Schedule/Sessions
Insurance Industry Primer - MANDATORY
Claims College presents a unique educational experience created by and for industry professionals. To set the stage for these intensive three days of learning, several senior level claims executives will present on 10 important insurance topics for 15 minutes each:
1. Insurance 101
2. Types of P&C Companies
3. Key Ratios
4. Reinsurance
5. Reserves
6. Stakeholders in the Claim Process
7. Risk Management
8. Fraud
9. Determining Coverage
10. Negotiating Settlements
Coverage I
- Speakers:
Seth Friedman, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, LLP
Sarah Schmitz, Berkley Risk Administrators
In this course, the instructors will walk students through the structure of an insurance policy with an eye toward analyzing a new claim. We will then discuss influences on coverage determinations outside of the policy itself. Then, how to preserve the company’s coverage defenses. Finally, we will go through a case study applying these principles.
Objectives:
• Understand the structure and policy review process for analyzing coverage
• Recognize other factors that may influence a coverage analysis
• How to preserve coverage defenses (Reservation of Rights/Non-Waivers)
• Apply what you’ve learned through a case study
Back to topCoverage II
- Speakers:
Seth Friedman, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, LLP
Sarah Schmitz, Berkley Risk Administrators
Having covered the introductory coverage concepts in Coverage I, this course is designed to dive deeper into the more complex issues surrounding contractual demands for insurance coverage by third parties. We will explore the difference between a “tender” and “demand”, analyze additional insured status, review the contractual liability exclusion and insured contract exception and other more complex insurance coverage issues.
Objections:
• Distinguish a “tender” of defense from a “demand” for contractual indemnity by a third party
• Conduct the proper analysis for a demand of defense by a purported Additional Insured
• Recognize and properly analyze a contractual liability claim from a third party
• Prepare the proper written communications in response to such demands
Back to topLitigation Management and Control
This course will provide an overview of the litigation process and the collaborative role between counsel and the claims professional. The course begins in covering how to determine when litigation is necessary and what controlling law and forum should apply. The course moves on through the various stages of litigation and the technical components of each. It closes with discussing practical tips to manage litigation and control expenses.
Claims Evaluation
- Speakers:
Christopher Block, Marshall Dennehey
Scott Gurtman, Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet LLP
The evaluation course that will focus on all aspects of claims evaluation, including analyzing facts and evidence, factoring in the law, and evaluating injury and damages. The course will also address reserving philosophies and identifying settlement values and ranges.
Course Objective:
At the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Identify the factors that are considered in determining the value of a claim
- Understand how to analyze and synthesize all of the factors of an evaluation to determine the exposure
- Apply reserving philosophies
Disposition Strategy
- Speakers:
Monika Grzymkowska, Kemper Insurance Corporation
William Mitchell, Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet LLP
Less than 3% of all claims go to trial. Yet it seems like we prepare every case as if it is going to trial. AND, in that process, we expend unnecessary/wasteful legal expense, claim handling expense, insured capital expense and likely even indemnity expense! This course is about how to properly assess and then, arrive at the appropriate Resolution Strategy to get the case terminated in an economic and efficient manner. All of this and without compromising results! The course teaches techniques to properly assess cases and put the cases into the appropriate Resolution Strategy “bucket.” It also teaches techniques to assist the examiner in making sure the case stays on the Resolution Strategy “track” and doesn’t veer. The course will cover mediation and negotiation strategies to assist in achieving the appropriate and desired result.
Course Objective: This presentation will focus on how claims team and outside counsel provide the “delivery” of the 3Es—Excellent Results in an Economic and Efficient manner.
How to Take Control of Your Deposition as a Claims Professional
Mock Trial - Part 1
This exercise relates to litigation management, evaluation of exposure and coverage assessment and disposition strategy. Moreover, assessing exposure and understanding trial dynamics (credibility of witnesses, how arguments present before a jury, trial tactics and techniques) is an integral part for every claim handler and lawyer who handles or litigates cases in court. Every adjuster and claim handler, in assessing exposure and settlement, must understand how a jury might assess a claim at trial.
Mock Trial - Part 2
This exercise relates to litigation management, evaluation of exposure and coverage assessment and disposition strategy. Moreover, assessing exposure and understanding trial dynamics (credibility of witnesses, how arguments present before a jury, trial tactics and techniques) is an integral part for every claim handler and lawyer who handles or litigates cases in court. Every adjuster and claim handler, in assessing exposure and settlement, must understand how a jury might assess a claim at trial.
