5-Hr. FL Law & Ethics: Curing the Epidemic of Unlicensed Fraudulent Claims (Part 1 of 3)

Part 1 - Curing the Epidemic of Unlicensed Fraudulent Claims 

Policyholders are bombarded with an assault of unlicensed activity by roofers, contractors, and "loss consultants" after a loss.   These individuals often perform shoddy repairs, illegally adjust claims, over charge, and very often, over promise and under deliver or take the money and run.   All of these activities are anti-consumer and fraudulent. This educational course will help licensees identify and report fraudulent unlicensed activity for the benefit of the insuring public and those professionals who obtain and maintain proper regulatory required licenses. The panel will consist of licensed professionals, legal counsel, and representatives from regulatory agencies to help guide attendees through a checklist of unlicensed anti-fraud best practices in claim handling.

5-Hour Class – Must Take All 3 Parts

Large Loss: Window & Door Assessment

As recent hurricanes have taught us, large losses include replacement of windows and doors throughout commercial residential buildings.  The inclusion of this element of damage normally comprises a large percentage of the overall damages being claimed.  Windows and doors are often times a major point of contention that is contested.  Unfortunately, these items are negotiated and conceded because of the approach taken during the investigation of the claim.  This presentation is intended to address damage assessment and causation which includes engineering and construction principles.  The panel will consist of engineers, contractors, and attorneys who assist policy holders and insurers.  The proposed format will be a round table discussion, which includes a moderator who will ask several questions to ensure a concise and focused session.

Gulf Coast Case Law Update

A case by case update from AL, MS, LA, and Texas presented in a fun and engaging way.

5-Hr. FL Law & Ethics: 2021 Case Law & Legislative Update (Part 2 of 3)

Part 2 - 2021 Case Law and Legislative Update

Laws are constantly changing.  Legal opinions and legislative amendments create a maelstrom of new information which can affect the handling of property damage claims.  Let our panel help you weather the storm.

 5-Hour Class – Must Take All 3 Parts

5-Hr. FL Law & Ethics: Playing by the Rules: Understanding the Insurance Code (Part 3 of 3)

Part 3 – Playing by the Rules: Understanding the Insurance Code

This course will provide attendees with an understanding of what the insurance industry is founded on by presenting an overview of the rules governing insurance companies, insureds and insurance claims, as outlined in Florida’s and Texas Insurance Code. The workshop will focus on how to understand these rules and their application to facilitate a professional and fair resolution of the claim. The course will discuss examples and scenarios where different statutes and rules come into play and a discussion will be held as to the applicability of each of these rules and regulations to the fictional scenarios.

The course will satisfy Parts I and II of the regulatory awareness and licensing sections of the continuing education ethics requirements for licensed adjusters pursuant Florida Statute. The content of the course will address all lines of insurance for which examination and licensure are required by Fla. Stat. Sec. 626.2815.

 5-Hour Class – Must Take All 3 Parts

Adventures in Insurance Land: A Journey Down the Fraud Rabbit Hole

This presentation will explore facts and issues that raise red flags of potential fraud for insurance carriers.  We will discuss SIU departments investigating potential fraud, and how public adjusters can avoid triggering a potential fraud investigation.  We will also explore how claims of fraud often play out throughout the course of litigation.

Engineering Review of Apparent Settlement Problems

The workshop will review types of apparent settlement or soil heave and review of the appearance of the damage that looks like settlement or heave.  Questions will be answered: What has really caused the settlement, and how is it explained to the insurance company and to the insured risk, to be believable? Is testing needed, and if so, what kind of testing? What find of damage can the settlement cause?

The Changing Appraisal Landscape-What are the Top Trends?

Discussion and debate on current issues, that arise during the appraisal process, will be discussed. It is designed to inform attendees of recent case law and trends in the use of appraisal in property damage claims and how to ethically handle appraisals. Learning from this presentation will aid in processing claims in the future.

COVID-19: A Deep Dive into Coverage & Issues Affecting Recovery for BI Losses

The global pandemic has caused trillions of dollars in losses, billions in this country alone. While governmental solutions may ultimately be the answer, those solutions lie in the future requiring that people and businesses seek financial relief from their insurers. Litigation has already erupted around the country as policyholders and insurers stake their positions, a battle the early results of which will inform in this seminar, and the working relationship of the industry, both on COVID recoveries, but analagous claims. The panel is comprised of experts on these issues from both sides of the dispute.

WIND Umpire Certification (Part 1 of 2)

Important: This is a two-part course and you must take both sessions.

The purpose of this workshop is to prepare the professional to act as an umpire when appointed by the appraisers in the appraisal process. The panel will discuss all aspects of being an umpire from the time of the interview by the appraisers through signing an award. There will be special emphasis on how to conduct an appraisal focusing on ethics, procedural, and legal issues.

Note: To be included in the WIND Certified Umpire Directory, a separate application process and fee is required after the conclusion of the conference. 

Requirements: Space is limited and advanced registration is mandatory for admission. 

Recent Trends in First Party Bad Faith Actions

The panel will present different perspectives regarding recent trends in first party bad faith actions, including the requirements for filing Civil Remedy Notices, procedure, and damages recoverable.

WIND Umpire Certification (Part 2 of 2)

Important: This is a two-part course and you must take both sessions.

The purpose of this workshop is to prepare the professional to act as an umpire when appointed by the appraisers in the appraisal process. The panel will discuss all aspects of being an umpire from the time of the interview by the appraisers through signing an award. There will be special emphasis on how to conduct an appraisal focusing on ethics, procedural, and legal issues.

Note: To be included in the WIND Certified Umpire Directory, a separate application process and fee is required after the conclusion of the conference. 

Requirements: Space is limited and advanced registration is mandatory for admission. 

Avoiding the Numbers Game "Calculating the Loss"

This presentation will highlight all sides of the claim process with an emphasis on calculations. We will focus on the methods for quantifying damages, and supporting the estimate through line items, notes, photos, and depreciation. We envision this panel being a fun, interactive discussion of the approaches, pitfalls, challenges, and capabilities to complete their jobs and service the policy holder.

Umpire RE-Certification (Part 1 of 2)

Important: This is a two-part course and you must take both sessions. Do not select the WIND RE-Certification classes if you have not taken the Umpire Certification before.

This workshop is designed for those who have already taken the Umpire certification class. Re-certification is required every three years. Real-life scenarios will be utilized to promote discussion of the duties and responsibilities of the umpire. Common issues and problems that often arise during an appraisal will be addressed, as well as effective methods and techniques to facilitate an appraisal from beginning to conclusion. The workshop will also include a discussion of ethical considerations and changes in case law impacting the appraisal process.

Note:  To be included in the WIND Certified Umpire Directory, a separate application process and fee is required after the conclusion of the conference.

Requirements: Space is limited and advanced registration is mandatory for admission. 

Appraisal: The Good, Bad, and Disinterested - A Practical & Legal Analysis

Speakers will address the cutting edge issues involving appraisal in Florida, including the recent case law on the "disinterested" requirement for appraisers and umpires. The discussion will include DFS Mediation notice requirements, appraisals with AOB vendors, demands and motions to Compel appraisal and responses thereto, whether insureds or vendors are entitled to recover attorney's fees and post-appraisal coverage issues and litigation. Practical examples of each problem area will be covered from both the insurance company perspective and insured/vendor perspective.

Umpire RE-Certification (Part 2 of 2)

Important: This is a two-part course and you must take both sessions. Do not select the WIND RE-Certification classes if you have not taken the Umpire Certification before.

This workshop is designed for those who have already taken the Umpire certification class. Re-certification is required every three years. Real-life scenarios will be utilized to promote discussion of the duties and responsibilities of the umpire. Common issues and problems that often arise during an appraisal will be addressed, as well as effective methods and techniques to facilitate an appraisal from beginning to conclusion. The workshop will also include a discussion of ethical considerations and changes in case law impacting the appraisal process.

Note:  To be included in the WIND Certified Umpire Directory, a separate application process and fee is required after the conclusion of the conference.

Requirements: Space is limited and advanced registration is mandatory for admission. 

Updated Building Code 

This Advanced Engineer/Contractor led interactive code training course is designed to provide Adjusters, Attorneys, Contractors, Engineers, Insurance Professionals and Remediators with 2.0 hours of Advanced Building Code training as it relates specifically to the Major Differences between the FBC, 6^thEdition and the Upcoming FBC, 7^th Edition. The presentation will include a detailed review of the following documents:

o Florida Building Code, Chapters 1 thru 9, 15, 16 and 23

o Florida Existing Building, Chapters 1 thru 6

o Florida Residential Building, Chapters 1 thru 8

o Wind Load Impacts from ASCE 2016

o Roof Assemblies from FBC, FEBC and FRBC

Attendees will also leave with a greater understanding of the interaction of the Florida Building Codes with the America Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and other New Code references added to the FBC, 7^th Edition that were not contained in the 6^th Edition. Finally, the attendees will be brought up to date with the most recent Law and Rule changes that affect the code from the Building Officials Association of Florida.

Presentation of Expert Witness Testimony at Trial

The speakers will discuss direct examination of an expert witness, cross examination of an expert witness, and the Daubert argument for and  against the allowance of expert testimony.

Policy Construction, Interpretation, & Application in Daily Claims Handling - Back to the Basics

Discussion will focus on proper policy construction and interpretation; application of the policy terms and conditions to the claims investigation, documentation, and settlement process; and a more detailed analysis and discussion of specific post loss duties and obligations.

Appraisal RE-Certification (Part 1 of 2)

Important: This is a two-part course and you must take both sessions.

The workshop is designed for those who have already taken the WIND Appraiser certification and need to be recertified every three years. Real-life scenarios will be utilized to promote discussion of the duties and responsibilities of the appraiser. Common issues and problems that often arise during an appraisal will be addressed, as well as effective methods and techniques to facilitate an appraisal from beginning to conclusion The workshop will also include a discussion of ethical considerations and changes in case law impacting the appraisal process.

Note: To be included in the WIND Certified Appraiser Directory, a separate application process is required. How to Become a WIND Certified Appraiser.

Requirements: Space is limited and advanced registration is mandatory for admission. 

Effectively Mediating First Party Property Cases by Video Conference

You can more effectively mediate your wind claims. Present more effectively, prepare more effectively, communicate more effectively, and employ more effective strategies to help you accomplish your goals, gain credibility with your client and adversaries, and, build relationships. While the tools may be a bit different when mediating over Zoom, you can mediate as effectively over a remote format as you can in person.

CSI: Michael - A Mexico Beach Case Study of Hurricane Wind & Storm Surge Claims

The number of hurricane Wind and storm surge claims continue to increase as more land-falling hurricanes affect the U.S. coastlines. Isaias, Irma, Michael, Harvey, Florence, and others have resulted in billions of dollars in damages. With recent storms reigniting wind versus water debates, this has become a hot topic once again. More than ever, insurance carriers, engineers and attorneys need reliable weather data and storm surge information to help resolve claims. Whether it's in the claims stage or in litigation, accurate information from reliable sources and reliable experts has proven to be instrumental. To prove causation or theories of liability, attorneys and insurance adjusters have found great success recently in obtaining reliable, hour-by-hour weather information and timelines to help prove a case. 

We will use a Hurricane Michael case study involving a Wind versus Storm Surge case in Mexico Beach, Florida to demonstrate the proper way to investigate and build a case, no matter which side of the fence a professional is on. New technological advances help meteorologists determine the timing of the highest winds each hour, how the storm surge heights built each hour, and if one or both affected the property and when. Examples of the kinds of data used by meteorologists (Surface observations, mesonets, storm reports, storm surge and water sensors, Doppler radar) and the industry-accepted methodologies to make these determinations will be addressed. We will also discuss how adjusters and engineers use this data to corroborate their findings and observations. Engineering examples from this case and others will be discussed and how engineers can corroborate their visual findings to the weather data. For attorneys, the use of public adjusters, insurance adjusters, engineers and meteorologists will be discussed and how they each play a role in documenting and supporting a claim or lawsuit. Recent issues involving case law and the Daubert Standard will be discussed and how it has applied in recent cases.

Hurricane Loss Challenges: Coverage, Adjusting, Engineering, & Building Code Issues

The presentation will cover various aspects of homeowners and commercial coverage challenges, both before and after hurricane loss, presented by a defense attorney,  a policyholder's attorney, and an insurance policy specialist. It will also cover proper adjustment of hurricane losses, as well as evaluation of causation, damages, and building code issues  to be addressed by  an experienced adjuster/trainer and engineer.

Communication Strategies for Success

The business of claims is conducted through words. From the first notice of loss, the assignment of a claim, the investigation of coverage, the negotiations, and ultimately, the settlement, all turn on oral and various forms of written words.

Unquestionably, words can make the difference in the success or failure of your goals in dealing with matters assigned to you by your principals, clients, and others who have given you responsibility to act on their behalf.

This course will discuss effective communication strategies that will lead to greater success for you and your clients.

Understanding & Adjusting Business Income Claims  

This presentation aims to give the professional a solid foundation for understanding and adjusting business income claims. We will discuss various business income provisions prevalent in windstorm claims along with associated adjustment issues and insight from industry professionals. Topics, such as understanding who and what is covered under a commercial policy, potential exclusions/limitations applying to business income claims, and adjustment mechanics, featuring insurer and insured adjustment professionals addressing their advice from years of commercial claim experience will be discussed.