Jonathan Barger

Property Claim Ethics: Adjusting in Good Faith

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

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

Diane Barnes-Reynolds

Claims Handling for Iconic Hotel

Diane Barnes-Reynolds, JD, Managing Partner, Tampa Office, Simon, Reed & Salazar, P.A.
Kenneth R. Gilvary, M.S., P.E., Principal Engineer/Owner, Revision Engineering Inc.
Tom Jefferies, Senior Vice President, Allcat Claims Service

Identify key issues when handling a large damaged occupied iconic hotel in a disaster zone          

Organize and manage claim conditions while separating sudden damage from ongoing conditions

Separate multiple causes of damage/loss using appropriate allocation methods

Evaluate risk and resolve complicated claim disputes, while maintaining excellent customer service to the insured.

Jeremy Beagle

Water Loss Investigation: Principals & Methodologies

Jeremy Beagle, CIH, CMC, CMCC, Sr. Principal Scientist, Sdii Global Corporation

Gain perspective into how to approach the assessment of a convoluted water loss

Learn the importance of collecting and documenting moisture measurements

Highlight the importance of confirming the information provided on receipts and other documents

Understand how laboratory analysis can be beneficial in identifying compounds associated with unknown substances being applied to a surface or area to mimic water damage

Heather Becker

Art Claims: Disaster Response & Risk Management

Heather Becker, CEO, The Conservation Center

Implement the helpful procedures for handling a client's collection in an emergency (basic protocols, stabilization, etc.)

Identify what damage to artworks was a direct result of the loss, as opposed to pre-existing damages.

Communicate with the conservation team after the disaster event.

Explain how damage could have been preemptively minimized for art and heirloom damages.

Timothy Begley

Equipment Breakdown & Related Time-Element Issues

Timothy Begley, CPCU, Director-Claim Account Mgmt., Hartford Steam Boiler
George Dickover, CPCU, AIC, Executive General Adjuster, Selective Insurance Group
Patrick F. Kelleher, CPA, CFF, VP, Investigative Accounting, Meaden & Moore

Describe the potential interplay of Equipment Breakdown and Commercial Property Coverage for a variety of claims scenarios

Identify strategies for adjusting a complex claim that involves Equipment Breakdown coverage where both Equipment Breakdown and first-party property policies provide coverage for an insured's loss

Evaluate what is covered in Home Systems Protection as compared to the HO policy and from what causes of loss, including apportioned claims

Aaron Boehm

Wind & Hail Damage: Was it Nature or Human?

Aaron Boehm, AIC, PCLS, Property Claim Manager, Western Reserve Group

Identify physical characteristics of genuine hail and wind damages

Differentiate manufactured (man-made) damages from natural with examples of damage

Describe options for claim resolution when fraud damages are documented

Compare the benefits and draw-backs to each option

Sherry Bos

Auto Fraud Investigations: Drive for Results

Sherry Bos, CPCU, CIFI, Field Investigator, SIU, Auto-Owners Insurance Group
Steven R. Jarrett, MBA, CIFI, FCLA, Director/Leader-SIU, Westfield Group

Identify the three basic types of auto fraud and develop a plan of action for them

Recognize types of misrepresentation and application fraud

Describe various types of staged accidents

Determine which resources can aid in investigation

Steven Bowen

Climate & Insurance: Risk, Preparation & Mitigation

Steven Bowen, Chief Science Officer, Gallagher Re
John A. Lee, , Coverage Atty, Meteorologist

Define the underlying science behind climate change

Identify current and potential regional impacts related to climate change

Explore efforts by the insurance industry to model and prepare for future impacts

Examine insurance industry risk mitigation effort

Kelly Bridgewater

Complex Contents Adjusting

Kelly Bridgewater, Adjuster Team Lead, Sedgwick
Ashleigh Hochstettler, AIC, AIM, AINS, Manager - Large Loss Claims, Auto-Owners Insurance Group
Charles McMartin, Director-Contents Solutions, Sedgwick

Large Loss Commercial Contents

High Net Worth Residential Claims

The "Cons" of Contents

David D. Brisco

Think Like A Detective: Investigation for Subro

David D. Brisco, JD, Member, Cozen O'Connor
Daniel Knott, Sr. Subrogation Claims Adj., Western National Insurance
Scott Thompson, AIC, ARC, SCLA, Claims Manager - Recovery, American National P&C Group

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.

Denise Brown

Preparing for Testimony: Only The Truth

Denise Brown, VP-Executive Claims Consultant, InterWest Insurance Services
Nelson E. Canter, JD, Partner, McLaughlin & Stern, LLP
Demetrius Lambrinos, Esq., Counsel, Reeder McCreary LLP

Describe techniques that will make you confident in handling the deposition and/or trial testimony

Learn to spot the “tricks” opposing lawyers use to confuse or trap you

Identify ways to handle yourself to project the best image

Kenneth Bunn

Confronting the “Reptile Theory”

Kenneth Bunn, AIC, VP Claims, Builders Mutual Insurance
JD Keister, JD, Attorney, MGC Insurance Defense

Examine considerations for litigation

Analyze the foundations of the Reptile Theory and the teachings of Ball and Keenan

Compare the various ways plaintiff attorneys are putting the Reptile Theory into action across the country

Identify how to spot the reptile and manage a claim before suit is filed

Rhonda Burns

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Rhonda Burns, Associate Vice President, Nationwide Group

Define what Diversity, Equity and Inclusion mean

Develop an awareness and understanding of unconscious bias

Recognize and address Microagressions

Encourage allyship and bystander intervention

J. Tyler Butts

Cyber Coverage & Claims: Recent Trends

J. Tyler Butts, JD, Attorney, Robinson & Cole LLP

Understand the different types of product in the marketplace that carriers are issuing to try and cover cyber threats from both a first- and third-party perspective.

Appreciate the different kinds of cyber risks that current exist, and understand how certain policies might respond to those risks.

Acknowledge specific considerations that need to be taken into account when handling cyber claims.

Understand recent caselaw addressing cyber coverage

Allyson C. Byrd

Accidents: Immediate Steps in the First 48 Hours

Allyson C. Byrd, JD, Member, McGlinchey Stafford
Robin Roeder, SVP-Risk Management, Sedgwick

...implement polices and guidelines to mitigate costs and exposure in litigation, as well as effectively respond to incidents.

...communicate protocols to their employees on responding to incidents.

...understand why the recommended investigative tactics are helpful to your company.

...consider legal ramifications of a thorough, proper investigation.