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Posted By ChuckDeaton on 06 Mar 2012 07:37 PM
I will have to say that handling NFIP flood claims without an FCN # and certification is a choice I choose not to make. I certainly would not use a public forum to brag about my actions.

Nothing to hide Chuck, it's all above the boards and allowed. Someone of your considerable experience should know that. I am now fully able to handle NFIP claims on my own (with an FCN#) and have been for some time.

 

Posted By ChuckDeaton on 09 Mar 2012 10:16 AM
Please post your letter of authority.

Your assertion that you received proper permission from the NFIP, as a completely inexperienced adjuster, to work NFIP flood claims sans a license or training stretches credibility.

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Aw Chuck, you old rascal, I don't have to prove anything to you. In addition, you like to twist a person's words. At no time did I say that ," I received proper permission from the NFIP to handle NFIP claims sans a license or training." If you weren't so gosh darn argumentative and itchin' for a fight, you would hear what I said. The "training" that you insist I didn't get was given over a long, period of time. I worked as an apprentice "Gofer" "whipping boy" for a group of senior adjusters for the better part of a year before I was even allowed to venture out on my own. By the time I was doing flood claims, I had over a year of supervised work under my belt. Everything I did in regards to NFIP claims from measurements to pics was picked apart, analyzed and approved by an NFIP certified adjuster as well as all claims I did.

So next time I write something, get it right before you start talking about credibility. Yes Chuck, I AM NFIP certified, It's real easy to verify Chuck, but again, you should already know how simple something like that is to do.

Tony, 

I downloaded a copy of your manual last week and I wanted to personally thank you for the information.  Great material and I know that it will really come in handy since I am getting my NFIP # in the next few weeks.  Keep up the great postings.

Kevin

I am also very impressed with the NFIP GAs' Guide. Very comprehensive and entertaining. I rate it right up there in usefulness  with my 1997 Vale class materials, the CPCU Handbook of insurance policies, and the Reed Residential and Light Commercial construction standards reference. I printed the NFIP GAs' manual out and have been showing it to people at all the classes and seminars I have been attending this year. It is a gem, and a permanent addition to the library that accompanies me on the road.

Tony's comments below regarding returning phone calls and spending time with the insureds applies to any claims scenario, not just NFIP, and the same issues have been a common theme in discussions at various conferences this year. The claims-handling business is highly competitive, not just between adjusters, but also between vendors. Carriers are increasingly applying sophisticated metrics in their attempts to evaluate vendors and their adjusters. However, it does not take sophisticated algorithms and computer memory to recognize angry phone calls from insureds for what they are.

There seems to be some cynicism among independent adjusters as to "customer service", especially regarding the apparent disconnect between the philosophy preached at carrier conference presentations and storm orientations, and customer service principles in action after an event occurs. How does one spend a great deal of time with individual policyholders and yet meet file component and timeframe requirements?

The disconnect is created by us, the independents.

In the "Brave New World" of increasing analysis of adjuster performance data, the ability of an individual to be a "turn-and-burner" will be curtailed. The Hartford, for instance, is already implementing fines against vendors/adjusters who do not handle their files and insureds in specific ways. Carriers are serious about customer retention, preventing DOI complaints, and avoiding litigation.

As adjusters we can adapt to new requirements by research, networking, and honing our organizational and software skills; in other words, by utilising the same tools as the carriers, we can successfully  meet new challenges. 

Posted By jjohnny on 19 Apr 2012 12:02 PM
Yep, Flood adjusting is a different breed. Just recently the NFIP introduced the VSS - Venders Solution Suite and the WEM - Water Event Manager which are both types of Claims Management tools which are now mandatory to use with the NFIP. I am sure that 99.9% of the flood adjusters out there no nothing about these since they were introduced April 13. There is one company Claims1One at www.claims1one.com that has incorporated this into their training workshop " Flood Adjusting Principles & Techniques" for flood which takes the adjuster through a Step-by-Step procedure for adjusting a flood claim. If you follow this procedure you can't go wrong!

Good Luck & Stay Safe out there!

JMM

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Hi JJohnny,

Pretty slick, I guess you don't feel the need to pay for an ad to promote your firm's NFIP VSS program.

I have been NFIP certified for well over 20 years. The only course that controls working flood claims is attending an NFIP certified class then obtaining their license. Without both you will not be working a flood claim. That said, just because you have a license and attended a conference does not qualify you as a competent flood adjuster. The NFIP can attest to horror stories of the storm events that many tried and more failed to do even the basic job. Those flood policies have not changed since I first started working flood claims. If you want to be up to date you better keep up with all the bulletins the NFIP puts out. They realized long ago it takes an act of Congress to change their policy but they can issue bulletin changes anytime. Just because that policy says something might be covered it might have been altered by a current bulletin. Flood forms are not ISO forms.

Paperwork has long since been eliminated. Everything is paperless. Making corrective changes is simple in a paperless environment. The biggest mistake adjusters make is not initially explaining all the rules and pitfalls to their insured and keeping them involved in their claim process. If I get a flood claim with a basement I tell them right up front what is and what is not going to be covered then send them exerpts from the policy. Better to know at the front what you are facing. Trust me NFIP will support you to the wall if you just tell the truth to start with.

Flood claims like any can be daunting. There are time limits to inspect then get the proofs in on time to avoid penalties. Depending on loss severity 50 claims could be a nightmare. If a big storm hits the NFIP usually extends those deadlines. If you cannot make it learn what a Non-Waiver form is good for.

I enjoy flood claims but I realize they are not remotely similar to a HO claim. You have to know the answers long before the questions are asked. I always thought it was a huge mistake to have wind adjusters trying to handle floor and vice versa. It is hard to change gears on losses and I really disagree with the fellow you thinks you can double your money. Just wait to you make a huge flood judegement mistake and NFIP comes to your door wanting the money back. That vendor will throw you under the bus so be careful what you do and say.