Adjusting Property Losses - Basic Overview

A full day review (8:00am - 5:00pm) of the basic steps in adjusting property losses. Subjects include: additional living expense; coverage verification; scoping a loss; methods of evaluation; reporting and reserving; proof of loss; establishing insurable interest; exclusions; basic estimating; pricing method; computer estimating; measure of damage; co-insurance; replacement cost; actual cash value; method of payment; guidelines for handling theft claims; indicators of fraud and arson property claims.

The goal of this course is to enhance the understanding and awareness of the steps in the investigation process, not to specifically train on each of the individual subjects. The purpose is to develop a good overview of the steps if just the basic understanding is needed, and/or to support future in depth training.

Advanced Bodily Injury Techniques

A full day workshop (8:00am - 5:00pm) which includes real-life scenarios geared specifically towards the bodily injury adjuster. Complicated investigation issues, severe damage issues, and intricate coverage issues are all identified and addressed in this practical workshop. The evaluation of damages, use of medical experts, medical terminology, loss of consortium, pre-existing injury issues, collateral source rule, etc. are all reviewed and discussed. Techniques include: how to tell when someone is lying; how to gain maximum cooperation when investigating coverage; and developing liability theories that will stand up to scrutiny. The goal of this workshop is to improve the student's ability to recognize issues and develop practical skills for addressing them.

Advanced Policy Coverage Interpretation

A 1/2 day seminar designed for the experienced adjuster of 2-5 years. This course is designed to enhance critical thinking processes when interpreting coverage under the policy. Thought provoking scenarios and case studies from the auto, homeowner and CGL policy are solved by the student in order to fine-tune the coverage analysis process. An advanced way to approach analyzing coverage is reviewed and practiced.

CGL Policy - Basics

A full day workshop (8:00am - 5:00pm) covering the basics of the CGL policy. Subjects include CGL bodily injury and property damage liability (insuring agreement, exclusions), personal and advertising injury liability, supplementary payments, medical payments, who is an insured, limits of insurance, conditions, etc.

Coverage Denial Letters

A 1/2 day seminar involving the preparation of denial letters. Confirmation of correct coverage analysis, the four elements of denial letters and proper conclusion formatting are all covered in this practice-based seminar. Each student, after correctly outlining the denial letter, will write their own denial letter based on facts presented. The goal of this seminar is to increase the comfort level in preparing denial letters, and improving judgment on when a denial is proper. Tips on investigation to support facts are also discussed.

Cumis Counsel Training

A 1/2 day seminar involving issues faced by the adjuster in handling cases with Cumis issues. After the basics for proper Cumis counsel are reviewed and discussed, scenarios are given for students to apply their knowledge. The goal of this seminar is to develop a clear understanding of when Cumis counsel comes into play, the obligations of the insured and his/her Cumis counsel, and proper methods to proceed with the claim handling and the duty to defend once Cumis counsel is obtained.

Essential Letters - R of R; Denial; and Excess

A full day workshop (8:00am - 5:00pm) combining the individual courses of Reservation of Rights letters, denial letters and excess letters into one full letter-writing extravaganza.

Estoppel and Duty to Defend

A 1/2 day seminar involving the insurer's duty to defend, as well as the rights of the insured, and how the adjuster can proceed in that duty without creating an estoppel situation. The goal of this seminar is to increase the awareness of the issues of estoppel and detrimental reliance and how they are affected by the investigation and the duty to defend.

Ethics and Good Faith Claims Handling

The goal is to provide a solid foundation of information that you can build on through the continuous learning process to inevitably make sure you are more valuable in the claims environment.

Excess Letters

A 2 hour seminar involving the gathering of facts to confirm when excess letters are required and the proper timing and formatting of such letters. After the basics for the proper excess letters are reviewed and discussed, scenarios are given for students to apply their knowledge and write their own excess letters.

Liability Basics

A full day workshop (8:00am - 5:00pm) covering the basics of the creation of legal liability. Distinctions between legal liability based on negligence versus legal liability based on contract and statute are developed. Defenses to legal liability are reviewed and discussed. The separation of liability versus coverage are reviewed along with necessary terminology such as clear liability, probable liability, questionable liability, strict liability, vicarious liability, etc. The goal of this workshop is to increase the adjuster's ability to apply known facts and develop a theory of liability.

Liability Claim Handling - Basics

A full day workshop (8:00am - 5:00pm) designed to give a good basic understanding of how liability claim handling works. Subjects include: what is legal liability; criminal and civil law; torts; legal liability based on negligence; the elements of negligence; negligence in premises liability claims; negligence per se; legal liability based on contract and statute; main principles of law affecting liability claim handling; joint tort feasor liability; vicarious liability; contributory negligence and comparative negligence; automobile guest statutes; immunity; bailments; defenses to legal liability (assumption of risk; acts of God; emergency defense; last clear chance doctrine; seatbelt defense).

The goal of this workshop is to enhance the student's understanding of liability claim handling functions.

Medical Terminology

A 1/2 day seminar focusing on not only common medical terms as encountered by the claims adjuster, but also establishing a clear understanding of the structure of medical terms. Common prefixes, suffixes, and root words, are reviewed and discussed. The goal of this seminar is to increase both the adjuster's understanding of common medical terms, and also develop the skill of breaking down medical terms more easily.

Negligence - Understanding and Application

A 1/2 day seminar covering the theories of negligence and the application to insurance liability. Identification of the five elements of negligence are covered along with identification of contributory negligence, comparative negligence, determining negligence in premises liability claims, negligence per se, and other applications of negligence in the development of legal liability under insurance policies. The goal of this seminar is to have students appropriately analyze negligence factors and develop legal liability theories.

Policy Coverage Interpretation

A full day workshop (8:00am - 5:00pm) covering the main components of triggering coverage under virtually any insurance policy. Students are trained in identifying the insured, the damages, and the covered activity in a structured format to insure proper confirmation of coverage. Focus on identifying the scope of the insuring agreement, application of exclusions, conditions and general provisions are included. The goal of this seminar is to have each student understand the basic construction of most insurance policies and apply facts of given losses to the policy in order to determine coverage status. Practice scenarios are provided in class to confirm understanding. ( 1/2 day mini-workshop available).

Reservation of Rights Letters

A 1/2 day seminar on preparing Reservation of Rights letters. Estoppel, the five elements of Reservation of Rights letters, the consequences of sending Reservation of Rights letters and proper conclusion formatting are all covered in this practice-based seminar. Each student, after correctly outlining the Reservation of Rights letter, will write their own Reservation of Rights letter based on facts presented. The goal of this seminar is to increase the comfort level in preparing these letters, and improve judgment on when to send them.

The Legal System - Basics

A full day workshop (8:00am - 5:00pm) designed to increase the adjuster's understanding of procedures and the legal system that dictate claim handling. Subjects include: common law defined; origin of equity; appellate courts; stare decisis; pleadings; summons and complaint; answers; discovery proceedings; motions; subpoenas; trial (selection of the jury, opening statements, trial procedure, the courts charge and verdict); motions after verdict; tort law; insurance law. The goal of this workshop is to increase the student's basic understanding of the legal process and how it influences claim handling in the early stages.