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Xactimate scope with your smart phone

Category : Adjuster Tools, Adjuster Training, Claims Confrences, Industry Rumors, Stories

The President of Xactware Jim Loveland has a new blog post on using your smart phone for estimate.  According to the new version of Xactimate 27.1 there is an app for the blackberry phone that will allow estimators to enter scope information into there phone.

Jim Loveland States:

The most recent release of the professional version of Xactimate 27.1 includes an exciting new feature that provides estimators with a significant leap forward in onsite scoping capability. XactScope is an app for BlackBerry phones that allows estimators to quickly enter scope information into their phone, then electronically transfer the information to their Xactimate system. The result is fast onsite scoping using the phone that estimators probably already have in their pocket. No new equipment is needed and users only enter data once. And yes, for those of you wondering, the iPhone version of XactScope is coming very soon.

It is interesting to note that they went to the Blackberry with this app first before the iphone and droid.  During there user conference last year they stated that all of there market research was pointing to the blackberry as the most common phone for adjusters.  However since last year the iphone has grown in numbers over the Blackberry.

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New Roof Diagraming Service ConnectPoint Resolutions Systems

Category : 2010, Adjuster Info, Adjuster Jobs, Adjuster Tools, Adjuster Training, IA, Industry Rumors, Insurance Jobs, Stories

A new press release was just sent out regarding a new diagramming service from ConnectPoint Resolutions Systems.  ConnectPoint is very popular for adjusters and roofing companies in the industry.  They have a program that is available for purchase at www.AssureCalc.com to do roofing diagrams on your own computer for far less then what it takes to pay some one to measure the roof on site.  The press release states that ConnectPoint Resolutions Systems will now diagram the roof for you and send you the report.

Below is a quote from there press release:

ConnectPoint Resolution Systems is excited to introduce a new Roof Diagramming Service. The new service allows ConnectPoint to provide a report that will contain up to 5 aerial images of a roof with accurate measurements including pitch, slope, 3-D imaging, and material ordering options.

Previously ConnectPoint’s diagramming software was sold to contractors and insurance professionals to enable them to diagram and measure the roof themselves. With the new Roof Diagramming Service, ConnectPoint offers an additional solution to customers who prefer to have the roof measured for them.

“We are very excited to announce our expanded Roof Diagramming Service at the request of insurance professionals and contractors for a faster and more accurate service, which we feel is especially important during times of high claim activity,” President Scott Mullins announced today. “ConnectPoint’s Roof Diagramming Service will provide the most accurate, fastest turnaround time, and competitively priced roof reports on the market. All roofs with 8 slopes or less are priced at $25.50, roofs with 9 to 14 slopes will be $30.50 and 15 or more slopes are priced $47.50, before volume discounts. We guarantee that reports will be delivered to our customer within 24 hours for no additional charge.”

There are no subscription agreements or down payments required. Simply log on to http://www.connectpointinc.com, submit an address, enter payment information and receive a fully measured roof diagram with pitch within 24 hours.

“We believe that ConnectPoint’s New Roof Diagramming Service will significantly change the roofing industry,” Mullins says. “Insurance professionals and contractors will no longer have to wait up to a week to receive a measured roof diagram report. We are committed to providing our customers with user friendly reports they need to make timely and accurate decisions.”

For more information about ConnectPoint Resolution Systems, visit http://www.connectpointinc.com or call 877-787-0006

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October 24, 2010 Deadline for Florida Homeowners to File Hurricane Wilma Insurance Claims Approaching

Category : 2010, Hurricane, Hurricane willima, Industry Rumors, State, deadline, statute of limitations

A Recent article was published by Julie Patel, with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.   According to the article in 4 days the statute of limitations will be gone for home owners to file an insurance claim or dispute for hurricane Wilma.  Florida has not been hit by a large storm since Hurricane Wilma.  If you have questions about this process there are many professionals or appraisal company fore example Enki Enterprises www.claimprofessor.com who can help you determine if its worth filing a claim.

October 24, 2010 Deadline for Florida Homeowners to File Hurricane Wilma Insurance Claims Approaching
The deadline for many Florida homeowners to file insurance claims for Hurricane Wilma is approaching. The five-year anniversary of Wilma is Oct. 24, and Florida has a five-year statute of limitations to file lawsuits for property insurance claims.
For policyholders who still have damage from the hurricane, this means:

Homeowners whose claims have been denied have five years from the date of the denial to pursue the claim.

People filing a new claim must do so by Oct. 24, according to insurance attorneys. Some homeowners who filed Wilma claims in recent years said they didn’t do so right after the storm because they were incorrectly told by their insurers that the damage did not meet the deductible. Still, new claims filed years after a storm “would be scrutinized … because policyholders have some obligation of timely reporting claims,” said Tom Streukens, director of operations at the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association, known as FIGA.

People who accepted a claims payment have five years from the day of that decision to “re-open” a claim if the money did not cover the cost of repairs, according to insurance attorneys.

Policyholders who were insured by companies that folded have two years from the day the company shut down to settle a claim or file suit against FIGA, which handles claims for defunct insurers. The deadline may be shorter for Wilma claims because of the five-year statute of limitations, Streukens said.

To be on the safe side, FIGA has been telling policyholders with Wilma claims that they have until Oct. 24 to take action, he said.

Insurers paid out about $9.2 billion for more than 1 million Wilma claims made by Florida home, business and automobile owners, according to Cliston Brown, public affairs director of the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America.

Some insurers have reported losses in recent years, blaming in part Wilma claims payments. Insurance industry representatives pushed legislation this year, that among other things, would have shortened the time a homeowner could pursue windstorm claims to three years. The bill was vetoed by Gov. Charlie Crist.

Attorneys who represent policyholders say they’re alerting people about the Wilma claims deadline, even though there are gray areas. “You always want to make sure that people understand the nature of statutes of limitation and not give them reason to believe they have more time than they might because once the statute runs, their claims are lost,” wrote Donna Berger, an attorney with Katzman Garfinkel & Berger.

(Julie Patel, Copyright © 2010, South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

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Alabama Insurance Adjuster – 3 Steps To Become A Licensed Adjuster In Alabama

Category : Adjuster Jobs, Adjuster Training, IA

With no pre-licensing exam and no continuing education requirements, obtaining your insurance adjuster license in the state of Alabama is one of the easier licensing procedures a claims adjuster will encounter. Follow these 3 steps to obtain and maintain your adjuster license in this important hurricane claims region of the gulf.

Step 1) Know the Requirements

Individuals applying for an insurance adjuster license in Alabama must be 19 years of age or older. According to the Alabama Department of Insurance, experience requirements mandate that you either “be

1) a full-time salaried employee of a licensed adjuster or

2) a graduate of a recognized law school or

3) have experience or special education or training in the handling of loss claims under insurance contracts of sufficient duration and reasonable extent to make him or her competent to fulfill the responsibilities of an adjuster.” The Department further specifies that applicants be trustworthy and of good character. Finally, it is specified that adjusters with an Alabama license should maintain a public office with access to records pertinent to all claims transactions done in the state.

Step 2) Obtain the Alabama Adjuster License

In order to obtain this license, you will need to fill out Alabama Adjuster Application Form AL-90 and include the mandatory application fee of $100. For out of state adjusters – Alabama’s reciprocal licenses policies are very generous. Alabama grants reciprocal licensing privileges to those adjusters who hold a license in their home state, or, if their state doesn’t have an adjuster licensing requirement, from any other state.

Step 3) Maintain Your Alabama License

Licensed Alabama adjusters must renew their license once a year by submitting a renewal application and a $80 renewal fee. There are no Continuing Education requirements mandated by the Department of Insurance for adjusters.

In summary, qualified adjusters wishing to become licensed in Alabama need only submit an application to become licensed. No exam and no continuing education are required to successfully obtain and maintain your license. Independent adjusters interested in working catastrophic claims should strongly consider obtaining the Alabama adjuster license as the more densely populated coastal regions are highly susceptible to hurricanes. As well as enabling you to work in Alabama, holding this license will increase your own marketability as an independent claims adjuster by increasing your geographic versatility. For additional information, refer to the complete Alabama insurance adjuster requirements.

Daniel Kerr has served as a career and training consultant for thousands of experienced and aspiring professionals in the insurance claims adjuster industry. In addition to his work as a catastrophic claims adjuster, Daniel acted as the V.P. of Operations for one of the most successful adjuster licensing companies in the country – helping to grow the business into the most recognized brand in the industry.

Mr. Kerr currently co-owns and operates AdjusterPro, a rapidly growing business dedicated to providing the finest resources available to aspiring claims adjusters. AdjusterPro offers courses to obtain your Texas adjuster license as well as Xactimate 25 training and online continuing education. For a free career consultation or to find out more about how to become an insurance adjuster, call AdjusterPro directly at 214-606-8370.

Author: Dan Kerr
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Boulder Forest Fire – Fourmile Canyon

Category : 2010, Adjuster Info, Adjuster Jobs, IA, Industry Rumors, Insurance Jobs, forcast

Thy Denver Post had a good article about the amount of claims that could get generated from the Boulder Forest Fire.  The unconfermed rumor is that the fire was started by someone backing up into a propane tank.   There are reports of smoke damage all over Boulder and into the surrounding areas.  This could be a huge claim volume for smoke damage to the interior of the homes.  All of the falling ash could also cause homeowner to call in a claim.

 

The Denver Post Article states:

Property-insurance companies were mobilizing teams Tuesday to prepare for millions of dollars in claims from the Fourmile Canyon wildfire.

Farmers Insurance, the second-largest property insurer in Colorado, had dispatched a national emergency team of 62 claims adjusters to Boulder and a 60-foot mobile home designed for claims payments and assistance to policyholders.

Insurers said adjusters and property owners alike were frustrated Tuesday by their inability to get concrete information on the status of homes and belongings that may have been in the path of the fire. At least 92 structures were reported to have burned.

“We’re all trying to be patient,” said State Farm Insurance spokesman Alan Miller. “A lot of it is just trying to provide some emotional comfort at this point. We’re talking to people at the evacuation centers, we’re answering questions and basically we’re just trying to hold people’s hands.”

Miller said that by Tuesday afternoon, State Farm, the largest property insurer in the state, had received two or three confirmed reports of destroyed homes owned by policy holders.

Farmers Insurance has about 3,000 customers in ZIP code 80302, which includes portions of the fire-evacuation zone and surrounding areas. The insurer had no information Tuesday on the potential number of claims.

Most insurance companies have filed temporary moratoriums on new or upgraded coverage for homes near the fire — a common industry practice when disasters occur.

However, for existing policies, replacement of destroyed homes and personal property is routinely covered up to the policy maximum. Insurers also cover the costs of temporary living expenses for evacuated homeowners.

In the wake of a spate of wildfires in 2002, many insurers began requiring mountain homeowners to take defensive measures against wildfires in order to obtain or renew policies. Those included clearing trees and underbrush from home perimeters, cleaning dead pine needles off roofs, and using fire-retarding materials on home exteriors.

Homeowner policies typically are more expensive for houses in areas subject to wildfires.

Insurers said the Fourmile fire is not likely to immediately increase premium costs. But future increases may occur because premiums are determined, in part, on the cost of previous claims.


Wildfire insurance claim procedures

Evacuated residents should contact their insurance agents or companies immediately to let them know where they can be reached. As adjusters are allowed into the burned- out areas, they will want to go in with policyholders to assess the damage.

Out-of-pocket expenses during a mandatory evacuation are reimbursable under most standard homeowner policies. Keep receipts.

Be prepared to give your agent a description of your damage when you’re able to return to the property. Your agent will report the loss immediately to your insurance company or a qualified adjuster, who will inspect the damage.

Take photos of the damaged areas. Prepare a detailed inventory of damaged or destroyed personal property. The list should include a description of items, dates of purchase or approximate age, cost at time of purchase and estimated replacement cost.

Source: Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association

Read more: Homeowners, insurers struggle to get full fire-damage picture – The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/recommended/ci_16016533#ixzz0z3WqpVW6


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May 26th Hail Storm Commerce City, CO

Category : Uncategorized

A large hail storm has hit Colorado again bringing up to 12 inches of hail in some places and up to baseball size hail.  The storm has broken out window, smashed cars and caused heavy hail damage to Commerce City.  Adjuster got put on standby a few hours after this storm has hit.   Being that there are already a ton of roofers in the Colorado area from the 2009 hail storms.  This storm will get hammered very quickly with claims and roofers going out there.  Most roofing companies will start knocking on doors the day after the storm trying to get homeowners signed up and for the homeowner to file a claim.

 

This is the only good video on the web at the moment.

 

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May 16th Oklahoma City Hail Storm

Category : 2010, Adjuster Info, Adjuster Jobs, State, forcast

On May 16th In Oklahoma a large hail storm produced softball size hail. In one are of on the northwest side of Oklahoma city report with up to grapefruit size hail was found. The hail has caused major destruction. Insurance Adjuster from all over the country are getting called out for emergency catastrophe teams to respond to this storm.  Adjusters can typically make over a thousand dollars a day when responding to a storm like this.  Depending on the storm an adjuster could stay out for several months.

This video shows how large and forceful the storm was

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Tropical Outlook for 2010

Category : 2010, Adjuster Info, Adjuster Jobs, Hurricane, Industry Rumors, forcast

Crown weather services has posted an interesting article about there outlook for the 2010 hurricane season.  Most tropical weather outlooks are a very educated guess on what the forecast has in store for the upcoming season.  We are posting this article because if this turns out to be true it could be a very good year for adjusters and professionals in this industry.  Insurance adjusters can make serious money when a large hurricane strikes.  Daily insurance adjusters typically make between 40-100k running claims day to day but when a hurricane strikes they can typically average $1,000-$2,000 per day. 

 

I decided to write up an update to the seasonal forecast I wrote back in early March.  I am very concerned that we’re in for a very, very busy hurricane season. 

The main feature that is very worrying to me is the latest European model forecast of Sea Level Pressure Anomalies and Precipitation Anomalies in the Atlantic.  The forecast continues to call for well below normal pressures and well above normal precipitation totals during the July to September, 2010 timeframe.  What this means in terms of tropical storm and hurricane activity is that lower pressures mean lighter winds and less wind shear.  In addition, the lighter winds and less wind shear will also mean more available moisture and in the end warmer sea surface temperatures. 

One other thing to note, note the above average sea level pressures in the East Pacific (Dark red).  This means that the air will be sinking in the east Pacific and rising in the Atlantic Basin.  Rising air promotes more storminess. 


Now, one thing to note is that the European model forecasted negative conditions for the 2009 Hurricane Season at this time last year and it did quite well with that forecast.  So, there is some merit and credibility that the 2010 Hurricane Season may be quite active. 

There are several hurricane seasons that are a close match to what this hurricane season may be like.  They are 1958, 1964, 1966, 1969, 1995, 1998 and 2005.  As for potential risk areas, I have attached a map outlining all of the tracks during the 7 analog years.  A few areas stand out for higher concentration of landfalls during those 7 analog seasons.  These areas include eastern North Carolina and the outer banks of North Carolina, south Florida and the northwest Bahamas, the central Gulf coast (from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle), the Leeward Islands and Virgin Islands and finally the northwest Caribbean, including the Yucatan Peninsula, western Cuba and the Cayman Islands.  Elsewhere, along the US coastline and in the Caribbean, don’t let your guard down as you are also at risk this season of a tropical storm or hurricane. 

Sum of storm tracks of 7 analog seasons (1958, 1964, 1966, 1969, 1995, 1998, 2005):

Highest Threat Areas For 2010 Hurricane Season:

I suspect that we will have our first tropical storm sometime in early June. The reason why is that the first storm of the season formed in early June during 5 out of the 7 analog years. Also, with sea surface temperatures running above normal and forecast lower than normal surface pressures; I strongly believe we will have our first storm in early June, if not before then.

As for my forecast numbers for this year:
16 Named Storms
9 Hurricanes
4 Major Hurricanes

The forecast numbers are based on the idea that the Atlantic will remain warmer than normal and that the current weakening El Nina will be neutral during the heart of the hurricane season.  The current Tropical Cyclone Heat Potential map is displayed below and it shows plenty of heat potential already for the formation and intensification of tropical storms and hurricanes. 

Sea Surface Temperature Map:

Tropical Cyclone Heat Potential Map:

So, to sum it up, I am looking at a hurricane season coming up that will be very active.  I expect neutral BENSON conditions throughout the heart of the hurricane season.  In addition, above average to much above average ocean temperatures and below average sea level pressures point to an active to very active hurricane season with the highest risk areas in eastern North Carolina and the outer banks of North Carolina, south Florida and the northwest Bahamas, the central Gulf coast (from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle), the Leeward Islands and Virgin Islands and finally the northwest Caribbean, including the Yucatan Peninsula, western Cuba and the Cayman Islands.

This outlook should be the catalyst to start purchasing supplies and putting your hurricane kit together during May.  Also, take a close look at your homeowners or renters insurance and ensure that you are properly covered for damages or god forbid total loss.  Also, if you don’t have flood insurance and live in a hurricane zone, I strongly urge you to consider taking on flood insurance.  Your homeowners/renters insurance does not cover for floods caused by storm surge or river flooding.

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Insurance Adjusting – A Career Unaffected by the Economy

Category : Adjuster Info, Adjuster Jobs, Insurance Jobs

The United States is currently is the midst of a recession, and some say even a depression! People are losing jobs in almost every sector. Companies once considered rock-solid, like General Motors, are asking for a government bailout. Others, which were the cornerstone of the financial market, like Lehman Brothers, no longer exist.

Yet, there is one sector of the job market, which continues to thrive.

Insurance is the backbone of the economy! Without insurance, no bank would loan money for a mortgage or finance the purchase of an automobile. Without insurance, businesses could not manufacture goods and products! Insurance covers property, liabilities, and services of every sort. Even in a down economy, both individuals and companies must purchase insurance and ultimately, claims do arise.

In order to process claims, insurance companies employ both 'company' and 'independent' claims adjusters. These are trained individuals who interview witnesses, review damages and make decisions about the payment of claims as dictated by an insurance policy. A company adjuster is a direct employee of an insurance company, while an independent adjuster typically works through an independent adjusting firm.

According to Salary.com and CNN Money.com, the median salary for a claims adjuster is $39.051.00. This is a good starting point for most entry-level adjusters in the field. As an adjuster gains training and experience, a salary of upwards of $50,000-$60,000 is not unusual and catastrophe adjusters can make substantially more than that.

Unlike other professional fields, license training does not take years and is not expensive. Florida allows qualification for an All Lines Adjuster license by taking a designation course, like the Accredited Claims Adjuster Designation through the University of Central Florida. This is a 40 hour course that excuses the student from the state licensing exam.

Once licensed, most states do require Continuing Education. The Florida requirement is 24 hours every two years and again, the classes can be accessed online through providers like the University of Central Florida. In addition, most insurance companies invest substantial time and training preparing the new adjuster for the claims profession. Training includes software, claims-handling procedures and policies, all while being paid!

Skills necessary to be an effective and successful claims adjuster include good abilities at reading, writing, and negotiation, good customer services skills, as well as a willingness to listen.

Where else can someone find a good paying, stable career, with great benefits, by taking a 40 hour qualification course?

Almost every sort of manufacturing job can be out-sourced to other countries, but a claims adjuster must be available to talk to people and view the damages. This is one job that is not going over-seas! For more information on Claims Adjusting and the training available go to: http://www.ce.ucf.edu/insurance

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Michael Birzon is an attorney and adjunct professor with Florida Insurance University/University of Central Florida. Dr. Birzon has litigated claims for over 30 years and is the author of the Accredited Claims Adjuster Designation approved by the State of Florida. You may contact Dr. Birzon at (407) 927-1235 or email at: flainsu@mail.ucf.edu

http://www.ce.ucf.edu/insurance

Author: Michael Birzon
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Claims Adjuster Jobs-Finding the Ideal Insurance Job

Category : Adjuster Info, Adjuster Jobs, Adjuster Training, Insurance Jobs

If you intend to get a job as a insurance claims adjuster, then you will need a sense of diligence, good investigative skills, and a great sense of humour. People from all over make some of the most amazing claims and it is your job to read the forms, laugh a little, and then seek out the truth of the matter. People sometimes write in a manner that they think is perfectly clear, but which are slightly more humorous than originally intended.

There are, of course, less amusing and more amusing variations of the insurance claims adjuster job. Life insurance claims are rarely funny, and things like flood and fire insurance don't seem terribly amusing either. Car insurance, however, is full of hilarious claims about accidents and their causes that might have a claims adjuster falling off their chair.

Imagine a normal work day, where you are reading claims from people claiming accidents from a variety of causes, ranging from "I lost control when my girlfriend grabbed my testicles" to "a submarine hit my car". (Both of these, by the way, are real claims that were made.)

Of course, there is always the typical claim of that deals with mundane issues such as collisions in heavy traffic, but the phrasing used by many customers is more than enough to start you on your first chuckle of the day. This is including things like: "In an attempt to kill a fly, I drove into a telephone pole." And don't forget the people who blame their car troubles on unknown forces or Voodoo.

The job requires that sense of humour, if you feel that you can handle the thought of people driving off a cliff to avoid a squirrel or into a building as they check the gas prices, or even going through businesses when they forget to put the car in reverse, then this might just be the ideal job for you.

As for the technical aspects of the job, the insurance claims adjuster is the person who investigates the claims that are made, ridiculous and otherwise, negotiate settlements, and authorize payments. Your job is to determine whether the policy that the claimant holds covers the accident or other loss, and how much of the loss should be paid to the claimant. Once you have read the claims form, you will have to conduct interviews with witnesses, police, and hospital staff where applicable, and consult the relevant records held by them regarding the loss.

You will consult with many professional people if you think that someone in the profession can help with your investigation. This might mean talking to a wide range of lawyers, doctors, engineers, construction workers, and more. The information you gather, including video and audio components, is then presented in a report to help evaluate the claim.

If the claim is found to be legitimate, then it becomes your job to negotiate the settlement with the claimant. If it is contested, then it is your job to work within the legal system to protect your company's position. No matter what you find, though, you are sure to find plenty of laughs along the way.

Hugo Reyes is a writer for Insurance Jobs, a leading recrutiment website specialising in underwriting, compliance, reinsurance and Insurance Claims Adjustor Jobs. Insurance Jobs is the premier resource for those seeking a career in the Insurance sector.

Visit Insurance Jobs for more vacancies in the insurance industry.

Author: Hugo Reyes
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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