JEFFREY A. RAINES
Public Insurance Adjuster & Catastrophe Specialist
Founder & President – Insurance Claim Consultants (ICC)
45+ Years of Full-Spectrum Claims Experience
Large-Loss Expert • Appraisal & Arbitration Specialist • Catastrophe Deployment Leader
Professional Summary
Visionary founder and industry leader with 45+ years of hands-on experience managing catastrophic insurance claims across residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal properties. Established Insurance Claim Consultants (ICC) during Hurricane Hugo recovery in 1989 and has led the firm through 15+ major hurricane and disaster deployments spanning four decades. Recognized expert in large-loss claims, business interruption documentation, appraisal and arbitration processes, and multi-state catastrophe operations management.
Proven track record of building and managing large-scale operations (60–70 personnel during concurrent Hugo and Andrew recovery efforts), ensuring regulatory compliance, and providing ethical representation across complex claims portfolios. Personally financed landmark South Carolina Supreme Court litigation that established public adjuster licensing standards still in effect today. Strong commitment to pro bono advocacy, having provided decades of free representation to homeowners and small business owners unable to afford professional assistance.
Service Area Focus: Primary workload devoted to assisting residents and businesses of North Carolina and South Carolina, with extensive experience managing daily residential and commercial claims involving fire, water, theft, vandalism, smoke, freeze, lightning, storm damage, collapse, structural failures, and any covered property loss.
Core Competencies
Claims Expertise
- Full-spectrum property claims (residential, commercial, industrial, municipal, aviation)
- All loss types: fire, water, theft, vandalism, smoke, freeze, lightning, storm, collapse, structural failure
- No limitation on claim size, complexity, or duration
- Appraisal, arbitration, and umpire process management
- Litigation support and expert witness testimony
- ROR rebuttals and EUO preparation
Operational Leadership
- Catastrophe deployment and multi-state operations management
- Team building, training, and supervision (40–70 personnel)
- Multi-office management and staffing coordination
- Project management from inception to completion
- Statutory deadline preservation and policy compliance
- Budget oversight and resource allocation
Technical & Professional
- Full estimating for residential and commercial structures
- Contents inventory, valuation, and loss documentation
- Engineering coordination and structural assessment
- Proof of loss preparation and filing protocols
- FEMA compliance and reconstruction oversight
- Policy interpretation and documentation requirements
Business Interruption & Specialty Claims
- Business interruption and extra expense documentation
- Multi-year claim handling and deadline preservation
- Appraisal and arbitration process expertise
- Engineering coordination across all loss categories
- Aviation and large commercial loss management
- Regulatory and statutory compliance across multiple states
Litigation & Expert Services
- Litigation support and expert reporting
- Regulatory influence and statutory drafting
- Expert witness preparation and testimony
- ROR rebuttals and insurance defense
- EUO (Examination Under Oath) preparation
- Policy interpretation and coverage analysis
Ethics & Community Advocacy
- Extensive pro bono representation for underserved homeowners
- Public adjuster licensing advocacy and establishment
- Community engagement and volunteer support
- Ethical standards and professional conduct
- Decades of pro bono assistance (NC & SC)
- Known for ethical conduct and fair claim settlement
Professional Experience
Founder, President & CEO – Insurance Claim Consultants (ICC)
1990 – Present
North Carolina & South Carolina (Multi-State Operations)
Founded and built ICC from an 8-person operation during Hurricane Hugo recovery into a full-service firm managing unlimited claim complexity and size across residential, commercial, industrial, municipal, and aviation properties throughout North Carolina and South Carolina.
Strategic Leadership & Oversight:
- Oversee all categories of property claims without limitation on size, complexity, or duration
- Direct strategic operations and business development across North Carolina and South Carolina markets
- Manage daily residential and commercial claims involving fire, water, theft, vandalism, smoke, freeze, lightning, storm damage, collapse, and structural failures
- Supervise team of adjusters, estimators, inspectors, subcontractors, and administrative staff
- Coordinate multi-state catastrophe operations and office management
- Personally handle high-value and complex claims requiring executive-level expertise
Claims Management & Technical Responsibilities:
- Manage full estimating for residential and commercial structures
- Oversee contents inventories, valuation, and documentation processes
- Direct engineering coordination across all claim types
- Ensure proof of loss preparation and filing compliance
- Guarantee complete compliance with all policy time limits and statutory requirements
- Provide expert assistance with policy interpretation and documentation requirements
- Direct appraisal and umpire processes for contested claims
- Provide litigation support, ROR rebuttals, EUO preparation, and expert reporting
Community Service:
- Provide extensive pro bono assistance to homeowners and business owners unable to afford representation
- Donate professional expertise to citizens in crisis following property damage
- Advocate for fair claim settlement and policyholder rights
- Support underserved populations across North and South Carolina
Notable Achievements:
- Built ICC from initial 8-person Hugo recovery team to 60–70 person operation (1989–1992)
- Successfully managed $12M+ aviation claim (Gulfport-Biloxi Airport, Hurricane Katrina)
- Established operational scale managing multiple multi-million-dollar claims portfolios
- Deployed to 15+ major hurricanes and disaster events over four decades
- Helped establish public adjuster licensing in South Carolina through successful litigation (ICC v. Linder – SC Supreme Court)
- Maintained continuous operations serving North Carolina and South Carolina since 1990
- Known throughout region for ethical conduct, professional excellence, and commitment to client success
Partner & Operations Director/Senior Project Manager – Dobbs Construction Company
2006 – 2008
Multi-State Reconstruction Operations
Managed complete home reconstruction projects from inception to completion, coordinating all operational aspects of residential restoration following property damage.
- Directed all phases of residential reconstruction projects as partner and supervising manager
- Coordinated crews, subcontractors, inspections, and permitting processes
- Oversaw FEMA compliance, project documentation, and regulatory requirements
- Managed multi-project operations and budget oversight
- Ensured quality standards and timeline adherence across all projects
Founder & President – Crisis Insurance Recovery
1983 – 1990
Texas
Established initial public adjusting firm handling full-spectrum residential and commercial losses across Texas, building foundational operational frameworks and developing core claims management expertise.
- Managed full-spectrum residential and commercial claims across Texas
- Oversaw estimating, documentation, and client relations
- Built initial operational framework for claims management
- Developed core competencies in claims handling, client service, and catastrophe response
- Established reputation for ethical conduct and professional excellence
Daily Claims Experience – North Carolina & South Carolina
In addition to catastrophe deployments, daily operations consist of handling residential and full-scale commercial claims in North Carolina and South Carolina involving fire, water, theft, vandalism, smoke, freeze, lightning, storm damage, collapse, structural failures, and any covered property loss. Responsibilities include complete estimating, contents inventories, engineering coordination, documentation, proof of loss preparation, and full compliance with all policy time requirements and statutory deadlines.
Core Daily Responsibilities:
- Full estimating for residential and commercial structures
- Contents inventories, valuation, and documentation
- Proof of loss preparation and filing
- Engineering coordination and structural assessment
- Complete compliance with all policy time limits and statutory requirements
- Assistance with policy interpretation and documentation requirements
- Extensive pro bono support for homeowners who need representation
- Management of multi-year claims and statutory deadline preservation
Catastrophe Deployment & Career History
1980–1983 | McGonigal National Adjustment Service (Houston, TX)
Adjusted flood and National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims across Greater Houston metropolitan area, developing expertise in specialized flood loss documentation and NFIP policy compliance.
1983 | Founded Crisis Insurance Recovery – Hurricane Alicia Response (Texas)
Established first public adjusting firm during major hurricane event. Managed all Hurricane Alicia losses including residential, commercial, hotels, motels, apartment complexes, and coastal structures. Also handled widespread freeze and broken pipe claims across affected regions.
1983–1989 | General Claims Operations (Greater Houston Area, TX)
Adjusted residential, commercial, industrial, coastal, fire, theft, vandalism, and freeze losses. Built reputation for thorough documentation and fair claim settlement, establishing foundation for future company growth.
1989–1992 | Hurricane Hugo Recovery – 3-Year Operation (Charleston, SC)
Worked over three years on Hugo recovery, handling all categories of loss across residential, condominiums, apartments, hotels, motels, shopping centers, restaurants, office buildings, industrial plants, warehouses, and municipal/historic structures. Founded Insurance Claim Consultants (ICC) eight months into Hugo recovery. Built and managed 40–50 person staff. Managed complete estimating, inventories, engineering coordination, documentation, proofs of loss, and all policy deadlines. Filed lawsuits for tolling agreements and personally delivered critical filings to Columbia, SC. This deployment established ICC as regional leader in catastrophe claims management.
1992 | Hurricane Andrew Response (South Florida)
Opened ICC's Miami office and added 10–12 staff dedicated to Andrew claims. Ran simultaneous Hugo and Andrew operations with combined staffing of 60–70 personnel, demonstrating operational capability to manage multiple major disaster responses concurrently.
1995 | Hurricane Opal Response
Handled residential, commercial, industrial, municipal, hotel, motel, condominium, warehouse, and department store losses across affected regions.
1996 | Hurricanes Bertha & Fran Response (NC Coast)
Managed losses across Wilmington, Topsail, and North Topsail coastal communities, handling complex wind and water damage claims in high-value properties.
1998 | Hurricane Georges Response
1999 | Hurricane Floyd Response
2001 | Tropical Storm Allison Response (Houston, TX)
2005–2008 | Hurricane Katrina Response – 3-Year Operation (Louisiana & Mississippi)
Worked three full years on Katrina recovery, one of the most significant disaster deployments of career. Adjusted commercial, industrial, municipal, and aviation losses including the $12M+ Gulfport-Biloxi Airport claim. Managed extensive business interruption and extra expense claims. Coordinated major litigation support and expert reporting. Demonstrated expertise managing largest and most complex loss types in challenging disaster environment.
2016 | Hurricane Matthew Response
2017 | Hurricane Maria Response
2025 | Hurricane Helene Response (Western North Carolina)
Currently managing wind and flood losses in Western North Carolina recovery operations, continuing tradition of rapid deployment to major disaster events.
Legal & Regulatory Impact
ICC v. Linder – South Carolina Supreme Court
Landmark case that established public adjuster licensing framework in South Carolina. Personally financed extensive litigation to clarify and professionalize the public adjusting industry. Contributed to drafting regulatory and statutory language that now governs public adjuster licensing, bonding requirements, and professional conduct standards throughout South Carolina.
Impact: Successfully transformed public adjusting profession through creation of clear regulatory framework, protecting consumers, establishing professional standards, and elevating industry credibility. The statutory language developed during this case remains foundational to South Carolina's public adjuster regulation today.
Professional Development
- Legal Principles of Property Insurance – American Examination Institute (AEI)
- Annual Windstorm Conferences – Ongoing participation in industry education and professional development
- Multistate Continuing Education & Professional Licensing – Current licenses and certifications maintained across multiple jurisdictions
Community & Pro Bono Work
Decades of extensive pro bono representation on residential and commercial losses for citizens throughout North Carolina and South Carolina unable to afford professional assistance. Known throughout both states for ethical conduct, professional excellence, and unwavering volunteer advocacy for homeowners and small business owners in need of fair claim representation.
Committed to ensuring underrepresented homeowners and small businesses receive fair claim settlements and expert guidance through property damage crises. Pro bono work demonstrates commitment to community service beyond financial considerations and reflects core professional values of ethical conduct and accessibility to professional expertise regardless of financial circumstance.
