SCCAI Eastern Branch, Northwestern Branch, and RICS California Chapter

TOPIC: Basics of Property Insurance. What Appraisers Need to Know.

As extreme weather events like the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires grow more frequent and severe, property insurance is becoming an increasingly critical concern for appraisers and property owners alike. In some cases, soaring insurance rates have rendered assets virtually uninsurable. This session explores how environmental due diligence and clear communication of value can help mitigate insurance risks and improve outcomes for clients.

Session Overview:

• Joseph Derhake, PE, will discuss the insurance crisis through the lens of recent climate-related disasters, including the L.A. fires. He will explain how due diligence data can be used to increase a property’s climate resilience and support better insurance outcomes. Attendees will learn practical strategies for assessing risk and mitigating environmental impacts in high-risk areas.
• Thomas Dawson, ASA, will introduce core insurance concepts relevant to personal property appraisers. His presentation will cover:
  • How to communicate the value of appraisal services for insurance purposes.
  • How to empower clients to ask the right questions when dealing with insurance agents.
  • The key roles and responsibilities in the insured-insurer relationship.
  • The claims process and how to support clients with real-world examples.
• Bryan Hill, CAC, will provide first-hand insight into the environmental impact of the L.A. fires and current approaches to mitigation. His extensive experience in wildfire response and disaster assessment will help attendees understand how appraisers can work alongside environmental experts in post-disaster scenarios.

Speakers:

Joseph Derhake, PE
Founder and CEO, Partner Engineering and Science, Inc.
Joseph Derhake has over 25 years of experience as a professional engineer and leader in environmental and engineering due diligence for commercial real estate. He has overseen thousands of transactions, investigations, and remediation projects, while contributing to policy development at major financial institutions. His background bridges technical, environmental, and financial considerations within the commercial property space.

Thomas Dawson, ASA
Appraiser and Insurance Specialist
Thomas Dawson brings over a decade of experience at the intersection of insurance and personal property appraisals. A certified commercial insurance specialist since 2016, he has quoted and managed thousands of policies covering homes, autos, fine art, musical instruments, manuscripts, and other collectibles. As an ASA-accredited appraiser since 2017, Dawson specializes in high-value personal property with a focus on musical instruments and music collections. He also has a background in music performance, production, and licensing.

Bryan Hill, CAC
Technical Director, Partner Engineering and Science, Inc.
Bryan Hill has over 20 years of experience in environmental consulting and industrial hygiene, including 15 years focused on wildfire response and post-disaster services. As a California Certified Asbestos Consultant, he specializes in indoor air quality, hazardous materials management, and environmental risk assessments related to climate disasters. His hands-on experience in wildfire zones brings a critical perspective to property assessment and recovery.