Educational Courses 2025
CCNC 2025 CE PRESENTATIONS
​
ETHICS FOR INSURANCE ADJUSTERS | 3CE
Brian Foote, Belfor Property Restoration
This presentation facilitates an understanding of the importance of sound ethical decisions in the insurance adjuster profession. Reliable insurance coverage is critical for the financial safety of households, businesses, and the overall economy. Insurance adjuster ethics is a major factor in maintaining confidence in the insurance system. With a focus on the big picture, this course covers the importance of general ethical guidelines and the motivations to be ethical, as well as specific ethical concerns for adjusters and claims settlement practices.
OFFENSE/DEFENSE: COUNTER-INTELLIGENCE FOR THE CLAIMS & LEGAL PROFESSIONAL/ 1CE
Garrett McGinn, DigiStream
Identifying anomalies early on in the claims cycle will help an adjuster set, manage and release reserves for investigations more effectively than using surveillance alone. When reserves are set, a background or social media investigation can help an adjuster get an idea of the possibility for litigation, future medical needs and even apportionment. The course relates to the adjusting of insurance claims because oftentimes information gathered during this initial phase of the investigation, even prior to surveillance or other efforts, can lead an adjuster to accept, deny or delay a claim. Alternatively, information discovered during a social media and background check may lead a claims adjuster to determine further investigation is necessary before the injury is determined to be AOE/COE. Finally, adjuster competence may be improved by completion of the course because it will enable them to better target their investigative dollars to files that need more investigating, rather than adopting a blanket approach to investigations such as completing a limited number of days of surveillance on claimants whose files exhibit certain red flags. Simply put, a knowledge of social media and background investigations gives adjusters more bandwidth in combating potentially fraudulent claims. Timely, proactive investigations with many competent statewide vendors will help each adjuster maintain accurate reporting.
DOCUSKETCH TUTORIAL/ 1 CE
Andrew Grimm, ATI Restoration
Michael Merry, Docusketch
The future of P&C claims documentation is 360 imagery. It is imperative that adjusters become familiar with and adopt this technology in order to remain competitive in the world of claims adjusting. This course introduces the basics of the technology and its application to the day-to-day work of the adjuster.
HOW TO OVERCOME COVERAGE CHALLENGES AND ADVERSITIES WHEN DEALING WITH WATER DAMAGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS ON A CLAIM/ 1CE
Heather Flores, Express Air Testing, Inc.
Shannon Blomquist, Bamboo Insurance
We talked about changing it up and doing more of a panel style with a testing company (Hether), an abatement company (JJ&S was interested) and a claims person (me) and talk through the interaction and process as this seems to be an area that a lot of adjusters don’t entirely understand.
SUBROGATION TRIBULATIONS? INVESTIGATING FOR SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES/ 1 CE
Sally Noma, Attorney, Noma Law Firm
Taylor A. Russell, P.E., CAP, CFEI, Forensic Engineer, EDT
This course will demystify the property subrogation and investigation process for field adjusters and claims personnel. When a loss occurs due to fire, flood, or other peril; it is imperative subrogation potential is identified early, and that the investigation is conducted properly. Participants will leave this session with the skills needed to decide when to preserve a scene, when to retain experts (and what to expect from them), collection and management of evidence, and how an investigation must be conducted to allow for subrogation to succeed. This course will be applicable to losses large and small, simple to complex, and will include case studies.
FORENSIC MATERIALS SCIENCE FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE AND PRODUCT LIABILITY INVESTIGATION/ 1 CE
Wade Lanning, Ph, D. ARCCA
To a materials scientist, every object carries signs of its history. In this talk, attendees will learn how to use materials science principles in forensic investigations of property damage, product liability claims, and injuries. An expert will demonstrate how simply looking at broken glass can help identify the type of glass and how it fractured. We will examine broken steel parts and investigate whether corrosion visible on the part caused the failure, or if it is just a helpful indicator of another issue. We will see how a chemical analysis can identify the type of plastic used in a leaky plumbing system and to check for material flaws or deterioration. This presentation is intended to help non-engineers and non-scientists understand how they can make use of a materials science expert in forensic investigations. Even though materials science is a specialized field, the applications in forensics are very broad. After all, everything is made out of a material!
DISASTER RECOVERY: THE FIRST 48 HOURS
Brian Foote, MBA, WRT, HCC, BELFOR Property Restoration
April Lowe - Pacific Specialty Insurance
What is done and is not done in the first 48 hours after a large or small disaster event influences how successful the entire recovery process will be, including impacts on costs and timelines. This presentation will explore elements of the initial response and recovery process by the insured or tenant, as well as by insurance professionals and restoration contractors. It also presents several intriguing ways that the 80/20 rule can apply to initial recovery efforts.
FROM INCEPTION TO COMPLETION;
ADJUSTING PROPERTY CLAIMS BEYOND THE BUILDING CODE
Steve Moore, Degenkolb Engineers PE, CASp
Jim Krueger, JS Claims & Consulting
Jennifer Glitzner, DH Construction Inc.
This presentation will review an adjuster’s role and responsibilities during the property claims process from initial intake and assignment through the completion of construction and issuance of final payment. As a result of changing building and municipality codes and construction processes, property damage claims can no longer be considered “typical” due to site specific requirements. Today’s claim adjusters, design professionals, and contractors must be able to identify and address these unique circumstances related to code provisions, city ordinances, and existing site conditions beyond the minimum requirements of the current building codes.
This presentation will identify many of these unique circumstances, when they may occur
during the claims process and inform the adjuster of available resources. The ultimate goal of this presentation is to further educate the adjuster regarding these unique circumstances so that they can successfully adjust property claims and efficiently collaborate with other insurance professionals.
The Hidden Dangers of Lithium Battery Fires
Vinh Q. Pha, CIH, CAC, Envirocheck
A new emerging claim trend these past few years is Lithium Ion Battery fires. From EV Vehicles, to E Bikes and more. We will explore the environmental impact these Lithium Ion Battery fires have on residential and commercial structures and the testing required to identify the toxicity of the heavy metals, acids and soot char and ash these types of batteries give off while engulfed in flames. We will also explore the insurance coverage aspect of these specialized claims and the approach the insurance carrier could take while handling a specialized claim of this magnitude.
Commercial Real Estate Property Loss and Working Hand in Hand with the Adjuster
Ernie Guerra, CIG Insurance
Lorri Schulte, Schulte CRE Services
This panel discussion is designed to create a clear vision of how the large loss claims process can flow smoothly by all the parties working together. The Property Manager, The Insurance Adjuster and The Restoration Contractor all have very important roles in the claim and restoration process and when all parties working together it will help to reduce cost, time, and chaos.
Fire Debris Analysis: The Science Within the Ashes
Andrew Bennett, Envista Forensics
Fire debris analysis plays a crucial role in civil insurance litigation claims by providing scientific evidence to support or refute claims related to fire/explosion incidents. Through the analysis of debris samples, experts can identify the presence of ignitable/Volatile Organic Compounds, determine the origin and cause of the fire, and potentially assess the actions or responsibilities of the parties involved. This evidence strengthens the credibility of the case and helps claims or subrogation specialists make informed decisions on coverage or liability.
Common Environmental Issues on Property Damage Claims
Eloy Cisneros, CFSC, CMC, CAC, CLIA-PM, Young & Associates
I will be discussing hazmat issues (asbestos, heavy metals, PCBs, etc.), fire and smoke contamination, water and microbial impacts (mold and Cat 3), etc. My session will make attendees aware of the numerous potential environmental issues on property damage claims and how to properly assess, identify and delineate them.
Electrical 101 For The Insurance Professional
Paul Christoferson, Haag Engineering/Haag Global
Have you ever asked, “Why do I need an Electrical Consultant, Expert or Engineer when a building is completely burned or destroyed, and nothing is left?” Do you wonder when it is appropriate to bring in these electrical professionals or even how they will help with the questions you have? This course provides insurance industry professionals with an introduction to those scenarios providing a basic understanding of the complexities behind many electrical topics including inspections, devices, circuiting, product general information and safety. Starting with identifying common insurance electrical issues, what is required to be documented and when outside experts are necessary for these tasks. We will cover several aspects of electrical devices typically used in residential and light commercial applications, their operation, capabilities and specifications. Critical safety factors will be addressed in installing these components and the ramifications of going down the wrong path, to understanding damage when defects or defective materials are discovered, and how electrical circuiting in a building is put back together after devastating claims occur. This course arms you with the knowledge of when to bring aboard experts for your claim and how they can assist you using informative and interactive techniques including hands-on product inspections to demystify the electrical world.
Water Damage Claims … Unravel the Mystery!
Ulises Castellon-Fire Cause Analysis
John White,
Water damage claims are the new severity peril for insurers. Fire Cause Analysis m forensic experts will illustrate the variety of powerful technical tools available to the adjuster and their experts in the aftermath of a claim. This workshop is designed to help develop the skills necessary to ensure a thorough and effective water damage claim investigation.
Claims professionals will receive the tools and perspectives needed to: understand residential and commercial water systems, how to process a water damage claim scene, and how to safely collect evidence.
This engaging program will discuss water system failures using visually compelling case examples to demonstrate the current state of investigations, helping the claim’s professional to ensure complete and proper investigation of water-related claims.
The presentation includes extensive illustrations of water systems and component failures and step-by-step information on how to perform an investigation that will withstand rigorous challenges. Photographs, microscopy, and video reinforce how a claims professional can work with investigators//scientists/engineers to find the root cause of the water system failure. Cost savings and increased claims success are the results of understanding failure analysis.
Curt Rimkus
Risk Management - RISK involved with Large Loss Parties- A story of Property Restoration & Subrogation
​​