Donna M. Woods
DeSoto
Summary
Independent Insurance Adjuster with over 35 years professional experience of providing customer and client service in the legal and insurance realms. Most recent experience includes client representation during the litigation process. Extensive experience as an independent insurance claims examiner and a loss recovery specialist following major disasters. Experience also includes several years as a mortgage underwriter as well as with the Federal Reserve Bank. Certified with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Considerable emergency management program development experience. Great ability to maintain confidentiality of work records. Excellent ability to gather and analyze statistical data and generate reports. Outstanding ability to resolve problems. Excellent at interpreting National Flood Insurance Program claims. Great at analyzing complex issues. FEMA badged. Proficient in insurance policy interpretation, data analysis, and claims management software programs such as Guidewire Claims Center, LexisNexis, CCC, Acuity and LMS.
Overview
2025
2025
years of professional experience
Work History
Commercial Desk Examiner
- Reviewed policy and DEC Page for coverages
- Contacted insured FNOL and discuss the damages
- Explained the policy limits and deductible
- Assigned field adjuster’s assignment if applicable
- Prepared Reservation of Rights letter when necessary
- If the loss required Engineer, Building Consultant or CPA requested the assignment
- Reviewed
- Field Adjusters, Engineers, Building Consultants or CPA’s general loss reports, photos and estimate
- Reviewed the GLR for hurricane and flood damages
- Paid invoice for the vendor services handling the claim file
- Prepared TPA and Aggregated Calculator for the losses
- Prepared Proof of
- Loss Statements
- Paid the claim losses and contacted the insureds to discuss the settlement payment
- Prepared settlement letter and issued the payment.
Residential/Commercial Litigation Specialist
- Reviewed and approved litigation documents to respond to the Summons & Complaints from Opposing Counsels, reviewed and approved Answers & Affirmative Defenses, Responses to Discoveries and MSJ’s to filed in court by Opposing
- Counsel and Defense Counsel Representative for client as a Corporate Representative for depositions before trials
- Appear for court as a witness for each trial case
- Review trial orders and case management orders
- Reviewed estimates and photos of the damage to determine is damages were caused by the leaking pipes or water damages and hurricanes
- Provided authority to Defense
- Counsel and approved settlements amounts to Defense Counsel to make settlement offers to
- Opposing Counsel to resolve the lawsuits
- Negotiated settlements when insureds are represented by and PA’s and Attorneys.
Claim Representative
- Introduce and explained the claim process to settle with the claimant’s (public assistance) Property Damage, Personal Property claims and reimbursement for evacuation expenses
- Verified if the claimants are represented by an attorney
- Reviewed the claim forms and completed calculation worksheet and discussed the estimate of damage prepared by the field adjuster; requested their homeowners insurance provider and mortgage holder if applicable or deeds/release of lien
- Explained the additional 10% contingency amount has been added to the estimate
- Claim Representative presents the release to the claimant to read the release to ensure they understand it
- Once claimants agree to sign release the claim is settled in full and the close is closed.
Supplement Desk Adjuster
- Reviewed Catastrophe claims from start to finish; complete the
- FNOL with insureds; setup assignments to the vendors to handle the field inspections
- Reviewed the estimate, photos and the field adjuster GLR; completed the statement of loss (SOL)
- Communicate with insureds by explaining the estimate breakdown, made settlement offers and paid the claims
- SDA reviewed the GC supplement and photos; requested GC to provide codes upgrade documents when needed for Ordinance or Law endorsement is warranted
- Collaborate with Xactimate when supplements or PWI are warranted.
Property Adjuster
- Interviewed, telephoned or corresponded with claimants to obtain information of the large loss caused by Catastrophe-Hurricane Florence, approved and adjusted estimates of damages and loss amounts
- Estimate costs of repairs, replacement, or compensation
- Explain policy limits and coverage with insureds
- Prepared report of findings and negotiated settlement with claimant
- Obtain required document when insured is represented by an
- Attorney or public Adjuster
- Paid third party vendors expense invoices for service rendered.
Residential Litigation Specialist
CAT
- Reviewed and approved litigation documents to respond to the Summons & Complaints from Opposing Counsels, Answers & Affirmative Defenses
- Responses to Discoveries and MSJ’s to filed in court by Opposing Counsel and Defense Counsel
- Representative for client as a Corporate Representative for depositions before trials
- Reviewed estimates and photos of the damage to determine is damages were caused by the hurricane
- Provided authority to Defense Counsel and approved settlements amounts to Defense Counsel to make settlement offers to Opposing Counsel to resolve the lawsuits
- Negotiated settlements when insureds are represented by an PA’s or Attorneys.
Supervising Adjuster
Modern Claims Solutions, Florida Peninsula
10.2024 - 12.2024
- Reviewed estimate and photos for Catastrophe-hurricane and flooding damages
- Reviewed supplement estimates and settled the additional damage when necessary
- Reviewed prior claims filed to assure no duplicate payments for repairs
- Request engineer’s assignment, when necessary, from major flooding to the property.
Emergency Management Specialist
CDMSmith – CCPRS - FEMA
03.2024 - 08.2024
- Analyzing policies, regulations and guidance related to
- Public Assistance Grant Programs
- Provide technical assistance to three (3) State Recipients to address questions regarding regulations, laws, and COVID-19 specific policies throughout the
- Public Assistance process in accordance with the Robert T
- Stafford Disaster Relief and
- Emergency Assistance Act, Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations (44 C.F.R.) and Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2C.F.R.)
- Proficient in Grants Manager, Emergency
- Management Mission Integrated Environment (EMMIE), Google Earth Pro and FEMA Flood Map
- Service Center
- Ability to research, gather and analyze data and write clear and accurate reports
- Ability to calculate figures and amounts
- Expertise in policies, regulations and compliance requirements
- Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
Litigation Examiner
Heritage Property Insurance
03.2023 - 03.2024
- Reviewed and approved litigation documents to respond to the Summons & Complaints from Opposing Counsels, review and approve Answers & Affirmative Defenses
- Responses to Discoveries and MSJ’s to filed in court by Opposing Counsel and Defense Counsel
- Reviewed trial orders and case management orders
- Reviewed estimates and photos of the damage to determine if the damage was caused by the leaking pipes or water damage and hurricanes
- Provide authority to Defense Counsel and approved settlements amounts to Defense Counsel to make settlement offers to Opposing Counsel to resolve the lawsuits
- Negotiate settlements when insureds are represented by PA’s and Attorneys
- Approved the settlement amount for the PFS’s or
- Danis Letter
- Issued settlement checks when executed release is received
- Scheduled my pre-trial conference calls, mediations, and non-binding arbitration conference calls.
Desk Adjuster/Pre-Litigation Examiner
CCMS – People Trust Insurance
12.2022 - 09.2023
- Reviewed policy and DEC Page for coverages
- Contacted insured FNOL and discuss the damages
- Explained the policy limits and deductible
- Prepared Reservation of Rights letter when necessary
- Prepared Proof of Loss Statements
- Paid the claim losses and contacted the insureds to discuss the settlement payment
- Prepared settlement letter and issued the payment
- Prepared Statement Loss Form
- Prep file for Appraisal Team
- Review
- Negotiate with Public Adjusters and Attorney’s when NOI received prior to receiving the
- Summons and Complaints.
Adjuster
IPS -ICAT
10.2022 - 12.2022
Adjuster
CIS Group – Citizens Insurance
08.2021 - 10.2022
Property Desk Examiner
Transcynd Claim Partners – Allied Trust Insurance Company
03.2020 - 08.2021
- Virtual claims handling through Claims in the Diamond Claim System
- Review Daily and Catastrophe claim estimates and explain payment breakdown
- Prepared denial and settlement letters for settlement offers
- Analyzed supplement estimates and revised estimates when necessary
- Discussed policy coverage and deductible with insureds
- Handle contents and
- ALE losses
- Release Recoverable Depreciation once all repairs are completed.
Adjuster
E.A. Renfroe, State Farm
08.2020 - 11.2020
Adjuster
CRU Group – TDI Insurance
05.2020 - 08.2020
Adjuster
Global Risk Solution
11.2019 - 05.2020
Independent Adjuster
FKS - ASI/Progressive
08.2019 - 10.2019
Adjuster
CIS Claims, AAA and NARS
11.2018 - 08.2019
Large Loss Property Adjuster
Southwest Adjuster – NCJUA
10.2018 - 11.2018
- Reviewed large loss daily claims water damages, thefts
- California fire etc
- Explain policy limits and coverage with insureds
- Prepared report findings and negotiated settlement with claimant for Coverages A, B, C and D of their policy limits and endorsements for their HO3, HO6, HO4, DP3 and Commercial policies
- Request assignment to third party vendor to complete an inspection of the property
- Paid third party vendors expense invoices for service rendered
- Evaluated the General Contractors supplement and repairs approved supplement estimate and paid the claim
- Obtained required document when the insureds are represented by an Attorney’s or Public Adjusters
- Negotiated settlements when insureds are represented by an PA’s or Attorneys
- Approve and pay Additional Living Expenses (ALE) if applicable., Reviewed estimate and photos for large loss claims over $100K for Catastrophe-Hurricane Florence and flooding damages
- Reviewed supplement estimates and settled the additional damage when necessary
- Reviewed prior claims filed to assure no duplicate payments for repairs
- Handled incoming/outgoing calls speaking with insureds or the Agent Office to discuss policy limits and coverages
- The claims are wind and hail damage for NCJUA
- Request required document when insured is represented by an Attorney’s or Public Adjusters
- Pay third party vendor expense invoices for service rendered
- Handled commercial claims when necessary
- Negotiated settlements when insureds are represented by an PA’s or Attorneys.
Independent Adjuster
Crawford & Company -State Farm
09.2018 - 10.2018
Independent Adjuster
Claims Questions - Citizens
04.2018 - 08.2018
Claims Examiner
Worley Catastrophe, Mutual
03.2018 - 04.2018
- Reviewed claim from start to completion, completed the initial contact for facts of loss
- Reviewed estimates and payment breakdown
- Prepared denial and settlement letters for settlement offers
- Analyzed supplement estimates and revised estimates, when necessary
- Claim Xactimate
- Requested Certificate of Completion for review and made payments
- Contacted agent office as needed
- Virtual claims handling through Claim Xperience and handle contents through XactContents
- Complete Summary of Loss and ALE Calculator., Reviewed claim from start to completion, completed the initial contact for facts of loss
- Reviewed estimates and payment breakdown
- Prepared settlement letters and made settlement offers
- Analyzed supplement estimates and revised estimates, when necessary, in
- Xactimate
- Requested Certificate of Completion for review and made payments
- Contacted agent office as needed., Responsible for all phases of catastrophic property claims adjusting via interviews by telephone or correspondence with claimants to obtain information of the loss
- Approved and adjusted estimates of damages and loss amounts
- Estimated costs of repairs, replacement, or compensation
- Prepared reports of findings and negotiated settlements with claimants
- Approved and adjusted estimates of damages and loss amounts
- Reported and provided recommendations to the Casualty Claims Unit Manager on all files involving coverage questions, reinsurance involvement, and claims exceeding authority
- Identified recovery and subrogation potential and handled according to company procedural guidelines
- Collected information pertaining to the claim, investigated the cause, origin and identified third party responsibility in connection with loss.
Adjuster
Prime Consulting Group
06.2017 - 12.2017
Adjuster
CNC Catastrophe Claims, State Farm
12.2016 - 06.2017
Adjuster
Pilotcat Catastrophe, State Farm
06.2016 - 12.2016
Claim Examiner
Prime Consulting Group, State Farm, Adjuster
01.2016 - 06.2016
- Interviewed insureds via telephone or correspondence to obtain information of the facts of loss
- Discussed policy coverage and deductible with insureds
- Reviewed and approved field adjuster estimate and made settlement offer to the insured or PA
- Paid settlement and prepared denial letters when necessary
- Send assignment for reinspection if required., : Verified coverages and analyzed information gathered by investigation
- Secured interviews and/or recorded statements from claimants and witnesses
- Approved and adjusted estimates of damages and loss amounts
- Prepared reports of findings and negotiated settlements with claimants
- Evaluated auto assignments via receiving in-bound calls
- Review estimates and discuss with claimants
- Analyzed and determined the extent of insurance company’s liability concerning personal property loss or damages and attempted to settlement with claimants
- Corresponded with agents and claimants to compile information
- Calculated benefit payments and approved payments., Verified coverages and analyzed information gathered by investigation
- Secured interviews and/or recorded statements from claimants and witnesses
- Obtained police reports, scene photos, property damage estimates to assess damage and liability
- Appropriated documents findings in claim notepad
- Collected evidence to support claim decisions and support contested claims in court
- Examined claims form and other records to determine insurance coverage
- Interviewed or corresponded with agents, insureds, claimants, and other pertinent parties to handle potential coverage issues
- Negotiated claims settlements within authority limits
- Negotiated settlements when insureds are represented by an
- PA’s or Attorneys., Interviewed claimant via telephone or correspondence to obtain information of the loss
- Approved and adjusted estimates of damages and loss amounts
- Estimated costs of repairs, replacement, or compensation
- Prepared report of findings and negotiated settlements with claimants
- Reviewed and approved field adjuster estimate from inspections
- Collaborate the estimate when necessary
- Negotiated settlements when insureds are represented by an PA’s or Attorneys.
Independent Adjuster
CNC Catastrophe Claims - State Farm, Total Loss
10.2015 - 12.2015
- Evaluated auto assignments via in-bound calls
- Provided claims expertise following a disaster
- Analyzed and determined the extent of the insurance company’s liability concerning personal property loss or damages and attempted to effect settlement with claimants
- Corresponded with agents and claimants to compile information
- Reviewed VE/VIR, estimated and discussed with claimants
- Calculated benefit payments and approved payments.
Independent Adjuster
E.A. Renfroe Catastrophe, State Farm, Total
05.2015 - 10.2015
- Evaluated auto assignments via in-bound calls
- Provided claims expertise following a disaster
- Analyzed and determined the extent of the insurance company’s liability concerning personal property loss or damages and attempted to effect settlement with claimants
- Corresponded with agents and claimants to compile information
- Reviewed VE/VIR, estimated and discussed with claimants
- Calculated benefit payments and approved payments.
Independent Adjuster
Wardlaw Claims, State Farm
08.2014 - 10.2015
- ACC Liability: Determine proper policy coverages, and where necessary, investigated, evaluated, negotiated and equitably settled and established liability
- Analyzed and determined the extent of insurance company’s liability concerning personal property
- Documented recorded statement from insured, claimants, and witnesses when necessary
- Reviewed and paid estimates for property damages
- Conducted quality first contact with name insureds.
Consumer Loan Underwriter III
Wells Fargo Mortgage, Fannie Mae
01.2012 - 08.2013
- Reviewed and validated, /Freddie
- Mac/Conventional loans
- Analyzed and interpreted loan files, including but not limited to applications and related documentation and servicing information, for the purposes of Home
- Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) reporting and fair lending monitoring
- Reviewed origination loans documentation according to the policies and procedures
- Verified all documentation of income, credits, appraisals, and titles
- Audited mortgage files for compliance in accordance with
- Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) guidelines.
Mortgage Underwriter
JP Morgan Chase Mortgage
09.2011 - 01.2012
- Audited mortgage files for compliance in accordance with RESPA guidelines
- Analyzed and interpreted loan files, including but not limited to applications and related documentation and servicing information, for the purposes of HMDA reporting and fair lending monitoring
- Remained informed and comprehensive of compliance and regulations for
- RESPA guidelines
- Prepared and updated audit findings in client compliance audit report via
- SharePoint
- Assisted with AML Compliance Training on identification and reporting of suspicious transactions
- Maintained an understanding of money laundering and terrorist activities.
Litigation Specialist
Citigroup
06.2005 - 09.2011
- Reviewed Summons & Complaints from Opposing Counsels, Answers &
- Affirmative Defenses, Responses to Discoveries and MSJ’s to filed in court by Opposing Counsel
- Investigated claims reported on insured policies to determine coverage and to extend settlement for the damages
- Handled lawsuit received from insured Opposing Counsels
- Answered questions from insureds and attorneys to resolve problems and concerns
- Reviewed policy coverage and processed moderate to complex litigation claims
- Ensured litigations deadlines were met by closely monitoring case statuses and provided routine status reports
- Managed existing workloads effectively to achieve high quality and quantity production goals and provided excellence customer service
- Reviewed estimates and photos of the damage.
Education
A.A. - Business Management
University of Phoenix
01.2011
License - Cosmetology
Aladdin Beauty College
01.1993
Skills
- Professional ethics
- Claims evaluation
- Assertiveness
- Policy interpretation
Registrations Certifications
- All-Lines License Texas
- Michigan
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Florida
- Alabama
- Louisiana
- Delaware
- NFIP Certificate
- State Farm Auto Certificate
- State Farm Fire Certificate
- Liberty Mutual Certificate
- Citizens Certificate
Timeline
Supervising Adjuster
Modern Claims Solutions, Florida Peninsula
10.2024 - 12.2024
Emergency Management Specialist
CDMSmith – CCPRS - FEMA
03.2024 - 08.2024
Litigation Examiner
Heritage Property Insurance
03.2023 - 03.2024
Desk Adjuster/Pre-Litigation Examiner
CCMS – People Trust Insurance
12.2022 - 09.2023
Adjuster
IPS -ICAT
10.2022 - 12.2022
Adjuster
CIS Group – Citizens Insurance
08.2021 - 10.2022
Adjuster
E.A. Renfroe, State Farm
08.2020 - 11.2020
Adjuster
CRU Group – TDI Insurance
05.2020 - 08.2020
Property Desk Examiner
Transcynd Claim Partners – Allied Trust Insurance Company
03.2020 - 08.2021
Adjuster
Global Risk Solution
11.2019 - 05.2020
Independent Adjuster
FKS - ASI/Progressive
08.2019 - 10.2019
Adjuster
CIS Claims, AAA and NARS
11.2018 - 08.2019
Large Loss Property Adjuster
Southwest Adjuster – NCJUA
10.2018 - 11.2018
Independent Adjuster
Crawford & Company -State Farm
09.2018 - 10.2018
Independent Adjuster
Claims Questions - Citizens
04.2018 - 08.2018
Claims Examiner
Worley Catastrophe, Mutual
03.2018 - 04.2018
Adjuster
Prime Consulting Group
06.2017 - 12.2017
Adjuster
CNC Catastrophe Claims, State Farm
12.2016 - 06.2017
Adjuster
Pilotcat Catastrophe, State Farm
06.2016 - 12.2016
Claim Examiner
Prime Consulting Group, State Farm, Adjuster
01.2016 - 06.2016
Independent Adjuster
CNC Catastrophe Claims - State Farm, Total Loss
10.2015 - 12.2015
Independent Adjuster
E.A. Renfroe Catastrophe, State Farm, Total
05.2015 - 10.2015
Independent Adjuster
Wardlaw Claims, State Farm
08.2014 - 10.2015
Consumer Loan Underwriter III
Wells Fargo Mortgage, Fannie Mae
01.2012 - 08.2013
Mortgage Underwriter
JP Morgan Chase Mortgage
09.2011 - 01.2012
Litigation Specialist
Citigroup
06.2005 - 09.2011
A.A. - Business Management
University of Phoenix
License - Cosmetology
Aladdin Beauty College
Commercial Desk Examiner
Residential/Commercial Litigation Specialist
Claim Representative
Supplement Desk Adjuster
Property Adjuster
Residential Litigation Specialist
CAT
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