Educational Courses 2024
We have some amazing courses set for 2024!
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ADJUSTER'S GUIDE TO EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE CLAIMS/ 3 CE
George McCluskey, Young & Associates
Jim Perry, Engle Martin & Associates
As a result of the 1994 Northridge earthquake, California’s Department of Insurance created a regulation requiring adjusters who investigate earthquake claims to attend training specific to earthquake claims handling. The required curriculum includes:
· California Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations
· Determining Scope of Loss for EQ damage
· Damage Estimation Techniques
· Determining the necessity for Engineer/ Expert
· CA DOI EQ Mediation program
· Assessment of damage to Concrete
· Subsequently discovered EQ damage
· Programs designed to assist EQ victims
In addition to the above the role of the CA Earthquake Authority is also presented as part of this course. Insurance Adjusters, Coverage and Defense Counsels, Agents and Brokers servicing insurance companies with investigating or identifying damage & repair costs would benefit. This course complies with the requirements as set forth in CA code of Regulations, Title 10, Chapter 5, Subchapter 7.501, Article 1, Section 2695.40-2695.43. The training must be renewed every three years.
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COMBUSTION BYPRODUCTS: IT’S NOT YOUR DAD’S SMOKE ANYMORE/ 1CE
Eloy Cisneros, Young & Associates
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Due to Lithium ion batteries and other new materials, smoke from fires today have many more potential sources of toxic contaminants than in the past. This presentation will discuss potential contaminants associated with wildfires, structure fires and electrical fires and how to assess the combustion byproduct impact.
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
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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
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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 for 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 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
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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.
GOOD FAITH CLAIMS ADJUSTING IN A LITIGIOUS WORLD/ 1 CE
​Peter Schifrin, Schifrin, Gagnon & Dickey, Inc.
Kevin Hansen, McCormick Barstow LLP
Heavily regulated by law, subject to potential extra-contractual or punitive liability, and burdened by timelines, professional insurance adjusting seemingly requires perfection. An adjuster’s job means ensuring every claim investigation and adjustment is reasonable, timely, compliant with regulations, statutes, and case law, complete and accurate, while often dealing with varying state laws and standards. This class will include review and discussion of good faith practices, claims handling regulations, statutes, cases, standards, practice pointers, avoiding or correcting errors, dealing with adversity, candid advice and real-world examples. The class will also discuss examples of potential adverse liability and damages.
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BINDING INSURANCE APPRAISAL: CLAIM SOLVER OR CLAIM WRECKER?/ 1 CE
​John Ratto, Reliant Claims
Kevin Hansen, McCormick Barstow LLP
Binding insurance appraisal is a tool often used but seldom fully appreciated. Its purpose is to offer the parties to 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.
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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.
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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 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 a material!
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DOCUSKETCH & 3D IMAGERY
Andrew Grimm, ATI Restoration
Michael Merry, 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.
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DISASTER RECOVERY: THE FIRST 48 HOURS/ 1 CE
Brian Foote, MBA, WRT, HCC, BELFOR Property Restoration
April Lowe -Pacific Specialty Insurance
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.
FIRE AND EXPLOSION INVESTIGATIONS THAT SIZZLE/ 1 CE
Geoff Hazard, IAAI-CFI, MSC.
Steve Davis, Sentry Insurance/Davis Investigations
Donna Post, Accelerant K9 Handler
This educational yet entertaining program provides Claims professionals with a
multitude of insights and tips for navigating the hidden dangers lurking beneath the
surface of fire claims investigation. Investigating these cases has required a
combination of ‘old school techniques’ and ‘new school tools’.
One of the forensic techniques will be the utilization of a canine team live
demonstration. An accelerant K9 is specially trained to detect the odor of ignitable
liquids that are left behind at the fire scene. The K9 will then indicate to their
handler where they detected the odor so a sample can be taken by the Origin and
Cause Investigator to send it to the lab for testing.
This program combines decades of experience from the perspectives of claims and
forensic professionals. Actual cases will be utilized to challenge the participant as to
cost-effective use of investigative tools, case direction and claim resolution.
The program is loaded with practical tips and solid "takeaways” that can be
immediately put to use by claims professionals.
FROM INCEPTION TO COMPLETION;
ADJUSTING PROPERTY CLAIMS BEYOND THE BUILDING CODE/ 1 CE
Steve Moore, Degenkolb Engineers PE, CASp
Jim Krueger, JS Claims & Consulting
Jennifer Glitzner, DH Construction Inc.
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.
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UNDERSTANDING THE COMPLEXITIES INVOLVED WHEN ADJUSTING LARGE LOSS CONTENTS CLAIMS
Paul Gilbert, EFI Global, Inc.
Michael Gatewood. Sedgwick
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As the world around us continues to evolve and advance, so does the world of property claims. Claims are becoming more and more complex with larger exposures that require much greater documentation. As technology becomes more advanced, we are now able to incorporate more and more technology into our claims process to allow the process to move more efficiently, with greater accuracy, increasing the safety in which inspections are completed, and providing better deliverables.