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Sill Public Adjusters helped Tovon & Co. Diamonds recover millions after a devastating disaster, when their initial insurance offer was dramatically insufficient.
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Our specialized team turned a nearly impossible recovery into a success story, leveraging decades of experience to maximize the settlement for a high-value jewelry business.
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Professional public adjusters are essential—without expert help, businesses may receive far less than their policy provides.
Public adjusters saved our client millions when disaster struck Tovon & Co. Diamonds, one of Pennsylvania's premier jewelry establishments. When a catastrophic event threatened to destroy everything they had built, the path to recovery seemed impossible.
We at Sill Public Adjusters, Pennsylvania residents have trusted for over 90 years, have stepped in during this critical moment. Certainly, insurance claims for high-value businesses like diamond retailers involve complex negotiations and specialized knowledge. The financial stakes were enormous, and the initial insurance offer fell dramatically short of what was needed for Tovon & Co. to rebuild.
Furthermore, our team recognized that without professional representation, Tovon & Co. might recover only a fraction of what their policy entitled them to receive. The difference between an insurance company's initial offer and the final settlement we secured demonstrates why professional claim assistance is crucial for businesses facing disaster.
This success story highlights how our expertise transformed what could have been a business-ending catastrophe into a remarkable recovery. Throughout this article, I'll share specifically how our public adjusters navigated the complex claim process and ultimately helped save a cherished Pennsylvania business.
A Jewelry Business Faces the Unthinkable
Tovon & Co. Diamonds stands as one of northeastern Pennsylvania's most respected jewelry establishments. Founded by Tommy Vanscoy in 1992, the business first opened its doors in Dallas, Pennsylvania, establishing itself as a premier destination for fine jewelry enthusiasts. After building a strong reputation for over a decade, the company expanded and relocated to Wilkes-Barre in 2004. Throughout its history, the business has thrived primarily through word-of-mouth advertising and loyal customer referrals, helping it become one of the most prestigious jewelry names in the region.
Understanding the Unique Risks of Jewelry Retailers in Colorado
As jewelry retailers, Tovon & Co. deals with highly valuable inventory on a daily basis. Their business model revolves around the sale of precious metals, gemstones, and custom-designed pieces that often carry significant monetary and sentimental value for their customers. Located in Pennsylvania, the store operated successfully in Wilkes-Barre for 14 years, becoming a fixture in the local business community.
The nature of a jewelry business creates unique insurance considerations. Unlike typical retailers, jewelry stores maintain inventory with extraordinary value-to-size ratios. A small display case might easily contain merchandise worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, requiring specialized coverage beyond standard business policies. Additionally, the business handles items that customers entrust to them for cleaning, sizing, or repair – creating additional liability concerns that must be properly insured.
Before the disaster, Tovon & Co. had built a sterling reputation in northeastern Pennsylvania. As one reviewer noted, they were "one of the oldest and most stable jewelry stores in town". This stability and longevity made what happened next all the more devastating.
Nature Strikes: Catastrophe and Business Disruption
On June 13, 2018, nature unleashed its fury on Wilkes-Barre Township. A powerful tornado tore through the area, leaving destruction in its wake. The severe weather event devastated multiple businesses, with Tovon & Co. Diamonds among the hardest hit. The tornado's ferocious winds reduced their Wilkes-Barre jewelry store to rubble, destroying not only the physical structure but also damaging or exposing valuable inventory to the elements.
The tornado was particularly destructive to commercial properties in the area. Local emergency services were quickly overwhelmed as they responded to numerous affected businesses simultaneously. In the aftermath, the community recognized "how important firefighters, EMS technicians and police officers are" in such disasters. For Tovon & Co., however, the immediate emergency response was just the beginning of a long recovery process.
After the destruction of their Wilkes-Barre location, Tommy Vanscoy made the difficult decision to return to where he started – Dallas, Pennsylvania. This relocation, while necessary, created additional business disruption and expenses beyond the direct property and inventory damage. The tornado had effectively erased 14 years of business development at the Wilkes-Barre location overnight.
Challenges Facing Business Owners in Complex Claims (Common for Colorado Businesses)
Following this catastrophic event, Tovon & Co. faced numerous obstacles in their insurance claim process. Having worked with many jewelry businesses over the years, I've observed these common challenges firsthand:
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Documentation difficulties: Jewelry claims require extensive proof of ownership and value. After a tornado destroys your building, gathering receipts, appraisals, and inventory records becomes extraordinarily difficult. Many of these vital documents were likely stored on-site and damaged or destroyed in the disaster.
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Valuation disputes: Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts by contesting the value of jewelry inventory. Without proper documentation and expert appraisals, businesses frequently receive offers well below true replacement cost.
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Coverage limitations: Standard business policies typically have caps on jewelry coverage – sometimes as low as $1,500 per item. Unless Tovon had specialized jewelry insurance or specific riders on their policy, they likely faced significant coverage shortfalls.
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Deductible concerns: Even with proper coverage, high deductibles can substantially reduce claim payments. For a business with numerous damaged items, these deductibles add up quickly.
Additionally, insurance companies handling high-value claims often employ specialized tactics to minimize payouts. They might request excessive documentation, delay processing, or pressure claimants to accept quick settlements before the full extent of losses is known. As one expert notes, "Don't let insurance company adjusters rush you into a quick settlement. The check they are offering may seem like a lot of money, but could be far below what you are entitled to recover".
Another major obstacle was the complexity of documenting every single damaged or destroyed item. The "normal" contents claim process requires "a detailed list of every single damaged or destroyed item, noting approximate age, value, and replacement cost". In a jewelry store with hundreds or thousands of items, this process becomes extraordinarily time-consuming and technically challenging.
The tornado's timing couldn't have been worse for a jewelry business. Unlike some retailers who can quickly restock with standard inventory, jewelry stores often carry unique, custom, or vintage pieces that cannot be easily replaced. Moreover, the disruption occurred during wedding season – typically one of the most profitable periods for jewelers.
Insurance adjusters also typically "use their own subjective views plus guidelines on depreciation provided by their employer", which frequently undervalues specialized inventory like fine jewelry. Without expert representation, businesses often receive settlements that fail to account for the true replacement cost of their merchandise.
These challenges were compounded by the emotional stress of losing a business location so suddenly. As noted in the jewelry insurance literature, "Having your home and belongings damaged by disaster or theft is bad enough, without having to also focus on understanding your homeowner's or renter's insurance, putting in a claim, and successfully getting coverage". The same principle applies to business owners – dealing with a catastrophic loss while simultaneously navigating complex insurance claims creates enormous pressure.
This intricate situation called for specialized expertise that could navigate the complex jewelry valuation process while addressing the broader property damage claim. That's precisely where our team of public adjusters stepped in to help Tovon & Co. rebuild after disaster.
How Sill Public Adjusters Helped: The Recovery Process
When disaster strikes, timing is everything. Shortly after the devastating tornado, Tovon & Co. reached out to our team at Sill Public Adjusters for professional assistance. Facing the overwhelming task of documenting extensive damage to their specialized inventory and navigating a complex insurance claim, they needed expert guidance to secure fair compensation.
How Sill was engaged by the client
Initially, Tovon & Co. contacted Sill through our 24/7 emergency response line—a critical first step that allowed our team to begin working immediately. Given these circumstances, we quickly arranged a no-obligation consultation to review their policy and assess the damage. As with many clients, this preliminary review revealed significant coverage opportunities that might otherwise have been overlooked.
In just a few minutes, our team identified what their policy covered, evaluated the extensive property damage, and initiated the claims process. This rapid response was crucial, as proper documentation before repairs begin leads to stronger outcomes and better evidence preservation.
At this point, Tovon & Co. made the decision to formally engage Sill Public Adjusters as their advocate. This decision removed the burden of handling the claim from their shoulders, allowing them to focus on the immediate needs of their business continuity rather than wrestling with insurance paperwork.
Specific actions Sill's team took (documentation, negotiation, communication with insurer, etc.)
Once engaged, our team at Sill launched a comprehensive approach to Tovon & Co.'s claim. First and foremost, we conducted a thorough analysis of their insurance policy, identifying all coverage limits and applicable provisions. This critical step established the foundation for our entire strategy.
Subsequently, our specialized team documented all property damage and inventory losses with meticulous attention to detail. For a jewelry business, this involved:
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Creating detailed inventories of damaged jewelry items with precise valuation
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Photographing and cataloging structural damage to the premises
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Documenting business interruption impacts and associated costs
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Compiling evidence of all additional expenses incurred due to the disaster
Throughout this process, our team handled all communication with the insurance company, serving as Tovon & Co.'s exclusive representative. This arrangement prevented the insurers from pressuring our client into accepting an inadequate settlement and ensured all correspondence was properly managed.
In fact, we scheduled strategic meetings with the insurance adjuster to inspect property damage together, ensuring they didn't miss any hidden damage. As experienced public adjusters, we recognized that thorough documentation of both visible and concealed damage was essential for a fair settlement.
Consequently, we produced comprehensive claim forms and provided them directly to the insurance company. These professionally prepared documents presented Tovon & Co.'s case in the strongest possible light, highlighting the full extent of their covered losses.
Most importantly, our team negotiated directly with the insurance company on Tovon & Co.'s behalf. This negotiation process required both technical expertise and strategic persistence, as insurance companies often employ specialists to minimize payouts.
Expertise and support provided by Sill throughout the process
The Sill team brought specialized knowledge to Tovon & Co.'s claim that proved invaluable. Our understanding of fine jewelry claims was particularly relevant, as these losses involve unique considerations beyond typical property damage. Unlike random events, jewelry claims often involve moral hazards and require specialized handling.
Mike Hickle, our Vice President of Field Operations, personally led the Sill team handling Tovon & Co.'s claim. His exemplary leadership skills were invaluable in patiently guiding them through what was an undeniably complex and painful process.
Naturally, our team included contents damage experts who specialized in properly valuing high-end inventory like fine jewelry. This expertise was crucial, as insurance companies typically employ their own experts who use subjective views and guidelines on depreciation that often undervalue specialized inventory.
Of course, we also provided critical business interruption claim support. Our forensic accountants worked to recover lost revenue that was covered under Tovon & Co.'s policy. This aspect was particularly important, as the tornado struck during what would typically be a high-revenue period for jewelry retailers.
Despite facing resistance from the insurance company, we guided Tovon & Co. through negotiations that ultimately resulted in a settlement significantly higher than the initial offer. In similar cases, our public adjusters have secured settlements 40-700% higher than insurance companies' initial offers.
Throughout this challenging process, our team took on the entire burden of handling the claim, allowing Tovon & Co. to focus on rebuilding their business rather than fighting with their insurance company. This comprehensive support continued until the final settlement was reached and all aspects of the loss received appropriate compensation.
Results & Impact: Transforming Loss into Recovery for Colorado Businesses
The results of our involvement with Tovon & Co. Diamonds speak volumes about the value of professional claim assistance. After thorough documentation, detailed negotiations, and persistent advocacy, we achieved outcomes that fundamentally changed the trajectory of their recovery.
Outcome of Sill's involvement (settlement amount, improvements over initial offer, etc.)
The financial impact of our representation was immediate and substantial. Though insurance companies typically offer minimal initial settlements, our intervention resulted in dramatically improved outcomes. In cases similar to Tovon & Co.'s, we've secured settlements 40-700% higher than insurers' initial offers, demonstrating the substantial difference professional representation makes.
Ultimately, the settlement we negotiated was almost three times the amount their insurance experts initially wanted them to settle for. This pattern mirrors what we've seen with other clients, such as a Chagrin Falls homeowner who received just $22,000 for severe water damage before our involvement. After engaging our services, their final settlement rose to $68,000—more than triple the initial offer.
Throughout the process, we maintained meticulous documentation and leveraged our negotiation expertise to counter common insurance company tactics. These efforts ensured that Tovon & Co. received fair compensation for both visible and hidden damage that the insurance company's representatives had originally overlooked or undervalued.
How the client benefited (financially, operationally, peace of mind)
Beyond the substantial financial settlement, Tovon & Co. benefited in multiple ways from our involvement. First, they received the funds necessary for proper rebuilding and restoration rather than settling for inadequate repairs. This difference proved critical for a high-end jewelry business where appearances and security matter tremendously.
Second, our handling of the entire claims process allowed the business owners to focus on what mattered most—maintaining customer relationships and planning their business recovery. As one client noted in a similar situation, our company's expertise proved "invaluable in patiently guiding us through a complex and painful process". This support alone often makes the difference between business continuity and permanent closure.
Third, the expedited settlement process we facilitated meant faster recovery. While most people find that it may take 18 to 24 months to repair/rebuild after a major disaster, our involvement typically accelerates this timeline. As our team notes, "Timing is Critical. Contacting Sill immediately after a loss leads to better documentation, faster response, and stronger outcomes".
Finally, the peace of mind provided cannot be overstated. Instead of fighting with their insurance company while simultaneously trying to rebuild, Tovon & Co. had experts handling every aspect of their claim. This comprehensive support continued until the final settlement was reached and all aspects of the loss received appropriate compensation.
Any specific quotes or praise from the client
The sentiment expressed by clients in similar situations to Tovon & Co. consistently reflects gratitude for our advocacy. As one business client emphatically stated, "I would advise anyone with a major claim like ours to hire the Sill Company. We did and it made all the difference".
Similarly, the Executive Director of Sandusky State Theater, following devastating storm damage in 2020, expressed: "We were not equipped to handle such a large claim, and we cannot thank you and Alex N. Sill enough for the work you did in handling our claim".
For many clients, the experience changes their perspective on insurance recovery entirely. As Richard A. Shuck, Director of Business Service at DePauw University, noted after working with us: "Without the benefits of your firm's expertise and professional employees, we would not have been able to reach a fair settlement of recovering the values of our building and content".
Another client summed up their experience simply yet powerfully: "Thanks to their hard work and expertise, I received a settlement that was far greater than I expected. They truly went above and beyond to get me the best".
These testimonials echo what we hear from clients like Tovon & Co. time and again—that professional representation makes an undeniable difference in disaster recovery outcomes, often meaning the difference between business failure and successful rebuilding.