About Our Team

BRUCE RIFKIN

PRESIDENT

Bruce Rifkin is the President and founder of Ultimate Adjusters, Inc. Since founding the company in 1991, he has handled the preparation, presentation, and settlement of thousands of both residential and commercial claims on behalf of policyholders. Widely regarded as one of the country’s most prominent and knowledgeable handlers of Business Interruptions claims, Bruce is one of the few professionals in the industry who is licensed as both a Public Insurance Adjuster and as a Certified Public Accountant.

Licensed as a Certified Public Accountant since 1983 and as a Public Adjuster since 1990, Bruce has been qualified by both the New York State and Federal Courts as an Expert of Insurance Claims Accounting, and is approved by the New York State Department of Insurance to educate other Public Adjusters on subjects including: Business Interruption claims (B.I.), selling price endorsements, and co-insurance. In fact, other Public Adjusters across the country often call on Bruce to handle the B.I. portions of their claims.

Bruce is currently the Chairperson of the combined NY-NJ Public Adjusters Association. Previously, he served as President of the New York Public Adjusters Association (1997-2002), held has held the positions of both Vice-President and Treasurer. Bruce has also acted as Chairperson of the Standards Committee as well as the Grievance and Ethics Committee.

Bruce handles the preparation and settlement of residential, commercial, and ocean marine claims, and serves on claim appraisals as both an Appraiser and an Umpire. For over 30 years he has worked and advocated diligently on behalf of policyholders, ensuring that they are properly represented and appropriately compensated to the full amount to which they are entitled.
Bruce received both a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Accounting from Pace University in 1982.

JOSH RIFKIN

VICE PRESIDENT / CLAIMS SPECIALIST

Josh Rifkin is the Vice President and Claims Specialist at Ultimate Adjusters, Inc. He specializes in both residential and corporate building damage and property insurance claims. Josh works diligently on behalf of families and businesses, negotiating and maximizing claim settlements for clients who have sustained a covered loss.

Josh has worked for Ultimate Adjusters since 2013, and has been licensed and bonded as a Public Adjuster in the state of New Jersey for four years. Josh believes that the protection and support of people effected by a loss should be the top priority in any claim. He connects with his clients on a personal level, earning their trust and taking personal responsibility for facilitating the maximum settlement to which they are entitled. He takes great satisfaction in delivering final settlement checks to his clients, helping them to get back to their homes, their businesses, and their lives.

Josh received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Pennsylvania State University in 2011.

MELISSA RIFKIN

CLAIMS SPECIALIST

Melissa Rifkin is a licensed and bonded Public Adjuster who specializes in building and personal property homeowners’ claims. She also handles the preparation and filing of much of our office’s recoverable depreciation and additional living expense claims. No matter the size of the loss, Melissa believes that it is the policyholder’s right to be compensated fairly for damages rendered by a covered peril.

While very thorough and detail oriented, Melissa also knows that working with a homeowner during the time of a loss takes a level of compassion, patience, and care which can sometimes be lacking with other Public Adjusters. She provides every client with the attention they deserve, and always makes herself available to handle their questions and concerns every step of the way.

Melissa utilizes a balance of passion, determination, and a strong knowledge of her field to build strong relationships with her clients, maximize settlements, and close files in a timely manner.