We will be participating in a brand new Property Insurance Claims Conference this fall. The inaugural First Party Claims Conference (FPCC) takes place October 26-27, 2009, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick (Providence), Rhode Island. A series of presentations, panel discussions, and interactive seminars will address significant issues regarding first party claims.

The seminar topics and speakers are:

Topic: “Appraisal – Appraising Large Losses”
Presenters: W. Wesley Baldwin of The Baldwin Company and Jonathan Wilkofsky, Esq. of Wilkofsky, Friedman, Karel & Cummins

Topic: “Builder’s Risk Program and Coverages” (part 1)
Presenters: Samuel Bergman of Rolyn Companies, Inc.; Stephen R. Figlin, SPPA of Stephen R. Figlin & Associates, Inc., and Peter Kahn of Matson, Driscoll & Damico

Topic: “Builder’s Risk Program, Coverages and Adjustments” (part 2)
Presenters: Samuel Bergman of Rolyn Companies, Inc.; Stephen R. Figlin, SPPA of Stephen R. Figlin & Associates, Inc., and Peter Kahn of Matson, Driscoll & Damico

Topic: “Introduction to Building Code Coverage” (part 1)
Presenters: Mark Friedman, Esq. of Wilkofsky, Friedman, Karel & Cummins, and Fred Yutkowitz, Esq. of Fairview-Licht Company, LLC

Topic: “Building Code Coverage Requirements for Repairs” (part 2)
Presenters: Mark Friedman, Esq. of Wilkofsky, Friedman, Karel & Cummins, and Fred Yutkowitz of Fairview-Licht Company, LLC

Topic: “Business Income – Primary Analysis and Authentication”
Presenters: Brad White & Max Flynn of Meaden & Moore, and Hayes Walker, III of Rollins Accounting & Inventory Services

Topic: “Business Income & Extra Expense – Measuring Small Losses” (BI part 1)
Presenters: Don Dragony, CPA of Alex N. Sill Company; Paul McGowan, Jr., CPA, CVA of Matson, Driscoll & Damico, and Ronald Papa, SPPA, of National Fire Adjustment Company, Inc.

Topic: “Business Income & Extra Expense – Extended BI Coverages, Application and Calculation” (BI part 2)
Presenters: Don Dragony, CPA of Alex N. Sill Company; Paul McGowan, Jr., CPA, CVA of Matson, Driscoll & Damico, and Ronald Papa, SPPA, of National Fire Adjustment Company, Inc.

Topic: “Business Income & Extra Expense – Manufacturing Losses” (BI part 3)
Presenters: Don Dragony, CPA of Alex N. Sill Company; Paul McGowan, Jr., CPA, CVA of Matson, Driscoll & Damico, and Ronald Papa, SPPA, of National Fire Adjustment Company, Inc.

Topic: “Commercial Property Forms and Endorsements”
Presenters: Dennis Perlberg, Esq. of Perlberg & Speyer, LLP, and David Karel, Esq. of Wilkofsky, Friedman, Karel & Cummins

Topic: “Deposition ABC’s – Preparation is Key to Survival”
Presenters: Mary Kestenbaum Fortson, Esq. of Merlin Law Group and William F. Burke, Esq. of Adler, Pollock & Sheehan

Topic: “Ethics”
Presenters: Nicole S. Figlin, SPPA of Stephen R. Figlin & Associates and W. Richard Burr SPPA of Young Adjustment, Inc.

Topic: “Homeowners Coverages”
Presenters: Randy Goodman, SPPA of Goodman-Gable-Gould/AI and Joel Gumbiner, Esq. of Gumbiner & Eskridge, LLP

Topic: “Insured’s Cooperation and Duties – How to Prevent a Problem”
Presenter: Robert P. Rutter, Esq. of Rutter & Russin, LLP

Topic: “Science of Roof Damage Claims”
Presenters: William F. Merlin, Esq. of Merlin Law Group and Timothy Marshall of AT Designs, Inc.

Topic: “Subrogation Opportunities Do’s and Don’ts”
Presenter: Jean Niven, Esq. of Merlin Law Group

Topic: “The Adjuster as an Expert Witness”
 Presenters: Dave Pettinato, Esq. of Merlin Law Group and Jonathan Wilkofsky, Esq. of Wilkofsky, Friedman, Karel & Cummins

Topic: “Vacancy and Occupancy Defenses – Its Many Faces”
Presenters: Tina Nicholson, Esq. of Merlin Law Group and Ronald Reitz, CPPA of Quality Claims Management, Inc. 

Dr. Therese M. Vaughan, CEO of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, will give the keynote address. Dr. Vaughan was Iowa State Insurance Commissioner from 1994 through 2004 and also the Robb B. Kelley Distinguished Professor of Insurance and Actuarial Science at Drake University.

This conference is open to the entire insurance community. Insurance company adjusters, brokers, agents, attorneys, accountants, and public adjusters are invited. I expect the First Party Claims Conference will be an excellent resource and provide practical tools and answers to a variety of insurance related matters. If you adjust roof claims, you simply cannot afford to miss that presentation with its all-star speakers.

Information on the education program (topics & speakers), exhibitor/sponsor opportunities, conference registration, and hotel accommodations is available at www.firstpartyclaims.com