Educational Courses 2023

ETHICS/ 3CE

Brian Foote, Belfor
Jim Krueger, JS Claims

This presentation facilitates an understanding of 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 major factor in maintaining confidence in the insurance system. With a focus on the big picture, this course covers the importance of general ethical guidelines and the motivations to be ethical, as well as 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
Phil Parcel, DH Adjusting

An overview of potential insurance claims arising from the cannabis industry and the insurance coverages that may answer the call. This presentation will include risk assessment subject matter for auto, property, and worker’s compensation claims in addition to commercial liability.

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

Eloy Cisneros, JS Held

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 are beneficial on 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 as well as their limitations and potential bias. The presentation will also discuss what factors should be taken into consideration 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 as well as how that impact can be identified and delineated and ultimately mitigated

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

Heather Flores, Express Air Testing, Inc.
Shannon Blomquist, Bamboo Insurance

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

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

Garrett McGinn, DigiStream

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 get an idea of 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 prior to 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 determined to be 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

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

Commercial and residential water damage claims are on the rise and becoming increasingly more 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 being driven by unscrupulous public adjusters, attorneys, remediation companies, and others, who continue to develop 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

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, how to process a solar system fire scene, and how to safely collect evidence from the scene.

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 how to perform a solar power system 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

-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

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 are unable to agree on the amount of loss. It is a form of arbitration, limited to the amount of loss and unable to address coverage issues. However, the amount of loss is often the single biggest source of disagreement in an insurance claim. Appraisal 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 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

This course will demystify the property subrogation and investigation process for field adjusters and claims personnel. When a loss occurs due to fire, flood, or other peril; it is imperative subrogation potential is identified early and that the investigation is conducted properly. 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), collection and management of evidence, and how an investigation must be conducted to allow for subrogation to succeed. This course will be applicable to losses large and small, simple to complex, and will include case studies.

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

Wade Lanning, Ph, D. ARCCA

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 broken steel parts and investigate whether corrosion visible on the part 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 to check for material flaws or deterioration. This presentation is intended to help non-engineers and non-scientists understand how they can make use of a materials science expert in forensic investigations. Even though materials science is a specialized field, the applications in forensics are very broad. After all, everything is made out of material!

DOCUSKETCH TUTORIAL/ 1 CE

Andrew Grimm, ATI Restoration
Jessica Barber, Docusketch

The future of P&C claims documentation is 360 imagery. It is imperative that adjusters 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

Brian Foote, MBA, WRT, HCC, BELFOR Property Restoration

What is done and is not done in the first 48 hours after a large or small disaster event influences how successful the entire recovery process will be, 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 that 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

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 an exercise in frustration. What constitutes exposure to water, and what sort of risks are there in restoring electrical apparatus? This presentation will be a summary of what guidelines for assessment exist, what remediation techniques are available, and what is and isn’t required by the code.

FROM INCEPTION TO COMPLETION-ADJUSTING PROPERTY CLAIMS BEYOND THE BUILDING CODE| 1CE

Jennifer Glitzner, DH Construction.
Steve Moore, Degenkolb Engineers
Sharon Sims, JS Claims, and Consulting

This presentation will review an adjuster’s role and responsibilities during the property claims process from initial intake and assignment through the completion of construction and issuance of final payment. As a result of changing building and municipality codes and construction processes, property damage claims can no longer be considered “typical” due to site specific requirements. Today’s claim adjusters, design professionals, and contractors must be able to identify and address these unique circumstances related to code provisions, city ordinances, and existing site conditions beyond the minimum requirements of the current building codes. This presentation will identify many of these unique circumstances, when they may occur during the claims process, and inform the adjuster of available resources. The ultimate goal of this presentation is to further educate the adjuster regarding these unique circumstances so that they can successfully adjust property claims and efficiently collaborate with other insurance professionals.