2012 PLRB Large Loss Conference - Washington, DC
Untitled Document

Due to Hurricane Sandy's severe weather conditions in the Washington, D.C. area, and subsequent flight cancellations for Sunday and Monday, we have canceled the 2012 Large Loss Conference.

Do not travel to Washington, D.C. for the Conference.

Attendees should cancel their own hotel reservations.


Updated October 28 at 9:45 AM CDT

Schedule | Sessions | Hotel | Continuing Education | Sponsors | Registration | Policies

Join a distinguished gathering of senior claim professionals and service providers from across the nation in Washington, D.C., where we'll

Dissect a number of large, complex property and casualty claims, examining the challenges, options, and solutions that lead to successful claim outcomes
Gather ideas and adjusting strategies and techniques used by industry professionals adjusting the largest and most complex claims
Learn about the latest in new products and claim services
Network with other claim adjusters and managers, independent adjusters, and a wide array of service providers from across the property and casualty claim industry
Classes will be organized in three tracks:
  • Commercial Lines, Property Claims
  • Personal Lines, Property Claims
  • Casualty Claims

Workshop sessions are adjuster-led, encourage active audience participation, and provide an opportunity to learn from and with many of the industry's leading experts and performers. 

Who Should Attend? Large loss claims adjusters and managers, supervisors, general adjusters and EGAs, complex case managers, senior claims management, and service providers who work with these claims. This is an excellent program for those who aspire to or are being groomed to adjust large and complex property and casualty claims within their respective organizations.


SCHEDULE
Monday, October 29, 2012
3:00 p.m- 6:30 p.m. Registration/Information
5:00 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. Reception with Sponsors
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
7:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Registration/Information
7:30 a.m.- 8:15 a.m. Continental Breakfast with Sponsors
8:15 a.m.- 9:15 a.m. General Session
The Economic Crisis and its Hangover: Forces Impacting the Insurance Industry
9:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. Breakout Sessions I
Adjusting Large Building Losses at Manufacturing Facilities
Construction Defect Litigation Management: A Novel Approach
Expanding Business Income Loss Coverage
Good Faith Claims Communications
Multiple Claimants & Insufficient Policy Limits
Personal Property Claims Challenges: Antiques, Fine Art & Jewelry
11:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Lunch on Own
1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions II
Adjusting a Construction Site Accident Claim
Assessing Exposures Following a Data Breach
Creative Arson: Kitchen Fires and Other Suspicious Fire Starters
Issues Faced in Responding to the Devastating Tornadoes of 2011
Valve Failures Leading to Large Water Losses: Product Design or Installation Error?
We Didn't Start the Fire: But What About the Duty to Defend?
3:00 p.m.- 3:30 p.m. Coffee Break
3:30 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions III
Changing Times, Shifting Risks: Distinguishing SIRs & Large Deductibles
Construction Defect Litigation Management: A Novel Approach
Effect of Multiple Windstorm Events on the Insured's Damage Claim
Expanding Business Income Loss Coverage
Personal Property Claims Challenges: Antiques, Fine Art & Jewelry
Resolving Difficult First-Party Claims by Finding Common Ground
5:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. Reception with Sponsors
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
7:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Registration/Information
7:30 a.m.- 8:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast with Sponsors
8:00 a.m.- 10:00 a.m. Breakout Sessions IV
Adjusting a Construction Site Accident Claim
Adjusting Large Building Losses at Manufacturing Facilities
Assessing Exposures Following a Data Breach
Good Faith Claims Communications
Issues Faced in Responding to the Devastating Tornadoes of 2011
Multiple Claimants & Insufficient Policy Limits
10:00 a.m.- 10:30 a.m. Coffee Break
10:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions V
Changing Times, Shifting Risks: Distinguishing SIRs & Large Deductibles
Creative Arson: Kitchen Fires and Other Suspicious Fire Starters
Effect of Multiple Windstorm Events on the Insured's Damage Claim
Resolving Difficult First-Party Claims by Finding Common Ground
Valve Failures Leading to Large Water Losses: Product Design or Installation Error?
We Didn't Start the Fire: But What About the Duty to Defend?
Schedule | Sessions | Hotel | Continuing Education | Sponsors | Registration | Policies
EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS
Commercial Property Lines
Adjusting Large Building Losses at Manufacturing Facilities  DE  TX
Henry J. Stein, Executive General Adjuster, Crawford Global Technical Services
Jonathon C. Held, President, J.S. Held Incorporated
Katharyn E. Thompson, CPA, Partner, RGL Forensics, Inc.

  Adjuster's role in large market claims with non-concurrent policies
  Damages to old obsolete structure which serviced the manufacturer's operation
  Actual cash value considerations and payment of undisputed sums
  Period of restoration consideration and benefit of early decision making
  Decision making based on layer and non-concurrency
Assessing Exposures Following a Data Breach  TX
Kevin Majewski, JD, Counsel, Complex Claims Group, Hartford Insurance Group
William Gerald McElroy, Jr., JD, Attorney, Zelle Hofmann Voelbel & Mason LLP
Mathew Scott, Technical Project Manager, LWG Consulting

  Assessment of myriad types of damage after a large-scale data breach of online retail business
  Determination of coverage for damage stemming from the data breach under commercial property and liability policies and cyber risk policies
  Review of current insurance case law related to data breaches and computer/cyber losses
  Understanding current cyber risk insurance products and the evolving needs of policyholder and insurer
Effect of Multiple Windstorm Events on the Insured's Damage Claim  TX
Gregory Crocker, VP-Complex & Multinational Property Claims, ACE North American Claims
Gerald T. Albrecht, JD, Attorney-Partner, Butler Pappas Weihmuller Katz Craig LLP
Andrea Matott, CPCU, AIC, AIS, Claims Manager, Beazley Group
Wayne Taylor, JD, Attorney, Moxley Finlayson & Loggins

  Cooperation between primary and excess insurers on multiple event losses
  Evaluating number of occurrences and extent of damages on multiple event losses
  Determining existence of constructive total loss from multiple event losses in light of existing building and land development codes
  Retention of adjusters and experts with multiple event losses withmulti-layer insurance coverage
Expanding Business Income Loss Coverage  TX
Kevin M. Brown, Claims Coverage Counsel, JD, Zurich American Insurance Company
Jonathan Gross, JD, Attorney/Shareholder, Bishop Barry Drath
Mark Newton, CPA, Partner, Hagen, Streiff, Newton & Oshiro

  Review how the California case of Amerigraphics v. Mercury Casualty changes the way in which business income loss claims are valued where there is no actual loss of business income
  Questions on applying the holdings in cases where the insured has an actual loss of business income
  How continuing normal operating expense is measured and reconciled relative to business income loss in claims governed by the Amerigraphics case
  Reconciling the principles of the standards of forensic accounting in measuring a business income loss
Valve Failures Leading to Large Water Losses: Product Design or Installation Error?  TX
Scott Charbonneau, Executive Vice President, NHI General Adjusters
Tom Schaefer, Principal, Schaefer Engineering
Robert E. Wilens, JD, Attorney-Partner, Clausen Miller P.C.

  Coverage issues: Covered loss; multiple occurrences; builders risk vs. first-party claim
  Damage issues: Replacement vs. repair of high-tech medical equipment, extra expense and business interruption loss elements
  Subrogation issues: Who was responsible for the loss, the product manufacturer, the installer, or a combination of both?
  Trial issues: Spoliation; documents/video not turned over by manufacturer; cross examination of defense witness who is self-proclaimed "rocket ccientist"; using adjuster to present damages
Personal Property Lines
Creative Arson: Kitchen Fires and Other Suspicious Fire Starters  TX
Travis Phifer, AIC, AINS, Six Sigma Black Belt, Catastrophe Claims Manager, Grange Mutual Insurance Group
Jim Hunter, IAAI Certified Fire Investigator, Fire and Explosion Consultants, Inc.
Larry Thetge, SCLA, CIFI, Field Manager, Special Investigation Unit, Grange Mutual Insurance Group

  Creative methods insureds use to set incendiary fires
  Unusual issues raised with electrical fires, including the area of origin, lack of electrical activities, and unusual burn patterns
  Kitchen fire losses that include a lack of cooking activities, and unusual items found in the kitchen
  Evidence of other creative methods insureds might use to stage a fire loss, including hair dryers and short-circuited electrical fixtures
  Comparing fire investigations of the adjuster, the SIU investigator, and the cause and origin expert
Good Faith Claims Communications  TX
Philip Ambrose, Executive General Adjuster, Engle Martin & Associates, Inc.
Amy Samberg, JD, Attorney, Snell & Wilmer LLP

  Effective professional communication throughout the claim process can assist in overcoming negative stereotypes of insurance companies
  Common courtesy and common sense--verbal and written communication set the tone and can lead to a positive/successful claim resolution, or negatively affect the claim process
  How communications can be turned into the foundation for bad faith litigation
Issues Faced in Responding to the Devastating Tornadoes of 2011  DE  CPCU  FL  NC  RPA  TX
Michael Beverly, AIC, Property Team Manager, Crawford & Co.
Robert J. Whelan, PE, MSCE, CFEI, Southern Territory Manager, Donan Engineering Co., Inc.

  Helping the insured cope with the loss, not just focusing on the numbers
  Determine and deploy the correct number and type of staff to a devastated area
  Working with civil authority while trying to handle claims in a timely manner
  Code Requirements and other challenges faced in the reconstruction phase
  How to know when mitigation is worth the cost for a total loss
Personal Property Claims Challenges: Antiques, Fine Art & Jewelry  TX
Gail C. Momjian, Senior Personal Property Specialist III, Liberty Mutual Insurance
Heather Becker, CEO, The Conservation Center
Richard Berberian, President, Guaranty Jewelry Replacement, Inc.

  Examination and Identification: What to look for to identify age and quality in furniture, artwork, and jewelry
  Accurate valuations: Value characteristics and researching appropriate market comparables
  Calling in outside help when a claim requires an expert opinion: Loss of value; salvage issues; repair vs. replacement
  Total loss or other options? Salvage and restoration candidates
Resolving Difficult First-Party Claims by Finding Common Ground  TX
Fred Frederick, CPCU, Executive General Adjuster, VeriClaim, Inc.
Colin H. Dunn, JD, Attorney, Clifford Law Offices
Scott Hutchinson, AVP-Commercial Property Claims, Chartis Claims, Inc.
Mindy M. Medley, JD, Attorney, Clausen Miller P.C.

  Methods of communications with adverse counsel, from the perspective of plaintiff's counsel
  Discuss and address ways to investigate and adjust a claim when coverage issues are present; what does an insured understand?
  Development of methods to narrow disputed issues to reduce time and expense, and pave the way towards settlement
  If litigation is filed, address how the playing field changes for all involved parties
Casualty Claims
Adjusting a Construction Site Accident Claim  DE  TX
Kevin S. Williams, JD, Underwriter & Claims Manager, Argo Re
Kenneth R. Gilvary, PE, Principal Engineer, Haag Engineering Co.
Neil V. Mody, JD, Attorney-Partner, Connell & Foley
Kyle N. Roehler, JD, Foland, Wickens, Eisfelder, Roper & Hofer, PC

  Coverage: Determine the sequence of coverage, the scope of additional insured coverage, and relevant exclusions
  Investigation: Review the expert's role in the investigation and how technology is used to determine causation
  Evaluate strict liability, "statutory employer" status, the plaintiffs' damage models and proof in a traumatic brain injury case
  Claims resolution: Employ appropriate resolution techniques to reach favorable outcomes
Changing Times, Shifting Risks: Distinguishing SIRs & Large Deductibles  DE  TX
John Kamstra, JD, Assistant General Counsel, ACE Group of Insurance and Reinsurance Companies
Deborah Minkoff, JD, Attorney, Cozen O'Connor

  How to determine what risk transfer agreement is contained in the policy
  What the insurer's obligations are in connection with the timing of obligations and cost and control of defense under a deductible and SIR
  How the claims adjustment process and settlement of claims differ depending on whether the policy contains a deductible or an SIR
  What are the insurer's payment obligations?
Construction Defect Litigation Management: A Novel Approach  TX
Ricardo H. Piedra, JD, Senior Corporate Counsel-Litigation, FCCI Insurance Group
Anna D. Torres, JD, Attorney-Partner, Powers, McNalis, Torres & Teebagy

  Achieving an early realistic evaluation of the claim
  The constructive exchange of information, including the orderly presentation of the parties positions using technology
  The role and use of neutral experts
  Analyzing technical, insurance coverage, and legal issues (liability, damages, and contractual indemnity)
  Participation in effective mediation
Multiple Claimants & Insufficient Policy Limits  TX
Petrina Johns, Senior Litigation Adjuster, Hanover Insurance Group
Denise B. Bense, JD, Attorney, Cozen O'Connor

  Potential options available to an insurer when faced with multiple claimants and limited insurance
  How to execute a chosen approach
  Options in withdrawing the defense when the limits have been exhausted and the policy terminates the duty to defend
  Strategies for avoiding bad faith claims
  When is an interpleader complaint an appropriate approach
We Didn't Start the Fire: But What About the Duty to Defend?  DE  TX
Miriam Rockcastle, AIC, Litigation Specialist, Farm Family Casualty Insurance Co.
Steven Hilsenrath, JD, Attorney, The Law Offices of Steven Hilsenrath
Dan D. Kohane, JD, Attorney-Sr. Partner, Hurwitz & Fine

  Coverage involving contracts: Which controls--the sale agreement between the insured and successor company, or the commercial policy
  Liability-mitigating factors, comparative negligence and leveraging the coverage issues at play
  Third party property damage analysis
  Duty to Defend issues in a complex case--detailed investigation into who gets the ROR and why
  Obstructions presented on both liability and coverage, pre- and post-mediation
General Session
The Economic Crisis and its Hangover: Forces Impacting the Insurance Industry
Leigh Ann Pusey, President and CEO, American Insurance Association (AIA)
The economic crisis and the U.S. response via the Dodd-Frank Act will certainly have an impact on the insurance industry, but there are additional forces at work that will shape its future. Beyond the U.S., global regulatory debates are well underway in Europe and at the G-20 level that will have significant ramifications on the competitiveness of insurance markets both here and abroad. What is the impact of the slowing economy on the industry? How will the market manage additional uncertainty as the political sands continue to shift in Europe, the Middle East, as well as in the U.S. where national elections are being held this fall? What did we learn from Mother Nature following last year's record-setting reported catastrophe losses? Political, regulatory, economic, and natural disasters are a few of the forces that could shape the future of the industry for the foreseeable future.
Schedule | Sessions | Hotel | Continuing Education | Sponsors | Registration | Policies
HOTEL INFORMATION
Washington Marriott Wardman Park
2660 Woodley Road NW
Washington DC 20008
Reservations: 877-212-5752

Online Hotel Reservations


A block of rooms has been reserved at the Washington Wardman Park Hotel at the rate of $209 single or double occupancy and include complimentary wired internet in the guest rooms. Rates will be good for three days prior and after the Conference dates, subject to availability.

You may register on-line at and click on "Hotel Accommodations" or call Reservations Toll Free: 1-877-212-5752 to make your hotel reservations. Please indicate that you are attending the PLRB/LIRB Large Loss Conference at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

The cut-off date for this special rate is October 15, or when the rooms are sold out, whichever comes first. Please note there are a limited number of rooms in our block, so make your reservation early.

The Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel is conveniently located at the Woodley Park/Zoo Metro stop on the Red Line. A short walk to the National Zoo (free admission), Adams Morgan Dupont Circle neighborhoods (ethnic restaurants, funky shopping, nightlife), and Rock Creek Park (bike paths, hiking, exercise course).

Information about the airports in the Washington DC Area
DCA -- Washington National Airport -- 7 miles to the hotel / $30 cab fare
BWI -- Baltimore -- 35 miles / $88 cab fare
IAD -- Dulles Airport -- 24 miles / $60 cab fare


Visit HERE for a listing of restaurants in the area for lunch and dinner options.
Schedule | Sessions | Hotel | Continuing Education | Sponsors | Registration | Policies
CONTINUING EDUCATION
The Large Loss Conference has been approved by the following states and professional organizations for CE credit for Adjusters.
As of October 22 -- APPROVALS:

North Carolina Dept. of Insurance has approved 6 hours of NC General Insurance credit for Tuesday, October 30; and 4 hours of NC General Insurance credit on Wednesday, October 31. You must attend a full day of sessions and the entire session in order to receive credit for an individual day.

Credit for Tuesday must include attendance at the General Session. Partial credit is not available.

The Florida Dept. of Financial Services has approved the Large Loss Conference for 10 hours of adjuster optional credit. This course has been designated by the Florida Department of Financial Services as ADVANCED level. It is intended for the student who has significant knowledge of the subject matter and who has significant experience in the subject matter area.

You must attend the full session to receive credit for that session and obtain presenters' signatures for those sessions you attend. Partial credit is available. You do not need to attend all 5 classes to receive CE credits.

Good Faith Claims Communications has been approved for 2 hours of ethics credit. This course has been designated by the Florida Department of Financial Services as INTERMEDIATE level. It is intended for the student who has a basic knowledge with the subject matter or who has limited experience of the subject matter.

CPCUs attending this program will be awarded 10 points under the Continuing Professional Development program for CPCUs.

Delaware and Texas Departments of Insurance have approved ALL Large Loss workshops for 2 hours each of credit for adjusters. State initials are listed after the sessions that have been approved by those states. "Good Faith Claims Communications" was approved for 2 hours of ethics credit for adjusters by Delaware and Texas. Please refer to the individual sessions for approvals.

The Society of Registered Professional Adjusters (RPA) will award up to 11.0 CE Credits for the successful completion of the Large Loss Conference.

After you attend the Conference, submission forms are available online at www.rpa-adjuster.com. The new forms acknowledge that our members are trustworthy, ethical, and professional.

Mandatory Continuing Legal Education: PLRB/LIRB is an accredited CLE provider of the MCLE Board of the Supreme Court of Illinois. The Large Loss Conference is eligible for up to 10.0 hours of General MCLE credits. Good Faith Claims Communications was approved for 2.0 hours of professional responsibility by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism.

Anyone who is interested in receiving MCLE credit for Illinois must sign the attendance roster at the registration desk; and send PLRB an email requesting a Certificate of Attendance after the Conference.


NEW! The Florida Bar
has approved the 2012 Large Loss Conference for up to 12.0 general hours CLER (Continuing Legal Education Requirements), including 2.5 hours of ethics. The Course Number is 2527 3. You may attend any sessions to get credit. Attorneys should post their own CLE credits to the Florida Bar web site at www.flabar.org.
Schedule | Sessions | Hotel | Continuing Education | Sponsors | Registration | Policies
SPONSORS
Current Sponsors - PLRB/LIRB Large Loss Conference

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Sponsorships for the Large Loss Conference are sold out.

Downloadable Platinum Sponsor Staff Registration Form

Downloadable Gold Sponsor Staff Registration Form

Schedule | Sessions | Hotel | Continuing Education | Sponsors | Registration | Policies
REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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 by 30 days prior to the program. 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.

Downloadable Registration Form

PLRB/LIRB Member FREE
PLRB Affiliate Member $400.00
Non-member $550.00

PLRB or LIRB Member Insurer staff may register HERE at no cost. You must have a valid PLRB or LIRB Internet login to use this link.
Not sure if your company is a PLRB or LIRB member? Click HERE to find out.
Affiliate Members may register HERE to get the Affiliate Member registration fee. You must have a valid PLRB Affiliate login to use this link.
Non-member insurer staff and their service providers may register HERE.

Click HERE if you do not remember your Member or Affiliate Member username and password.

Schedule | Sessions | Hotel | Continuing Education | Sponsors | Registration | Policies
POLICIES

ADA/Special Needs

If you have a disability or limitation that may require special consideration in order to fully participate in the meeting, please contact PLRB at 630 724 2200 or e-mail at vberka@plrb.org as soon as possible to see how we can accommodate your needs.

Attendance Qualifications

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.

Entertainment

The purpose of the Large Loss Conference is education. The strength, reputation, and national support of the Large Loss Conference are the result of its commitment to hardworking, intense professional development.

The official Large Loss Conference program also provides helpful forums for networking among insurers' claims professionals and claims service providers. Any additional activity sponsored by a claims service provider in conjunction with the Large Loss Conference that undermines or conflicts with the primary educational purpose and reputation of the Large Loss Conference is prohibited.

As example, entertainment during conference and reception hours is a conflict and prohibited. Also, after hours entertaining of fifteen or more conference attendees by any one person, organization, or group that extends past 11:00 p.m. on an evening before morning sessions undermines the educational experience and is prohibited. "Adult themed" entertainment undermines the reputation of the event and is prohibited.

Failure to comply with the policy can result in sanctions, including but not limited to:
- Loss of exhibiting privileges at PLRB/LIRB events
- Loss of speaking privileges at PLRB/LIRB events
- Loss of attendance privileges at PLRB/LIRB events

Antitrust

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.

Presenters and attendees at the Large Loss Conference must remember that their respective firms are competitors in the marketplace and that the McCarran-Ferguson Act and the laws of some states provide the insurance industry with only very limited immunity from federal and state antitrust scrutiny. Therefore, presenters and attendees must exercise care during all presentations and discussions, since even innocuous discussions of certain topics might later be misinterpreted as evidence of collusion.

At the Large Loss Conference, and all educational, social, and business development events connected with this meeting, there should be no discussion or agreement, formal or informal, expressed or implied, as to any matters which might give rise to an allegation of violation of antitrust laws. Subjects to avoid include:

  • rates;
  • underwriting policies;
  • marketing strategies; marketing responses to legislative, regulatory, or other developments;
  • prices or costs of any products or services offered for sale by insurers or purchased by insurers;
  • individual insurance company positions on coverage issues and other matters of insurance policy interpretation; agreements or understandings relating to claims practice, policies, or positions;
  • standards by which the performance of any insurer could or should be judged; codes of ethics;
  • advantages or disadvantages of doing business in particular states;
  • refusal to deal with, or boycott of, potential insureds or suppliers of products or services; use of particular suppliers of products or services; and
  • costs or profits of any aspect of any of the above.

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.

Schedule | Sessions | Hotel | Continuing Education | Sponsors | Registration | Policies