Property Adjusting

An intensive three-week course on property insurance coverage, property claims adjusting, and scoping and estimating residential dwelling damage.  It is designed for entry-level and experienced students who must be able to understand and apply policy language from standard Homeowners and Dwelling policies as they relate to investigating and handling property claims. 

The course includes the application of construction estimating concepts to residential building damages.  Students prepare estimates on the latest versions of the industry’s leading electronic estimating systems.

Strong emphasis is placed on learning how to read and apply the language in the ISO Homeowners (HO3) policy. Throughout the course, coverage application and structural estimating are integrated using workshops and claim scenarios to challenge the students to apply what they learn.

The student will learn to prepare damage estimates on their choice of electronic estimating systems, practice reporting and produce statements of loss just as they would in the real world of property claims adjusting. Arson, fraud, documentation techniques, reporting formats and good faith handling are also emphasized.

Upon successful completion the student will have the skills to analyze and apply property coverages, be able to investigate the cause of loss, prepare an electronic estimate, prepare a report package and negotiate and settle property losses.

Continuing Education Units:

This course may be available for Continuing Education credits, please contact Vale for details.

Audience:

Entry-level adjusters and claim service representatives who will be assigned property losses involving Homeowner, Dwelling, and Condominium policies. 

Individuals with limited experience who will become catastrophe adjusters handling weather-related property losses resulting from hail, wind and/or water damage.

PreReqs:

Attendees must be capable of operating Windows-based programs. Sponsors will need to indicate estimating program selection at the time of Registration.

Syllabus:

Insurance Basics 
Insurance Principles 
Policy Structure 
Provisions Common to Property Policies 

Contracts 
Elements of a Legal Contract 
Distinct Characteristics of an Insurance Agreement
Rules for Interpreting policies 

Property Coverages 
Dwelling and Other Structures
Personal Property
Loss of Use 
Additional Coverages 
Selected Endorsements 

Causes of Loss 
Open Peril vs.. Named Perils 
Analysis of Specific Perils 
Court Cases 

Adjusting Losses 
Duties After a Loss 
Determining Value and Loss 
Apportionment of Losses 
Resolving Coverage Issues
Negotiation and Settlement 
Subrogation/Dispute Resolution 

Investigation 
Theft/Fraud Indicators 
Photos & Diagrams 

Projects 
Workshops on Coverage 
Loss Scenarios 
Testing and Evaluation 

Reporting 
Documentation of Events 
Captioned Reports 
Statement of Loss Format 

Good Faith Claims Handling 
Avoiding Bad Faith 

Structural Estimating Introduction 
Material Identification, Scoping, Estimating
Diagramming, Trades, Tools 

Rough Carpentry 
Floors, Walls, Roofs 

Interior 
Plaster, Drywall, Ceilings, Paneling 

Millwork 
Trim, Cabinets, Countertops, Stairs

Doors, Windows, Glass 
Types and Materials 

Flooring 
Wood, Tile, Vinyl, Carpet 

Decorating 
Paint, Wallpaper 
Restoration, Deodorizing 

Exterior 
Siding, Trim, Soffits 
Gutters, Fences 

Roofing 
Roof Styles, Materials 
Measurements 

Masonry 
Concrete, Block, Brick 
Chimneys, Stucco 

HVAC 
Types, Insulation, Ductwork 

Plumbing 
Rough and Finish 
Water Heaters 
Supply, Containment, Drain 

Electrical 
Service, Fixtures 

Damages 
Estimating exercises that cover damages resulting from fire, water, wind, hail, hurricanes, collision and ensuing losses. 

Students who enroll in this course may use the latest versions of: 

PowerClaim
Simsol
Symbility
Xactimate