When an accident occurs, navigating the complexities of insurance claims and liability recovery can be a daunting task for public entities. This recovery process is called subrogation, and George Hills, a third-party claims administrator (TPA) that serves more than 400 public agencies in California, has a dedicated team that pursues fast and full financial recovery for its clients. Through this specialization, the firm helps public agencies recover costs/fees (internal and external), providing financial relief and allowing public agency leaders to focus on serving their constituents. This important service is only compensated upon a successful recovery.

Subrogation Supervisor Tammy Hunt, the leader of George Hills’s Subrogation Division, recounted an incident that highlights the firm’s dedication to pursuing comprehensive recovery for its clients. A municipal refuse truck owned by a George Hills client was traveling down the highway when a small car unexpectedly pulled out in front of it, resulting in a fatal crash that claimed two lives. While many public agencies might hesitate to pursue recovery due to the sensitivity surrounding fatal accidents, George Hills took a different approach.

“Public agencies are often reluctant to pursue claims in fatality cases because of the negative publicity that could arise,” said Hunt. “We were able to recover over $200,000 from both the responsible parties’ insurance and our client’s insurance, achieving dual recovery. This case required finesse and a thoughtful approach. We went the extra mile to ensure full recovery for our client.”

This case showcases the unique expertise of George Hills’ subrogation professionals. The firm’s high level of service allows the subrogation team to treat each case with sensitivity and discretion. George Hills is a boutique organization by design; they provide customized services to meet client needs, rather than fitting clients into an inflexible system.

George Hills’ standout approach is also exemplified by its pursuit of dual recovery. In this case, the firm’s strategy extended beyond simply pursuing the responsible party’s insurance. By pursuing both third-party and first-party claims, they ensured that the client was compensated for the full value of the damages incurred, including the high costs associated with the refuse truck and trailer repair and replacements, as well as the loss of funds connected to the truck being out of commission.

“Our success came from pursuing not just the responsible party, but also the client’s own insurance,” Hunt explains. “We look at all available avenues to maximize recovery. That’s one of the approaches that sets us apart.”

For the client involved in the refuse truck case, working with George Hills was part of a long-standing relationship. The client has trusted George Hills since the inception of its subrogation recovery program in 2013, and has long been in the habit of sending claims as soon as local incidents occur.

“There’s no hesitation — they identify a claim, and they send it right over,” said Hunt. “That trust has built up over years because we consistently deliver results. It’s a well-oiled machine.”

George Hills’ clients benefit not only from the firm’s expertise but also from the ability to allocate their own staff to more pressing tasks. Subrogation is a complicated area of insurance law, and public agencies are often unequipped, and unable to commit the resources, to handle the intricacies of each case.

“They can deploy their staff to other things that they’re more knowledgeable about,” said Hunt. “Subrogation is one of our specialties, so we take on the burden of pursuing claims that they otherwise might let go.”

Another hallmark of George Hills’ subrogation recovery service is the team’s emphasis on transparency. Clients have 24/7 access to information related to current and past cases, thanks to George Hills’ online case management system, which is updated live.

“If I’m on the phone with an insurance company, the client can pull up the note I’m making in the system in real-time,” Hunt says. “This immediate transparency is essential, especially in cases involving fatalities, where updates are crucial to the client.”

In addition to real-time updates, clients receive detailed monthly reports reviewing the status of each active claim being tackled by the George Hills subrogation team. George Hills is soon to release an Annual Report to are frequent users and an executive summary to others. This commitment to transparency ensures that clients are always informed about their cases, fostering trust and peace of mind.

What truly sets George Hills apart is its comprehensive approach to subrogation recovery. As Hunt points out, many competitors avoid pursuing claims in sensitive cases, particularly those involving fatalities. However, George Hills sees these cases as an opportunity to provide exceptional service to their clients.

“There is no other firm out there that even comes close to what we do,” said Hunt. “Our competitors might have seen the fatality in this case and chosen not to pursue it, but we didn’t just go after the responsible party — we pursued the client’s own insurance as well. That’s what their policy is there for, and it’s our job to make sure they get what they’re entitled to.”

For George Hills, it’s about more than just recovering money; it’s about doing what’s right for their clients. By leveraging their thorough understanding of subrogation law, the George Hills team consistently achieves full recovery in cases that other firms might shy away from. For mutual success the relationship and learning process starts in the beginning, with our subrogation team meeting with management and informing the department leads on opportunities for recovery, and how each department can offset their individual budgets, with entitled recoveries. Through dual recovery, transparent communication, and a tireless commitment to their clients, George Hills provides public agencies with the support they need to recover costs effectively — even in the most complex and sensitive cases.

For prospective clients seeking a partner who goes above and beyond, George Hills offers unmatched expertise, a proactive approach, and a commitment to securing full recovery, no matter the challenges. To learn more about George Hills’ subrogation recovery services and how they can benefit your organization, visit .

George Hills, celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, provides liability and property claims administration services, litigation management services, subrogation recovery, and joint powers authority management to more than 400 public agencies in California, including 200 cities, nearly ALL counties, and nearly 100 school districts. Since its founding in 1954, George Hills’ emphasis on high-quality public entity adjusters, continuous improvement, and excellent client service has put it on the forefront of California public entity casualty claims adjusting.