Experts discuss the legislative efforts supported by the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA) regarding the Unauthorized Practice of Public Adjusting (UPPA), issues surrounding Assignment of Benefits post-disaster, and more.

"The National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA) was established in 1951 to promote a higher standard for policyholder advocacy. Public insurance adjusters are licensed to serve the general public and deliver knowledgeable and experienced representation when filing a claim for property damage. The founding members of NAPIA envisioned an association that would provide the appropriate resources for policyholder advocates in pursuit of successful claims resolution.1"

1. https://www.napia.com/about ↩

Key Takeaways:

[1:07] What are the biggest legislative challenges in the U.S. today?

• The Unauthorized Practice of Public Adjusting (UPPA)
• Assignment of Benefits
• Restrictions on public adjusters' rights to practice

[3:43] How are these challenges helping or hurting both consumers and insurance professionals?

• Many State insurance departments don't have regulatory authority over non-licensed individuals
• Home and business owners are getting scammed post-disaster by those who are not licensed to adjust their claim

[9:58] What are the major legislative priorities right now?

• Opening the Model Bill up to add in UPPA language

[12:03] Recent examples of recent major Case Settlements/Briefs.

[17:25] Future legislative efforts of Public Adjusters

• Achieve licensing in all 50 States
• Five States do not license: Alabama, Arkansas, Alaska, Wisconsin, and South Dakota

[19:31] How can listeners help achieve future legislative goals in support of policyholders, consumers, and other insurance professionals?

• Insurance is regulated at the State level
• Contact your State Representatives

Panelists:

● Brian Goodman — Principal at Kramon & Graham, PA

● Greg Raab — Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer at Adjusters International and Tidal Basin

Moderators:

● Rachele Drinkwine — Operations Coordinator at Adjusters International and Tidal Basin

Mentioned in This Episode:

Adjusters International

National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA)

National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)

This discussion is about ordinance or law coverage and how to insure for this potential exposure. After a disaster causes property damage or loss many policyholders discover that rebuilding the structure to conform to the latest building codes can add 50% or more to their recovery cost. Then comes the unpleasant surprise of discovering the ordinance or law exclusion that prevents a full recovery. With building codes, such as sprinkler systems and handicap accessibility, frequently changing, it is important to understand what your insurance excludes and how to acquire adequate coverage.

Key Takeaways:

[1:47] What is the ordinance or law exclusion?

[3:59] What are the three distinct areas of uninsured losses under the ordinance or law exclusion?

[10:00] How to determine if the exclusion will apply and what its probable expense will be on the loss adjustment?

[12:59] How can policyholders protect themselves from the ordinance or law exclusion?

[18:26] What types of coverages are available for policyholders to counteract the ordinance or law exclusion?

[24:31] Is it true that once the need for ordinance or law coverage is established policyholders must ask how much of each coverage is needed?

[27:41] Are there any circumstances in which the building ordinance or law coverage would not apply?

[30:38] Who can the insured reach out to for questions and insurance concerns regarding ordinance or law coverage?

[32:00] How does the ordinance and law exclusion affect business income and extra expense coverage?

[34:48] What role could ordinance and law play when a building has contiguous walls to another structure?

Panelists:

● C. Todd Thomas, Executive Director at Adjusters International and Member of the Society of Risk Management Consultants

● Jim Mahurin, Risk Management Consultant and Member of the Society of Risk Management Consultants

● John Marini, President, and CEO at Adjusters International

● Luis Esteves, Principal, and Executive General Adjuster at Jansen/Adjusters International

Moderator:

● Marjorie Musick, Social Media Specialist at Adjusters International/Basloe, Levin & Cuccaro, and Jansen/Adjusters International

Mentioned in This Episode:

Adjusters International

For further information on this topic, please read our Adjusting Today® article: "Ordinance or Law Coverage: Code for Recovery!"

Today, we will be discussing how experts can benefit policyholders prove an insured loss. More and more insurance companies are using experts to support their side of a claim settlement. That is why today’s policyholder must often take advantage of similar professional resources to help prepare, support, and settle their claims. Understanding and utilizing the coverages available for this purpose can help protect the insured not only against financial loss but for the cost of recovering it. Our experts will review the basics of loss preparation cost coverage including what it is, why it’s needed, and how to ensure you have purchased the right type and the amount of coverage.

Key Takeaways:

[1:58] Why is it important to know who is who in the insurance claims process?

[2:58] What types of professionals who may participate in a policyholder’s property loss work for an insurance company?

[3:25] What types of professionals work for the policyholder?

[3:57] Are there any professionals who may work for both the insurance company and the policyholder?

[4:33] How can qualified outside professionals make a significant difference in the amount of a settlement and the speed at which it’s reached?

[5:21] What types of experts and professionals will insureds possibly need to hire during the property insurance claim process?

[5:57] Historically the cost of the experts to support and prepare a claim are the insured’s responsibility, but now it seems the burden of cost seems to be shifting. Why is that?

[6:54] How does current coverage to reimburse policyholders for loss preparation costs vary among insurance carriers?

[7:20] What steps should policyholders take when considering this type of coverage?

[8:11] What other types of questions should policyholders consider when they are researching loss adjustment expense coverage?

[9:43] Why is it important that a policyholder identify the carrier’s precise intent for loss preparation coverage before a loss occurs?

[10:30] What should policyholders do if they haven’t found an acceptable endorsement that will respond to their business's unique needs?

[11:14] Why do so many organizations fail to make sure their insurance program includes reimbursement coverage?

[13:07] Examples of businesses who want people to maximize their financial settlement after a disaster because they didn’t have this type of coverage or they didn’t hire the right experts.

[15:00] If an agent or broker offers to handle a claim is that an unauthorized practice of public adjusting or are they legally allowed to do it?

[16:42] Other important points about making a case for experts.

[18:12] Why is coverage for public adjusters rarely seen?

Panelists:

● C. Todd Thomas, Executive Director at Adjusters International and Member of the Society of Risk Management Consultants

● Jim Beneke, SPPA, President at The Beneke Co./Adjusters International

● John Marini, Senior Advisor for Business Development & Government Affairs at Adjusters International

Moderator:

● Marjorie Musick

Mentioned in This Episode:

Adjusters International

Today, we will be discussing the legislative efforts of the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA). Founded in 1951, NAPIA advocates for public adjuster education and a higher standard of professional conduct and ethics. NAPIA members are committed to working in the best interest of their clients and to conducting business with integrity. For more than 66 years NAPIA members throughout the U.S. have joined together for the purpose of education, certification, marketing opportunities, legal and legislative representation, scholarship and research and the promotion of the public adjusting profession.

Key Takeaways:

[1:54] How involved is NAPIA in the insurance legislation landscape?

[6:44] The roles of Brian Goodman and Randy Goodman within NAPIA.

[8:05] What are the biggest legislative challenges NAPIA and its members are facing?

[13:05] Who punishes those who violate Unauthorized Practice of Public Adjusting (UPPA) laws?

[18:37] How do these challenges affect consumers and insurance professionals?

[19:42] What are NAPIA’s current legislative priorities?

[22:26] How does NAPIA view hourly or set fees and what are they doing to address the situation in Louisiana?

[24:50] In the five states with no licensing, are public adjusters permitted to work?

[26:38] In the past 12-years, what are NAPIA's biggest legislative wins and how do those wins benefit policyholders and public adjusters?

[27:41] What are some of NAPIA's legislative disappointments?

[29:00] What is on the horizon for property and casualty insurance legislation?

[30:59] How can people assist NAPIA’s in achieving its legislative goals?

[32:28] NAPIA protects the consuming public.

Panelists:

• Brian Goodman, Principal at Kramon & Graham PA
• Randy Goodman, Executive Vice President & Principal at Goodman-Gable-Gould/Adjusters International
• C. Todd Thomas, Executive Director at Adjusters International and Member of the Society of Risk Management Consultants

Moderator:

• Marjorie Musick, Social Media Specialist at Adjusters International/Basloe, Levin & Cuccaro, and Jansen/Adjusters International

Mentioned in This Episode:

Adjusters International

National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters  (NAPIA)

Today, we will be discussing the highly-active 2017 hurricane season and its impact on the people, areas, and economy as well as how home and business owners can properly insure themselves for this exposure in coming years. Our panel of experts has first-hand experience in the public adjusting industry and will guide us through this discussion.

Key Takeaways:

[1:21] Why were home and business owners were caught off guard by Hurricane Harvey?

[3:09] For future hurricanes, how can home and business owners prepare themselves?

[3:59] What was unique about Hurricane Harvey?

[4:39] What was the effect on Louisiana, Texas, and elsewhere?

[8:57] Tips for property owners still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

[10:09] What is FEMA’s role in the clean-up efforts?

[12:09] How long can residents expect to be affected after a hurricane?

[13:59] What types of property insurance coverages are home and business owners lacking with regards to Hurricane Irma claims?

[15:38] Is FEMA help available? And if so, what do these types of claims entail for a home or business owner?

[18:45] Aside from insurance policies and FEMA grants, what other types of funding or help are available?

[19:48] What was the overall impact of Hurricane Irma on the Caribbean and Florida?

[21:40] Tips specific to those dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

[25:16] Hurricane Irma made landfall two weeks before Hurricane Maria; were residents more aware, cautious, and alert when it came to dealing with Maria?

[28:51] What was the impact of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico?

[30:57] Who can property owners go to for property damage claims related to Hurricane Maria?

[32:37] For those living in the Caribbean, are there additional coverages home and business owners should buy to protect them from future hurricanes?

Panelists:

● Jim Beneke — President — The Beneke Co./Adjusters International

● John Marini — President & CEO — Adjusters International

● Luis Esteves — Principal & Executive General Adjuster — Jansen/Adjusters     International

● Todd Thomas — Executive Director of Consulting Services and member of the Society of Risk Management Consultants — Adjusters International

Moderator:

● Marjorie Musick — Social Media Specialist — Adjusters International/Basloe, Levin & Cuccaro and Jansen/Adjusters International

Mentioned in This Episode:

Adjusters International

National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters  (NAPIA)

Today we will be discussing the insurance coverage for collapse. Throughout the years, insurance companies have updated the policy language as to what constitutes a collapse loss and continue to do so today. How can you be sure you are covered in case of collapse and furthermore, how can you help to mitigate a collapse loss to your property? Find out on this episode as we discuss collapse with our experts.

Key Takeaways:

[1:40] What are common reasons or circumstances that cause a property to collapse?

[2:31] What constitutes a collapse loss according to the insurance company?

[4:54] If a home or business were to collapse due to a natural disaster would it be covered under a standard property insurance policy?

[7:23] How can policyholders protect themselves when it comes to exterior buildings on their property?

[10:02] What happens if two variables cause the collapse of a property? How would the policyholder’s claim be handled?

[16:11] How can home and business owners protect their property from collapse?

[18:05] What happens when policy language is ambiguous when pertaining to a collapse?

[21:14] What types of professionals are available to assist policyholders who are suffering from a collapse insurance claim?

[24:55] Additional considerations regarding collapse claims.

Panelists:

● Matthew Blumkin, Principal at The Greenspan Co./Adjusters International

● Todd Thomas – Executive Director of Consulting Services and member of the Society of Risk Management Consultants - Adjusters International

Moderator:

● Brianna Moyer, Digital Marketing Manager – Adjusters International

Mentioned in This Episode:

Adjusters International

Adjusting Today — Insurance

Today we will be discussing the ins and outs of insurance policies, and the importance of understanding what your policy does say and cover, as well as what it does not. In this episode, our panelists will discuss how those with an insurable interest in a property can protect themselves from issues such as inadequate reimbursement should a disaster occur.

Key Takeaways:

[:27] After a disaster occurs such as a fire, flood, or severe windstorm and damages a property, what are some of the more common mistakes an insured or policyholder makes that results in the inability to provide proof of loss to the insurance company?

[3:20] Is the ‘inability to provide proof of loss’ a common theme in property damage losses?

[5:12] What are the ways in which a policyholder can prevent such roadblocks?

[8:00] What does the concept of ‘insurable interest’ mean in relation to a property insurance policy?

[9:38] If a person does not have to be the property’s owner in order to have insurable interest, what are some examples of parties that would have an insurable interest in a property?

[11:49] A party who has an insurable interest in a property may not be involved in the day-to-day operations, or even be on-site. What types of conflicts can this result in when it comes to insurance policy definitions, interpretations, changes, and the like?

[13:28] What can these other parties do to protect their stake in the property, aka their ‘insurable interest’?

[17:36] Speaking of ‘Broadening the Named Insured,’ what are some challenges the agent, broker, or policyholder may face, when undertaking this task?

[21:11] What are some challenges the agent, broker, or policyholder may expect when ‘Broadening the Property Definition,’ if they have to go that route?

[22:09] Suffice it to say that these additions to a property insurance policy can play an important role in helping one avoid a large predicament such as inadequate reimbursement; what is the overall benefit of having them in place?

Panelists:

● James R. Mahurin – Risk Management Consultant and member of the Society of Risk Management Consultants

● Tim Larsen – Executive Adjuster – The Greenspan Co./Adjusters International

● Todd Thomas – Executive Director of Consulting Services and member of the Society of Risk Management Consultants – Adjusters International

Moderator:

● Brianna Moyer (Adjustersinternational.com/bios/executive-professional/), Digital Marketing Manager – Adjusters International

Mentioned in This Episode:

Adjusters International

Adjusting Today — Sometimes It’s What the Policy Doesn’t Say That Counts

Today we will be discussing the ins and outs of various interesting insurance claims that our expert panelists have handled and adjusted successfully. These memorable cases range from a fire at a Midwestern school to two New York City buildings that were damaged during Hurricane Sandy. Our panel of experts has extensive experience in the public adjusting industry, and will guide us through our discussion.

[1:40] Electrical Fire in a Special Needs School — Chuck Sorrell

• Chuck describes a fire at a special needs school in Minnesota.
• The ways Chuck's company differed from the carrier’s consultant.
• Settlement details
• Client feedback

[13:56] Fire in a Fast Food Restaurant

• The client had the proper coverage.
• This claim was unique because the insured was put in a position to manage sub-contractors.
• The challenges included a business hierarchy and a million dollar discrepancy.
• Lessons learned from this claim
• Other unique aspects to this claim and ADA ordinance issues

[25:10] Major Loss from Hurricane Sandy — Keith Hayman

• Water surges from Hurricane Sandy destroyed the mechanical system.
• The details of how Keith’s team was able to assist the client
• Green tag alerts the building department that the building is able to be inhabited.
• This situation was unique because there was a sub limit cap on one building only.
• Adjusters International helped the client to retain their monthly income and to enhance the integrity of their asset.
• Challenges for this claim included difficulty with elevator banks and dealing with multiple decision makers.

[35:21] Triple Net Property Lease Claim — Jim Mahurin

• The client had a substantial Leasehold Interest Policy
• The problems incurred during the handling of the claim.
• Why the agent who sold the policy is to be commended.
• The insured was paid and had no complaints about the settlement.
• How knowing your exposures can help you reduce risk with the correct insurance coverage.
• What is a triple-net value lease?

Panelists:

● Chuck Sorrell — Owner — Xpert Consulting Services

● James R. Mahurin — Risk Management Consultant and member of the Society of Risk Management Consultants

● Keith Hayman — Senior Vice President — Goodman-Gable-Gould/Adjusters International

● Todd Thomas — Executive Director of Consulting Services and member of the Society of Risk Management Consultants — Adjusters International 

Moderator:

● Marjorie Zeoli Musick, Social Media Specialist – Jansen/Adjusters International, Globe Midwest/Adjusters International, and Adjusters International/Basloe, Levin & Cuccaro 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Adjusters International

Adjusting Today

This discussion will take an in-depth look at insuring the many exposures and losses that result from disastrous catastrophes. While multi-family buildings offer many amenities to residents such as maintenance and lawn care, which allow for a simplistic and flexible lifestyle, the insurance policy to cover them are anything but. Apartments and condos are often inadequately insured, and the risk posed for those who own or reside in them is high. For further insight on this topic, please see the corresponding Adjusting Today article: “Multi-Family Complexes (Apartment and Condo): An In-Depth Look at Insuring the Many Exposures and Losses.”

Key Takeaways:

[1:57] Defining what constitutes a multi-family property.

[2:19] How do multi-family exposures differ from typical residential or commercial exposures?

[3:13] Why, by law, must multi-family property owners purchase adequate insurance coverage?

[4:45] Does preparing a multi-family policy take more foresight and planning than a conventional homeowners policy?

[6:54] A 2014 study by the National Multi-Family Council, found approximately 43,267,432 Americans live in rental properties, and a survey by the Insurance Information Institute reported 94,000 fires recorded in apartment buildings the same year; do these figures surprise you?

[8:09] Are rental apartments, condo, and cooperative apartments insured in the same way?

[9:29] How are condominium and paired homeowner associations insured? Does it differ from apartment complexes? What two kinds of ownership are available for condos?

[13:54] What is the building's management responsible for insuring?

[14:57] What is a unit owner or renter responsible for?

[16:35] What will standard building coverages, provided by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) include for a multi-family complex?

[17:26] What additional coverages are available for apartments and condos?

[21:25] What types of coverage are available to protect owners and residents from disasters?

[22:19] What exclusion may arise from the type of coverages previously discussed, and are there additional coverages policyholders can purchase to counteract these exclusions?

[25:53] What role does a deductible play in these claims, and how should one select a deductible amount when purchasing a policy?

[32:31] What are unique insurance issues for apartments in comparison to condominiums?

[36:00] What are lease provisions, and why are they important when processing property insurance claims?

[38:45] What types of crime exposures face apartment owners, and is there coverage for this?

[42:30] What types of non-residential exposures do apartment building owners face, and are there additional insurances they can purchase to protect themselves from these risks?

[44:31] What types of loss control and safety measures can be taken to reduce property insurance and remediation costs?

[46:48] What are common problems that come up when adjusting multi-family complex losses?

[50:55] Are there any changes on the horizon for this type of coverage?

[53:55] One piece of advice on multi-family complex coverages.

Panelists:

● Bill Sharpe – Regional Director - Jansen/Adjusters International

● Josh Scott – Professional Public Insurance Adjuster - The Greenspan Co./Adjusters International

● Todd Thomas – Executive Director of Consulting Services and member of the Society of Risk Management Consultants - Adjusters International

Moderator:

● Brianna Moyer – Digital Marketing Manager – Adjusters International

Mentioned in This Episode:

Adjusters International

Adjusting Today

National Multi-Family Housing Council

Insurance Information Institution

The National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA) provides the public adjusting industry with more than licensing. NAPIA board members have created scholarships, educational programs, and have arranged sessions with legislators to inform them of pertinent information regarding public adjusting. Today’s panel of experts discusses the substantial benefits NAPIA supplies to its members, and who is eligible to become a member. They also discuss the comprehensive NAPIA website and the professional designations NAPIA offers.

Key Takeaways:

[:57] What is NAPIA, when and how did it form, and what is its mission?

[5:12] Who are NAPIA members and who is eligible to apply for membership?

[6:33] How the panelists support NAPIA in addition to being members.

[8:29] Karl Denison explains when and why his firm joined NAPIA.

[10:00] Personal and firm-related benefits related to being a member of NAPIA.

[12:45] Interactive educational programs provided by NAPIA include wind, roofs, business interruption and legal issues.

[17:09] Greg Raab describes the Board and Officer process, and why it is important to get involved.

[20:08] How has NAPIA helped changed the landscape for public adjusters?

[22:54] NAPIA and the licensing initiatives it supports.

[25:04] What does it mean to be a licensed public adjuster?

[28:29] NAPIA has different designations, including CPPA and SPPA, and scholarship programs.

[32:09] The comprehensive NAPIA website is a portal and a hub of what is going on in the industry.

Panelists:

● Karl Denison - Executive Vice President & Principal at Goodman-Gable-Gould/Adjusters International

● David Barrack – Executive Director at the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA)

● Greg Raab – Vice President at Adjusters International

● Todd Thomas – Executive Director of Consulting Services and member of the Society of Risk Management Consultants - Adjusters International

Moderator:

● Marjorie Musick – Social Media Manager at Adjusters International/Basloe, Levin & Cuccaro, Globe Midwest/Adjusters International, and Jansen/Adjusters International

Mentioned in This Episode:

Adjusters International

Adjusting Today

NAPIA

CPCU

To quote Robert Baker's published piece on the Unauthorized Practice of Public Adjusting (UPPA), "The unlicensed practice of public adjusting is a vehicle of consumer fraud that preys on some of the most vulnerable elements of our society. The disaster-stricken, the elderly, the unsophisticated and those for whom English is a second language. Individuals losses range from a couple of thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. And frequently, victims are left without a remedy, because UPPA offenders just disappear or are not worth suing."

Our experts discuss this timely issue - what it is, who is affected, and what can be done to stop it - in this episode.

[01:52] What is the unauthorized practice of public adjusting and how and when did it start?

[05:46] How did the practice of UPPA develop and get worse over time?

[10:00] Do insurance agents ever assist in claims and does it cause confusion?

[13:19] How prevalent is the problem and are some states worse than others?

[15:25] In terms of dollars, what does this practice cost policyholders and/or the insurance industry?

[22:18] What has been done to counteract this practice and who is doing it?

[25:42] How are the insurance industry and public adjusters united in addressing this issue?

[27:35] Have insurance companies taken a position on this topic?

[32:08] Once claims have been settled, do homeowners have any recourse?

[34:14] Real world examples of unlawful public adjusting activity.

[38:28] Recommended resources for home and building owners who may experience the illegal activity.

[40:00] What is being done to educate consumers about this issue?

[42:04] Additional thoughts from the panel.

Panelists:

• Art Jansen, Chief Executive Officer – Jansen/Adjusters International
• Jim Beneke, President – The Beneke Company/Adjusters International
• Brian Goodman, Principal – Kramon & Graham PA
• Steve Badger, Attorney/Senior Partner – Zelle LLP
• Todd Thomas, Executive Director of Consulting Services and member of the Society of Risk Management Consultants – Adjusters International

Moderator:

• Brianna Moyer, Digital Marketing Manager – Adjusters International

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Adjusters International
• Adjusting Today
• National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
• National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA)
• Consumer Protection Agency