AGENDA

Registration Open

Registration Open

Continental Breakfast — Provided by PCS

Welcome and Introductory Remarks
Gary R. Kerney, Assistant Vice President, Property Claim Services, ISO

Keynote Address #1 — Catastrophe Response: Helping People Recover
Therese M. Goldsmith, Commissioner, Maryland Insurance Administration

Tropical cyclone activity in 2011 was above average. There were 19 tropical storms, including 7 hurricanes, 3 of which were major hurricanes. Despite this increased activity, only Hurricane Irene made landfall in the United States, the first hurricane to do so since 2008. While Irene was unable to maintain its hurricane strength for long, the storm caused an estimated insured property loss of $4.3 billion, including approximately $500 million of damage in Maryland. In her keynote presentation, Maryland Insurance Commissioner Therese M. Goldsmith will address the response mounted in the aftermath of Irene by both the insurance industry and regulators to ensure the citizens of Maryland, as in other states, found the means to recover.

Keynote Address #2 — Adapting to Climate Change: A Perspective from the Insurance Industry
James Geuzebroek, Vice President of Communications, Insurance Bureau of Canada

Climate change and the resulting severe weather have been increasingly affecting consumers, governments, and insurers worldwide. In Canada, weather-related losses are costing Canadian insurers more than an estimated $1.68 billion a year. And as Canadians become increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is focusing on the need for governments and consumers to adapt before it's too late. Adaptation efforts include helping municipalities pinpoint weaknesses in their aging sewer and surface water systems so as to mitigate, if not avert, disasters related to infrastructure failure, and helping consumers prepare for natural disasters before they occur. In his keynote presentation, James Geuzebroek will discuss adaptation to climate change, Canada's infrastructure challenge, and the IBC's efforts.

The Independent Adjuster's Perspective
Robert Beller, Executive Vice President, 470 Claims

Independent adjusters are an important, highly developed, available, and yet often wasted resource in the claims business.  The key to using independent adjusters effectively is developing and maintaining a relationship that continuously breeds success. Robert Beller of 470Claims will provide insight into the world of independent adjusters and how to better communicate with and manage this resource through a deeper understanding of how they think, operate, and make decisions.

Networking Break – Refreshments Provided by PCS

Contingent Time Element Coverage
William Dalton, Property Claims Director, Fireman's Fund Insurance/Allianz
Mary Furst, Partner, RGL Forensics

Investigation of a contingent time element loss requires an understanding of the various policies in play.  It's critical for investigators to understand the coverage in place, additional coverage, coverage triggers, cause of loss, affected parties that could cause a disruption to the supply chain both upstream and downstream, who the direct suppliers are, and the period of indemnity, among other things. William Dalton of Fireman's Fund Insurance/Allianz and Mary Furst of RGL Forensics will take attendees through the intricacies of investigating a contingent time element loss.

Luncheon – Provided by PCS

Catastrophe Claims Management
Joshua Ardery, Home Office Claims Administrations, Alternative Claims Services,Inc.
Ricky Christian, Director, Assurant Specialty Property
Gary Hoffman, President, Alternative Claims Services, Inc.

The ultimate goal of catastrophe claims management is being prepared for a catastrophe event before it actually happens. Being ready means having an in-depth understanding of the geographical areas in which you write business, defining what it means to "be ready," and outlining a proactive claims management plan. Then, when a catastrophe hits, you can identify the affected area quickly and put your plan into action, so the rush of claims will go calmer and smoother. Ricky Christian of Assurant Specialty Property and Joshua Ardery and Gary Hoffman of Alternative Claims Services, Inc., will discuss the various phases of plan development and the factors you need to consider, as well as plan execution as the event unfolds.

The Importance of Monetary Impact Data for U.S. Natural Disasters
Petra Low, Munich Reinsurance Company
Gary R. Kerney, Assistant Vice President, Property Claim Services, ISO

To adequately plan for natural disasters and the necessary response and recovery efforts, sound estimates of overall losses are essential. Sound estimates are also essential to gain a better understanding of how disaster losses are increasing and consequently adding pressures on society and policy makers. Petra Low of Munich Re and Gary Kerney of Property Claim Services will discuss how numerous scientific institutes, researchers, government agencies, insurer and the financial sector are using a combination of loss data from PCS, USDA, FEMA, NIFC, NOAA, and Munich Re to help address catastrophe-related issues.

Networking Break – Refreshments Provided by PCS

Primary, Excess, and Reinsurance Coverages in Catastrophe Claims
William Krekstein, Nelson Levine deLuca and Horst, LLC
Robert Runyon, Nelson Levine deLuca and Horst, LLC

The multiple layers if insurance implicated in large-scale catastrophe losses present unique issues for all parties involved. In this session, William Krekstein and Robert Runyon, both of Nelson Levine deLuca and Horst, LLC, will discuss the role of the primary and excess carrier, as well as cedent and reinsurer, in addition to examining concepts and case law defining the rights and obligations of each.

Reception with Exhibitors

Registration Open

Continental Breakfast – Provided by PCS

Building Damage Issues
Ken Gilvary, Senior Engineer, Haag Engineering Co.
Randy Horden, T.M. Mayfield & Company
Steve Pifer, Corporate Claims Catastrophe Manager, State Auto Ins. Cos.

This session will provide insight into how wind, especially hurricane-force wind, interacts with a building and the resulting damage.  Ken Gilvary of Haag Engineering, Randy Horden of T.M. Mayfield, and Steve Pifer of State Auto Insurance Companies will discuss how wind loads are measured, as well as issues including unsealed asphalt shingles, gaps in roof framing, and cracks in masonry. They will also present examples to illustrate various damage issues.

Catastrophe Issues in Tribal Regions
Alec Grandon, Safety Services Specialist, AMERIND Risk Management Corp.

An insurer's disaster preparedness plans should always take into account neighboring communities, including any tribal governments and reservations that may be nearby. There may be opportunity for mutual aid resources, but there may also be special considerations you'll need to understand beforehand. For example, would you be able to use a nearby casino/resort for a disaster center? Does the tribe have the capacity to assist? Is your emergency response plan in alignment with the tribe? Does the tribe have a separate utility resource (water, power, etc)? What can you offer in return? Seeking solid relationships before, during, and after a disaster may mean the difference between success and failure of your plans. Alec Grandon of AMERIND Risk Management Corp. will share his experiences working with tribal governments.

Networking Break – Refreshments provided by PCS

Be Ready in the Face of Litigation
Jeff Baker, President, ICAT Boulder Claims, Inc.
Tom Furlow, Attorney, Adami, Shuffield, Scheilhing, Burns
Jennifer Whitaker, Director, Eberl Claims Service

What happens when a claim file goes into litigation? Jeff Baker of ICAT Boulder Claims, Inc.; Tom Furlow of Adami, Shuffield, Scheihing, Burns ; and Jennifer Whiteaker of Eberl Claims Service  will explain in detail what happens when suit is filed and what it all means to you. They will also provide invaluable claims handling tips and techniques so your claim file is always ready in the event it does go to litigation.

Luncheon – Provided by PCS

Flood:  The Water Part of the Debate
Doug Branham, President, Colonial Claims
Dan Gagaris, Douglas Peterson and Associates

Floods are the most frequent and costly natural disaster. With about 20,000 U.S. towns built in flood prone areas, flood losses are on the rise. This session looks at flood issues from both a claims and engineering perspective. Doug Braham of Colonial Claims and Dan Gagaris ofDouglas Peterson and Associates will discuss flood coverage, flood versus wind damages, and the impact of flooding on the infrastructure and utilities, as well as possible sources of water infiltration such as back-up of sewer and drains.

2011:  The Year of the Thunderstorm
Steve Drews, Lead Meteorologist, Aon Benfield

2011 was a very active year in terms of severe convective weather activity. Strong tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds affected many sections of the United States multiple times during the year, leaving insurers to deal with the aftermath. Steve Drews of Aon Benfield will recap the year's activity and its effect on the insurance industry, compare it with other years, and touch on the issue of whether the frequency of severe weather is actually increasing or can be attributed to other factors.

Networking Break – Sponsored by PCS

Claims Technology
Chris Barrow, President and CEO, EagleView Technologies

Since its introduction in 2008, aerial roof measurement technology has led to significant increases in productivity for roofing claims. The incorporation of an independent, third-party standard for roof measurements eliminates disputes between adjusters and contractors, ensures that accurate estimates are prepared, and results in the roofing claim being closed faster. Ultimately, smoother, faster claims processing leads to improved customer satisfaction. Chris Barrow of EagleView Technologies will presenta case study that documents how an insurer implemented the use of aerial measurement technology as a standard operating procedure for processing roofing claims and was able to realize a dramatic increase in efficiency and a significant reduction in processing time.

Concluding Reception – Sponsored by PCS