Dam! Ice Dam that is! It's winter and the snow and ice will try to find it's way in through roofs. It may happen due to  improperly installed sheathing that has left gaps. Or you may find ice dams that are caused by in adequate attic insulation, improperly ventilated attics, thermal bi-passes or gutters that do not drain properly. Why is this important? Subrogation of course! Please do your best when inspecting these types of losses to see if we have a viable subrogation claim. Good pictures are essential and the client may want to hire an engineer. Good luck out there!

 

 

Figure 1. Cross section of a one-and-a-half story house with an ice dam.

Ongoing education is a key factor to your continued success as a professional claims adjuster.  A sense of community is also important.  We have found both at ClaimsMentor (www.claimsmentor.com).  If you are not a registered member we highly recommend you do that before the end of the year.

Here is the link for registration information:

http://www.claimsmentor.com/register.php

Whether you are new to the business or an old hat with years of experience, ClaimsMentor is the place for you to visit and then call home.  Mariposa has been involved with this great website for adjusters since its beginnings.  Today it is a robust, well rounded community website  space that provides a significant amount of online training for the fraction of the normal costs.  For those of you who have tons of experience it is a good way to start sharing it as a mentor to those who really want to learn.  At this adjuster community you will find support and answers to questions.  It is not a community of argument and fights- tolerance and respect for each other is required.

Here is what is coming up the first week in January-

40 Hour Fundamentals of Claims class for members who are new to the adjusting field.

This first class of the year takes place LIVE ONLINE from January 7- January 31, 2008 on Monday and Thursday evenings from 6pm-9pm CST. All participants who successfully complete the course will receive a 40 hour course completion certificate in the Fundamentals of Claims as the course requires 24 hours of live online class instruction as well as 16 hours of pre-class reading and pre-class homework assignments.

In summary, the class covers almost all basics with the exception of estimating as that is covered in all the software classes. The course does cover one evening of estimate reconciliation to go over all of the major items that cause most differences in estimates to help new adjusters understand the proper and most efficient means of reconciling estimates with contractors. The class also includes 2 nights of Additional Living Expense training and worksheets, Real life zoning assignment to teach them how to zone assignments when receiving 50 plus claims at one time, electronic claim file and paper file submission instructions/file requirements, Complaint Resolution handling to include dealing with Public Adjusters and Attorneys as well as time demand notices, Ethics-carrier/IA firm standards, and much more too numerous to outline in this blog.

ClaimsMentor members can login to this link for further information and reservations.
http://www.claimsmentor.com/forums/forum16/2853.html

What a year this has turned out to be.  Is it because we have been naughty or nice!  I think we are all being naughty so we should now have lots to look forward to in 2008 because we are putting out all those good thoughts and nice feelings about doom and destruction.  Right? Or maybe we will be getting coal again next year.  Well lets think about disasters and how many we can handle at one time.

For Mariposa it has been a year of controlled and measured growth.  Over the past 8-10 months, Mariposa has developed some awesome marketing materials and a complete reface of the Mariposa website.  With a new logo, new sales material and an updated fresh website, Mariposa team managers have been successful in finding new carriers who have expressed a solid interest in working with us in 2008.  Our daily territory has expanded from 14  to 28 states.  Hopefully by the end of December we will be in the majority of the states.   We are always looking for qualified adjusters who truly can be daily adjusters and not run off for the first storm.  Our clients are primarily commercial carriers and the work includes a mix of commercial property, casualty and liability assignments.  With our new list of clients in place, Mariposa is strategically positioned to be available to handle CAT work for any region in the USA.  Here is the new list of clients:

CAT
Aspen Specialty- Nationwide- Commercial
Catlin and Cathedral- Nationwide- Commercial
First Protective- Florida- Residential
Seibel's Bruce Group (5 carriers) Florida- Residential
LA Citizens- Louisiana- Residential
Ohio Fair Plan - Residential and Commercial
Argonaut - Eastern Region - Commercial
Federated Mutual - MN -Commercial
EMC- Louisiana - Residential and Commercial
Indiana Fair Plan- Residential
Illinois Fair Plan- Residential and Commercial
Pennsylvania Fair Plan- Residential
Minnesota Fair Plan- Residential
Kentucky Fair Plan- Residential
New York Fire Mutual- Residential
Middlesex Mutual- CT, ME, MS, NH, RY, NY, VT - Residential and Commercial
Philadelphia Indemnity- Western Region- Commercial
Western Mutual- Nationwide- Commercial
Michigan Fair Plan- Residential
Mid-Continent Insurance- PA, OH, MD-
Pacific Specialty- Nationwide- Residential
Guide One
Church Mutual

DAILY
Aspen Specialty-Nationwide
Ohio Fair Plan
Claim Net- Michigan
EMC Louisiana
Great American - Nationwide
Philadelphia Indemnity-Western Region
Mid-Continent Insurance- PA, OH, MD
Guide One

And with these carriers it is only the beginning in terms of our marketing engine.  All our managers are working hard to get more business so we can keep you busy all year around.  Lets hope for the best and a better 2008.

From Scott and myself along with the Mariposa Team we wish you all a wonderful, safe and enjoyable holiday and look forward to working with you in 2008 and beyond.

David Swank
Senior Partner

 

Stuff the turkey, deck the halls, hang the lights and get ready.

With the holiday season upon us, most adjusters know what to expect…a high rise in fire and theft claims.  Arson and suspected arson account for nearly 500,000 fires a year, or one of every four fires in the U.S. (National Fire Protection Association) and approximately one in 10 people agree it’s ok to submit claims for items that aren’t lost or damaged (Insurance Research Counsil-2000).  So what’s an adjuster to do?

First, we must realize that acting as independent adjusters, we are the eyes and ears of the insurance carrier.  It is our duty, both professionally and legally, to investigate and report suspected fraud to the proper person for each carrier we represent.

 

There are commonly two types of fraudulent claims.  The first is considered “hard” by the industry and includes intentional acts to stage an event, accident or injury. The second type is “soft” fraud, which includes an exaggeration on the part of the insured for items stolen or damaged or inflated injuries sustained by a third party.

 

Spotting the “red flags” on seemingly legitimate claims is our first weapon of defense in these types of fraud-related activities.  The indicators below should help you to isolate those claims which have unanswered questions.  PLEASE NOTE: Even the presence of several of these indicators does not mean that fraud has been committed.  These are simply tools which you should use to determine if further investigation and notification to the carrier is justified. This partial list was provided by the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

 

General Indicators of Property Fraud:

• The insured is willing to accept an inappropriately small settlement rather than document all claims losses
• Insured contacts agent to verify coverage just prior to loss date
• Commercial losses that involve seasonal inventory or equipment which occur at the end of the selling season

General Indicators of Fire-Related Fraud:

• Building and/or contents were for sale at the time of loss
• Suspicious absence of the family pet
• Commercial losses include old or non-saleable inventory
• Insured is experiencing financial difficulties, e.g. bankruptcy, foreclosure.
• Fire scene investigation reveals absence of remains of expensive items, sentimental items or everyday items such as appliances or food supply in the cabinets.
• Fire alarm and/or sprinkler system failed to work at time of loss
• Fire department reports fire cause as suspicious or unknown

General Indicators of Burglary/Theft Fraud

• Losses include total contents of home/business including items of little or no value.
• No police report or police were not notified
• Insured over-document losses with receipts for every item, including older items
• Insured’s inventory list differs significantly from the police report
• Insured provides receipt or documentation of inexpensive items, but nor documentation on items of significant value.

 

If three or more of these indicators are present at a loss or if additional indicators are present, you should notify the carrier immediately.

 

Keep these items in mind when adjusting claims and have a safe, happy holiday season.

Mariposa Guest Blogger
Melissa Beckman
Account Manager who lives in Kentucky

Comments to Mariposa Blogs can be made at anytime at the bottom of the blog content.

Adjusters need to prepare themselves to handle the onslaught of claims that will be coming in from the Southern California Wildfires. Parts of the area have been completely destroyed. The chore of scoping or preserving any evidence or proof will be a challenge for all adjusters and your safety while at a loss is of our utmost concern.

The air is filled with acrid smoke and particulates. It is highly recommended that you wear an OSHA approved mask that is specifically made for particulate matter and has a filter. A surgical type mask will not protect your lungs.

Coveralls and separate shoes should be worn and not brought into your home or RV and should be laundered separately from your other clothing. There can be many toxins left in the rubble which can transfer to your shoes or clothing.

Some reminders for you when investigating. Please keep in mind there may still be hot spots or unstable parts of the structure still standing. Use extreme caution with your footing as you begin your systematic evaluation of the scene. Try to document anything that is identifiable within the rubble which will help the insured prove their contents to the carrier. Sadly for some, there will be little to nothing left. Try to get photos of any vehicle license plates and VIN numbers that were in or near the home. Use best practices when diagraming and photographing the perimeter of the property and any out buildings.

Good luck and be careful out there. It's a charred mess!
 
Guest Blogger
Lorrie Burkes
Recovery Services Manager who lives in Southern California
 

Stacey, Lisa & Melissa

Hi again, here we are just a few weeks since we launched the new and improved Mariposa Insurance Services website.  In this blog I want to introduce you to a key member of the Mariposa Team.  Paul Thompson has recently agreed to become our insurance advisor.  I have included Paul’s bio in this blog so you will gain a better understanding of the quality and experience Paul will bring to the Mariposa Team.  Enjoy!!
David

BIOGRAPHICAL SUMMARY
PAUL A. THOMPSON

Paul began his professional career in March 1968, with the Nationwide Insurance Companies in their Columbus Regional Office. From the beginning position of general clerk, held while attending college, he became a unit supervisor in 19 months. In his ten-year tenure in the Columbus Region, he held supervisory positions in Records Control, Transfer Underwriting, Auto Customer Services and Regional Accounting. He was appointed Regional Systems Manager in 1977.

Paul joined the Virginia Regional Office, located in Lynchburg, VA. In August, 1978, as Commercial Services Manager. In March of 1981, he became Personal Lines Underwriting Manager. While in Virginia, Paul was involved in the Central Virginia United Way and also organized a Men's Club for the region.

Paul's first staff position came in 1982 when he was promoted to Superintendent of Residual Markets in the Office of Personal Lines Underwriting. He was later appointed project coordinator for the Write Your Own Flood Insurance Program. Following the merger of the Actuarial and Underwriting Offices, he was appointed Underwriting/Actuarial Systems Manager. In September 1984, his position was expanded to include regional personal lines processing systems and major systems development for Pricing and Reserving. In September 1986, Paul was promoted to Director of Administration in Personal Lines Insurance Services, responsible for regional systems, actuarial systems, underwriting and actuarial training, regional organization design, and workflow analysis and planning and controls responsibilities for Personal Lines Insurance Services.

In February 1988, Paul was appointed Regional Personal Lines Manager in the Raleigh, North Carolina regional office. In this capacity he was responsible for underwriting, pricing and service for customers in North and South Carolina (1 billion in annual premiums).

Paul served on the Governing Board for the North Carolina Rate Bureau, as Chair of the Board of Governors for the North Carolina Reinsurance Facility, on the Guaranty Association Board, and on the South Carolina Reinsurance Board. He was also a member of the Education Committee and the Cities in Schools Committee for the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce.

In May of 1990, he was promoted back to Columbus as Agency Systems Director. In this role he led the marketing initiative to fully automate agency support for the 5,000 Nationwide agents.

In December 1990, Paul was elected Vice President of Regional Systems Services. In this capacity he was responsible for the application development and maintenance for all Underwriting, Claims, Agency and Customer Services Systems. He managed a staff of 800 professional IS personnel. In addition to his regional systems responsibility, he served as chair of the Executive Planning Council, the committee that funds new project development ($100,000,000 annual investment), and he also chaired the Property Casualty Retention Committee.

In August 1994, Paul was elected Vice President Organizational Performance. In this role he was charged with restructuring of the Property and Casualty Company. His duties were expanded to include responsibility for the eight service centers consisting of 3,000 service professionals.

In March 1996, Paul was appointed Vice President of Property and Casualty Claims. In this role he led the Claims organization (6,600 claims professionals) to reduce loss adjustment expense by two points (over $120 million), and reduced overall loss cost to levels performing better than the industry and improved claimants/customer satisfaction by two basis points.

In November 1998, Paul was appointed Vice President in the Office of the President. His focus was to improve expense management in the Property and Casualty Company, coordinate mergers and acquisitions, oversee major technology decisions and complete the restructuring of the Property and Casualty Company.

Paul returned as Vice President of Claims in January 2000. He led the organization to industry leading levels in all key metrics.

In October 2003, Paul was appointed Vice President of Sales. Responsibilities included technology for all Nationwide Distribution Channels; i.e., 16,000 agency representatives, 700 direct sales agents, Internet and Affinity Sales. Annual investment across all channels in technology was over $200,000,000.

On April 1, 2005, Paul retired from Nationwide Insurance after 37 years and became the Executive Director for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio. This non-profit organization provides a “home-away-from-home' for families with critically ill children who are staying at local hospitals. Thirteen hundred families stayed in the Columbus House in 2005.

In April of 2007, Paul retired as Executive Director from Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio and now serves on the board. He currently also serves on a number of boards and consults with companies that service the insurance industry.

    Chair of the Board of First Choice Solutions (FCS), a leading provider of Mobile Electronics replacement to the Insurance Industry for claims settlement. FCS is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    Member of the Executive Board of Nelson Levine deLuca a leading law firm in insurance defense. They are located in Blue Bell, PA.

    Member of the Executive Board of Stratesphere. They provide management, marketing and strategy consulting to companies serving the insurance industry. They are located in New Albany, Oh.

    Consults with Insurance Auto Auctions, the leading provider of salvage disposal to the insurance industry. They are located in Chicago, IL.

    Board Member and past chair of the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Paul is also very active in the Non-Profit area:

    Member of the Downtown Columbus Rotary Foundation Board

    Board Member and past chair of the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus

    Board member for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio

    Chair for the Race Relations Vision Council for the United Way of Central Ohio

    President of the Board of Directors for Burnham Square Condominium Home Owners Association

    Past Board chair for Creative Living and board member for On My Own

Paul is a native of Columbus, Ohio. He received a bachelor of commerce degree from Bliss College in Columbus, Ohio in 1975 and his master's degree in business administration from Central Michigan University in 1983.

Paul and his wife Jackie are active outdoors people, enjoying jogging, skiing and golf. They have three grown daughters and eight wonderful grandchildren that bring great joy to their lives.