Non-Certified NFIP Adjuster Briefing

Non-Certified NFIP Adjuster Briefing NATIONAL WEBINAR DECEMBER 28, 2010 PART ONE 10:00 - 11:30am EST Hosted by Melanie Graham REGISTER FOR PART ONE DECEMBER 28, 2010 PART TWO 1:30 - 3:00pm EST Hosted by Melanie Graham REGISTER FOR PART TWO This briefing is designed for Property Insurance Adjusters seeking to become NFIP Certified Adjusters. THIS BRIEFING IS NOT FOR NFIP ADJUSTERS ALREADY CERTIFIED. Each year about 30% of those attending NFIP Adjuster Certification Workshops are first time attendees seeking to become NFIP Certified Adjusters. In their evaluations these attendees indicate that the material goes by very quickly. In response, the Non-Certified Adjuster Briefing was developed to cover the fundamentals of the NFIP. NO NFIP ADJUSTER CERTIFICATION, OTHER CERTIFICATION, OR CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION DOCUMENTATION WILL BE PROVIDED. This is a review offered to potential NFIP Adjusters for informational purposes only. The briefing is in two parts. The first in the morning and the second in the afternoon. PART ONE Introduces the NFIP. The basic elements of mapping, flood zones and the NFIP Policy forms will be reviewed. The steps to becoming a Certified NFIP Adjuster will be addressed. PART TWO Surveys the basic adjusting forms used by NFIP Adjusters. REGISTRATION INFORMATION You must register for each Webinar separately. Please use the links provided above. Once you have been approved by the host, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the session. These web conferences are FREE, but spaces are limited so register early. Currently certified NFIP Adjusters should not register, however, you may pass this opportunity to those considering becoming NFIP certified Adjusters. Seminars conducted by the National Flood Insurance Program and sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency For assistance, please contact Melanie Graham at melanie@h2opartnersusa.com. Please do not reply to this email. If you have general questions regarding NFIP Training, please write to nfiptraininginfo@h2opartnersusa.com, or visit www.nfipiservice.com/training. The National Flood Insurance Program is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). National Flood Insurance Program Training | www.nfipiservice.com/training nfiptraininginfo@h2opartnersusa.com | (800) 427-4661

2011 CNC Sponsored NFIP Certification Classes

Classes have been schedule for the 2011 for CNC sponsored NFIP certification classes. Annual NFIP workshop attendance is required to maintain an active NFIP certified status. The workshops will be held at our national headquarters located at 2928 McVay Dr. N, Mobile, AL 36606. Dates are as follows:

Feb 16th, 2011
Feb 17th, 2011
May 31st, 2011

Sign-in begins at 7:30 am and class with start promptly at 8:30 am.

Please contact our offices at 251-471-4718 x 1125 to register or for additional information.

Pipe Bursts

Arctic air masses have been moving over the US this week, with highs in the 0s and 10s in much of the US. With winter comes winter insurance claims- in the south, this often comes in the form of burst pipes.

As water freezes, it expands. Pipe bursts are caused by pipes that freeze with water in them and are ruptured by the sudden expansion of the ice. Pipes running through exterior walls, attics, crawlspaces, and garages are most vulnerable, as they are not as well insulated as pipes that run through temperature controlled parts of the building.

After a pipe has burst, the policyholder or their plumber will need to turn off the main water supply at the building. Leaving a faucet open on the line will help allow pressure to escaep. After that's done, it's time to assess the damage. Did the pipe burst in a single area or in several spots? If it's in a single area, a pipe repair clamp may be able to provide a temporary fix. But ultimately, the entire section of pipe will need to be accessed, removed, and replaced by a plumber. In addition, the entire area will need to be evaluated for any water damage caused by leaks resulting from the pipe burst.

As an adjuster, you need to take into account the circumstances surrounding the pipe burst to determine coverage. Was the house occupied or unoccupied? If it was unoccupied, was the heat left on? Did the insured try to leave water dripping? What is the insurance policy's clause on vacancies or abandonment? Were the pipes well-maintained? Does the client want you to estimate all damage, or only covered damage?

Be sure to take plenty of photos and get documentation from the policyholder's plumber. Keep the policyholder informed as you submit your file. Try to make the process easy for the policyholder and the client alike- that's what gets an adjuster more claims!

If you found this page searching for information on preventing damage from winter weather, check out these weatherproofing tips from USAA.

CNC: ADJUSTING EXPECTATIONS

Photo Contest Winners!

After a long afternoon of deliberations, the Claims Department has chosen our adjuster photo contest winners! Check out the winning photos below-

First Place was a tie between "Trailer park Ferrari" and "Adjuster Accommodations"

Nothing warms a claims pro's heart like the coming together of auto and property.


Second place- we loved how this picture showcased a view we don't usually get once a roof is gone. Check out the condition of the cabinets.


Thanks to all the independent adjusters who entered. Because we got so many great pictures, we're going to be sending pens out to everyone who participated as a thank you.

Tools to be an independent adjuster

A questions we're often asked is "what do I need to become an independent adjuster?" There are many intangible qualities that insurance adjusters need to possess to be successful, but what about tangible needs? Here are a few things a new independent adjuster might need to invest in before he or she can get to work:

• A laptop with internet service
  
• A cell phone with voicemail
• Tape measures- 100' and 25'
• A digital camera
• A flashlight
  
• Estimating software, like Simsol or Xactimate. We recommend using a trial version until you're actually deployed or getting claims. This allows you to install and get used to a program before investing financially.
• The unofficial adjuster uniform- khakis and polo shirts.
• Basic office supplies- notepads, pens, and file folders
• Copies of the insurance policies and a guide to endorsements
  

There are also some optional items that can help make life as a field adjuster easier:

• PDF software
• GPS
• Mud boots or waders
• Gloves
• Photo resizing software
  

Staying Busy Through Winter

Hurricane season is over... so what can independent adjusters who specialize in catastrophes do to make the most of the time that comes between fall hurricanes and spring floods? Here are some suggestions:

• Attend adjuster training classes. CNC offers training classes throughout winter and spring, and we will be announcing our training schedule though e-mail, Facebook, and this blog as soon as classes are finalized.
• Maintain your licenses. Every January, make sure your state adjusting licenses are up to date and note when they expire. Go ahead and note expiration coming up this year on your calendar so you'll notice as they come up.
• If you get any new adjuster licenses or certifications, send your new license numbers, along with copies of your licenses, to our HR department (hr@cnc-resource.com).

If you have any other suggestions, please leave a comment and share your experience with us!

CNC Spotlight- Catherine

Welcome to the CNC Spotlight, where each week you can get to know a member of the CNC Resource team. This week, meet Catherine,* the Claims Manager and Catastrophe Operations Manager. Catherine assigns and tracks files, ensures legal compliance, monitors the claims process, and implements improvements when needed. Catherine joined CNC after graduating from Georgetown University.


What motivates you?
I want to be an example for my son so he sees that education and hard work are worthwhile.

What's your proudest moment in your career?
Streamlining catastrophe operations at CNC between 2004 and 2005.

What do you love most about CNC?
I'm given the opportunity to make improvements and run with new ideas as I see the need. I also like working with independent adjusters- as a group, they're laid back and like to have fun, but they also know how to buckle down when it's time to get to work!

What are your three favorite things to do outside of CNC?
Play with my son, cook, and read

What's the best part of your job?
Catastrophe operations management. I LOVE it!

What's your favorite movie?
Lord of the Rings, as a unit

Favorite TV show?
Mad Men

Favorite book?
American Gods by Neil Gaiman

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island with only one thing, what would you take?
My son. I couldn't live without him.

Do you have any hidden talents?
When I sing, animals hide. I'm handy for a bear attack.

What are three places you'd like to visit?
Morocco
Jordan
New Zealand- the Lord of the Rings trail

What's something quirky or fun about you?
There's always a song playing in my head. 60% of the time it's a song I don't like or barely know the words to.

If you could hug any animal without getting hurt, what would you hug?
A panda!

You've successfully slain the dragon! How will you toast your marshmallows?
I'll be too busy harvesting his scales to have time for marshmallows- have to make that money!

*Catherine is withholding her last name because she doesn't want people to be able to Google her

Photo Contest!

First Annual CNC Adjuster Photo Contest!

The claims staff at CNC has seen a lot of great pictures over the years, so we’ve decided to hold our first annual insurance adjuster photo contest! This is your chance to show off your favorite storm photo and win great prizes. To enter, go to CNC’s Facebook page and click on the “Wall” tab. In the write on the wall area, select the photo button. Upload your photo and type a description in the box above. Include where you were and the date. If you have trouble uploading, you can also enter by e-mailing your submission to claims@cnc-resource.com.

First prize is a CNC polo shirt, lunch box, travel mug, and pen.

Second prize is a lunch box and travel mug.

Entries will be judged on technical quality and how well they show damage to a business, dwelling, or car. Entries will be accepted until December 4^th, and winners will be announced on our Facebook page and blog December 7^th. Judging will be done as a team by our claims staff.

Rules:

The photo must have been taken by you

Entrants must be fans of CNC Resource on Facebook

Up to three entries per participant

Office staff can post and show off their photos, but will not be eligible to win

Entries should not include anything that might violate privacy laws, including photos that show policyholders.

CNC reserves the rights to repost any submitted photos with attribution

CNC Spotlight- BJ Leckband

Welcome to the CNC Spotlight, where each week you can get to know a member of the CNC Resource team. This week, meet BJ Leckband, our Human Resources Manager in charge of insurance adjusters. BJ handles our human resources process, recruiting, training and deploying adjusters for auto and property events. Additionally, BJ works on-site during catastrophes to ensure that all adjusters are licensed, documented, and briefed.


What motivates you?
Wanting to watch my grandkids grow up and wanting to help them to become good and caring adults and becoming a great grandma.

What's your proudest moment in your career?
Seeing someone new doing great on their first deployment.

What do you love most about CNC?
The people that I work with, and giving the opportunity to help people start a new career or improve their skills.

What are your three favorite things to do outside of CNC?
Spent time with my grandkids, play with Mollie (my dog), spend time with my two cats

What's the best part of your job?
Deploying adjusters to storms

What's your favorite movie?
Love story

Favorite TV show?
Army wives

Favorite book?
To many to pick just one out

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island with only one thing, what would you take?
My pets (1 dog and 2 cats)

Do you have any hidden talents?
Painting ceramics

What are three places you'd like to visit?
Italy, Ireland and France

What's something quirky or fun about you?
I love to see things and places that have a lot of history, quirky would be my love for animals

If you could hug any animal without getting hurt, what would you hug?
Polar bear

You've successfully slain the dragon! How will you toast your marshmallows?
I'd have to eat them raw, I could not kill the dragon. I would want to make him a pet!

CNC Spotlight- Mark Reese

Welcome to the CNC Spotlight, where each week you can get to know a member of the CNC Resource team. This week, meet Mark Reese, a Claim Supervisor. Mark assigns and tracks insurance claim files, ensures legal compliance, works with adjusters, and quality controls submitted files. Mark joined CNC after graduating from the University of Alabama, and worked in Human Resources and Accounting before joining the Claims Department.

Mark with his nephew

What motivates you?
Two things – 1) Working toward being able to stabilize myself enough to be able to have a family. 2) A desire to do whats right and to be successful at something as is outlined in Nick Saban’s book How Good Do You Want to Be?

What's your proudest moment in your career?
When Paul Pierce included me on a list of people he considered the future of this company in a meeting.

What do you love most about CNC?
The family atmosphere

What are your three favorite things to do outside of CNC?
Attending Alabama football games, playing with my nephew, relaxing with my family/friends/girlfriend at home.

What's the best part of your job?
Being a part of the process that helps people get their lives together after a disaster.

What's your favorite movie?
It’s a Wonderful Life – Gets me every time.

Favorite TV show?
The Office

Favorite book?
Islands in the Stream – Ernest Hemingway

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island with only one thing, what would you take?
Sunscreen... I tend to burn...

Do you have any hidden talents?
I can do different voices and noises

What are three places you'd like to visit?
1) Tokyo, Japan
2) Hotel Geissbach, Brienz, Switzerland
3) Seychelles Islands

What's something quirky or fun about you?
I have a collection of over 100 premium beer bottles (Favorite is Jolly Pumpkin's Calabaza Blanca)

If you could hug any animal without getting hurt, what would you hug?
Panda

You've successfully slain the dragon! How will you toast your marshmallows?
Remove the dragons flame sac (yes its real… I took dragon anatomy in college) and use it to start a fire. Retain the flame sac and sell to the highest bidder. Toast marshmallows slowly while rotating so they are golden brown but almost entirely liquefied inside.

Veteran's Day

Please take a moment today to remember and honor the veterans who have served our country.

President Obama's Veteran's Day statement

A history of Veteran's Day

Ida

Ida is heading toward the Gulf Coast. Around here, the local news is reporting that Dauphin Island is already seeing high water, and reports are that the Gulf of Mexico is looking rough. Dry air and cooler waters are having their impact as the storm weakens to tropical storm strength, but even without hurricane-force winds there's storm surge potential.

Schools are closed or releasing early in various counties and parishes in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Since Katrina, state and local governments have been reacting to impending storms early and with the highest levels of caution.

Head over to Jeff Masters Wunder Blog and check out his storm surge maps and intensity forecasts. It makes for some interesting reading.

Blow wind blow!

124 people died in El Salvador because of heavy rains due to tropical disturbance 96E. Please keep the people of that region in your thoughts.

TD11

Tropical Depression 11 formed in the southwest Caribbean, and looks like it may become Tropical Storm Ida. Its course and trajectory look like they'll depend pretty heavily on steering currents and the potential development of Invest 97E and how moisture winds up distributed. Check out Jeff Masters analysis here. From Weather Underground:

CNC Spotlight- Carletta Lee

Welcome to the CNC Spotlight, where each week you can get to know a member of the CNC Resource team. This week, meet Carletta Lee, our call center supervisor. Carletta handles our customer service process, making sure policyholders and adjusters are working well together. Additionally, Carletta works on-site during catastrophes, handling a variety of customer service and administrative duties during both auto and property events. What motivates you?
My Children motivate me.

What's your proudest moment in your career?
To come into a company that I knew nothing about and learn a lot of interesting things and successfully run their call center.

What do you love most about CNC?
I love the fact that the company is close knit and flexible.

What are your three favorite things to do outside of CNC?
Spend time with my children, spend time with my girlfriends, and curling up on my couch catching up on good movies.

What's the best part of your job?
Getting deployed, traveling and working auto.

What's your favorite movie?
The Five Hearts Beats, and Forest Gump.

Favorite TV show?
I don't watch much TV but when it's on it's on HGTV!!!

Favorite book?
The Bible

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island with only one thing, what would you take?
God

Do you have any hidden talents?
Of course I can sing like a bird.....at least I think I can anyway......

What are three places you'd like to visit?
Las Vegas and Jamaica that’s about it.

What's something quirky or fun about you?
I like to go fishing, and playing games with my kids.

If you could hug any animal without getting hurt, what would you hug?
I have enough pets at home to hug...a dog, a Bird, and fish.

CNC Spotlight- Malinda Jones

Welcome to the CNC Spotlight, where each week you can get to know a member of the CNC Resource team. This week, meet Malinda Jones, one of the driving forces in our Human Resources Department. She recruits independent adjusters, maintains their files, and works on adjuster deployments. Additionally, Malinda works on-site during catastrophes, handling a variety of Human Resources and administrative duties during both auto and property events.

What motivates you?

My kids

What's your proudest moment in your career?

When my daughter told me that she was proud of me for being so independent.

What do you love most about CNC?

The laid back atmosphere

What are your three favorite things to do outside of CNC?

Shop, Travel, Spend time with kids

What's the best part of your job?

Deployment

What's your favorite movie?

Titanic

Favorite TV show?

The Golden Girls

Favorite book?

Act like a lady think like a man, by Steve Harvey

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island with only one thing, what would you take?

My cell phone

Do you have any hidden talents?

Singing and Acting

What are three places you'd like to visit?

South Africa, Thailand, Cayman Islands

What's something quirky or fun about you?

My bubbly personality, I'm a little goofy at times!

If you could hug any animal without getting hurt, what would you hug?

A Lion

You've successfully slain the dragon! How will you toast your marshmallows?

I would make s’mores out of them!

CNC Resource- an independent adjusting firm

Welcome to CNC Resource's blog! We are an independent adjusting firm headquartered in Mobile, AL. We do both catastrophe and daily work, and have an adjuster base located throughout the country.

We'll be posting news, updates, training notifications, and other features on this page regularly. If you are an adjuster interested in working with CNC, please contact us at 251-471-4718, e-mail us at hr@cnc-resource.com, or leave a comment on any post with your contact information.

You can also follow us on Twitter or through our Facebook page!