9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Registration
Lanyards sponsored by Mutual Broiler Re
Resource Manuals sponsored by IAS Claim Services

1 – 1:15 p.m.

Welcome & Introductions

Kristen Sizelove, AVP – Member Services
NAMIC
Indianapolis, Ind.

1:15 – 3:15 p.m.

The Economy of Claims
Times of economic stress put extra pressure on the consuming public and our insureds. Financial pressure from other sources may push the insured to the limit and the search for money begins. During economic downturns, the property loss adjuster must be more vigilant than ever to identify and pursue issues.

In this seminar, we will review current claims issues that have arisen out of the economic downturn and provide the loss adjuster with the tools necessary to meet these new challenges. We will also review new strategies for handling claims involving bankruptcy, maintenance of property issues, foreclosure and losses relative to theft and mysterious disappearance.

Elise Farnham, CPCU, ARM, AIM, CPIW, President
Illumine Consulting
Grantville, Ga.

3:15 – 3:30 p.m.

Break

3:30 – 5 p.m.

Bad Faith
What is bad faith? We will answer this question and much more. Learn what evidence is necessary to prove bad faith, and what facts can and should be raised in defense of this tort. We will discuss bad faith caused by an inadequate or overzealous investigation, bad faith insurance fraud reporting and issues relating to bad faith litigation.

Rick Hammond, CLU, Attorney
Johnson & Bell, Ltd.
Chicago, Ill.

5 – 6 p.m.

Networking Reception

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

Continental Breakfast

8:30 – 9:45 a.m.

Organization of a Claims File
This session will give a complete overview of what documents and information should be part of the claim file and give an understanding of the responsibility in building the claim file and order in which the file is created. We will also discuss software programs as “going green” options to traditional paper claim files.

Rosanne Hutton
Mindcross Training and Consulting
Washington, DC

9:45 – 10 a.m.

Break

10 – 11:30 a.m.

General Session - Managing the Matching Issue
In 1998, major hailstorms swept through Minnesota resulting in widespread damage to insured property. Many carriers settling these claims chose to pay only for the roofing or siding on the portions of the building that sustained direct damage from wind or hail. Often this left property with mis-matched roofing and siding materials because the original product was no longer available for purchase. Litigation ensued over the issue and a court ruling has greatly impacted how insurance claims have been handled regarding roofing and siding materials. This session will discuss the impact of this court ruling. We will examine the criteria used to determine whether or not roofing and siding materials would be considered a “reasonable” match and discuss resources available to assist in finding a match. In addition, we will discuss the appraisal process, which can be used as a tool to resolve disputed property damage claims.

Scott Hoey, Branch Manager
GAB Robins
Bloomington, Minn.

Jim Stoops, National General Adjuster
GAB Robins
Minneapolis, Minn.

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Lunch

12:30 – 2:15 p.m.

Determining Myth vs. Reality in Fire Claims
In this session, we will examine myths versus reality in fire claims. We will discuss basic burn pattern recognition and extinguishment tactics employed by fire departments that can alter or distort burn patterns.

We will also conduct an in-depth discussion regarding evaluation of statements, evidence and circumstances. Many times the fire is directly linked to some type of human act, error or omission. The occupant many times does not acknowledge this human act if he or she was involved. This lack of acknowledgement can cause some exceptional challenges for the investigator and the adjuster. The investigator and adjuster must be sure the information gained during the investigation is consistent with the physical evidence that remains after the fire. In many instances the occupant and/or owner believes their involvement will negate their insurance coverage. In other instances an intentional human act is responsible for the fire. If the physical evidence remaining after the fire is not consistent with the statements made by witnesses, the investigator must determine why the inconsistency exists.

Jack Fetrow, C.F.I., C.F.E.I, C.V.F.I., Senior Fire and Explosion Investigator
Donan Engineering Co., Inc.
South Bend, Ind.

2:15 – 2:30 p.m.

Break

2:30 – 4:30 p.m.

General Session - Roofing Assessment and Effects of Hail
This session will discuss composition, tile, metal, and wood roofing. We will look at manufacture and installation issues with regarding different types of roofing. In addition, this session discuss weathering and deterioration, plus hail damages. We will focus on identifying damage types and repair costs and options.

Richard Herzog, P.E., R.R.C
Failure and Damage Consultant
Haag Engineering
Minneapolis, Minn.

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

Continental Breakfast

8:30 – 9:45 a.m.

General Session - Closing Claims When Emotions Are High
It is not possible for clients experiencing loss to bracket their emotions while they are attempting to get a loss resolved. Those emotions impact everyone attempting to resolve the claim from the insurance company’s perspective as well. In this session, we will discuss the unavoidable issue of handling emotions while you are handling claims. We will also examine techniques to reduce the emotion that comes up during the interaction and engage in communication that focuses the client on the resolution versus the loss.

Tom Meier, Consultant
Equis Consulting
Indianapolis, Ind.

9:45 – 10 a.m.

Break

10 – 11:30 a.m.

Case Studies
In this session, we will review a variety of case studies to practice what has been taught in the general sessions. We will also use this time for a review of key points and answer questions.

11:30 a.m.

Adjournment

Read

 E-mail Print