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PLRB is dedicated to delivering the finest professional education to front-line adjusters, supervisors, and managers at the PLRB/LIRB Regional Adjusters Conferences. Every year, insurance claim professionals from across the region are drawn to the high-quality, interactive educational sessions covering property, liability, and general interest topics. This is your chance to enhance core training, broaden your knowledge of critical claims issues, and network with nearly 100 service providers exhibiting the Insurance Services Expo. Stay “on top of your game” by attending this regional conference where you’ll get access to valuable information from top claim industry experts and service providers! |
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PLRB/LIRB greatly appreciates the following claims service providers for their outstanding support for the 2009 Western Regional Adjusters Conference and Expo.
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
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| Sessions | Hotel | Continuing Education | Exhibits/Sponsorships | Registration | Other Meetings |
| Top of Page | At-A-Glance | Hotel | Continuing Education | Exhibits/Sponsorships | Registration | Other Meetings |
| Session Topics |
| Casualty Claims |
| Accident Reconstruction
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Review the data recording capabilities of certain cars and commercial vehicles and the use of such data in the field • Describe the technology utilized for air brake testing of commercial vehicles and how that test data is used to determine compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation • Recognize the litigation advantages of developing an accident reconstruction case using the most current technology |
| Are Eight Corners Enough?
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Analyze courts' increasing interest in the issues raised in determining the duty to defend from pleading allegations and the effects of extrinsic facts • Describe the general rules applicable to determining the duty to defend • Identify how allegations are insufficient or problematic in liability claims when analyzing the duty to defend • Explore how to handle problematic allegations |
| Auto Fraud Investigations: Use of Forensic Evidence
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Identify the types of fraud that are prevalent in the auto insurance industry • Review traditional forensic approaches to the investigation of auto claims • Evaluate the structure of data streams and data bases as tools to detect auto fraud • Measure the benefits of forensic intelligence solutions in the fight against auto fraud |
| Bad Faith in Liability Insurance
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Identify warning signs of bad-faith exposure in third-party contexts and develop a responsive action plan, evaluating and responding to settlement offers within policy limits • Develop an action plan to respond to and contain punitive damages claims in the third-party bad-faith context • Describe special circumstances presented by non-covered claims and claims with multiple claimants • Review emerging bad-faith issues and trends in the third-party liability claims context, including discovery issues and bifurcation |
| Criminal Acts, Terrorism & Liability Claims
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Identify who is potentially liable for criminal acts, including terrorism • Review the theories of liability against typical target defendants • Evaluate defenses available to the target defendants • Describe the unique challenges/exposures with litigation arising out of criminal acts |
| Emerging Issues in Construction Defect Cases
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Describe legal arguments commonly used by both sides to faulty construction coverage disputes • Analyze relevant CGL policy language in light of recent case law interpreting key policy provisions • Compare and contrast outcomes of court decisions across jurisdictions to identify trends and weigh strengths and weaknesses of various coverage positions • Discuss alternative sources of coverage |
| Intellectual Property Claims Defense
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Describe the unique nature of intellectual property claims that impact defense strategies • Determine when the policy requires a defense obligation and when to seek help from coverage counsel • Partner effectively with intellectual property counsel to improve outcomes • Identify good faith practices and strategies when defending or indemnifying insureds with intellectual property claims |
| Products Liability Claims in Property Damage Losses: Understanding the Language
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Review theories of liability (warranty, negligence and strict liability) for purposes of defense and subrogation • Identify product defects, potential defendants, and their defenses • Describe how the engineer/expert witness can help in the products case • Create a tips checklist for investigating product cases • Evaluate recent court rulings affecting products litigation (Daubert & Kumho Tire) |
| Soft Tissue Injury Cases
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Describe common issues in complex soft tissue injury cases, including long-term treatment and over-treatment, chronic pain, and other subjective complaints • Review less common medical conditions which present difficulties in soft tissue injury cases • Examine long-term chiropractic care; how do we defend against claims of necessity of chiropractic care which may continue for years? • Evaluate potential experts in complex soft tissue injury cases, including medical experts, engineers, reconstructionists, and human factor experts |
| Terminating the Duty to Defend: Tactical Issues
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Identify coverage and/or liability developments that justify an insurer's termination of a defense • Determine when and how an insurer's duty to defend may be terminated and describe appropriate methods to end it • Identify bad faith risks an insurer faces when it terminates defense vs. denying coverage from the claim outset • Describe the circumstances under which an insurer can withdraw from a defense or extinguish its duty by tendering policy limits |
| When Is Independent Counsel Needed?
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Describe the test for appointment of independent counsel • Recognize the role of a reservation of rights in the appointment of independent counsel • Identify the types of conflicts which give rise to the duty to appoint independent counsel • Identify the costs of the appointment of independent counsel |
| General Interest |
| Claim Management Challenges in the 21st Century
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• How to motivate your staff to produce optimum results • Train and develop staff technically to achieve stronger results • Identify effective time management tips for success • Serving as a bridge or link between the front lines and senior management • Avoiding "burn-out"- keeping everyone healthy and positive |
| Ethics for Adjusters
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Review ethical standards for fair and honest dealings by adjusters • Contrast adjusters' contractual and ethical obligation with insureds • Evaluate scenarios of good and bad ethical practices by adjusters • Review ethical standards for claims professionals when pursuing subrogation |
| PLRB/LIRB Web-based Services
CPCU FL RPA
• Maximize proficiency with PLRB/LIRB web-based services, including Search, Catastrophes, Distance Learning, and the Service Provider Directory • Conduct accurate database research using PLRB Search tools |
| Working Effectively with Experts, Legal Counsel, and Independent Adjusters
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Set up a system to identify and effectively work with a variety of claims experts • Identify the types and qualifications needed by your various experts • Explore cost effective ways to ensure quality legal work when using outside counsel • Review challenges and strategies for successfully engaging independent adjusters to assist your claim operation |
| Property Claims |
| Adjusting Small Retail Business Interruption Losses
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Evaluate business interruption coverage for small retail insureds • Solicit appropriate financial documentation to fairly evaluate a loss • Calculate the loss, using the PLRB Worksheet • "Selling" your adjustment to the insured or his/her representative |
| Advanced Property Claims Negotiation Strategies
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Prepare for various types of negotiations • Form strategies for negotiating various types of issues • Practice techniques for dealing with different types of personalities in negotiations • Describe strategic options for instances when negotiations fail |
| Appraisal, Mediation, and Arbitration Options/Strategies
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Compare and contrast the differences and similarities in appraisal, mediation, and arbitration • Explore inherent positives and negatives when invoking the appraisal option • Identify various styles, stages, and strategies associated with mediation • Describe various types of arbitration, and file qualities that lead to success or failure |
| Estimating HVAC Claims
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Identify common HVAC nomenclature with residential and light commercial structures • Evaluate repair vs. replacement options with HVAC parts and systems • Write an accurate estimate for several typical loss scenarios • Evaluate a contractor's estimate for appropriate scope and pricing |
| Green Building Adjustments and Challenges
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Describe emerging green building features • Review various green building accreditation programs, including LEED and NAHB programs • Identify green building trends finding their way to local building losses • Describe coverage options and challenges with green building losses • Identify how current building damage estimating software is addressing green building issues and challenges |
| Insurable Interest and Betterments and Improvements Challenges
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Review the history of insurable interest and its application in property insurance • Describe the roles mortgagees, lien holders, named insureds, and other insureds sometimes play in these claims • Properly adjust challenging claim scenarios with betterments and improvements and trade fixtures |
| Mortgage Issues with Property Claims
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Identify the rights and responsibilities of mortgagees • Evaluate claim adjustment challenges involved with foreclosure and vacancy • Develop effective resolution strategies with various mortgage-related claims • Review the current legal climate as to mortgage foreclosure and vacancy issues |
| National Flood: Coverage and Adjustments
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Review current coverages and adjustment procedures offered by NFIP policies • Describe the possible interplay of flood and property coverages and adjustments for typical losses • Identify non-covered areas of insurance coverage, where neither the property nor flood policies respond |
| Origin and Cause: Recent Trends in Successful Investigations
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Describe recent developments in Origin and Cause Investigations • Review latest NFPA 921 changes • Work effectively with various authorities, including police, fire, ATF, etc activities • Identify key information sources to assist investigations |
| Progressive Losses in Property Claims
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Identify which policy must respond to a loss that evolves over several years and policies • Identify the suit limitation "trigger" for continuing or progressive losses, and the impact of "equitable tolling" on the suit limitation • Analyze coverage for "new" damages flowing from an earlier manifested cause of a progressive loss • Review the impact of the "neglect" exclusion on continuing or progressive losses |
| Residential Roofing Issues
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Address common coverage and investigation issues involving residential roof systems • Distinguish among roof conditions caused by wind, hail, manufacturing problems, and normal weathering • Evaluate the benefits of new impact resistant roofing products and materials • Identify residential roofing losses presenting excellent subrogation potential |
| Specialized Contents Claims Handling: Jewelry and Fine Arts Claims
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Identify trends and common pitfalls in evaluating and adjusting losses with jewelry and fine arts • Review quality investigation practices in evaluating jewelry losses • Identify resources to help evaluate and minimize fine arts losses |
| Water Damage Claims: Investigation and Mitigation Activity
CPCU FL NC NH RPA TX
• Evaluate common homeowners and commercial water damage loss scenarios • Describe various standards, for water damage mitigation and property stabilization • Review current equipment and technology employed in water damage claims • Identify the ways adjusters can positively impact water damage stabilization and recovery efforts |
| General Session |
| Texas Claims Issues: The Past, Present and Future
Texas claims have covered foundation issues, mold issues, construction defect issues and even an attempt to get personal injury damages from property claims. Recently, changing the claims handling practices in the State of Texas has been raised in legal and legislative areas. Topics are being discussed that could affect claims handling and claims adjusting over the next few years. This session will review past property issues that include mold and foundation, as well as new issues that have developed from hurricane claims up and down the Texas Coast as well as the entire Gulf Coast. |
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| Hotel Information | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Renaissance Austin Hotel
9721 Arboretum Blvd. Austin, TX 512-343-2626 Reservations: 512-343-2626 PLRB Discounted Guest Room Rate: $161 per night single/double occupancy rate Identify yourself as being with the Property Loss Research Bureau. The cut-off date for making reservation is Friday, September 25, 2009. Renaissance Austin Hotel is SOLD OUT!!! The following hotels have availability; check online rates: Embassy Suites Austin Arboretum Hyatt Place Courtyard by Marriott |
| Top of Page | At-A-Glance | Sessions | Hotel | Exhibits/Sponsorships | Registration | Other Meetings |
| Continuing Education |
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Florida of Department Financial Services has approved the Conference for up to 8 hours of credit. Partial credit is offered for attending fewer sessions. All 90-minute sessions are available for 1 hour of credit -- if you attend eight 90-minute sessions, you would earn 8 hours. In addition, "Ethics for Adjusters" has been approved for 1 hour of ethics credit.
NEW! New Hampshire Insurance Dept.: Four sessions have been approved to date; and fourteen course applications have been sent for review. ** North Carolina Dept. of Insurance has approved the Conference as 2 separate days 6 hours credit per day. To earn credit hours on Wednesday, you must attend the General Session. You can attend any sessions you want, but you must attend a full day of sessions to get credit for the day. NEW! Texas Dept. of Insurance has approved 27 sessions for 1.5 hours of continuing education credit for adjusters. ** ** Approved sessions for Texas and New Hampshire licensed-adjusters are noted within the Session Topics; visit here. The Illinois MCLE Board has approved the Regional Adjusters Conference for a total of 12.0 General MCLE credits. The Society of RPA has approved the Conference for up to 13 hours of continuing education. The RPA Attendance Record should be sent directly to the Society of RPA. No fees are payable to PLRB. CPCUs attending this program will be awarded 12 points under section PD9 for attendance at this program. |
| Top of Page | At-A-Glance | Sessions | Hotel | Continuing Education | Registration | Other Meetings |
| Exhibit/Sponsorship |
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Opportunities A limited number of sponsorship and exhibit spaces are available. Plan now to participate in this unique opportunity to promote your company or organization.
Floor Plan**
Lead Retrieval, Computers and AV Services Forms Questions? E-mail todowd@plrb.org or call 630-724-2224. |
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| Registration | ||||||||||||||
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Registration fee covers all educational sessions, handout materials, session breaks and reception. Full refunds less a $50 processing charge will be made for cancellations received 30 days prior to the conference. No refunds will be made after that date. Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to conference@plrb.org. "Substitutions" may be accepted at the discretion of PLRB. "Substitution" means that a co-worker/co-employee of a registrant attends this entire event in place of the registrant. Requests for substitution must be submitted to the PLRB in writing by the registrant.
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| PLRB/LIRB meetings and conferences are open only to those employed by the insurance industry and those who, as their primary business, provide goods and services directly to insurers. Others, such as public adjusters, brokers, and agents, are not invited and may not register nor attend. Any such uninvited person found attending the Conference will be asked to leave and will not receive a refund. Determinations regarding eligibility to attend will be made solely by the PLRB. Under rare circumstances, an exception to this policy may be granted if PLRB determines that an exception is in the best interest of its members. Requests for the granting of an exception to the policy must be submitted to PLRB in writing. Granting of an exception is valid only if in writing. If you have any questions about this attendance policy or determinations made pursuant to this policy, please contact PLRB management in writing as soon as possible. |
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| Policies |
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Entertainment Policy The purpose of the Regional Adjuster Conference is education. The strength, reputation, and national support of the Regional Adjuster Conference are the result of its commitment to hardworking, intense professional development. Antitrust Policy The Property Loss Research Bureau and the Liability Insurance Research Bureau intend to prevent any violation of antitrust laws at all their meetings and conferences. Photo/Video Disclaimer During PLRB programs and events, photos and video are taken for the benefit of the PLRB. By attending you consent to the taking of these images and the use of your likeness within the images for PLRB commercial use. |