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NFA History
Leading the Professional Loss Consulting Industry Since 1922
Bernard J. Papa started NFA in 1922 with a basic concept. An innovative residential insurance broker, Papa saw a special need for his clients. Insurance companies had adjusters to handle claims, but the insured did not always have the same resources. He felt that homeowners were not properly represented when they experienced a loss.
That was the concept that, in 1922, started the National Fire Adjustment Co., Inc. During the depression years, Bernard Papa worked with many financial institutions and law firms, as well as other businesses. As these clients grew, so did NFA.
NFA has continued to expand both in size and geographic reach for more than 90 years.
Frank R. Papa began working for his father’s business after World War II while a student at the University of Buffalo. After completing a law degree, and being admitted to the bar, he started full time for NFA in 1951. That same year, his brother-in-law, the late Robert V. Flaglor, came on board.
Two of the biggest fires NFA handled in that period included a $300,000 disaster at the Zimmerman Lumber Co. and the German Roman Catholic Orphanage fire, a loss of over $500,000. “They were the biggest losses we had up to then,” Frank Papa recalls.
The sixties and seventies saw tremendous growth for NFA. As the firm grew, it moved to larger headquarters and expanded its staff. Bernard Papa retired in 1965, turning the business over to Frank who, today, serves as Chairman.
NFA opened its first branch office in Jamestown in 1968. The Rochester office began in 1969, followed by Syracuse and Elmira offices. NFA acquired New York Fire Adjustment Corp., another Buffalo-based company in 1982.
The third generation Papa, (Ron) joined the firm in 1974 after graduating from Niagara University. He managed its branch offices for 15 years and returned to corporate headquarters in 1993. He has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since 1996.
In 1984, NFA moved into its state-of-the-art headquarters at One NFA Park in Amherst, NY. Then, in 1988, NFA opened its first Canadian office in Toronto making it the largest public insurance adjusting firm in North America.
NFA has expanded over the years, covering losses wherever disaster strikes. In addition to its headquarters in Buffalo, NFA has offices across New York State in Rochester, Syracuse, Elmira, Jamestown, Utica and New York City. There are also offices in Toronto Ontario, Erie PA, Portland ME, Fort Myers FL, Nutley NJ, and Stamford CT.
Having licensed adjusters throughout the U.S. and Canada allows the NFA team of professionals to be in place wherever losses occur.
NFA is respected across North America and continues to define the industry, using leading-edge communications technology that span the globe. NFA loss consultants can be reached within minutes, wherever they are. The latest technology allows highly accurate, swift and consistent evaluation of all claims.
With NFA’s continued growth for more than nine decades, it has never lost sight of its core values and focus; its Clients. NFA prides itself on our commitment to serve our clients with the utmost respect and professionalism.
Milestones
A Family Business for Four Generations
Bernard J. Papa was an innovative insurance broker who saw a special need for his clients. Insurance companies had adjusters to handle claims, but the insured did not always have the same resources. Papa felt that his clients were not properly represented when they experienced a loss.
That was the concept that, in 1922, started the National Fire Adjustment Co., Inc. During the depression years, Bernard Papa worked with many financial institutions and law firms, as well as other businesses. As these clients grew, so did NFA.
Frank R. Papa began working for his father’s business after World War II while a student at the University of Buffalo. After completing a law degree and being admitted to the bar, he started full time for NFA in 1951. That same year, his brother-in-law, the late Robert V. Flaglor, came on board.
Two of the biggest fires NFA handled in that period included a $300,000 disaster at the Zimmerman Lumber Co. and the German Roman Catholic Orphanage fire, a loss of over $500,000. “They were the biggest losses we had up to then,” Frank Papa recalled.
Tremendous Growth
The sixties and seventies saw tremendous growth for NFA. As the firm grew, it moved to larger headquarters and expanded its staff. Bernard Papa retired in 1965, turning the business over to his son, Frank.
NFA opened its first branch office in Jamestown in 1968. The Rochester office began in 1969, followed by Syracuse and Elmira offices. NFA acquired New York Fire Adjustment Corp., another Buffalo-based company, in 1982.
The third-generation Papa joined the firm in 1974 when Ronald J. joined NFA after graduating from Niagara University. He managed its branch offices for over 15 years and returned to corporate headquarters in 1993. He was named president and chief executive officer in 1996.
In 1984, NFA moved into its state-of-the-art headquarters at One NFA Park in Amherst, N.Y. Then, in 1988, NFA opened its first Canadian office in Toronto making it the largest public insurance adjusting firm in North America.
NFA has expanded, covering losses wherever disaster strikes. Having licensed adjusters throughout the U.S. and Canada allows the NFA team of professionals to be in place wherever your loss may be.
Leading Innovator
An industry pioneer and always striving to better serve its clients, NFA was the first adjustment company to computerize claims processing. This allowed highly accurate, swift and consistent evaluation of claims. NFA continues to define the industry, using leadingedge communications technology that spans the globe. NFA loss consultants can be reached within minutes, wherever they are.
NFA has certainly grown in size, scope and reputation since B.J. Papa founded the company nine decades ago. Its commitment to the people it serves, however, remains the same – to assure the most equitable and prompt settlement possible while providing quality service to all of its clients.
