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When fire struck Glen Burnie Transmissions, our team at Sill Public Adjusters immediately stepped in to manage the complex insurance claim process, allowing the owners to focus on their customers and business continuity plans.
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We are conducting a thorough assessment of the building and equipment damage, ensuring Glen Burnie Transmissions receives the full settlement they deserve to restore this long-standing community business.
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At Sill, we specialize in guiding business owners through disaster recovery, reducing their burden and accelerating their path to resuming operations—just as we're doing for Glen Burnie Transmissions.
Timeline of the Fire Incident
The alarm system at Glen Burnie Transmissions triggered an unexpected alert that would change the course of the business's operations. According to Mark Schwartzman, President of Glen Burnie Transmissions, the incident began with one of the most dreaded calls a business owner can receive - notification from the alarm company that a fire had broken out at the premises and emergency services had been dispatched. "One of the worst calls you can ever get is from the alarm company saying there is a fire at your business and the Fire Department has been called," recounted Schwartzman.
Emergency response and containment
Upon receiving the alert, the Fire Department quickly mobilized to the Glen Burnie Transmissions facility, preventing the fire from destroying the building. Fire crews efficiently controlled the blaze, though details on the firefighting duration are undisclosed. Following protocols for commercial fires, responders likely established a perimeter and used specialized equipment to address hazards from automotive fluids and pressurized containers. The emergency team's coordinated efforts successfully extinguished the fire, as noted by Schwartzman's reference to actions taken "after the fire was put out."
Initial reports from the scene
Preliminary assessments from the scene indicated significant damage to the transmission repair shop's facility. The extent of the damage prompted the business owners to contact Sill Public Adjusters immediately after the incident.
"The best call you can make after the fire is put out is to Jeff Gould at Sill Public Adjusters in Baltimore," stated Schwartzman, highlighting the severity of the situation and the need for professional assistance with the insurance claim process.
Initial evaluations suggested the damage was substantial enough to warrant specialized insurance claim support, particularly concerning business interruption considerations. Jeff Gould and his team from Sill Public Adjusters were brought in specifically to advocate for the business in obtaining proper settlements from their insurer.
These early reports from the scene ultimately guided the recovery strategy, with Schwartzman later acknowledging that the decision to hire public adjusters resulted in significantly better reimbursement than might have been obtained through direct negotiations with insurance carriers alone.
Extent of Damage to Glen Burnie Transmissions
The aftermath of the fire revealed extensive damage throughout the Glen Burnie Transmissions facility, prompting a comprehensive assessment by insurance professionals. Once firefighters completed their work, the full extent of destruction became apparent, affecting nearly every aspect of the transmission repair shop's operations.
Structural damage to the facility
The blaze caused substantial structural damage to the Glen Burnie Transmissions building. Inspection reports indicated compromised areas throughout the facility, affecting both customer-facing spaces and technical work areas. The specialized bays where transmission repairs typically took place suffered particularly severe damage.
Heat and smoke damage extended beyond the fire's immediate vicinity, affecting electrical systems, ventilation, and structural supports essential for safe operation. This extensive damage made it impossible for the business to continue operations without significant reconstruction efforts.
Mark Schwartzman, President of Glen Burnie Transmissions, noted that the extent of structural damage was one of the primary reasons they sought professional assistance from Jeff Gould at Sill Public Adjusters in Baltimore. "Jeff and his team were our advocates, making sure we got the best settlements from our Insurer," Schwartzman stated in a June 2025 testimonial.
Impact on equipment and inventory
The fire dealt a devastating blow to the specialized equipment used in transmission diagnostics and repairs. Modern transmission repair shops rely on sophisticated computer systems, hydraulic lifts, specialized tools, and diagnostic equipment—most of which suffered severe damage or complete destruction.
Additionally, the inventory of transmission parts, fluids, and customer vehicles in various stages of repair were affected. This specialized equipment and inventory represented not just significant financial value but also the shop's ability to serve its customers effectively.
The damage assessment revealed that much of this equipment would need complete replacement rather than repair, further escalating the recovery costs. This comprehensive loss of equipment essentially halted all business operations, creating an urgent need for proper valuation during the insurance claim process.
Estimated financial loss
While exact figures haven't been disclosed, the financial impact of the fire extends well beyond the visible physical damage. The comprehensive loss encompasses:
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Direct property damage (building and structural elements)
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Specialized transmission repair equipment replacement costs
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Inventory and parts replacement
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Business interruption losses during reconstruction
Schwartzman emphasized that working with public adjusters substantially increased their reimbursement compared to what they might have received working directly with insurance adjusters. "I would venture to say we received so much more reimbursement and work done than if we just relied on our Carriers' claim adjusters," he noted.
Perhaps most notably, the business benefited from "doubling of our Business Interruption" compensation due to the expertise of Sill's CPA-led loss calculation team. This additional compensation proved crucial, as business interruption costs often exceed direct property damage in situations where operations cease completely.
The complexity of the claim and substantial financial impact justified Sill's fee, which Schwartzman described as "so well worth it!!!" This sentiment underscores the significant difference between initial insurance offers and final settlements achieved through professional representation—a gap that often amounts to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars for businesses with specialized equipment like transmission repair shops.
Response from Business Owners and Staff
Mark Schwartzman's voice conveys both the shock and resolve that followed the devastating blaze at his business. As President of Glen Burnie Transmissions, his perspective offers valuable insight into how the transmission repair shop's leadership responded to this crisis.
Statements from the owner
"One of the worst calls you can ever get is from the Alarm company saying there is a fire at your business and the Fire Department has been called," Schwartzman recounted in a June 2025 testimonial. This candid statement captures the initial distress faced by the business owner upon learning about the incident.
Nonetheless, Schwartzman quickly pivoted from shock to action. His subsequent decision to engage professional help proved instrumental in managing the aftermath. "The best call you can make after the fire is put out is to Jeff Gould at Sill Public Adjusters in Baltimore," he stated, highlighting how seeking expert assistance became a turning point in their recovery journey.
Moreover, Schwartzman expressed appreciation for the advocacy provided by the public adjusters. "Jeff and his team were our advocates, making sure we got the best settlements from our Insurer," he explained. This partnership yielded tangible benefits for the business, as he acknowledged receiving "so much more reimbursement and work done than if we just relied on our Carriers' claim adjusters."
Beyond property damage, the business interruption aspect emerged as a critical component of their claim. Schwartzman specifically credited "the excellent work of Sill's CPA lead loss calculation team" with "doubling of our Business Interruption" compensation. This outcome substantially supported the shop's financial stability throughout the closure period.
Even with Sill's fee, which Schwartzman emphatically described as "so well worth it!!!", the overall financial outcome far exceeded what might have been achieved through direct negotiation with insurance carriers.
Immediate steps taken post-incident
As the immediate danger subsided, Schwartzman and his management team implemented their crisis response plan. Their first strategic decision involved contacting Sill Public Adjusters rather than attempting to navigate the complex insurance process independently.
In addition, they established temporary administrative operations to manage ongoing business concerns, including:
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Communicating with customers about pending repairs and service appointments
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Coordinating with insurance representatives and public adjusters
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Developing contingency plans for staff employment during the rebuilding
The leadership team simultaneously began assessing options for rebuilding and restoring operations. This forward-looking approach, coupled with professional claim assistance, positioned Glen Burnie Transmissions to maximize their insurance recovery while minimizing the closure period.
Throughout this process, Schwartzman maintained his role as an accessible leader, even offering to personally discuss his experience with others facing similar situations. His invitation to "feel free to contact me for my praises of Jeff Gould and Sill" demonstrates his commitment to transparency and willingness to share lessons learned from this challenging experience.
Role of Sill Public Adjusters in the Aftermath
Immediately after the fire, securing professional help became the priority for Glen Burnie Transmissions. The complexity of insurance claims following a major fire incident requires specialized expertise that most business owners simply don't possess.
Why Glen Burnie Transmissions hired a public adjuster
The decision to hire Sill Public Adjusters came from recognizing the challenges of navigating a complex insurance claim. Mark Schwartzman specifically sought out Jeff Gould at Sill's Baltimore office based on their reputation for handling commercial property claims.
"Jeff and his team were our advocates, making sure we got the best settlements from our Insurer," Schwartzman explained. Unlike insurance company adjusters who represent the insurer's interests, public adjusters work exclusively for the policyholder, ensuring the transmission repair shop received fair compensation.
This decision proved financially sound. Schwartzman noted they "received so much more reimbursement and work done than if we just relied on our Carriers' claim adjusters." Perhaps most importantly, the business benefited from "doubling of our Business Interruption" compensation through "the excellent work of Sill's CPA lead loss calculation team."
How the claim process is being handled
The claim process involves several specialized services provided by the public adjusters:
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Policy evaluation to determine coverage limits and entitlements
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Comprehensive damage inspection documenting all losses
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Preparation of detailed damage reports for the insurance company
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Direct negotiation with the insurer's representatives
Jeff Gould's team is handling documentation of both physical damages and business interruption losses. This comprehensive approach ensures nothing gets overlooked in the settlement process.
The public adjusters serve as a buffer between the business and insurance company, relieving Schwartzman and his team from the burden of complex negotiations while they focus on rebuilding their transmission repair operations.
Expected timeline for insurance settlement
The timeline for complete settlement varies, yet having professional representation typically accelerates the process. Public adjusters help property owners "settle insurance claims faster" than they would on their own.
For Glen Burnie Transmissions, the claim appears to be progressing efficiently. By June 2025, Schwartzman was already able to provide a positive testimonial about the results, suggesting substantial progress in the settlement process.
Despite Sill's fee, which Schwartzman described as "so well worth it!!!", the significantly higher settlement amount and faster resolution justified the investment.