Richard McDonald
I am Richard McDonald, Senior Claims Adjuster and Consultant. I founded Heavy Equipment & Cargo Claims Consultants, LLC to give insurers, TPAs, and self-insured fleets direct access to senior-level judgment on every file—completely free from administrative fluff.
Across 43 years in field adjusting, claims management, and TPA operations, I have managed complex cargo, heavy equipment, tractor-trailer, agricultural, and marine losses. Every assessment I deliver is grounded in real mechanical mastery, not generic estimating templates.
Specialized Areas of Expertise
Fleet Relations
Building deep trust and managing direct communication with motor carrier stakeholders.
Damage Diagnostics
Determining the exact extent of structural damage to tractors and trailers.
Marine Claims
Expertly adjusting transportation related pleasure craft vessel claims and related marine losses for lengths up to forty-six feet
Agricultural Losses
Providing precise damage assessments for specialized farming and harvesting machinery.
Cargo Oversight
Managing complex freight transit damage claims to determine what the damages are to cargo while in transit as well as any potential salvage opportunities tha...
Third-Party Settlement
Investigating, negotiating, and resolving liability files to secure timely closures for commercial fleets.
Proven Technical Credentials
In assessing in-transit damages I provide the client with 43 years of combined claims management knowledge with the technical skills as an ASE Certified Master Mechanic and Body/Frame Technician with MCIEF Teaching Fellow credentials. I review estimates like a shop foreman not as an administrator and apply the policy as well as common sense to the loss. This rare combination ensures the client with highly accurate valuations, fewer repair supplements and assessments that easily withstand scrutiny by insureds, repair shops and counsel.
No Fluff, Just Clarity
I built this consultancy to eliminate administrative noise. While large vendors produce bloated, lengthy narratives, I deliver concise, fact-based reporting and clear next steps. My streamlined telephonic and captioned reports keep you fully informed without wasting time, allowing you to manage reserves confidently and close files rapidly.
Focused Transportation Expertise
I focus exclusively on motor carrier insurers, self-insured fleets, and TPAs, handling complex heavy equipment, cargo, agricultural equipment, and pleasure craft marine losses. Because I thoroughly understand transportation regulations and downtime pressures, you gain a single, highly specialized point of contact who speaks your language and keeps complex transportation files moving efficiently toward settlement.
Strategic Claims Relief
I provide a reliable outlet for teams experiencing a claims overload. My mission is simple: provide immediate, licensed support that clears backlogs, tightens documentation, and prevents files from stalling under paperwork and slow communication.