Join host Chris Nichols in this episode of The Savvy Adjuster Podcast as he chats with National Fire Experts (NFE) Certified Fire Investigator Mark Howard about residential kitchen fires, including range top and cooktop fires. You’ll learn how NFE’s systematic approach to fire investigation helps answer questions adjusters ask about each unique claim. Chris and Mark will also discuss common kitchen fire causes, what interviews can contribute to an investigation, and much more.

Discussed in This Episode

• Concerns from different types of adjusters handling kitchen fire claims
• Common kitchen fire causes
• The NFE approach to fire investigations
• What fire patterns can tell us
• Evidence testing and management for fire investigations
• Real examples of kitchen fire claim investigations

Additional Resources

• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/4gwcZDS
• National Fire Experts: https://bit.ly/3ELU0ry

Additional Fraud Investigation Resources:

• Article: 5 Questions To Ask After a Kitchen Fire: https://bit.ly/4aXKCNH
• Guide: Your Guide To Decoding Range Top Fires: https://bit.ly/3QcC9MW
• Webinar Recording: Investigating Residential Kitchen Fires: https://bit.ly/3WVRGVe

Host Chris Nichols is once again joined by Curtis Whitfill, VRC Investigations’ vice president of SIU compliance and CE programs. Continuing with the theme of scene investigations, this episode explores why they are so important in claims where vehicle insurance fraud is suspected. Learn what red flags might indicate questionable claims and what information an investigator can obtain to confirm their veracity.

Additional Resources 

• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/4aTY6KB
• VRC Investigations: https://bit.ly/40Sdi7v

Additional Scene Investigation and Vehicle Resources: 

• Guide: How To Be a Human Lie Detector Over the Phone: https://bit.ly/4glj5qG
• Guide: Who Can Disrupt the Claims Process With False Information: https://bit.ly/3Wy5bKv
• Component Testing Laboratories Case Study: Retrieving Crash Data: https://bit.ly/3PZDE0Q

In 2025’s first episode of The Savvy Adjuster Podcast, host Chris Nichols welcomes VRC Investigations’ Vice President of SIU Compliance and CE Programs Curtis Whitfill to delve into the importance of scene investigations. Find out what red flags adjusters notice that may indicate the need for an expert, techniques VRC employs to get the evidence to verify claim facts, parties they interview, and more.

Discussed in This Episode

• Types of claims that benefit most from scene investigations
• Red flags that may indicate fraud
• Scene investigations vs. desk reviews
• How investigators identify people to interview
• Additional examples from real scene investigations

Additional Resources

• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/4jjnxsq
• VRC Investigations: https://bit.ly/3PyMtPh

Additional Fraud Investigation Resources:

• Guide: Ethical Red Flags Associated with Property Claims: https://bit.ly/4jvDFaL
• Article: Combatting Property Loss Claims Leakage: https://bit.ly/4al69iX
• Self-Study Course (1 hour): https://bit.ly/3CcUdmR

We wrap up 2024 on The Savvy Adjuster Podcast with a discussion about how recent and upcoming changes to codes and regulations can impact claims, and a look at the various sources available to adjusters who want to make sure they’re making accurate settlement decisions. Host Chris Nichols is joined by returning guests, Alpine Intel’s Director of Customer Education Jay Dykstra and Donan’s Principal Forensic Engineer Rich Grimshaw, as they touch on HVAC refrigerant legislation, building codes, and more.

Discussed in This Episode

• Why adjusters need to know about codes and regulations
• How experts use of code knowledge in their conclusion and recommendations
• Important organizations and codes that may be referenced
• The AIM Act and other refrigerant legislation
• 2024 changes to the International Residential Code

Additional Resources

• About Alpine Intel: https://bit.ly/3DjxJ41
• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/3P2ZpfO

Additional Code and Regulation Resources:

• Guide: Adjuster Course in HVAC Refrigerant: https://bit.ly/4izBgv7
• Article: Changes to the 2024 International Building Code: https://bit.ly/3ZXR8QA
• Article: Four Recent Electrical Code Updates Adjusters Should Know: https://bit.ly/4fnuntS

Host Chris Nichols welcomes National Fire Experts General Manager Pat Walsh and Senior National Fire Experts Account Executive Kathleen Riley to talk about NFE’s use of customer feedback and insurance industry pain points to enhance origin and cause investigation offerings. This earned the brand a spot in PropertyCasualty360’s Insurance Luminaries Class of 2024 in the Claims Innovation category. In this short episode, learn how NFE addressed cycle time concerns and updated reports to ensure adjusters had everything they needed to take confident next steps. Listen on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. 

Additional Resources

• About Alpine Intel: https://bit.ly/4eBOJzb
• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/3Z0NZOg

Additional National Fire Experts Resources:

• Article: How Listening to Customers Has Shaped Our Innovative Claims Solutions: https://bit.ly/3ZiQ3CU
• Press Release: National Fire Experts Selected for PropertyCasualty360’s Insurance Luminaries Class of 2024: https://bit.ly/3CuUAJd
• Guide: Adjuster’s Glossary of Fire Investigation Terms: https://bit.ly/3ZgLQ2c

On this episode of The Savvy Adjuster Podcast, host Chris Nichols is joined by Donan’s Principal Forensic Engineer Rich Grimshaw and Senior Project Engineer Alec Haugdahl to discuss the huge topic of water intrusion, leaks, and other sources of water damage to structural components. Learn from their expertise and experience about internal and external water sources, which structural elements are more vulnerable to moisture damage, and what adjusters should ask when water is a suspected cause of loss.

Discussed in This Episode

• Common sources for damage from water
• Structural elements susceptible to water damage
• How experts assess reported water damage
• What adjusters should consider before settling structural water claims
• Real examples of structural water damage assessments

Additional Resources

• About Alpine Intel: https://bit.ly/4hzoyMm
• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/4hzoCf4

Additional Structural Water Loss Resources

• Case Study: Basement Water Intrusion Claim: https://bit.ly/3CgZhX0
• Article: Moisture-Related Drywall Losses: https://bit.ly/4fe84Yu
• Guide: How Building Material Type Makes a Difference in Flood Claims: https://bit.ly/4fbaBCP

Host Chris Nichols is once again joined by Alpine Intel Customer Education Director Jay Dykstra. This time, Jay’s delving into “the dreaded puffback.” Learn what puffbacks are, what can cause them, and what these challenging (and messy) claims can look like for both the adjuster and assessing expert. Listen on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.

Additional Resources

• About Alpine Intel: https://bit.ly/487xK6e
• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/489Hmxm

Additional Puffback Resources:

• Guide: 7 Causes of Furnace and Boiler Puffbacks: https://bit.ly/4h8fldB
• Article: Why Boiler and Furnace Puffbacks May Not Be Covered by Insurance: https://bit.ly/4h5vJf0
• Video: How Do Puffbacks Occur?: An Adjuster’s Guide to Furnaces: https://bit.ly/3BP8ANJ

Host Chris Nichols talks about the causes and effects of smoke and fire to HVAC systems with Alpine Intel’s Customer Education Director Jay Dykstra in this episode of The Savvy Adjuster Podcast. Find out why even distant fires may lead to a claim, which different types of smoke can impact equipment, how changing codes and regulations affect adjusters’ processes, and more. 

Discussed in This Episode

• How wildfires and other fire outside the house can affect HVAC equipment (3:08)
• Why the type and amount of smoke matter (10:42)
• Why adjusters shouldn’t settle fire-related HVAC claims without an assessment (13:10)
• How experts identify the presence and scope of smoke damage to ductwork (16:50)
• What to do when a contractor calls for a full replacement due to phased-out refrigerants (24:15)
• Real examples of HVAC smoke and fire assessments (29:30)

Additional Resources

• About Alpine Intel: https://bit.ly/3Y6VhRy
• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/4epYKjP

Additional HVAC Resources

• Webinar Recording: HVAC Smoke and Fire Claims: https://bit.ly/3A5QI0m
• Case Study: HVAC Commercial Claim Smoke and Fire: https://bit.ly/3N9EJ52
• Article: 3 Things To Know About Wildfire Risk and Property Claims: https://bit.ly/4epoDQx
• Interactive Guide: Your Guide to Smoke and Fire Damage to HVAC Systems: https://bit.ly/4enD4or

Senior National Fire Experts Account Executive Kathleen Riley and NFE Fire Operations Manager John Hill join host Chris Nichols again to talk fire investigations. Specifically, they delve into how both adjusters and certified fire investigators can collect and analyze witness statements – even when stories change or don’t support the facts of the claim. Listen on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.

Additional Resources

• About Alpine Intel: https://bit.ly/3Th6njR
• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/47knabO

Additional Fire Investigation Resources:

• eBook: Tackling Large Loss Fire Claims with Subrogation Potential: https://bit.ly/3AQUcUN
• Article: 5 Questions to Ask After a Kitchen Fire: https://bit.ly/3ZaAhKt
• Interactive Guide: How NFE Investigates Fires: An Inside Look at the 11-Step Process: https://bit.ly/3XcqDVd

Host Chris Nichols is joined in this episode of Alpine Intel’s The Savvy Adjuster Podcast by Senior National Fire Experts (NFE) Account Executive Kathleen Riley and NFE Fire Operations Manager John Hill to talk about how insurance adjusters and certified fire investigators conduct their respective investigations. Find out what each party should look for as well as how information the investigator collects onsite helps with the origin and cause claim. Listen on Apple (https://bit.ly/4fXsUw4), Spotify (https://bit.ly/4dRPNiz), or your favorite podcast platform.

Discussed in This Episode

• Information adjusters may collect onsite vs. from the office
• What the adjuster should know before a vendor’s assessment
• Tasks the fire investigator completes before going onsite
• What certified investigators look for on a fire scene
• How and what the adjuster and the investigator communicate
• Real examples of parallel fire investigations

Additional Resources

• About Alpine Intel: https://bit.ly/4dT2GsF
• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/4cEQGKn

Additional Fire Investigation Resources:

• Guide: Adjuster’s Glossary of Fire Investigation Terms: https://bit.ly/4cI7aRQ
• Guide: 5 Questions To Ask Before a Fire Investigation: https://bit.ly/3AtgUlt
• Case Study: Apartment Fire: https://bit.ly/46ZX5hL