Educational Courses 2023

ETHICS / 3CE

Brian Foote, Belfor
Wednesday, August 30, 2023- 1:30P-4:30P
- LODGE (inside Lodge)

This presentation facilitates understanding the importance of sound ethical decisions in the insurance

adjuster profession. Reliable insurance coverage is critical for the financial safety of households, businesses, and the overall economy. Insurance adjuster ethics is a significant factor in maintaining confidence in the insurance system. With a focus on the big picture, this course covers the importance of general ethical guidelines, the motivations to be ethical, and specific ethical concerns for adjusters and claims settlement practices.

CANNABIS AND THE EMERGING CLAIMS RISKS / 1CE

Beth Ossino, Delta Adjusting on Behalf of Golden Bear Insurance Company
Joe Mays, DH Adjusting
Wednesday, August 30, 2023- 10-11A
- PINE (KT Bar)

Cannabis as an Emerging Insurance Risk (2023 Update) – This session will include an update on cannabis legalization for medicinal and adult use and the insurance needs for cannabis businesses. Topics will include the unique risk exposures for this growing industry and adjusting for cannabis losses for first and third-party claims for personal, commercial, and workers’ compensation losses.”

WILDFIRE SMOKE DAMAGE-WHERE THERE IS SMOKE; THERE IS NOT ALWAYS DAMAGE / 1CE

Eloy Cisneros, JS Held
Thursday, August 31, 2023- 11:30A-12:30P
- FIR (inside exhibit hall)

This presentation will discuss wildfire smoke damage assessments and explain what they are when they should be performed, how they are performed, who should perform them, how to evaluate the findings, and why they benefit wildfire damage claims for both the insured parties and the carriers. The presentation will discuss the various sampling and laboratory analysis options, methods and techniques, limitations, and potential bias. The exhibition will also discuss what factors should be considered when evaluating sample results, including background considerations and potential interferences. Finally, this presentation will discuss smoke damage mitigation options and their efficacy. Attendees of this presentation will better understand how wildfire smoke can impact structures and contents and how that impact can be identified, delineated, and ultimately mitigated.

HOW TO OVERCOME COVERAGE CHALLENGES AND ADVERSITIES WHEN DEALING WITH WATER DAMAGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS ON A CLAIM / 1CE

Heather Lujojanu, Express Air Testing, Inc.
Shannon Blomquist, Bamboo Insurance
Wednesday, August 30, 2023- 11:30A-12:30P
- PINE (KT Bar)

This course is designed to define common pollutants, explain the regulatory standards for each common pollutant, and provide insight on identifying coverage within a homeowners policy. We will also discuss navigating coverage exclusions and communicating proper mitigation procedures to the insured.

OFFENSE/DEFENSE: COUNTER-INTELLIGENCE FOR THE CLAIMS & LEGAL PROFESSIONAL / 1CE

Garrett McGinn, DigiStream
Wednesday, August 30, 2023- 3:30P-4:30P
- PINE (KT Bar)
Thursday, August 31, 2023- 10A-11A
- FIR (inside exhibit hall)

Identifying anomalies early on in the claims cycle will help an adjuster set, manage and release reserves for investigations more effectively than using surveillance alone. When reserves are set, a background or social media investigation can help an adjuster understand the possibility of litigation, future medical needs, and even apportionment. The course relates to the adjusting of insurance claims because oftentimes, information gathered during this initial phase of the investigation, even before surveillance or other efforts, can lead an adjuster to accept, deny or delay a claim. Alternatively, information discovered during a social media and background check may lead a claims adjuster to determine whether further investigation is necessary before the injury is AOE/COE. Finally, adjuster competence may be improved by completion of the course because it will enable them to better target their investigative dollars to files that need more investigating, rather than adopting a blanket approach to investigations such as completing a limited number of days of surveillance on claimants whose files exhibit certain red flags. Simply put, a knowledge of social media and background investigations gives adjusters more bandwidth in combating potentially fraudulent claims. Timely, proactive investigations with many competent statewide vendors will help each adjuster maintain accurate reporting.

LARGE LOSS FIRE INVESTIGATIONS / 1CE

Bryan Spitulski, Envista Forensics
Andrew Bennett, Envista Forensics
Wednesday, August 30, 2023- 11:30A-12:30P
- FIR (inside exhibit hall)
Thursday, August 31, 2023- 11:30A-12:30P
- PINE (KT Bar)

After the Smoke Clears, the Investigation Begins. Learn about the unique scientific methods of fire investigations, including; initial steps, evidence collection and protocol, special circumstances, and the potential participants. International Losses/ Special Considerations will be discussed, as well as Case Studies.

HIGH SEVERITY WATER DAMAGE PROPERTY LOSS INVESTIGATIONS / 1CE

Peter Schifrin, Schifrin, Gagnon & Dickey, Inc.
Richard Harer, Specialized Investigations
Wednesday, August 30, 2023- 2P-3P
- FIR (inside exhibit hall)

Commercial and residential water damage claims are rising and becoming increasingly costly to insurers. Recent studies show that water damage claims are one of the most common and costly types of homeowners insurance claims. Every year, about 37% of US homeowners will file a water damage claim, according to the Insurance Information Institute. The increased costs are driven by unscrupulous public adjusters, attorneys, remediation companies, and others, who continue developing creative and questionable claims strategies to force insurers into quicker and more costly settlements. This session will explore some of the more recent strategies being utilized by these parties, including, but not limited to, expensive and questionable claims for physical damages, loss of use (ALE), remediation, personal property damage, and mold, to name a few. This session will provide practical and effective methods of adjusting and investigating claims to expose and mitigate claims involving these questionable and controversial water damage loss strategies. The speakers will also examine a recent case study in which a questionable claim was effectively mitigated/resolved prior to settlement.

FIRE INVESTIGATION AND ANALYSIS OF AN EVOLVING SOLAR POWER INDUSTRY / 1 CE

Ulises Castellon, Fire Cause and Analysis
John White, Fire Cause Analysis
Wednesday, August 30, 2023- 10-11A
- LODGE (inside Lodge)

This workshop is designed to help develop the skills necessary to ensure a thorough and effective solar power system fire claim investigation. Claims professionals will receive the tools and perspectives needed to understand solar energy systems, process a solar system fire scene, and safely collect evidence from the location. This engaging program will discuss solar energy systems from the adjuster’s perspective, using visually compelling fire case examples to demonstrate the current state of solar power system fire investigations, helping the claim’s professional to ensure complete and proper investigation of solar system fire-related claims.

Our presentation includes a background of solar power system growth/costs, extensive photography of solar power system fires, and step-by-step information on performing a fire investigation to illustrate and reinforce the Learning Objectives.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR RESTORATION CONTRACTORS BILL...UNWRAPPING THE MYSTERY / 1CE

Steven Korasidas, Zurich
Marcus Hackler, DND Construction Services
Thursday, August 31, 2023- 10A-11A
- PINE (KT Bar)

-What are mitigation and restoration

-The science of drying

-Obstacles faced by contractors that can slow down a job or create unforeseen costs

-Pricing and what to look for (labor usage, equipment charges, sub-contractors, etc.)

-When to bring in a consultant and what to look for in their skill set

-Environmental consulting

-Getting to an agreed number

BINDING INSURANCE APPRAISAL: CLAIM SOLVER OR CLAIM WRECKER? / 1 CE

Kevin Hansen, McCormick Barstow LLP
John Ratto, Reliant Claims
Wednesday, August 30, 2023- 3:30P-4:30P
- FIR (inside exhibit hall)
Thursday, August 31, 2023- 1:30P-2:30P
- PINE (KT Bar)

A binding insurance appraisal is a tool often used but seldom fully appreciated. Its purpose is to offer the parties a policy of insurance an alternative form of dispute resolution when they cannot agree on the amount of loss. It is a form of arbitration limited to the amount of loss and cannot address coverage issues. However, the amount of loss is often the single most significant source of disagreement in an insurance claim. Appra sal is informal, less expensive, and more expeditious than litigation. Using appraisal effectively is equal parts science, art, and strategy. This course will touch on all aspects of the appraisal – contractual, legal, strategic, and tactical – so attendees will come away with appraisal demystified and better understood.

SUBROGATION TRIBULATIONS? INVESTIGATING FOR SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES / 1 CE

Sally Noma, Attorney, Noma Law Firm
Taylor A. Russell, P.E., CAP, CFEI, Forensic Engineer, EDT
Wednesday, August 30, 2023- 11:30A-12:30P
- LODGE (inside Lodge)

This course will demystify field adjusters and claims personnel's property subrogation and investigation process. When a loss occurs due to fire, flood, or other peril, it is imperative that subrogation potential is identified early and that the investigation is conducted correctly. Participants will leave this session with the skills needed to decide when to preserve a scene, when to retain experts (and what to expect from them), collecting and managing evidence, and how an investigation must be conducted to allow for subrogation to succeed. This course will apply to losses large and small, simple to complex, and include case studies.

FORENSIC MATERIALS SCIENCE FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE AND PRODUCT LIABILITY INVESTIGATION / 1 CE

Wade Lanning, Ph, D. ARCCA
Thursday, August 31, 2023- 10A-11A
- LODGE (inside Lodge)

To a materials scientist, every object carries signs of its history. In this talk, attendees will learn how to use materials science principles in forensic investigations of property damage, product liability claims, and injuries. An expert will demonstrate how simply looking at broken glass can help identify the type of glass and how it is fractured. We will examine damaged steel parts and investigate whether corrosion visible in the region caused the failure or if it is just a helpful indicator of another issue. We will see how a chemical analysis can identify the type of plastic used in a leaky plumbing system and check for material flaws or deterioration. This presentation intends to help non-engineers and non-scientists understand how to use a materials science expert in forensic investigations. Even though materials science is a specialized field, the applications in forensics are extensive. After all, everything is made out of material!

DOCUSKETCH TUTORIAL / 1 CE

Andrew Grimm, ATI Restoration
Michael Merry, Docusketch
Wednesday, August 30, 2023- 2P-3P
- PINE (KT Bar)
Thursday, August 31, 2023- 1:30P-2:30P
- LODGE (inside Lodge)

The future of P&C claims documentation is 360 imagery. Adjusters must become familiar with and adopt this technology in order to remain competitive in the world of claims adjusting. This course introduces the basics of the technology and its application to the day-to-day work of the adjuster.

DISASTER RECOVERY: THE FIRST 48 HOURS / 1CE

Brian Foote, MBA, WRT, HCC, BELFOR Property Restoration
Jim Krueger, JS Claims, and Consulting
Wednesday, August 30, 2023- 10-11A
- FIR (inside exhibit hall)

What is done and is not done in the first 48 hours after a large or small disaster event influences the recovery process's success, including impacts on costs and timelines. This presentation will explore elements of the initial response

and recovery process by the insured or tenant, as well as by insurance professionals and restoration contractors. It also presents several intriguing ways the 80/20 rule can apply to initial recovery efforts.

WATER DAMAGE TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS – HOW TO DETERMINE RESTORATION VERSUS REPLACEMENT / 1CE

Scott Carroll, EFI Global
John Mowatt AIC, Sedgwick
Thursday, August 31, 2023- 11:30A-12:30P
- LODGE (inside Lodge)

The exposure of electrical systems to water occurs in every arena, from residential to heavy industry. Whether it’s the result of a fire sprinkler activation or a hurricane, deciding to replace or restore electrical components can be frustrating. What constitutes exposure to water, and what sort of risks are there in restoring electrical apparatus? This presentation will summarize what assessment guidelines exist, what remediation techniques are available, and what is and isn’t required by the code.