Pario Quantify – Specialty Spotlight Series

When multimillion-dollar claims stall, insurers need specialists who can see through the chaos. For many across Canada, that expert is Michael Chatterton, Senior National Property Specialist in Pario Quantify’s Specialty Division.

With more than three decades in construction, restoration, and insurance, Michael stands out as a rare consultant trusted by both sides, seen as a rising voice in Canada’s next generation of Insurance Umpires. Michael has built his career on evidence, precision, and composure under pressure, qualities that have made him a trusted expert. “In this industry, trust is currency,” he says. “You earn it by being fair and factual, no matter which side of the table you’re on.”

From Job Site to Judgment Call

Michael’s story began at fifteen, learning carpentry and restoration beside his father. Those early years instilled both craftsmanship and curiosity: why buildings fail, how damage spreads, and how to prove what really happened.

That curiosity evolved into a 35-year career spanning restoration, environmental assessment, and insurance consulting. His multiple designations from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning & Restoration Certification (IICRC), the Environmental Assessment Association (EAA), and the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) underscore his technical credibility, giving clients confidence that his conclusions will stand up under scrutiny.

He still remembers one early loss assessment where two contractors were locked in a bitter argument over scope. “Everything came down to documentation,” Michael recalls. “Once we laid out the facts side-by-side, everyone could see what was right. That moment stuck with me. it showed that fairness isn’t about opinion, it’s about proof.”

“Michael brings a rare blend of construction knowledge and an understanding of dispute resolution,” says John Addison, Director of Pario Quantify – Specialty. “He understands every stage of a claim, from the first emergency call to the expert report that settles it.”

Navigating a Litigious Landscape

Across Ontario and Eastern Canada, the property-loss landscape is shifting fast. Complex construction, aging infrastructure, and severe weather events have made disputes increasingly costly. Insurers are facing a surge in third-party litigation funding and class-action exposure, particularly in the Greater Toronto Area where large condominium and institutional losses can exceed hundreds of millions. The result is a growing demand for technically rigorous, independent specialists who can deliver defensible data under pressure.

That’s where Michael’s approach stands out. His analysis is trusted by insurers, adjusters, and legal teams alike, thanks to his transparent communication and exhaustive documentation. He’s often brought into contentious files precisely because of his reputation for neutrality.

“Michael builds confidence with his steadiness under scrutiny,” says Kristjan Kristjansson, Senior Vice President at Pario Quantify. “Clients know his conclusions will hold up, whether before counsel, carriers, or the courts.”

The Making of an Umpire

Now Michael’s balanced mindset is steering him toward a new role as an Umpire under the Insurance Act’s Statutory Condition 11, which governs disputes over the scope or value of loss. When two appraisers can’t agree, the Umpire becomes the tiebreaker, the industry’s version of a judge. In an era where claim values often surpass $200 million, Michael’s impartial expertise is in high demand.

Recently interviewed by a national insurer for its roster, Michael is poised to take his first appointment in early 2026. He would be one of the few Umpires in Canada with extensive construction experience and a dual perspective as consultant and former public adjuster. “I’ve been on both sides,” he says. “That gives me a 360-degree view of how evidence should be presented, challenged, and weighed. My job is to make sure the facts win, not the loudest voice.”

Where Expertise Meets Integrity

Working alongside senior specialists nationwide, Michael contributes to Pario Quantify’s mandate of technical rigor and credibility under scrutiny, a hallmark of the Specialty Division. Recent assignments include catastrophic water and flood losses where the team’s audits prevented millions in unnecessary spending and delivered defensible reserves within weeks.

For Michael, success is measured in fairness, not fanfare. “When both sides walk away feeling they were heard, that’s when you know you’ve done your job,” he says. “That’s the standard I bring to every complex loss, every time.”

Connect with Michael

Michael Chatterton
Senior National Property Specialist | Pario Quantify – Specialty Division
Markham, Ontario
E: michael.chatterton@parioquantify.ca
T: 416-555-2084 (Direct) 

About the Series

The Specialty Spotlight Series is curated by Melissa Elsliger (Sales & Marketing Lead) to explore the people, insights, and evolving trends shaping Canada’s property valuation, forensic consulting, and complex-loss landscape.

To learn more about Pario Quantify’s Specialty Division, contact John Addison (Director – Specialty) at john.addison@parioquantify.ca or visit https://parioquantify.ca/specialty.