Introduction

When a policy holder makes a claim against their insurance company, you have a first party claim. However, these claims are hardly the "party" their name implies when a professional expert investigation is required. Because property investigations are at the core of determining coverage, it's vital for insurance professionals to retain experts with a known investigation methodology to prevent dreaded bad faith claims.

First party claims, for us, involve conducting Subject Matter Expert (SME) centric investigations that include (1.) collecting, organizing, and summarizing lots of project data to transform it into information, (2.) conducting interviews and analyzing testimony; and (3.) preparing for and executing onsite investigations including visual inspections and diagnostic testing that conform with myriad technical standards. The investigation should generate all the data necessary for our Project Teams to support their (4.) thinking, (5.) writing, and (6.) presentation of expert opinions that solve the problems in plain language (what we call "Awesome Work"). It's conceptually simple; but not easy. It requires a LOT of thinking.

Our experienced panel will review the process of a professional expert investigation, providing examples of first party claims along the way as an illustrative tool both common pitfalls to avoid and best practices to emulate. This program is for attorneys and insurance professionals who regularly work on first party claims, particularly those that involve a building expert.

Learning Objectives

• Examine first party claims that require expert analysis.

• Review the big picture of the process for a professional expert investigation.

• Show examples of awesome work.

• Discuss specific activities including file analysis, onsite investigations, when testing is required, estimating repair costs, and presenting in various formats, including deposition and trial.

• Explain some common pitfalls to avoid.

Program Outline

1. Introduction

2. Collect, Organize, and Summarize

3. Onsite Investigations and Testing

4. Thinking & Writing

5. Estimating (Monetizing)

6. Present

7. Conclusion

Our Panel

Continuing Education Credit

A disclaimer that you must attend the live webinar to obtain credit. This course has been approved by the Florida Department of Financial Services for insurance continuing education credit. To receive credit with the Florida Department of Financial Services, remember to scan the QR code certifying your attendance and identity at the end of the program. Certificates of attendance will be sent to eligible webinar attendees within three business days of the webinar.

This webinar is approved for 1.0 credit hour of continuing education credit in the following state(s):

• California State Bar - Provider #11573

• California Department of Insurance (Provider #180291) - Course #38933

• Nevada State Bar (Provider #51574) - Course #P_20230824_51574

• Nevada Division of Insurance (Provider #168687) - Course #26838; Offering ID #192755

• Florida Department of Financial Services (Provider #373045) - Course #126206; Offering ID #1181996

  • Marc Viau’s Instructor ID #1346742

  • Elgin Hakala’s Instructor ID #1346773

  • Lee Kantor’s Instructor ID #1317657

  • Brian Letofsky’s Instructor ID #1346817

• Florida State Bar (Provider #1023251) - Course #2307307N

• Texas State Bar (Provider #A16251) - Course #174204369