the full business loss, not just the drywall.
Earthquake Exposure
Santa Monica was among the hardest hit cities in the Northridge earthquake, and many buildings carry seismic retrofit history. Earthquake claims through the CEA or private carriers have their own deductibles and proof requirements.
Smoke claims have deadlines. If your Santa Monica home or building took ash and soot in January 2025 and the carrier closed the file with a cleaning allowance, it can usually be reopened.
How to File a Property Damage Claim in Santa Monica
1
Document the Damage
Take photos and videos of all property damage immediately.
2
Contact Apex Adjusting
Call us at (714) 844-1363 for a free consultation and claim assessment.
3
We Handle Everything
We document damage, prepare your claim, and negotiate with your insurance company.
4
Receive Your Settlement
Get maximum compensation to fully restore your property.
Why Choose Apex Adjusting Group in Santa Monica
We fight for your rights and maximize your insurance settlement
Licensed Expertise
Fully licensed public adjusters in California with deep knowledge of CA insurance regulations and claim procedures.
No Upfront Cost
Contingency-based fees. No recovery = no fee. We only get paid when you do.
Maximized Settlements
Our clients in Santa Monica receive an average of 3-5x more than initial insurance offers.
24/7 Availability
Emergency response in Santa Monica when you need it. Available around the clock for urgent claims.
Complete Service
From damage documentation to final negotiation, we handle every aspect of your Santa Monica claim.
State Compliance
Expert knowledge of California insurance laws, regulations, and local claim procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions - Santa Monica, CA
Common questions about public adjusting services in Santa Monica
Yes. Smoke, soot and ash contamination is a covered loss under most homeowner and commercial policies. The damage is often inside ducts, attics and insulation rather than on visible surfaces, which is why proper testing matters.
Yes. We represent owners of multifamily buildings on fire, smoke and water losses, including loss of rents, tenant relocation costs and code-triggered upgrades under Santa Monica building rules.
Seepage exclusions are the most common reason water claims are denied in older Santa Monica buildings. We investigate the actual cause and timeline, and a sudden pipe or roof failure is covered even if the resulting damage took time to be discovered.
Not under a standard policy. Earthquake coverage comes through the California Earthquake Authority or a private earthquake policy, each with its own deductible and claim process. We handle both.
While not required, hiring a public adjuster in Santa Monica significantly increases your settlement. Our clients in California receive settlements 3-5x higher than initial insurance offers. We handle all documentation, negotiation, and ensure you receive full compensation under your policy.
Apex Adjusting Group works on a contingency basis in Santa Monica. You pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid when you receive your settlement. Our fee is a percentage of the final settlement amount. No recovery means no fee – you have nothing to lose.
We handle all types of property damage claims in Santa Monica including fire damage, water damage, storm damage, earthquake damage, structural collapse, mold damage, theft, vandalism, and any covered loss under homeowners or commercial property insurance policies.
Insurance claim timelines in California vary based on claim complexity. Simple claims may settle in 30-60 days, while complex claims can take 3-6 months. Having a public adjuster speeds up the process by ensuring proper documentation and prompt communication with insurers.
Yes, Apex Adjusting Group is fully licensed to practice public adjusting in California. We maintain all required state licenses and certifications, and we understand the specific insurance regulations and claim procedures for CA.
Absolutely. We handle both residential and commercial property damage claims throughout Santa Monica and the surrounding areas. Whether you're a homeowner or business owner, we have the expertise to maximize your insurance settlement.
Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company and protect their interests. Public adjusters work for YOU, the policyholder. In California, we advocate on your behalf to ensure you receive the maximum settlement you're entitled to under your policy.
We serve all of Santa Monica and the surrounding region including Pacific Palisades, Venice, Brentwood, Mar Vista, and many other communities throughout the area. If you're in the greater Santa Monica region, we can help with your claim.
Contact us immediately after discovering property damage in Santa Monica. The sooner we get involved, the better we can document your loss and protect your interests. Early involvement helps prevent claim denials and undervaluation by insurance companies.
What Clients Say About Apex Adjusting Group
Verified Google reviews from property owners we've represented
5.0
Based on 29 Google reviews
Arthur Gonzalez
14 days ago
Although I ultimately didn’t hire Ryan with APEX Adjusting Group, his customer service was superb. He took the time to review my insurance adjuster’s estimate for free and offered helpful advice on additional items I could ask my insurance company to consider. I really appreciated his willingness to help without any pressure to hire him.
I’m completely happy with the guidance he provided and grateful for his time and honesty. I would absolutely recommend Ryan and APEX Adjusting Group to anyone who needs help with an insurance claim!
Hyekyong Joo
1 month ago
We had a plumbing pipe leak at our house and had to deal with a frustrating insurance claim. The insurance company was taking forever, which was extremely stressful at first. Fortunately, Ryan Monzon helped us navigate the entire process from start to finish.
He was always super responsive, communicated clearly every step of the way, and made sure we got fair coverage. He even went above and beyond to help us extend our stays at the Airbnb while repairs were ongoing so our family remained comfortable.
Thanks to Ryan’s persistence and guidance, everything was handled properly and we got the payout we deserved. I highly recommend Ryan to anyone needing help with an insurance claim—he truly cares and gets results!
Rich Constantinescu
3 months ago
Outstanding work by Jonathan Kobz and team. Top-tier service and communication.
Timothy Wheat
3 months ago
Outstanding Advocacy from Jonathan and the Apex Adjusting Team
Our tenant-occupied home suffered a devastating fire that started in the garage. When the AAA adjuster arrived, he used a moisture meter and claimed there was “no moisture in the walls,” suggesting we could simply redo the garage and upstairs, paint the downstairs, and settle the claim in a week. I knew this was completely inadequate — the fire department had sprayed over 10,000 gallons of water into the attic, and the house was not safe to re-rent. I left the meeting feeling defeated.
Shortly after, Jonathan from Apex Adjusting reached out. He explained that he was a public adjuster who would fight for a fair settlement on my behalf. After meeting him and doing my research, I was confident in moving forward with Apex.
What stood out most was that Apex brought their own team of professionals — including structural engineers, estimating companies, and soft demo crews — to thoroughly document the full extent of the damage. This was a huge relief, as AAA had quickly assembled their own team to minimize the claim. Apex’s experts calmly and accurately assessed the true scope and cost to rebuild.
Over the next several months, they handled everything professionally while we continued receiving loss-of-use payments. In the end, they secured more than double the original offer from AAA, plus full personal property reimbursement. We now have the funds to properly rebuild our home to pre-loss condition.
One of the biggest reliefs was never having to deal directly with the AAA adjuster again. Apex kept us fully informed and handled all communication. Jonathan and the entire team showed true professionalism, persistence, and patience throughout this stressful process. I would highly recommend them to anyone facing a difficult insurance claim.
We are forever grateful.
— Timothy A. Wheatfill, Orangevale, CA
Gabriella Tolstova
3 months ago
I was very pleased working with Apex Adjusting Group, especially with Roman. He is very thorough and is able to get results. 10 out of 10!!
THOMAS M BROD
4 months ago
Jonathan Kobz has been an amazingly fine private adjuster. Consistently and quickly responsive to all concerns and ultimately successful in negotiating a satisfactory settlement with the insurance company, State Farm.
Chris Whitten
5 months ago
Jonathan is knowledgeable and fast! These guys rock!
Lawrence Su
5 months ago
Our home suffered fire damages across multiple rooms and our insurance offered us minimal, certainly laughable, reimbursement. Feeling at loss, not knowing how to proceed, with zero experience with this circumstance, we sought out Apex to assist us.
We were fortunately paired with Jonathan. He is as professional as it can get. From the initial phone call, he was patient with our numerous questions. He provided us a thorough review of our insurance policy and gave us assurance that he would definitely fight and get us maximum reimbursement.
He met us at the property to visualize the damages himself and again provided his time to go over every one of our many inquiries. He was extremely knowledgeable in areas of fire/water damages, construction, insurance, and protocols. We knew at that point, that he was the man for the job.
From then on, he was the point person and we were in the back seat; we no longer needed to speak with any parties nor individuals, which was a huge weight off our shoulders. Jonathan organized all inspections and spoke with insurance himself. Throughout the process, he still remained constantly reachable (even while on vacation!) either via email, phone, or text. He was always there to address any concerns we had with patience and respect.
In the end, Jonathan and his group were able to negotiate for maximum reimbursement (completely exhausting all our coverages!!!) as he initially stated. Jonathan is a man of his word, a highly knowledgeable professional, a hard worker, an excellent communicator, and 100% the one you want to help with any of your insurance needs.
We hands down recommend him to anyone and everyone in need of adjusting. We will certainly seek out Jonathan and Apex again if ever needed.
THANK YOU!
Tarun Singh
1 year ago
Jonathan was super helpful and went above and beyond to assist me
Daniel Bell
1 year ago
Jonathan has been extremely helpful in dealing with our insurer. We had a total loss of our home during the Palisades fire and have had challenges dealing with the insurer in recovering all of our insurance. Jonathan has gone above and beyond in helping us with these efforts and I'd happily recommend him to anyone.
Ezzy
1 year ago
The team at Apex adjusting are very knowledgeable and kind. They genuinely care and want to help to help. I would definitely recommend.
Jetta Knox
1 year ago
Jonathan was so helpful and attentive. He listened to our concerns and quickly came up with an action plan.
ABK Frombozo
1 year ago
Helpful, friendly, and quick! These folks are the total package. Would not hesitate to use them again in the future!
Mark Broxon
1 year ago
We worked with Jonathan on an insurance settlement claim due to water damage. Jonathan knows his stuff - he ended up helping us get a much greater settlement than the insurance company initially allowed. He is sharp and smart and knows how to maneuver around the "closed doors" that insurance companies try to present to the vast majority of us that have no experience in how their system works. I would recommend Jonathan very highly.
Mack Block
1 year ago
"Apex Adjusting, and especially Johnathan, provided outstanding support for our claim. His professionalism and dedication were impeccable."
Evelyn Sineneng
1 year ago
When my beautiful Spanish Mediterranean property situated at a corner lot in Silicon Valley was burning, I felt very helpless because the fire continued to engulf the garage and crossed the open air patio and continued to burn the main house. I cried with no tears, watching my savings "go up in smoke", and around me, stood contractors who wanted to talk to me to offer their rebuilding services, cleaning service guys who offered to board up the doors and windows and install a fence for skyrocketing fees for a victim at a perfect time and place, and handed me a contract with small prints which was unreadable without my reading glasses. What a perfect victim I was, as I firmly stood emotionless, right in front of the burning house, watching firefighters doing their heroic deeds. There were others offering their services at a time I was in front of a catastrophe, losing my property and losing my saved-up precious investment. I did not need to have all those guys around me. I needed someone who can clarify my mind and help me, someone who will help me understand that it is not the end of the world for me, most important, is someone who can help me deal with the insurance adjuster, who is on the payroll of the insurance company and will be "helpful" to me, but will NOT work in my best interest. Such is the person to look for, and that is a public adjuster. I did not know at that time, that there is a public adjuster who can work and help me recover all I am entitled to recover under the insurance policy. I did not have to be under the mercy of an insurance adjuster, after all, she is also expected to do her job well. I also spoke to another other public adjuster but I did not feel the compassion I needed during that catastrophic time until I was able to gather the courage to research, and I found Apex Public Adjusters Company. Jonathan Kobz promptly returned my call and met him in person at my property, which still smelled smoke from the fire. He offered me the following day a simply written legal contract for his services, none of the "gobblygook" legal words and explained it to me, line-by-line. I knew at that moment that I will be in good hands and that Jonathan can and will help me go through this ordeal, and he did. He communicated with the insurance adjuster immediately and started to negotiate, on my behalf, all the terms I was entitled to, under the insurance policy. That unimaginable ordeal became a smooth period, Jonathan communicated with me every step of the way, and relieved me of that unexplainable stress and finished with the very satisfactory checks from the insurance company. Now, the most difficult part is almost over, and Jonathan was able to get the amount which will totally replace the losses caused by the fire. He was also able to convince the insurance company that they should also pay for the rents that I lost from the paying tenants. So I was essentially "sitting pretty" because the insurance company also paid for the rent I would have received from the tenants, a "plus" which I would probably not receive, BUT FOR my public adjuster, Jonathan Kobz of Apex Public Adjusting Company..... this was honestly written by Evelyn Sineneng-Smith, JD,
Alexis Morrissette
2 years ago
Great public adjuster!!! Fighting for the property owner for a fair settlement
Tyler Townsley
2 years ago
We just completed our first and (hopefully) last agreement with Apex Adjusting. We had a house fire and initially got a check for $26,000 to fix the house which was not nearly enough. I went online, started calling a bunch of Public Adjusters and came across Apex. I talked to Jonathan and decided we'd give him a try. He was absolutely amazing. It was a very smooth process, he handled everything (which is something you want/need when you've never gone through anything like this before) and lone behold, he was able to get us not $50,000, not $100,000 but $160,000 total which was unbelievable. He earned the fee he charges and then some! Thank you so much Jonathan for your time and efforts and helping us walk away with over $120,000 more than we had originally been quoted! Highly recommend reaching out to him if you need a public adjuster!
Edward Marin
2 years ago
Jonathon with Apex came in when we thought we were out of luck. They took our embarrassing insurance offer and settled for a lot more than what we had expected. Jonathon, walked us through like a pro but someone that can truly lead us to victory. I highly recommend to anyone battling insurance claims!
Aman Kathuria
3 years ago
Jonathan and Apex Adjusting Group are just amazing! Below is our situation and how he helped us in securing the appropriate claim funds from Insurance:
We had a water damage in our property from one of the appliance in Dec 2022. Since this was the first time, we really had no idea on what to expect on the claim process from Insurance. When we started speaking to Contractors, almost all of them mentioned that Insurance will likely try to lowball their offer for settlement. So that's when we looked around and hired Jonathan/Apex Adjusting Group to represent us in this process.
Jonathan is very professional and set up the expectations clear from Day 1. He inspected the damage, prepared a detailed damage report and negotiated with Insurance Company for almost 7 months before they finally agreed to release the appropriate funds needed to restore our property to the pre-loss state. This was certainly not easy since the Insurance adjusters were unresponsive, unprofessional and tried to lowball us throughout. Jonathan continued to stay on top of them and called them out on everything that was not as per the Insurance law. The months of persistence paid off and Insurance company finally agreed to settle.
I recommend them 200% and if you're in a similar boat, just call them first thing. Dealing with property damage and insurance is so overwhelming and I can't believe how relieved we have been after having Jonathan on our side. He's a Hero!
Mitzi Rasmussen
3 years ago
I cannot say enough about Jonathan Kobz. He was recommended to me when I hit a major road block with an insurance claim for storm damage to my home. He secured a full settlement with the insurance claim. Always provided quick responses to questions/concerns with any issues in the process. Jonathan is your guy if you need help with a homeowners insurance claim. Thank you again Jonathan!
Katie Schwarz
3 years ago
If you require assistance navigating. Through the process of damages to your home this proof is who to call. Jonathan was referred to me by A vendor who was working with me. After? I had a kitchen fire in my home. The daunting and overwhelming process was nothing short of confusing and scary. My homeowners insurance seemed like they were working with me and for me initially but all of a sudden. When it came. Time? To talk about repair cost things became strange and difficult. It was then I had to call and get some assistance Jonathan. What's quick to return my phone call and work with me on getting everything? I deserved? In regards to what need to be repaired? For my? Home. And the contents? Which I lost he took over absolutely everything and left it to him in his capable hands. I no longer had to make any phone calls please. Or clarifying questions he walked me through the process of restoration and also lock the through the process of dealing with the insurance companies who would rather stall out. Customers and wait for them to cave in rather than paying for the damages. Jonathan. Truly worked for me and with me and got me way more money than I could have ever done by myself with the homeowners insurance. He was quick to answer questions was explicit and had great command of the situation. I just can't say enough about the piece of mind he brought to me during this very difficult time. Don't hesitate at all get assistance and go with this group. Not. Only Are? They fair they have a passion for Justice and getting with the homeowner deserves. I am so grateful.
Anthony Villalba
3 years ago
Jonathan was great to work with. I did not know how to navigate a big insurance loss claim, but Jonathan took the time to explain every step. He fought feverishly on my behalf to ensure my insurance paid for everything that was covered. In the end he was able to recover double what insurance initially offered! It is because of his hard work that I have enough to rebuild my fire damaged nightclub. If you are in need of a public adjuster, Apex Adjusting is second to none.
Ernest Rodriguez
3 years ago
It was great working with Jonathan. He is really knowledgeable, professional and steadfast. I would highly recommend him for any insurance adjustment needs…!
Wes McClelland
3 years ago
Jonathan Kobz at Apex Adjusting was amazing to work with and he made what was a long-running saga with our insurance company bearable and he ultimately got us to a successful resolution. Having an expert on your side to explain the process is comforting.
Arvind N
4 years ago
I had water damage due to a broken pipe while i was on vacation, got the insurance involved and after some water mitigation work was done(it took 2 months) they provided me with a rebuild estimate which was a 10% of the actual cost it would take me.
Got Jonathan involved and he came in and gave a more accurate estimate of the work and fought with the insurance company to get the amount he estimated. While we didnt get the full amount, we got upto 80% of it with the insurance fighting every step of the way.
Throughout this process, on the insurance side, we had 10-13 different adjusters, but i dealt with Jonathan only and this helped a lot without having to get the new insurance adjusters upto speed. Jonathan is also very familiar with the laws and the insurance process which is a big advantage against insurance companies who try to confuse and low ball you.
I highly recommend Jonathan and the Apex adjusting group in case of dealing with insurance for any significant losses so you get service we paid for from the insurance company.
Christine-Sara Berge
4 years ago
Jonathan Kobz, is a professional that knows all the California insurance laws and was able to get my out of state insurance company to max out my insurance coverage. It literally meant being able to rebuild my home. My only wish was that my first call was to him and my second call was to my insurance company. He was fast, professional and very kind in a very stressful time. I hope I never have to use him again (I only need one house fire!) but I’m happy to recommend him to people that need him!
Jeffrey Morris
4 years ago
Not much to say other than san jose is simply the best at what he does. Won’t use anyone else.
Todd Brusa
4 years ago
I believe this is part of the PDA adjuster group. The adjuster Paul came out to my house early even given the short time window he gave. No waiting around like you do for cable companies. Very professional and I would recommend these guys to anyone. I write honest reviews and if you agree with this please hit the like button.
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