Real People. Real Licenses.
One Mission: Fighting for You.
Aware Owner Public Adjusters · Mesa, AZ · Licensed in 6 States · Founded 2010
AWARE OWNER: America Wide Advocacy for Real Estate Owners
Why We Started Aware Owner
The name says it all: AWARE OWNER stands for America Wide Advocacy for Real Estate Owners. It's not a catchy phrase. It's a statement of purpose.
When a major property loss happens, most homeowners discover something they didn't know: the insurance company already has a team. Experienced adjusters, in-house attorneys, and claims analysts whose job is to document the loss in the way that minimizes the payout. The policyholder, on the other hand, usually has a policy they've never read and no idea what they're actually owed.
John Bellerose saw this firsthand after the 2010 Arizona hail storm. Friends, neighbors, and his own father filed legitimate claims and received denials or settlements that didn't come close to covering the actual damage. Drawing on a career built in real estate and property appraisal, and a thorough understanding of contract law and the fiduciary duties insurance carriers owe their policyholders, John recognized exactly what was happening. And he decided to do something about it.
"Insurance companies activate their team the moment you file a claim. As a homeowner, you deserve equally strong advocates working just as hard for you. That's what we do. We level the playing field."
John Bellerose, Founder & Principal AdjusterAware Owner was founded on one principle: the policyholder deserves an expert in their corner. Every member of our team is licensed, trained, and committed to one side of the table. Yours.
Sixteen years later, Aware Owner has recovered over $100 million for 4,800+ policyholders across six states. Every dollar of that represents a family that got what they were owed, instead of what the insurance company wanted to pay.
Our Mission & Core Values
"In Everything We Do, We Challenge Status Quo, Adding Real Value To The Lives Of The People We Serve."
Policyholders First
We work exclusively for the people who own the property. Never for insurance companies, never for contractors, never for anyone with a conflict of interest.
Radical Transparency
We tell you what your claim is worth before we file it, what we're fighting for at every stage, and what the final number means. No surprises.
Relentless Documentation
We document more than the insurer expects. More than the policy requires. Every photograph, every measurement, every estimate is built to withstand the strongest denial.
No Recovery, No Fee
Our contingency model is not a marketing line. It is our commitment that we only win when you win. Your success is the only success that matters.
Honesty Before Everything
We started Aware Owner because we kept seeing the same thing: homeowners who trusted their insurance company, accepted whatever offer came back, and never knew what they left on the table. That bothered us. This firm is built on honesty first. We tell clients the truth about their claim, their options, and their realistic outcome, even when that's a harder conversation. We treat the families we work with the way we'd want someone to treat ours. And when we're done, we make sure they understand the process well enough that they'll never be caught off guard again.
A Track Record Built One Claim at a Time
Licensed, Certified & Accountable
Every license number below is publicly verifiable through the issuing state's Department of Insurance. We display them because transparency is one of our core values.
Professional Credentials & Memberships
The People Who Fight for You
Behind every claim Aware Owner handles is a licensed professional who has seen what insurance companies do to underprepared homeowners and decided to do something about it.
John Bellerose
John Bellerose founded Aware Owner after the 2010 Arizona hail storm, when he watched friends, family, and his own father get denied or underpaid on legitimate insurance claims. Drawing on a lifelong career in real estate and property appraisal, and a sharp grasp of contract law and the fiduciary duties carriers owe, he set out to give property owners an expert in their corner. A serial entrepreneur and father of four, John has built his career around one belief: the homeowner deserves an advocate as strong as the one the insurance company already has. Under his leadership, Aware Owner has recovered over $100 million for policyholders.
Brady Bellerose
Brady fights for homeowners and businesses when insurance companies shortchange them on claims. His focus is on the policy details and damage assessments that actually get results, bringing precision and preparation to every inspection and negotiation.
Robert Schmidt
Robert Schmidt didn't come up through the typical public adjusting path. He came from the other side of the table. After more than 15 years working within the insurance industry, he understood something most homeowners never get to see: how carriers think, how they build estimates, and where policyholders consistently get left short. When Robert sits across from a carrier adjuster, he's not guessing at their playbook. He's already read it.
Amy Seely
Amy earned her Bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University and brings valuable experience in estate planning to her role. Prior to joining Aware Owner, Amy worked in a law office where she assisted in the preparation of wills and trusts, giving her a strong understanding of fiduciary responsibility and the importance of protecting clients' interests. Since joining the Aware Owner team in 2024, Amy has been dedicated to advocating for homeowners' rights and helping ensure that clients' contracts are properly prepared and executed. Her attention to detail and commitment to client service make her an integral part of the team.
Jessica Bellerose
Jessica brings a unique combination of education, healthcare, and business expertise to the team. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Education and a Master's degree in Nursing, and throughout her career has developed a passion for supporting both people and organizational success. As the person behind many of the company's day-to-day operations, Jessica manages Human Resources, payroll, and accounting support while also overseeing professional licensure, bonding, insurance, and the company's fleet of vehicles. Her ability to balance multiple responsibilities with attention to detail and care helps keep the organization running smoothly.
Melissa Van Dyke
After 15 years serving homeowners as a licensed Realtor and manager of a busy real estate appraisal firm, Melissa found a new way to put her experience to work: advocating for policyholders during the insurance claims process. Having faced the challenges of dealing with insurance claims as a homeowner herself, she understands the stress, uncertainty, and frustration that can come with it. Her goal is to navigate the process for her clients while keeping them informed and securing the benefits they're entitled to under their policy.
Maria Barahona
With more than 10 years of experience in insurance claims processing, Maria has managed high-volume claim inventories while maintaining accuracy, compliance, and timely resolutions. She entered the industry because she was drawn to the investigative and analytical aspects of claims management, where attention to detail directly impacts outcomes. What drives her is identifying efficiencies and solving claim issues that keep the process moving smoothly for everyone involved.
Juan Pablo Sosa
Seven years ago, Juan Pablo Sosa came to the United States from Colombia with little more than a work ethic and a willingness to start from the bottom. He started as a canvasser, door to door, neighborhood by neighborhood, and worked his way to become the company's top field rep before taking on his current role as Sales Manager. Bilingual in English and Spanish, he has become an invaluable connection point for Spanish-speaking homeowners who deserve the same clarity and confidence in the claims process as anyone else.
Chris Smith
Chris Smith became a public adjusting client before he ever became a public adjuster. When his own home was damaged, he went through the claims process firsthand, and what he learned on the other side of it changed his career. Today he serves the Prescott, Arizona region, and his approach is as straightforward as it gets: do right by every single client and let them do the talking. He runs almost entirely on referrals because the people he's helped don't just remember him, they recommend him.
Richard Rendon
Richard Rendon's background is in client-facing work, and it shows from the moment he introduces himself. As part of the client relations team, he serves as the connection point between homeowners and the claims process, making sure people feel informed, respected, and never left in the dark. His attention to detail means nothing slips through the cracks, and his professionalism sets a standard the whole team takes seriously.
What Our Clients Say About Working With Us
"Josh did a great job analyzing the hail damage on my roof and air conditioner. He and the Aware Owner team coordinated with my insurance company and got me a reasonable outcome for a new roof and air conditioner repair."
"I was so pleased working with Aware. Chris was so pleasant to work with. He was on the job from beginning to end, always so kind, professional, and ensured a quality job was completed. I am 100% satisfied with Aware and their employees. Chris is an asset to the Aware team. Thank you for the great service!"
"Aware Owner brindó un servicio excepcional al representarnos ante mi compañía de seguros. Anteriormente habíamos sido negados y Aware pudo hacer que salieran y cubrieran todo el techo y mucho cosas más. Fueron muy profesionales, la comunicación fue excelente y los contratistas que trabajan con ellos son increíbles. Recomendaría altamente Aware a cualquier persona que necesite ayuda o representación contra su aseguranza."
Ready to Meet Your Adjuster?
You've seen the team. You've seen the track record. Now let's talk about your claim. Book a free consultation and a licensed Aware Owner adjuster will respond the same day, ready to tell you exactly what your policy covers and what we can recover for you.
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