Thank you for Subscribing to Insurance Business Review Weekly Brief
Ron Schoeneman, CEO and Mitchell Schoeneman, Managing-partnerA property loss is more than damaged buildings and insurance paperwork. It is an overwhelming experience that leaves many property owners wondering who to trust and how to navigate a complex claims process. Since 1970, A Schoeneman & Co. has helped policyholders document losses, negotiate with insurers and coordinate recovery, giving them an experienced advocate from the first phone call until their property and lives are back on track.
Founded by Allen Schoeneman, the family-owned firm has grown through three generations. After working alongside his father for 45 years, CEO Ron Schoeneman continues to lead the business with his son Mitchell continuing the family's commitment to helping policyholders through every stage of a property loss.
"We're big enough to handle any claim but small enough to give every client the individual attention they deserve. The goal for every claim is to maximize recovery and restore what matters,” says Ron Schoeneman.
One Call, One Team
Recovering from a fire, flood or other major loss often means coordinating insurers, contractors, mitigation specialists and environmental professionals. A Schoeneman & Co. simplifies that process by serving as the policyholder's advocate throughout the insurance claim while helping clients access trusted recovery services.
As a public adjuster, the firm represents the policyholder, not the insurance company, by documenting losses, preparing claims and negotiating fair settlements. Clients may also choose separately operated affiliated businesses for mitigation, environmental testing and licensed restoration services, providing coordinated support without having to identify every provider independently.
Advocacy When It Matters Most
Ron has seen insurer automation and reduced staffing make direct communication more difficult for some policyholders. That is where A Schoeneman & Co. steps in. The team reports claims, documents damage, protects properties from further loss and continues moving claims forward when insurer responses slow. Advanced estimating software, electronic claim files, Matterport, drone documentation and selected AI tools strengthen documentation and follow-up while supporting, never replacing, personal service.
-
We're big enough to handle any claim but small enough to give every client the individual attention they deserve." The goal for every claim is to maximize recovery and restore what matters.
The firm typically reports claims within 24 hours and dispatches professionals within 24 to 48 hours. Remote estimating capabilities also allow it to support residential and commercial claims beyond Illinois, helping clients across multiple regions navigate complex losses.
Experience That Delivers Results
The firm's consistent success in resolving challenging claims is evident in a recent commercial case in Chicago's Fulton Market district. After the insurer initially denied coverage, A Schoeneman & Co. documented the damage, prepared detailed estimates, assembled supporting evidence and continued presenting the policyholder's position. The matter later settled for USD 1.7 million.
The outcome reflects the expertise of a broader specialist team. Ron brings 45 years of public adjusting experience, Mitchell Schoeneman brings 15 years of public adjusting and restoration expertise. Full-time estimators, inventory specialists and claim handlers support residential, commercial and business-interruption claims, giving clients experienced guidance throughout the process. Justin Schoeneman now spearheads the environmental testing division, which has become a focal point in todays insurance claim needs.
That commitment has earned the firm a stellar reputation built largely through referrals and repeat business. Rather than relying on extensive marketing, many new clients come through recommendations from former clients, insurance professionals and long-standing industry relationships developed over more than six decades.
Helping People Rebuild Their Lives
Family values continue to shape every aspect of the business. Beyond negotiating settlements, the team understands clients are often coping with one of the most difficult experiences of their lives. The goal is not simply to resolve a claim but to guide people through recovery with empathy, responsiveness and individualized attention.
Whether helping arrange temporary housing, coordinating recovery services or advocating during complex negotiations, A Schoeneman & Co. remains committed to protecting policyholders' interests from beginning to end. The family also intends to preserve the firm's independent ownership, ensuring clients continue working with the same trusted team. By combining nationwide capability with personal accountability, the company makes sure property owners never have to face the insurance claims process alone.
Choosing Insurance Claims Services that Protect Outcomes
Insurance claims services have become an important resource for organizations dealing with property damage, business interruption and increasingly complicated policies. Weather events, construction inflation and evolving insurer processes have raised the stakes for claim preparation and negotiation. Buyers evaluating claims partners are no longer looking only for administrative support. They want firms that can keep documentation organized, respond quickly and make a strong case with insurers while the internal teams stay focused on keeping the business running.
A capable claims partner should simplify fragmented process. Property owners frequently find themselves coordinating adjusters, emergency mitigation providers, restoration contractors and technical specialists, each operating on separate timelines. Every additional handoff increases the possibility of communication gaps, duplicated work and delays that can influence settlement outcomes. Organizations benefit when a provider can coordinate these activities through a unified approach that keeps documentation, scheduling and decision-making aligned from the initial loss through final resolution.
Technical expertise also deserves scrutiny. A strong claim starts with accurate estimates, clear documentation of the loss and a solid understanding of the policy. Digital tools have made inspections faster and more precise, but they cannot determine the outcome of a claim on their own. Experienced professionals are still needed to make sense of inspection findings, prepare the right documentation and work through disagreements with insurers. Buyers should look for organizations that use technology to support that expertise rather than try to replace it. When a claim becomes complicated, it often takes experience, judgment and a conversation between people to reach the right outcome.
Responsiveness is another factor that can make a real difference. A property loss can quickly affect revenue, disrupt tenants and drive up repair costs. The longer it takes to document the damage or get the claim moving, the harder it can become for the policyholder. Buyers should look at how quickly a provider can get people to the site, keep everyone informed and stay involved throughout negotiations. Regular communication and consistent follow-up give clients a clearer picture of what is happening at a time when business leaders are already dealing with difficult financial and operational decisions.
Experience across multiple disciplines adds further value. Insurance claims often involve estimating, construction knowledge, environmental considerations, contents documentation and financial analysis. A provider that combines these capabilities can develop a more complete understanding of the loss and present stronger supporting evidence. Long-standing industry experience is valuable when paired with professionals who understand current claim practices, emerging technologies and changing insurer expectations. Buyers should also examine evidence of successful outcomes involving difficult or disputed claims, since those situations reveal the depth of a firm's advocacy and technical capability.
A Schoeneman & Co., Inc. exemplifies these qualities through an integrated claims advocacy model refined over more than five decades. It combines public adjusting, mitigation coordination, environmental testing and restoration support through affiliated businesses. This allows clients to work with fewer vendors while keeping the claims process connected. Rather than relying solely on automation, it pairs drone inspections, Matterport imaging, remote estimating and advanced estimating software with experienced claims professionals who guide negotiations from start to finish. Its commercial experience includes property management, manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, education and other sectors, where it supports clients with property damage, business interruption and builder’s risk claims. This combination of coordinated service, multidisciplinary expertise and sustained advocacy makes it a dependable partner for organizations navigating complex insurance claims.
...Read more
Company : A Schoeneman & Co., Inc.
ManagementRon Schoeneman, CEO and Mitchell Schoeneman, Managing-partner
