Steve Badger thought I was dead on the ropes. He left himself wide open when he admitted that the first three things he does when he wakes in the morning is to get a cup of coffee, open the news, and read Chip Merlin’s blog. The conservative Lloyd’s crowd laughed heartily when I replied that Steve’s life needs a little more excitement if reading this blog is making his first three things he does every morning list.
Continue Reading Lloyd’s Property Insurance Claims Group—Badger v. Merlin IV

Nancy Dominguez of the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters provided a little public records Christmas gift. The Citizens Managed Network Vendor Program Best Claims Practice & Estimating Guidelines are attached as exhibit B to the Contractor Managed Repair Program contract between Citizens Property Insurance and Crawford & Company.
Continue Reading A Christmas Present—Citizens Managed Network Vendor Program Best Claims Practices & Estimating Guidelines

Friday at 2 With Chip is going to be interesting today. The Executive Director from FAPIA, Nancy Dominguez, sent me a State Farm policy that I have confirmed was the policy used in an appraisal in Florida. Here is the relevant language:

Appraisal. If you and we fail to agree on the amount of any loss under SECTION 1-PROPERTY COVERAGES, either party can demand that the amount of the loss be set by appraisal. A demand for appraisal must be in writing. You must comply with SECTION I – CONDITIONS, Your Duties After Loss before making a demand for appraisal. At least 10 days before demanding appraisal, the party seeking appraisal must provide the other party with written, itemized documentation of a specific dispute as to the amount of the loss, identifying separately each item being disputed.
Continue Reading New Requirements for Being a Property Insurance Appraiser—Are Insurers Going to Change Appraisal With New Policy Language?

Chip Merlin and FAPIA Executive Director Nancy Dominguez

The largest public adjuster conferences are with the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (FAPIA). Nancy Dominguez is the Executive Director pictured with me at this past weekend’s conference. Two major themes resonated at the conference—insurance protection gaps and forgotten catastrophe-victim policyholders.
Continue Reading Insurance Protection Gaps and Forgotten Policyholders are Major Topics at FAPIA

Being that FAPIA falls on the cusp of Halloween this year, there will be lots of fun themed events to look forward to. On Saturday night, October 27, Venture Construction Group will be hosting a Scary Insurance Claims Cocktail Party. Venture will also be sponsoring brunch on Sunday October 28. Be sure to throw some hairspray in your bag because on Sunday evening, October 28, FAPIA is putting on a Public Adjusters Rock Concert featuring Titans of Rock, a Journey and Bon Jovi Tribute Band.
Continue Reading Boo! FAPIA’s 2018 Fall Conference Is Almost Here! October 27-29

This past week, I had the pleasure of attending the Florida Association of Public Adjusters (“FAPIA”) conference in Ft. Myers, Florida. FAPIA President, Jimmy Farach did a wonderful job spearheading the event, along with the help of Nancy Dominguez and many others. They also did a great job selecting the venue; the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort and Spa was lovely and I had a great experience with their management and staff.
Continue Reading Florida First Party Case Law Update at FAPIA Conference, June 2018

Lifetime Achievement Awards usually come at the end of a career. That was my first thought when I was surprised by the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters granting me such an honor at their annual convention this week. My second thought was that a lot of people die not long after they get one of these things.

Continue Reading Public Adjusters Honor Chip Merlin with Lifetime Achievement Award

Let’s face it, the weather in Florida is fantastic, but November is one of my favorite months because the humidity drops a notch and we still see nearly 80 as a high temp and lows dip down to the 60’s most days. This is perfect weather to enjoy Orlando and have a great day at the golf course. Grand Cypress Golf Club will host the FAPIA tournament this year on November 5, 2016. Click here to register for the tournament and buy your mulligans at check in!

Continue Reading FAPIA Conference Coming Soon, November 5-8

In the wake of Hurricane Hermine, policyholders may find themselves in need of their own insurance adjuster. As we have expressed in the past, make sure you hire a qualified and licensed public insurance adjuster. The adjuster sent to you from the insurance company is not working for you, that person works for the insurance company.

Continue Reading Understanding Agreements with Public Insurance Adjusters and Emergency Shelter Donation Funds