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 interests 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 purposes of education, certification, marketing...

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 the building code, such as sprinkler systems and handicap accessibility, frequently...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

According to the Insurance Information Institute, insured losses due to natural disasters in the U.S. totaled $16.1 billion in 2015 and $15.3 billion in 2014. Some of the most expensive disasters to hit the U.S. included Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the World Trade Center terrorist attacks in 2001, Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and the Northridge California Earthquake in 1994. How can businesses prepare to weather these types of events and the cost associated with them? The...

According to the National Park Service, "as many as 90% of wildfires in the U.S. are caused by humans, resulting from campfires left unattended, the burning of debris, negligently discarded cigarettes, and intentional acts of arson. The remaining 10% are started by natural phenomena, such as lightning or lava." Regardless of the actual cause, wildfires can be devastating. The Insurance Information Institute reports that "the 2015 fire season set a new record for the number of acres burned...

A small storm that causes a tree to fall on the roof of your home, to a large-scale disaster that takes out an entire shopping plaza, will call for clean up in the aftermath. Added to this complex situation could be hazardous materials or pollutants that are exposed to the environment, nearby towns or residences, in a disaster setting that will also need to be taken care of. Our experts discuss which coverages you need to protect your home, business, and self from having to incur these...

This podcast and the corresponding Adjusting Today article titled, "Disasters, Raising Questions of Insurance Adequacy: Bombings! Hurricanes! Earthquakes! Fires!" is designed to assist policyholders in making educated decisions regarding insurance coverages. In this episode, our expert panelists discuss the ever-changing landscape of insurance coverages in the face of disasters such as bombings, hurricanes, earthquakes, fires and more. This conversation explores risks that property owners may...

This podcast and the corresponding Adjusting Today article titled, "Difference in Conditions Coverage: What It Is and Who Needs It?" is designed to assist any business that needs more protection than supplied by standard property insurance in regards to flood and earthquake perils. Today’s expert panelists answer questions regarding terminology, past and present changes in coverage, and what types of businesses need this type of coverage. This roundtable ends with additional important...

This podcast and the corresponding Adjusting Today article titled, "Builder’s Risk Insurance: Specialized Coverage for Construction Projects" focus on a policyholder and which steps they should take to ensure there is adequate insurance coverage on their upcoming or existing new construction project. Important points of this roundtable include identifying exposures, increased costs due to the shelf-life of previously acquired bids and basing your Builder’s Risk Insurance policy on the...

This podcast and the corresponding Adjusting Today article titled: "Hurricanes and Windstorm Coverage," focus on the idea that understanding your insurance policy before a disaster strikes is essential to protecting your organization from the next major hurricane or windstorm and ensuring a fast recovery. Different types of special coverages may be available and needed for property owners in hurricane prone areas. Tips for policyholders include: making sure there is an electronic PDF copy of...

Equipment Breakdown Insurance covers loss and/or failure for many types of equipment from air conditioners to industrial presses. Insurance policyholders are urged to review their policy documents to ensure they have the proper coverages should an event occur. Policyholders should also keep complete maintenance records, photos of the equipment during the breakdown or loss and a written procedure, including contact information, with the correct steps post-breakdown. For further information on...

Oftentimes post-disaster, policyholders unfortunately discover that they do not have enough insurance on their property. Preparation and planning in advance surely can help avoid such issues as being underinsured. However, after a loss there are still options available to the policyholder to maximize their financial recovery and minimize their underinsured loss. For further information on this topic, please read our corresponding Adjusting Today article: "How to Make the Most of an...

Hail can cause hard to see dents and fissures in and around your property or home. A regular inspection schedule can help you, the policyholder, to ensure your claim is filed in an appropriate amount of time and that small damages are not overlooked. Professionals such as public adjusters are available to you when hail damage occurs and they are able to assist you in filing your claim. This episode has real advice from real people in the business of adjusting. Listen in to get your hail...

Policyholders may not realize the benefits of hiring a public adjuster until they understand the complexities and time required to prove and file an insurance claim. Disaster claims are a difficult type of claim to handle for commercial business owners whose core business is not insurance. Understanding ambiguous policy terminology of individual insurance providers and applying them to a claim are both solid reasons to hire a public adjuster. Public adjusters work for your business to...

Our flood insurance industry experts answer your flood insurance questions.  This roundtable will help you understand which types of damages will be covered and excluded by flood insurance coverage. Replacement cost value and actual replacement value are discussed in length to prepare you for acquiring new policies as well as updating your existing ones. It is recommended you understand all aspects of your policy provisions. For further information on this topic, please read our corresponding...

Our panelists agree - most business owners don’t completely understand the Business Income Coverage or coinsurance provisions within their policies. This discussion provides insights to navigating policies before you need to file a claim, the CP30 and what options you may have if not satisfied with the settlement offered from your insurance provider. If contacted during the policy buying decision process, a public insurance adjuster can help your business to get the proper coverage. For...