Claims Magazine March 2007
Cover Story
Navigating the Straits
Although the business world and society at-large have always been concerned about financial ethics, the issue has come to the forefront of discussion in the post-Enron world.
Features
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Evaluating Injury Claims
Malingering in personal injury or workers' compensation claims cost both the insurer and the consumer.
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Mold Isn't Gold
The fear of mold claims was engendered in the insurance industry by the trial court decision in Ballard v. Fire Insurance Exchange.
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Workers' Comp Fraud Challenges
Fraud has been a growing concern in the workers' comp arena.
Columns
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Business Rules for Claims Processing
For many carriers, the task of processing claims consistently and in accordance with new programs has become complex and daunting for both their adjusters and the IT organizations that support them.
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Do You See Dead People?
Is there coverage under the homeowner's policy for cleanup for both the dwelling and personal property?
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Search & Rescue Ventures
In the spring of 2000 when your Iconoclast was still editor of the CPCU Claims Quarterly (CQ), a very typical situation for editors of such publications occurred.
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Clear as Mud?
Over the past 15 years, the standard ISO absolute pollution exclusion has been litigated in the traditional environmental arena across the country.
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Plugging Leaks: Nine Property Risk Management Challenges for 2007
What will be the biggest property risk management challenges in 2007?
Departments
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Round One Goes to Allstate
Allstate might have struggled in the New Orleans' public court of opinion, but a lawsuit that was dropped last month by the plaintiffs shows that policyholders aren't always the victims in a claim dispute.
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State Farm Suspends Mississippi Policies
Citing uncertainty in Mississippi's legal and business environments, State Farm announced last month that it would halt writing new homeowners' and commercial property insurance in the state of Mississippi.
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LEA Remains Tops
As insurance claim associations go, the Loss Executives Association (LEA) is at the front of the pack.
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Top Six Temp-Housing Techniques
The calm hurricane season of 2006 has given way to an active winter-storm season in 2007.
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Study Confirms Increase in Flooded Cars
According to the results, the number of waterlogged wrecks revealed by Carfax vehicle history reports has doubled nationwide over the last five years.
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It's March Madness with PLRB/LIRB
If there is one conference everyone in the property/casualty insurance industry looks forward to each year, it's the PLRB/LIRB conference.
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Big "I" Targets TRIEA
The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America is honing in on several legislative issues that could have implications for claim adjusters and departments throughout this year.
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Speaking of: Claim Adjusting
Back in 1996, Kevin Hromas followed the advice of a family member and began a new career as an Allstate staff adjuster after closing his construction business.
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Adjusting Takes Center Stage
An independent film called Low and Behold had its world premiere at this year's Sundance Film Festival in Salt Lake City, bringing to the forefront situations often faced by adjusters but not commonly known to the public.
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Can You Hear Me Now?
Cell phone use and two-way communication systems in automobiles are facing scrutiny again, this time from the Center for Auto Safety (CAS).
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One Warning Deserves Another
In an effort to educate the public about how to deal with bacteria-laden sponges found in most American kitchens, a research team at the University of Florida might have inadvertently sparked another problem.
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State Wishy-Washy on Black-Box Legislation
According to Montana state legislature, a bill has been drafted to outline the stipulations associated with the collection and usage of event data recorders, or "black boxes" in automobiles.
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Workers' Comp Law Changed for 9/11 Volunteers
The New York Committee for Occupational Health and Safety (NYCOSH) has outlined new guidelines that would extend the deadline for 9/11 workers and volunteers to apply for workers' compensation benefits.
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Citizens Sued for Window Claims
The Hurricane Law Group, a law firm specializing in natural disaster litigation, has taken legal action against the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation in a case involving window damage caused by Hurricane Wilma.
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Drying Goes High-Tech
Dri-Eaz Products, a drying and restoration company, has introduced a new extracting tool.
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Automatic Water-Leak Detection
Etched in Time, a privately held Arizona-based corporation, recently demonstrated technology that is capable of detecting water leaks in a structure and automatically stopping flow at the main water valve.
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Total-Loss Auto Claims Made Simpler
Audatex hopes their new system will improve customer satisfaction by speeding the total claim loss process.
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Web Site Features Risk Control Info
Travelers has recently introduced a web site called riskcontrol.com.
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Claim Software Protects Integrity
Pitney Bowes' Group 1 Software has recently introduced a new bundle software package, Claims Correspondence.
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What's the Attraction?
It seems that almost every insurance-related conference is held in Florida, and it has been like that for as long as I can remember.
