National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): Part I

State Approved CE Credits:FL NH NC OK TX

Tuesday, March 21 — 8:00 - 12:00

Bartees Cox, Insurance Examiner, FEMA, Washington, DC
Matthew Swoboda, Insurance Examiner, FEMA, Washington, DC
Leesa O'Donnell Tomsett, Branch Chief, FEMA, Washington, DC

Describe the framework of the NFIP program and tools to perform flood policy adjusting duties

Evaluate coverages and provisions of all three Standard Flood Insurance Policy forms to assist in fair and accurate claims adjustments

Identify the information, knowledge, and skills to be self-reliant, using the tools developed by the NFIP

Review ways to reduce adjusting errors and help ensure quality adjustment for all policyholders
You must attend the full day of sessions, Parts I & II, to register for or renew a Flood Control Number (FCN).

Social Media, Devices & Cloud Data in Claim Investigations

State Approved CE Credits:DE FL NC OK TX

Tuesday, March 21 — 8:00 - 12:00
Wednesday, March 22 — 8:30 - 12:00

Roy A. Mura, JD, Managing Member, Mura Law Group, Buffalo, NY

Describe how to gather and record social media evidence with first- and third-party claims

Evaluate admissibility and authentication of evidence and the power of a preservation letter

Analyze the risks and regulations in collecting evidence and how to manage the risk

List social media resources and third-party profile services

Accident Reconstruction Using Modern Digital Data

State Approved CE Credits:FL NC TX

Tuesday, March 21 — 8:00 - 9:30
Wednesday, March 22 — 1:30 - 3:00

Steve Irwin, PE, EVP-Accident Reconstruction, Aperture LLC, Dallas, TX
James C. Wright, Shareholder, Zausmer, P.C., Farmington Hills, MI

Explore various technologies that can be used in accident reconstruction cases

Analyze the collected information as used in liability investigations and negligence determination

Describe how this data can be accepted or admitted by the court

Adjusting Large Construction Defect Claims

State Approved CE Credits:FL NC OK TX

Tuesday, March 21 — 8:00 - 9:30
Monday, March 20 — 3:30 - 5:00

Kenneth R. Gilvary, M.S., P.E., Principal Engineer/Owner, Revision Engineering Inc., Tampa, FL
Jennifer Kalvestran, Partner, Gust Rosenfeld, PLC, Los Angeles, CA

Evaluate the claim as to liability, damages, and coverage

Identify and resolve coverage issues including whether there has been occurrence and number of occurrences, which policy(ies) are triggered where construction and water intrusion continue over multiple years, coverage for damage to the insured’s work versus resulting damage to other parts of the buildings, coverage for rip and tear to remediate damage to the insured’s work, and other issues

Assess and respond to tenders by general contractor for coverage as additional insured or pursuant to contractual indemnification and deal with other carriers who insure same contractor or sub or different subs

Determine covered versus non-covered damages after a jury verdict including intervention, special jury instruction, and post-verdict allocation

Appraisal: Strategic Overview

State Approved CE Credits:FL NC

Tuesday, March 21 — 8:00 - 9:30
Wednesday, March 22 — 10:30 - 12:00

Charles A. Baker, Jr., AIC, VP Field Operations/EGA, Peninsula Insurance Bureau, Tampa, FL
Thomas J. Moody, JD, Partner, Clausen Miller P.C., Tampa, FL

Describe the process for resolving a claim through appraisal

Identify jurisdictional limitations on appraisal

Assess recent case law developments on appraisal

Evaluate different strategies for effectively using appraisal

Building Code: A Critical Look

State Approved CE Credits:FL NC TX

Tuesday, March 21 — 8:00 - 9:30
Wednesday, March 22 — 10:30 - 12:00

Joey Lang, Chief Operating Officer, Cat Claims Unlimited, St. Petersburg, FL
Mike Rimoldi, MPA, CBO, CFM, Senior Project Manager, J.S. Held LLC, Valrico, FL

Interpret building codes to apply to various claims

Determine which questions to ask when dealing with building code supplements

Describe how the FEMA 50% Rule and the Roofing 25% Rule work

Determine which building code book and new construction codes apply to a structure and how they interact

Casualty Case Law Update

State Approved CE Credits:DE FL NH NC OK TX

Tuesday, March 21 — 8:00 - 9:30
Wednesday, March 22 — 3:30 - 5:00

Paul Graf, President, Roanoke Valley Claims Service, Roanoke, VA
W. Lane Neilson, JD, Partner, Neilson & Associates, P.A., Orlando, FL

Identify current casualty claim law trends across the nation

Evaluate current issues and improve your ability to forecast court decisions

Analyze third-party liability factual scenarios

CAT Planning & Response to Catastrophes

State Approved CE Credits:FL NC TX

Tuesday, March 21 — 8:00 - 9:30
Wednesday, March 22 — 1:30 - 3:00

Sean McClung, CPCU, AIC, AINS, Director-Catastrophe Claims, Citizens Property Insurance, Jacksonville, FL
Kevin McKinnis, Catastrophe Team Manager, Auto Club Enterprises Group, Coppell, TX
Matthew Modica, Claims Service Representative, Auto Club Enterprises Group, Coppell, TX

Prepare for the event with pre-season meetings to identify the resources and protocols needed to respond

Perform initial reconnaissance of the damaged area to evaluate severity and determine how best to deploy your resources

Improve your response by conducting ongoing evaluations and post-mortem sessions to improve the planning and response process

Evaluate technology and resources available that may give you an advantage with the catastrophe and weather response

CGL Policy & Work Product Coverage Conundrums

State Approved CE Credits:DE FL NC OK TX

Tuesday, March 21 — 8:00 - 9:30
Wednesday, March 22 — 1:30 - 3:00

Renee Carnuche, CPCU, SCLA, AIC, AIM, Comm'l Claims/Litigation Mgr., Erie Insurance Group, Erie, PA
Steven E. Peiper, JD, Shareholder, Vice President, Hurwitz Fine P.C., Buffalo, NY

Explore coverage triggers encountered in work product cases

Identify policy coverage issues including property damage, occurrence, work product exclusion, and exceptions to those exclusions

Evaluate work product coverage issues and potentially multiple policies/policy periods triggered

Contents Claims Adjustments that Sizzle

State Approved CE Credits:DE FL NH NC TX

Monday, March 20 — 10:30 - 12:00
Tuesday, March 21 — 8:00 - 9:30

Todd Breton, PMP, Program Manager, Hippo Insurance Services, Austin, TX
Deborah Johnson, President & CEO, Contents Adjuster Team, LLC, St. Louis, MO

Explore ways to adjust personal property claims from a technical and human needs standpoint

Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of traditional personal property adjustments

Identify the most critical features of contents adjustments

Describe ways to increase your expertise in handling contents claims

Explore the differences between customer attention and customer service

Coverage Challenges with Common Property Endorsements

State Approved CE Credits:FL NC TX

Monday, March 20 — 10:30 - 12:00
Tuesday, March 21 — 8:00 - 9:30

Anthony Antonellis, JD, Sr. Partner, Sloane and Walsh, LLP, Boston, MA
Richard E. Beaudette, AIC, PCLA, FCLA, Sr. Examiner/Quality Assurance, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Scranton, PA
Amy Mund, MBA, CPCU, Property Claims Manager, Amica Mutual Group, Sugar Land, TX

Dissect critical provisions contained in common property endorsements, such as sewer and drain backups, mold/fungi, cosmetic damage, and hurricane deductibles, among others

Evaluate new and emerging commercial and homeowners property endorsements and their implications for established claim adjusting practices

Identify frequent and unique coverage issues arising from common property endorsements

Describe recent court rulings impacting the application of common property endorsements

Emerging Issues in Property Coverage: Digital Assets

State Approved CE Credits:FL NC

Tuesday, March 21 — 8:00 - 9:30
Wednesday, March 22 — 10:30 - 12:00

Jay A. Johnston, JD, Executive Counsel, Travelers Companies, St. Paul, MN
Craig D. Roswell, Esq., Managing Partner, Niles, Barton & Wilmer, LLP, Baltimore, MD

Describe the underwriting challenges with digital assets, such as virtual currency and non-fungible tokens, and the underwriting appetite for digital asset exposures

Evaluate existing policy wording as it relates to digital assets, such as virtual currency and NFTs

Review recent case law applying existing policy wording to digital assets, such as virtual currency an NFTs

Identify challenges in applying existing wording to digital assets and understand industry attempts to address such property and exposures

Emotional Intelligence: What They Didn't Teach You

Tuesday, March 21 — 8:00 - 9:30
Wednesday, March 22 — 10:30 - 12:00

Jim Jez, MS, AIC, SCLA, President, Jez Insurance Consulting LLC, Plano, TX

Define “Emotional Intelligence” and understand why emotional intelligence plays a significant role in the claim handling environment

Identify the skills and competencies that an emotionally intelligent adjuster possesses

Possess the ability to identify, understand, and manage our own emotions and the emotions of others

Demonstrate the ability to read, regulate and communicate emotions with tact and diplomacy

Property Case Law Developments: Commercial Lines

State Approved CE Credits:DE FL NC OK TX

Tuesday, March 21 — 8:00 - 9:30
Wednesday, March 22 — 1:30 - 3:00

James A. Kitces, JD, Partner, Robins Kaplan LLP, Boston, MA
Wayne Taylor, JD, Partner, Mozley Finlayson & Loggins LLP, Atlanta, GA

Review current trends and improve ability to forecast court decisions in connection with commercial lines claims

Identify current issues and concerns in the property insurance coverage field relating to commercial lines claims

Practice reasoning skills to apply policy provisions to factual scenarios

Analyze property insurance coverage issues from national and state levels

Remote Estimating: Providing Value & Answers

State Approved CE Credits:FL NC

Monday, March 20 — 1:30 - 3:00
Tuesday, March 21 — 8:00 - 9:30

Christopher McDermott, AIC, CCP, PTC, Property Product Manager, Crawford & Company, Peachtree Corners, GA
Jeff Taxier, SCLA, Consultant, ATI Restoration, LLC, Anaheim, CA

Explain the history of remote property estimating through today

Describe the role and significance of remote estimating for insurers and insureds

Implement techniques for effective remote estimating

Explain and, if necessary, defend remote estimates from challenges by insureds and/or their representatives

Reservation of Rights & Declination Letters

State Approved CE Credits:DE FL NH NC OK TX

Monday, March 20 — 1:30 - 3:00
Tuesday, March 21 — 8:00 - 9:30

Charleen Hoskins, Founder, President & CEO, TPAS, LLC, St. Louis, MO
David Jarrett, JD, AVP-Legal Counsel, Western Reserve Group, Wooster, OH

Recognize when a reservation of rights letter is needed

Identify the components and content of a reservation of rights letter

Describe how to deal with the insured’s response to a reservation of rights letter

Analyze the differences and consequences of reservation of rights versus declination letters

Roofing Fraud: Storm or Simulated Damage

State Approved CE Credits:FL NC OK TX

Tuesday, March 21 — 8:00 - 9:30
Wednesday, March 22 — 3:30 - 5:00

Delfina Eceiza, Case Manager, SIU Solutions, LLC, Tampa, FL
Michael Monteverde, Esq., Partner/Shareholder, Zinober Diana & Monteverde, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Jonathan Williams, PE, Partner, Grindley Williams Engineering, Lakeland, FL

Describe the fundamental physics of the interaction of wind and hail with building exteriors as the basis for differentiating legitimate storm damage from simulated damage

Identify the methods used by unscrupulous individuals to simulate damage to roofing

Develop strategies to consider when presented with “damage” to roofing that they suspect might be fraudulent

Navigate legal strategies for pursuing fraudulent claims, the burden of proof for allegations of fraud, and challenging opposing experts’ damage opinions

Think Like A Detective: Investigation for Subro

State Approved CE Credits:FL NC

Tuesday, March 21 — 8:00 - 9:30
Wednesday, March 22 — 1:30 - 3:00

Carnetta Crawford, Claims Manager, American National P&C Group, Springfield, MO
Kathleen Schulze, Claims CS Supervisor, American National P&C Group, Springfield, MO
Scott Thompson, AIC, ARC, SCLA, Claims Manager - Recovery, American National P&C Group, Springfield, MO

Identify the importance of obtaining information at claim intake (FNOL).

Distinguish the tools required to investigate, document and complete the claim.

Recognize how claim intake, investigation and documentation impact subrogation.

Permissive Use in Auto Liability Claims

State Approved CE Credits:FL NC

Tuesday, March 21 — 8:00 - 9:30
Wednesday, March 22 — 10:30 - 12:00

Greg Dorenkamp, CPCU, SCLA, AIC, API, Business Center Claim Manager, Farm Bureau P&C Group, Des Moines, IA
Angela Kassube, Field Claims Consultant, Nationwide Group, Columbus, OH
Jonathan Schwartz, JD, Partner, Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP, Chicago, IL

Assess the availability of liability coverage when the driver is unlicensed or the driver's license is suspended or revoked

Identify and resolve coverage issues that arise when the permissive user is an employee and claims to be driving in the course and scope of employment, especially in accidents involving employees driving their personal vehicles

Describe different tests applied by courts for addressing situations in which the use of the vehicle deviated from the initial scope of permission given

Evaluate liability coverage where a third person uses a car via another person who did have permission to use the car

Unfair Claims Practices: This is Jeopardy!

State Approved CE Credits:FL NC TX

Tuesday, March 21 — 8:00 - 9:30
Wednesday, March 22 — 1:30 - 3:00

James H. Cole, JD, Attorney, Marshall Dennehey Warner et al, Philadelphia, PA
Jennie Philip, Esq., Sr. Coverage Director, Chubb, Philadelphia, PA

Identify the nuances of the act and how the provisions directly affect day to day claims handling with concrete examples from a property perspective

Effectively explain how policyholders attempt to use violations of the act as evidence of bad faith and how best to avoid potential extra-contractual liability

Describe procedures for file documentation to ensure compliance with the act

Evaluate various positions and ways to handle different scenarios while remaining in compliance with the act

Virtual Inspections: Anywhere, Anytime, by Anyone!

State Approved CE Credits:FL NC

Wednesday, March 22 — 1:30 - 3:00
Tuesday, March 21 — 8:00 - 9:30

Jorge Campos, Managing Director, WBPRO, Orlando, FL
Tim Ellis, Executive Vice President, DUX Experts Inc., Orlando, FL
Daniel Price, Managing Principal, Keystone Experts + Engineers, Castlerock, CO

Assess how virtual inspection technology is revolutionizing readiness skills within the industry and the benefits such tools can offer

Evaluate inspection technology capabilities and procedures with process flows, 3D floorplans, and use of data capture sensors

Describe how virtual inspection technology affects adjusting a claim

List benefits technology may bring to inspecting claims

PLRB Presents! Inspirations

Tuesday, March 21 — 8:00 - 9:30

PLRB Presents! Inspirations features three dynamic and engaging short talks meant to inspire and motivate.

Leading the Hulks on Your Team
Rod Patterson, VP H.O. Claims, Seneca Insurance Company
The Hulk has immeasurable strength, but his erratic behavior creates problems for the team. To effectively lead Hulks that are on your team, you must have a high degree of self-confidence, and an equal, if not greater, degree of humility.

Lie, Cheat, and Steal Like Nobody’s Watching!
Terence Kadlec, VP-Engineering & Specialty, MC Consultants, Inc.
Perhaps the title’s a little misleading, but it got your attention. And maybe that’s the point – to talk about what makes all of us uncomfortable when it comes to ethics.

How Empathy Can Help Resolve Claim Conflicts
Gregg Golson, VP-Program Director, J.S. Held, LLC
What if I could provide you with a new tool to help you resolve conflicts? Empathy is integral to being an effective insurance professional, especially a claims professional.

PLRB Coverage, CATs & Codes: Adjusting Made Easier

State Approved CE Credits:FL NC

Monday, March 20 — 3:30 - 4:30
Tuesday, March 21 — 10:30 - 11:30
Wednesday, March 22 — 8:30 - 9:30

Patrick K. Biggins, JD, Counsel, PLRB, Downers Grove, IL
David W. Fox, JD, Counsel, PLRB, Downers Grove, IL
Ruth Gottmann, Dir.-Building Codes/Standards, PLRB, Downers Grove, IL
Andrew G. Louchios, GISP, AVP-Catastrophe Services, PLRB, Downers Grove, IL

Conduct historical weather searches using PLRB's Weather/CAT tools

Find quick answers to common building code questions faced by adjusters utilizing PLRB resources, including the BCme app

Access the latest property and liability cases, emerging issues, and other updated PLRB materials

Discover tips and shortcuts using the PLRB database

This session is for staff of PLRB member insurance companies.

Assignment of Benefits: Policy Giveaway

State Approved CE Credits:DE FL NH NC TX

Tuesday, March 21 — 10:30 - 12:00
Wednesday, March 22 — 8:30 - 10:00

Michael Guerra, Director, Claims Governance, Citizens Property Insurance, Jacksonville, FL
Mark Watts, CPCU, Senior Counsel, Citizens Property Insurance, Jacksonville, FL

Describe what an assignment of benefits contract is and who benefits from it

Review how assignment of benefit contracts comport with the established law in various jurisdictions

Identify “red flags” for potential fraud involved with assignment of claim presentations

Evaluate various strategies to help navigate your customer's claim through the waters of an assignment of benefits situation

Compare alternative dispute resolution options to reduce litigation

Autonomous Vehicles: Liability & Coverage Issues

State Approved CE Credits:FL NC TX

Tuesday, March 21 — 10:30 - 12:00
Monday, March 20 — 10:30 - 12:00

Jacob Carr, Manager Auto Damage, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, Fishers, IN
Kenneth P. Williams, JD, Shareholder, Segal McCambridge Singer et al, Southfield, MI

Identify various parties who may be liable for loss arising out of the use of driverless vehicles such as manufacturers, engineers, designers, and retailers

Examine likely theories of liability that may be asserted against these potentially liable parties

Describe liability insurance coverage available to potentially liable parties

Explore the coordination of insurance coverage among these parties

Basic Plumbing Claims: Why are They So Confusing?

State Approved CE Credits:FL NC OK TX

Tuesday, March 21 — 10:30 - 12:00
Wednesday, March 22 — 1:30 - 3:00

Robert Dehne, Esq., Partner, Gorelle & Salmon, P.A., Maitland, FL
Michelle Feduccia, PE, Senior Engineer, J.S. Held LLC, Tampa, FL
Kenneth Hall, Litigation Director, Universal North America Ins., Sarasota, FL

Identify the parts of a plumbing system and how they work

Determine if a blockage is on or off premises

Describe how the policy applies to plumbing losses

Identify questions in plumbing losses that could signal a potentially fraudulent claim

Climate Change & Claims: Preparing for the New Normal

State Approved CE Credits:FL NC TX

Monday, March 20 — 3:30 - 5:00
Tuesday, March 21 — 10:30 - 12:00

Christian T. Fox, CPA, Vice President, Meaden & Moore, Dublin, OH
Michael Puia, AIC-M, AIM, CPCU, Catastrophe Claims Director, State Auto Insurance Companies, Buchtel, OH
Clinton J. Wolbert, JD, Partner, Phelps Dunbar, LLP, Houston, TX

Evaluate changing weather patterns caused by climate change

Identify methods to handle unusual catastrophe claims

Compare forensic projections vs. changing landscape that affect the actual loss sustained of business income and the challenges of the claim

Describe recent legislation and how it translates to claims and the insurance market

Commercial Roofing, Damages & Investigations

State Approved CE Credits:DE FL NC TX

Tuesday, March 21 — 10:30 - 12:00
Wednesday, March 22 — 8:30 - 10:00

Robert Harrell, XCT, Sr. Product Mgr., Ins. Prod., Verisk, Dewey, AZ
Shannon Pierce, PE, National Practice Leader, Lerch Bates, Inc., Eden Prairie, MN

Identify common types of commercial roofing systems found in the United States and applicable performance considerations

Outline claim investigation procedures and complexities regarding damages to these roofing systems

Describe methods for working with contractors and managing varying levels of roof repairs and replacement strategies

Explain building code considerations when faced with repairs and replacements

Construction Defect Subrogation Challenges

State Approved CE Credits:FL NC

Tuesday, March 21 — 10:30 - 12:00
Wednesday, March 22 — 3:30 - 5:00

David Fisk, JD, Partner, Grotefeld Hoffmann, Dallas, TX

Identify issues that frequently arise in construction defect subrogation claims

Describe statutes of repose and limitation applicable to construction defect claims

Recognize contractual provisions that may impact a subrogation claim

Assess the viability of a construction defect subrogation claim

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Monday, March 20 — 10:30 - 12:00
Tuesday, March 21 — 10:30 - 12:00

Shameem Awan, CPCU, AIC, API, AINS, Assistant Vice President, Amica Mutual Group, Providence, RI
Rhonda Burns, Associate Vice President, Nationwide Group, Columbus, OH

Define what Diversity, Equity and Inclusion mean

Develop an awareness and understanding of unconscious bias

Recognize and address Microagressions

Encourage allyship and bystander intervention

Ethical Decision Making: All That Jazzy Ethics

State Approved CE Credits:DE FL NH NC OK TX

Tuesday, March 21 — 10:30 - 12:00
Wednesday, March 22 — 3:30 - 5:00

Jackie Jones, Manager, Property & SIU Claims, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, Indianapolis, IN
Larry Mason, Esq., Partner, Goldberg Segalla, LLP, Chicago, IL

Identify common ethical challenges in claims handling

Analyze potential risks of unethical claims handling practices

Describe approaches to resolving ethical dilemmas

Explore benefits of ethical claims handling

Fostering, Attracting & Retaining Early Career Talent

Tuesday, March 21 — 10:30 - 12:00
Wednesday, March 22 — 10:30 - 12:00

Mary Bruggeman, MBA, CPCU, AIC-M, AU, Divisional AVP-Corp. Claims, Great American P&C Group, Cincinnati, OH
Brad Bush, CPCU, Executive Claim Specialist, Michigan Millers Mutual Ins., Lansing, MI

Identify strategies to attract early career talent to your organization including developing the talent pipeline

Develop guest speaking and presentations for these student insurance programs

Create networking opportunities with other insurance professionals and students

Build a conduit of insurance talent to fill your own company’s needs in open positions

Compare successful onboarding and retention practices for in-person and work-from-home environments

Homeowners Claims: Sticky Issues Facing Adjusters

State Approved CE Credits:FL NC TX

Tuesday, March 21 — 10:30 - 12:00
Wednesday, March 22 — 8:30 - 10:00

Paul Kilmer, CPCU, AIC, Retired, EMC Insurance Companies, DeWitt, MI
Michael T. Ryan, JD, Partner, Merry, Farnen & Ryan, P.C., St. Clair Shores, MI

Assess when an insured does, and does not, reside in the insured property and evaluating the impact of that upon coverage

Determine how to apply the worldwide contents coverage provision in claims where the personal property is not located at the insured property

Compare when appraisal is or is not appropriate

Determine when something meets the definition of an "Other Structure" under Coverage B

Measuring Business Income Losses: Emerging Issues

State Approved CE Credits:FL NC

Tuesday, March 21 — 10:30 - 12:00
Wednesday, March 22 — 1:30 - 3:00

James V. Chin, JD, Partner, Zelle LLP, Atlanta, GA
Glenn Ricciardelli, CPA, CVA, CFE, CFF, Partner, MDD Forensic Accountants, Boston, MA
Joseph Slane, RPA, Sr. EGA, EVP-Specialty Loss Group, Engle Martin, Wayne, PA

Identify the challenges in projecting a business’ financial performance as we slowly move beyond the COVID-19 pandemic

Assess the impact of the supply side constraints in the economy, including extensions of the period of restoration

Describe the impact of the return of inflation on loss measurements after experiencing a long period of “cheap money”

Compare the current constraints in the supply of labor affecting business performance in terms of output and cost

Mock Mediation & Strategies for Casualty Adjusters

State Approved CE Credits:FL NC OK TX

Monday, March 20 — 3:30 - 5:00
Tuesday, March 21 — 10:30 - 12:00

Rina Carmel, JD, Senior Counsel, Anderson McPharlin & Conners, Los Angeles, CA
Jamie Flowers, JD, Legal Counsel/Litigation Mgr., Illinois Casualty Company, Rock Island, IL
Jeff Kichaven, JD, Independent Mediator, Jeff Kichaven Comm'l Mediation, Los Angeles, CA
Rebekah Ratliff, CCLS, Mediator/Arbitrator, JAMS, Atlanta, GA

Analyze how coverage issues impact settlement of liability claims

Develop strategies for negotiating settlement in multi-claimant, multi-insured situations

Compare negotiating strategies employed by coverage counsel, a mediator, a policyholder-side lawyer, and plaintiff’s counsel

Describe ethical considerations that insurers and their counsel may face at mediation

Property Case Law Developments: Personal Lines

State Approved CE Credits:FL NC TX

Tuesday, March 21 — 10:30 - 12:00
Wednesday, March 22 — 3:30 - 5:00

Bryce J. Adams, JD, Associate, Bullivant Houser, Portland, OR
Nicholas W. Travis, JD, Partner, Clausen Miller P.C., Tampa, FL

Describe how recent case law impacts claim investigation techniques

Identify key investigative materials and methods to assist in evaluation of a claim

Practice reasoning skills to apply policy provisions to factual scenarios

Analyze property insurance coverage issues from national and state levels

Property Claim Ethics: Adjusting in Good Faith

State Approved CE Credits:FL NH NC OK TX

Monday, March 20 — 10:30 - 12:00
Tuesday, March 21 — 10:30 - 12:00

Jonathan Barger, JD, Partner, Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig, Chicago, IL
Nanci L. Smilie, CPCU, AIC, Litigation Specialist, Erie Insurance Group, East Peoria, IL

Describe various challenges that claims professionals face when adjusting property claims

Identify good faith methods for resolving these challenges

Review recent bad faith case law developments

Describe how to avoid bad faith dangers in property claim adjustments

Risk Evaluation & Claims Team Collaboration

Tuesday, March 21 — 10:30 - 12:00
Wednesday, March 22 — 3:30 - 5:00

Mark Cantalamessa, Managing Partner, YOUNG & Associates, Freedom, PA
Brandon Sipple, Partner, Finazzo Cossolini O'Leary, Morristown, NJ
William Smith, Sr. Executive General Adjuster, McLarens, Matthews, NC

Assess the criteria considered by a carrier when evaluating a specific risk for purposes of underwriting

Identify the qualifications, competencies, and capabilities to consider when assembling the post-loss team of professionals

Compare the benefits of assembling a claims team at the inception or renewal of an Insurance Program before a loss occurs

Explore impact team has on insured risks from the underwriting and claims perspectives

Stress Management with Rising Claims & CAT Deployment

State Approved CE Credits:FL NC

Tuesday, March 21 — 10:30 - 12:00
Wednesday, March 22 — 3:30 - 5:00

Tom Carlson, Director of Field Claims, North Star Companies, Cottonwood, MN
Ray Shelton, Ph.D., Dir.-Professional Development, National Center Crisis Mgmt., Hicksville, NY

Define stress and traumatic stress, their impact on self and claims process

Describe the impact rising claims and CAT deployment have on relationships and home life

Learn safety strategies to be utilized while deployed on CAT duty

Identify specific strategies to be used to manage stress and protect the well-being of relationships and family

Multiple Claimants & Insufficient Policy Limits

State Approved CE Credits:DE FL NC TX

Tuesday, March 21 — 10:30 - 12:00
Wednesday, March 22 — 8:30 - 10:00

Kathy J. Maus, JD, Partner, Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig, Tallahassee, FL
Julia Molander, JD, Insurance Lit. Consultant, JAMolander Consulting, San Francisco, CA
Jamie Combee Novaes, JD, Partner, Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig, Tampa, FL

Describe the issues involved where multiple claimants seek compensation under a policy or policies with insufficient limit

Survey the statutes and cases that may apply to multiple claimants or multiple insureds with insufficient limits

Identify hot spots and predicaments that pose potential exposure to bad faith liability because of insufficient limits

Develop practical approaches to handling claims in situations presenting insufficient limits

Water Mitigation Challenges & Updates

State Approved CE Credits:FL NC TX

Tuesday, March 21 — 10:30 - 12:00
Wednesday, March 22 — 1:30 - 3:00

Ed Jones, VP of Education and R&D, CodeBlue an Accuserve Company, Lorena, TX
Rochelle Ptacek, IICRC ASD WTR AHERA, Process Design Lead Consultant, Allstate Insurance Group, Chandler, AZ

Describe IICRC guidelines and recent updates to S500 guidelines and how they regulate water mitigation activities

List important water damage mitigation basics

Obtain appropriate documentation and ask questions to manage the loss in the mitigation process

Identify common challenges adjusters face with water mitigation claims

Drive compliance and consistency with in- and out-of-network contractors

Wildland & Wildfire Claims: Investigating Fault

State Approved CE Credits:DE FL NH NC TX

Tuesday, March 21 — 10:30 - 12:00
Monday, March 20 — 3:30 - 5:00

John A. Donovan III, JD, Senior Partner, Sloane and Walsh, LLP, Boston, MA
Kirsten Hoedlmoser, M.Eng., CIH, P.Eng., Technical Lead, Env. & Hygiene, Envista Forensics/AREPA, Toronto, ON
Todd Soong, IAAI-CFI, CI, NAFI-CFEI, Senior Fire Analyst, NEFCO Fire Investigations, Rochester, NH
James M. Wood, AVP - Head of Marine Claims, Hanover Insurance Group, Worcester, MA

Identify issues relating to adjusting large property fire loss claims

Investigate opportunities for subrogation and/or contribution from wildland and wildfire events

Develop a plan for first- and third-party litigation arising out of wildland fires

Assemble and coordinate the proper team for investigation

Traumatic Brain Injury: Evaluating Claims

State Approved CE Credits:FL NH NC TX

Tuesday, March 21 — 10:30 - 12:00
Wednesday, March 22 — 1:30 - 3:00

David R. Price, Ph.D., President, The Forensic Network, Greenville, SC
Robert S. Stickley, JD, Founder, Stickley Law, LLC, Newtown Square, PA

Describe what constitutes a mild traumatic brain injury, moderate traumatic brain injury, and severe traumatic brain injury

Identify what records and documents are needed for appropriate brain injury evaluation

Distinguish the prognosis for recovery from mild, moderate, and severe traumatic brain injuries

Evaluate the high probability of fraud and malingering in mild traumatic brain injury claims

PLRB Presents! Your Claims Story

Tuesday, March 21 — 10:30 - 12:00

PLRB Presents! Your Claims Story features three dynamic and engaging personal narratives on the winding road through the insurance industry.

Closing Doors to Open Opportunities
Courtney Cooke, Vice President of Sales, Bees360
I had this idea after talking with a 20+ year carrier employee who was impacted by a restructure and opted to take the severance offer. When we finished our conversation, she felt so relieved and energized about her future.

Building a Human-Centered Managed Repair Experience
Hunter Powell, CEO, Accuserve
One aspect that may get lost during a property loss claim is that the policyholder is enduring an emotional experience that needs attention beyond guiding them through a claims process. We should strive to be human first and property restoration experts second.

Oh, the Hats You’ll Wear!
Kristin Kulesza, Claim Service Leader, Allstate
My path in property claims was certainly not looked for, planned, or even considered in my career planning. Nor did I plan how winding, challenging, amazing, and satisfying this career would be. Yet, here I am, wearing many hats and enjoying it.

Construction Materials & Methods: New Technologies

State Approved CE Credits:FL NC

Tuesday, March 21 — 10:30 - 12:00
Wednesday, March 22 — 1:30 - 3:00

Graham Barth, Member, Ward Hocker Thornton, Lexington, KY
Sarah Bishop, Senior Litigation Specialist, SECURA Insurance Companies, Broomfield, CO
Terence Kadlec, PE, VP-Engineering & Specialty, MC Consultants, Inc., Carlsbad, CA
Maren Mooney, CCP, CLMP, CRIS, Account Executive, Construction Risk Partners, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Identify technologies that are emerging in the construction industry

Assess the impact of construction technology on claims

Recognize the impact of these new technologies and how to respond

Develop methods to evaluate claims with these new materials and methods