Claims Magazine March 2010
Cover Story
Lessons in Licensing
Every state has a different set of rules about how--or how not to--license adjusters. Acting or failing to act out of ignorance can cause all types of problems, including fines, suspension of claim adjusting functions, and lots of aggravation.
Features
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Claims at Its Core
The annual Property Loss Research Bureau/Liability Insurance Research Bureau conference, one of the industry's most substantial and vibrant claim-oriented events, will take place March 21-24, 2010. Preview the show here.
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Everybody Hates Workers' Comp
As we grapple with the things we dislike about the workers' compensation system, outside forces are chipping away at our bronze coating and creating new standards for adjusters and industry stakeholders.
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Optimizing Medical Claim Processing
Although U.S. property and casualty insurers pay approximately $50 billion per year in medical claims, carriers are a long way from reaching peak efficiencies in analyzing and processing those claims.
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Fit to Print
In claims, where adjusters spend almost a third of their week communicating with claimants, superb writing skills are vital to success.
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Construction-Defect Claims
This article continues the discussion of certain issues that arise on most construction projects, and how those issues can affect claim handling.
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The Toyota Recall
In light of the recall of virtually millions of vehicles, Toyota executives find themselves in a nightmare, and the ramifications are not yet clear.
Columns
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Transforming Claim Departments
A recent study by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services lists the top 10 reasons that property and casualty insurers fail to achieve market conduct compliance. What is striking is that half of the top 10 transgressions involve claim-handling lapses.
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The Politics of Shoveling
The duty to clear ice and snow varies by state, and there are those states in which a property owner has a responsibility to clear the snow at least enough for reasonably safe passage for anyone who might walk onto their property.
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Litigation Management
In today's demanding and competitive insurance marketplace, one of the skills that can separate the high-performing insurance company from its competitors is litigation management.
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Fraud Still Rearing Its Ugly Head
This column began as a complaint, and that is what it remains.
Departments
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Mutual Misgivings
An interesting debate flared up last month on claimsmag.com regarding one of our more controversial web exclusive articles. The topic? Public adjusters.
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Speaking Of: PIP Abuse
Richard Parrillo, Sr., founder and CEO of United Automobile Insurance Company, recently launched a public relations campaign to expose what he says are plaintiffs' lawyers who are exploiting Florida's legal system in regard to PIP benefits.
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P&C Insurers Criticized for Talent Recruitment Efforts
The U.S. property and casualty insurance industry has a problem attracting talent and fails to make the coordinated effort needed to find a remedy, according to McKinsey & Company.
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Stars in IT Initiatives
"What would it look like for an insurer to do everything right with today's technology?" is a question posed -- and answered by -- Celent in its recent 78-page report, Model Insurer 2010: Case Studies of Effective Technology Use in Insurance.
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Winter Storm Losses Adding Up
A record-breaking spat of winter storms that blanketed the Midwest and Eastern U.S. regions with snow in February 2010 is expected to cost insurers billions.
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Home Insurance Claims: The Uninvited Guest
According to Swinton, home insurance claims are on the rise because of increasing numbers of accidents resulting from soirees.
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CDOI Commissioner's Cousin Faces Fraud Charges
Steve Poizner, California Insurance Commissioner and Republican gubernatorial candidate, has garnered various accolades for his strong anti-fraud stance. Unfortunately, one of his relatives may have pursued a much less noble path.
