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In this episode, we sit down with Heather Blevins, the renowned "Insurance Rebel," to explore the crucial role of resilience and relationships in claims adjusting. As professionals in a high-stakes, high-stress industry, adjusters face unique challenges that require more than technical expertise—they need strong connections and a support system to thrive.

With Valentine’s Day as a backdrop, this conversation highlights how fostering meaningful relationships—whether with colleagues, clients, or mentors—builds professional and personal resilience. Heather shares her insights on how adjusters can navigate industry pressures, handle emotional challenges, and find deeper fulfillment in their work.

We also tackle the often-overlooked topic of mental health and self-care in the claims profession. From the demands of catastrophe response to the everyday stress of handling complex cases, we discuss ways to maintain well-being, reduce burnout, and create a culture of support and transparency within the industry.

Looking ahead, the future of claims adjusting is evolving with AI advancements and a growing workforce gap. Heather shares her perspective on how the industry must adapt training programs, attract new talent, and balance technological efficiency with the human touch that remains at the heart of the profession.

Join us for this insightful conversation as we uncover strategies for staying resilient, strengthening industry relationships, and shaping the future of claims adjusting.

This audio has been edited and engineered by Nicholas Kearns, 585-545-9976, njkearns11@gmail.com

For more insights, you might consider a career in liability adjusting or if you're searching for reliable adjusting services, visit Auten Claims Management.

To explore more about Chantal Roberts and her contributions to the industry, visit CMR Consulting.

Promotions:

• Once Upon a Claim: Explore the magical world of claims adjusting through fairy tales. Get your copy now.
• The Art of Adjusting®: Master the art of claims adjusting with practical insights and expert advice. Purchase here.

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In this thought-provoking episode of The Art of Adjusting® Podcast, hosts Bill Auten of Auten Claims Management and Chantal Roberts of CMR Consulting dive into a challenging and highly relevant topic: the intersection of insurance coverage and liability in sex trafficking lawsuits.

The discussion begins with an overview of what constitutes human trafficking, drawing from definitions provided by the Department of Homeland Security and insights from IRMI (Insurance Risk Management Institute). Bill and Chantal then analyze recent legal cases involving hotels, businesses, and tech platforms accused of facilitating trafficking—knowingly or unknowingly.

Key topics include:

• Negligence vs. Intentional Acts – How liability is determined under insurance policies.
• The Role of Business Owners – What responsibility do hotels, landlords, and other entities have in preventing trafficking?
• The Intentional Harm Exclusion – Breaking down whether insurance should cover businesses complicit in these crimes.
• Moral and Ethical Dilemmas – Can (or should) insurers be required to defend such claims?
• Legal Precedents and Policy Language – What courts are saying about coverage obligations.

Bill and Chantal also tackle broader industry issues, including the duty to defend vs. the duty to indemnify, policy exclusions, and how insurers should respond when policyholders are accused of unethical or illegal behavior.

This episode is essential listening for insurance adjusters, claims managers, risk professionals, and legal experts navigating complex liability issues in today’s world.

This audio has been edited and engineered by Nicholas Kearns, 585-545-9976, njkearns11@gmail.com

For more insights, you might consider a career in liability adjusting or if you're searching for reliable adjusting services, visit Auten Claims Management.

To explore more about Chantal Roberts and her contributions to the industry, visit CMR Consulting.

Promotions:

• Once Upon a Claim: Explore the magical world of claims adjusting through fairy tales. Get your copy now.
• The Art of Adjusting®: Master the art of claims adjusting with practical insights and expert advice. Purchase here.

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In this episode of The Art of Adjusting®, William and Chantal dive into a listener's question about liability coverage for stolen vehicles and expand the discussion by exploring related topics from various Reddit subreddits focused on the insurance claims industry. They break down the key question of whether a vehicle owner is liable for bodily injury or property damage caused by a thief, explaining that liability typically doesn’t apply since theft is an illegal act. However, they also clarify how comprehensive or collision coverage might come into play for damage to the stolen vehicle.

Drawing on insights from Reddit, they tackle questions about the claims process, subrogation, and the pursuit of restitution from at-fault parties. They also explore the concept of negligent entrustment, emphasizing the importance of listing regular users on an insurance policy to avoid disputes.

With its blend of expert analysis and real-world scenarios, this episode offers practical advice for adjusters, policyholders, and anyone navigating the complexities of stolen vehicle claims. Tune in to hear how industry professionals approach these challenges and to gain a better understanding of coverage and liability in these situations.

This audio has been edited and engineered by Nicholas Kearns, 585-545-9976, njkearns11@gmail.com

For more insights, you might consider a career in liability adjusting or if you're searching for reliable adjusting services, visit Auten Claims Management.

To explore more about Chantal Roberts and her contributions to the industry, visit CMR Consulting.

Promotions:

• Once Upon a Claim: Explore the magical world of claims adjusting through fairy tales. Get your copy now.
• The Art of Adjusting®: Master the art of claims adjusting with practical insights and expert advice. Purchase here.

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This episode uncovers the critical challenges insurance adjusters face during wildfires, focusing on the complexities of coverage and claims amidst catastrophic losses. The hosts explore key policy exclusions, the role of governmental actions, commentary and opinion that can be found on Facebook and Reddit, and the emotional toll on victims while calling for clearer policies and communication within the industry.

• Understanding insured losses from California wildfires
• Coverage questions related to vehicle damage during fires
• The importance of clarity in insurance policy terminology
• Exploring exclusions in personal auto and commercial policies
• Discussion on governmental actions impacting insurance claims
• The emotional impact of wildfires on communities and adjusters
• Future considerations for insurance policies and adjuster practices

This audio has been edited and engineered by Nicholas Kearns, 585-545-9976, njkearns11@gmail.com

For more insights, you might consider a career in liability adjusting or if you're searching for reliable adjusting services, visit Auten Claims Management.

To explore more about Chantal Roberts and her contributions to the industry, visit CMR Consulting.

Promotions:

• Once Upon a Claim: Explore the magical world of claims adjusting through fairy tales. Get your copy now.
• The Art of Adjusting®: Master the art of claims adjusting with practical insights and expert advice. Purchase here.

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In this episode of The Art of Adjusting®, Chantal and William welcome Mike Connell, CEO and Co-Founder of Risk Jockey, Inc., to explore the complex world of open records and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. With decades of experience as a licensed private investigator specializing in accident investigations, Mike shares invaluable insights on navigating open records applications, obtaining critical evidence, and overcoming challenges in claims handling.

Key Topics Covered:

FOIA vs. FOIL: Understanding federal and state-level open records laws.

Video Evidence: Challenges, costs, and best practices for requesting police body camera footage and traffic videos.

Timeliness in Claims Investigations: Why initiating open records requests early is crucial to preserving evidence.

HIPAA and Record Access: Navigating privacy laws and securing authorizations to expedite the release of critical records.

Outsourcing Open Records Requests: How Risk Jockey streamlines record retrieval, saving adjusters time and resources.

Mike also dives into the growing role of body cameras in claims investigations, the nuances of record retention policies, and strategies for handling difficult jurisdictions. Plus, discover how Risk Jockey integrates with claims management software to simplify record retrieval processes for adjusters.

Tune in to learn how a proactive approach to open records can enhance your claims investigations and why outsourcing these tasks might be the key to better, faster, and more cost-effective results.

Visit Risk Jockey to learn more or initiate a request.

Contact Mike Connell directly at 678-230-8891.

Don’t miss this episode packed with actionable advice for claims professionals seeking to streamline their processes and elevate their results!

This audio has been edited and engineered by Nicholas Kearns, 585-545-9976, njkearns11@gmail.com

For more insights, you might consider a career in liability adjusting or if you're searching for reliable adjusting services, visit Auten Claims Management.

To explore more about Chantal Roberts and her contributions to the industry, visit CMR Consulting.

Promotions:

• Once Upon a Claim: Explore the magical world of claims adjusting through fairy tales. Get your copy now.
• The Art of Adjusting®: Master the art of claims adjusting with practical insights and expert advice. Purchase here.

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In this episode of The Art of Adjusting® Podcast, hosts William Auten and Chantal Roberts welcome Marty Shaw, RCA, BCMA, TRAQ, TPAQ, a globally recognized consulting arborist and author of The Professional Amenity Plant Appraisal Handbook. With nearly three decades of consulting experience, Marty is one of the few arborists worldwide who consults full-time, offering his expertise to private landowners, insurance companies, attorneys, and various organizations.

Key Topics Covered:

• Tree Liability for Property Owners: Marty explains the responsibilities of property owners to inspect and mitigate tree hazards to prevent liability issues.
• Tree Risk Management Policies: Discover how municipalities, golf courses, and large property owners can implement effective policies to manage tree-related risks.
• Valuation of Trees: Learn about the differences between amenity value and timber value and the methods used to calculate the worth of trees in residential and commercial contexts.
• Large Tree Transplantation: Marty discusses the feasibility and limitations of moving large, mature trees.
• Tree Claims and Litigation: Explore the complexities of tree-related insurance claims, the nuances of contracts, and the importance of seeking expert advice for precision logging or appraisal cases.

Marty also shares insights into the different levels of tree inspections, from basic drive-by assessments to detailed structural evaluations using advanced equipment. He provides actionable advice for adjusters, property owners, and insurers on how to navigate tree-related liability claims effectively.

About Marty Shaw
Marty Shaw, the first Academy Registered Consulting Arborist in Middle Tennessee, is a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) and the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council. Marty is sought after for his expertise in complex and high-profile cases across the U.S. and offers services as an expert witness for tree-related matters.

Contact Marty Shaw:

• Website: https://www.proapah.com
• Email: Expert@greenseasonconsulting.com
• Mobile: 615-477-7889 | Office: 615-794-4377
• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 680716, Franklin, TN 37068

For more information about Marty’s book, The Professional Amenity Plant Appraisal Handbook, visit https://www.proapah.com.

Connect with The Art of Adjusting® Podcast
Join hosts William Auten and Chantal Roberts for this insightful discussion on tree liability, risk management, and valuation. Don’t miss this essential conversation packed with practical advice for adjusters, property owners, and anyone navigating tree-related liability. Subscribe to The Art of Adjusting® on your favorite pod

For more insights, you might consider a career in liability adjusting or if you're searching for reliable adjusting services, visit Auten Claims Management.

To explore more about Chantal Roberts and her contributions to the industry, visit CMR Consulting.

Promotions:

• Once Upon a Claim: Explore the magical world of claims adjusting through fairy tales. Get your copy now.
• The Art of Adjusting®: Master the art of claims adjusting with practical insights and expert advice. Purchase here.

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In this episode, William and Chantal dive into the critical issue of confirmation bias in insurance claims handling. They explore how biases—both conscious and unconscious—can affect claims processes, leading to misinterpretations and errors. Drawing from their extensive experience, they highlight the importance of:

• Peer Review Processes: Chantal emphasizes the value of roundtables and diverse teams in claims review to challenge assumptions and avoid groupthink.
• Open-Minded Investigations: William shares insights on maintaining objectivity and considering alternative perspectives when evaluating claims, especially in scenarios involving slip and falls, tree falls, and food poisoning.
• Agent Biases: The discussion addresses how agents’ vested interests in maintaining clean loss histories can inadvertently lead to errors or biases, and why coverage decisions should remain in the adjuster’s purview.
• Avoiding Groupthink: Together, they stress the need for varied viewpoints in claims handling to ensure accuracy and comprehensive evaluations.

The episode also touches on the role of communication in managing biases, with Chantal and William sharing personal anecdotes about overcoming their own assumptions.

For further insights, check out William’s blog post, “Addressing Confirmation Bias in Claims”, where he takes a deeper look into the challenges and strategies for overcoming biases in the claims process.

Tune in to learn how to identify and mitigate confirmation bias, avoid groupthink, and enhance the objectivity of your claims handling process. Don’t miss this insightful discussion!

For more insights, you might consider a career in liability adjusting or if you're searching for reliable adjusting services, visit Auten Claims Management.

To explore more about Chantal Roberts and her contributions to the industry, visit CMR Consulting.

Promotions:

• Once Upon a Claim: Explore the magical world of claims adjusting through fairy tales. Get your copy now.
• The Art of Adjusting®: Master the art of claims adjusting with practical insights and expert advice. Purchase here.

Send us a text

In this Thanksgiving-themed episode of The Art of Adjusting®, hosts Chantal Roberts and William Auten reflect on gratitude, from personal appreciation to professional growth. They discuss health insurance complexities, health insurance, document management strategies, and evolving practices in the insurance industry, including the power of storytelling in claims.

With warm anecdotes about Thanksgiving plans, a family graduation, and humorous industry moments, they also explore future topics like Medicare and CMS. This episode blends heartfelt gratitude with practical insights, making it a thoughtful listen for adjusters and insurance professionals alike.

Tune in as they share lessons on balancing life, work, and growth in the claims industry!

For more insights, you might consider a career in liability adjusting or if you're searching for reliable adjusting services, visit Auten Claims Management.

To explore more about Chantal Roberts and her contributions to the industry, visit CMR Consulting.

Promotions:

• Once Upon a Claim: Explore the magical world of claims adjusting through fairy tales. Get your copy now.
• The Art of Adjusting®: Master the art of claims adjusting with practical insights and expert advice. Purchase here.