Executive General Adjuster
Charles Taylor Adjusting
In our ongoing Employee Spotlight series highlighting the expertise within Charles Taylor, we sat down with Russell Ragsdale, Executive General Adjuster, to talk about his background in property adjusting and what it takes to navigate complex losses with consistency and clarity.
Through decades of handling a wide range of property losses, Russell brings a steady perspective to assignments involving catastrophe events, business interruption, high value residential properties, and large-scale commercial exposures. In this conversation, he shares how broad exposure shapes effective property adjusting, why judgment matters as much as process, and how seasoned adjusters help guide complex losses from initial assessment through resolution.
Our Conversation with Russell Ragsdale
Question: What led you to a career in property adjusting?
Russell Ragsdale: After completing formal education in architectural design and building technologies, I began my professional career in the construction industry, focusing on light commercial and residential design/build projects. Over the course of more than two decades, I advanced from building designer to building contractor, gaining extensive insight in both design and construction management. During this time, working alongside claims professionals sparked my interest in property adjusting and inspired me to transition into this field.
Q: You’ve handled a wide variety of property losses throughout your career. How does that range influence your approach?
RR: Working across different loss types and industries has reinforced that no two losses are ever truly the same—even when they look similar on the surface. My focus with business interruption, catastrophe events, and complex commercial facilities has sharpened my ability to recognize patterns, anticipate challenges, and approach each claim with the right level of detail and perspective.
Q: What do you believe matters most when handling property losses?
RR: My approach is simple: always provide exceptional customer service to both the policyholder, or their representative, and the client. Every loss impacts real people, and I believe in treating them with the utmost courtesy, compassion, and professionalism. Clear communication, empathy, and integrity are just as important as accurate assessments. When people feel supported during a difficult time, it makes all the difference.
Q: What typically makes a property loss complex?
RR: Complexity often depends on the structure, any specialized equipment exposure, and their interdependency. Large property losses may involve multiple structures, operational disruption, and significant financial impact. There are often multiple stakeholders involved, and decisions need to be supported by clear documentation and consistent methodology. Managing those factors effectively and efficiently is a core part of property adjusting.
Q: How do you approach losses involving significant financial or operational impact?
RR: Establishing a clear plan early, maintaining open communication, and thoroughly documenting findings keeps the loss moving forward. Staying focused on facts, policy interpretation, and accurate assessment allows all parties to work toward resolution with a shared understanding of the situation. When everyone is aligned, complex claims become manageable—and outcomes improve.
Q: With evolving risks and increasing complexity, why does experienced property adjusting still matter?
RR: Seasoned adjusters bring perspective that only comes from handling a wide range of loss scenarios over time. That insight helps identify issues early, manage complexity effectively, and bring clarity to situations that might otherwise feel uncertain or overwhelming. In a world of changing technology and methodologies, the ability to combine proven judgment with modern tools is what drives successful outcomes.
To learn more about Charles Taylor’s Loss Adjusting Services contact us.
