Luck arrives in many forms, and the nearly 2,000 P&C claims professionals heading to this year's Property Loss Research Bureau/Liability Insurance Research Bureau (PLRB/LIRB) conference and expo can expect plenty of good fortune once inside the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Mass.
Beginning on Sunday, March 17th and running through March 20th, the conference will once again feature the popular "Core Claims Skills" series, along with close to 100 dynamic educational sessions and countless opportunities to talk shop with peers.
From the "green" among us to the savviest industry veterans, attendees working in various lines of business will be able to accrue CE credits, brush up on technical and "soft" claims-handling proficiencies, and learn effective strategies to implement back at the office.
"We continually refine and refresh topics throughout the year by working with members, individuals, and our committee," explains Valerie Berka, PLRB/LIRB meetings manager. "This [helps us create] a show that meets the needs of insurance carriers as well as independent adjusters by covering a wide array of coverage issues and other topics, including how to deal with public adjusters. So whether you are a casualty or property adjusting professional, there are offerings to address almost every aspect of your job."
New to this year's lineup is an underwriting track with classes specifically designed for underwriting professionals on both the property and casualty sides. Of the six classes comprising the track, at least 3 will include an underwriter on the panel. (Refer to the listing below for specific times).
Fostering engagement—with policyholders, claimants and fellow claims pros—continues to be a vital, enduring component as well. To this end, Scott Powell, assistant vice president of educational and technical services at PLRB/LIRB, stresses the importance of taking advantage of the 10 sessions focusing on enhancing "soft skills."
"When not executed correctly, [soft skills] almost always lead to poor results and complaints," he cautions.
One of this year's highly anticipated sessions is "International Claim Issues & Challenges," presented by Mike Reeves, EVP-Global Markets, Crawford & Company, London, UK; Cordelia Witton, Claims Project Executive, Lloyd's of London, London, UK; Kevin Moon, Sr. Claims Perfomance Manager, Lloyd's of London, London, UK; and Hans Mederer, Senior Vice President, XL Group, Munich, DE. The class will be offered on Monday, March 18 at 3:30 p.m. and again on Tuesday beginning at 8 a.m. Claims caught up with Reeves and Witton, who share a sneak peek below:
Q: Is the session intended primarily for professionals at larger carriers, or is this useful for those at smaller ones?
Our intention is to highlight the issues and challenges around handling claims on the global stage; the learnings from these will hopefully provide insights that can be adapted as part of best practise at every level from regional/national carrier to the worldwide insurer.
A: In particular, the introduction to the Lloyd's market and how claims are handled at Lloyd's will be very useful both for those at larger carriers looking to understand the international landscape, and for smaller firms looking to broaden their horizons.
Q: What are some crucial elements of global claims programs that you plan to outline?
A: How pre-planning is a vital component in making global claims programs work and what are the key drivers in making sure Insurers and Reinsurers keep their promises on global risk solutions.
The role of global markets like Lloyd's in placements – the experience and knowledge the Lloyd's market holds that means complex programs can be accommodated. Insureds can use the expertise of an insurer like the Lloyd's market.
Q: What are some common challenges or impediments insurers typically encounter?
A: Global programs are complex and have many moving parts. Globalization means major events can impact insureds in a variety of ways and locations – an example would be the CBI from Japan or Thailand.
You need to understand the differences in culture that can have a real pact in international claims handling – terminology and behavior in one territory can mean a completely different thing in another – both positively and negatively.
Claims professionals need to be sensitive to this. The importance of global data and how it is used.
Q: Tell us more about the case studies you'll be sharing.
A: The case studies and experiences of the last 3 years of major catastrophe losses will be very interesting for participants as it provides contemporary and situational know-how to the PLRB. We (the presenters) have all on the ground experience in locations like Thailand and Chile in the aftermath, and can bring some real colour to the themes and layers of influence that have an impact on the way international claims from major events develop.
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