The Savvy Adjuster Podcast

Learn how vehicle forensics and other investigation techniques can be included in the auto claims process during this episode of The Savvy Adjuster Podcast. Senior Account Manager Chris Nichols discusses what a vehicle’s Event Data Recorder, infotainment equipment, and 3D scan can tell adjusters with Forensic Engineer Brennan Clark of Alpine Intel’s Component Testing Laboratories. Curtis Whitfill, vice president of SIU Compliance and CE Programs at Alpine Intel’s VRC Investigations, joins to provide insights on other evidence sources. These include video, neighborhood canvassing, and license plate readers. The pair also shares stories of times this evidence confirmed an insured’s reported auto claim details, and when it proved something else.

Discussed in This Episode: 

• Sources for reliable evidence that can be used in vehicle claims
• What an Event Data Recorder can tell about vehicle characteristics at the time of the loss
• What a vehicle’s infotainment equipment can show about cellphone usage
• The incorporation of License Plate Readers in investigations
• How to use evidence for the future of vehicle equipment claims
• Red flags in auto claims
• Real stories that show how evidence gathering impacts vehicle claims

Additional Resources: 

• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/46mGDde
• Case Study: Retrieving Crash Data: https://bit.ly/44eD9s4
• Article: How a Car “Black Box” Can Aid Insurance Investigations: https://bit.ly/3Ia33og
• Guide: Crash Data Retrieval and Litigation: https://bit.ly/4eE8zeY
• Guide: Auto Fraud Indicators: https://bit.ly/44rVhgR
   

Disclaimer: Engineering services are provided by or subcontracted to Alpine Intel Commercial Solutions, LLC, Alpine Intel Commercial Solutions, PLLC, Donan Engineering, LLC, Donan Engineering NC, PLLC, Donan Forensic, LP, BSC Forensic Services, LLC, or BSC Experts, PLLC.

On this episode of The Savvy Adjuster Podcast, Senior Account Manager Chris Nichols explores the 100% structural assessment process with Jarrod C. Burns, MS, PE, Founder and Principal Engineer of BSC Forensics, part of Alpine Intel’s suite of services. Joining them is Pre-Loss* Co-Founder and Executive Large Loss Specialist Steven Romero, CPCU, AIC, ARM, who offers insurance-industry insight into how this method helps during disputes by reducing exposure and providing easy-to-understand documentation of an entire property. Learn how a team approach, spatial modeling (SAM), and other strategies can lead to more accurate complex claim resolutions.  

*Note: Pre-Loss is an independent consulting firm not affiliated with Alpine Intel.

Discussed in This Episode

• How the 100% assessment process works
• How BSC’s spatial analysis modeling (SAM) provides visual scene representations
• The importance of the 100% assessment approach in disputes and resolution
• The value of reducing total exposure in a large loss
• BSC and insurance industry insights from an actual 100% assessment

Additional Resources

• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/446IjoI
• BSC Forensics: https://bit.ly/4ndwvd1

Additional Large Loss Resources:

• Article: Tech-Supported Commercial Assessments Enhance Claims Process: https://bit.ly/3HIYQaR
• eBook: Tackling Large Loss Fire Claims with Subrogation Potential: https://bit.ly/3FGeP92
• Guide: Settling Commercial HVAC Large Loss Claims: https://bit.ly/3Ts6adn

On this episode of The Savvy Adjuster Podcast, Alpine Intel’s Chief Revenue Officer, Reza Nikrooz, joins Senior Account Manager Chris Nichols to discuss the risks insurance adjusters face when they seek to settle a claim. Using his background in the insurance industry, he explains the risk of making a settlement decision without having all the facts, as well as steps adjusters can take to help ensure better accuracy for claims involving electrical and HVAC equipment. 

Additional Resources

• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/3ZMiIzI
• StrikeCheck: https://bit.ly/4mGiowi
• HVACi: https://bit.ly/4kQZYYf

Additional HVACi and StrikeCheck Resources:

• Guide: StrikeCheck 2024 Annual Claims Report: https://bit.ly/3Fnmn0e
• Guide: HVACi 2024 Annual Claims Report: https://bit.ly/3FuIwtx
• Article: 6 Questions to Ask Before Settling Electronics Claims: A Practical Guide to Accurate Settlements: https://bit.ly/43rDo2y

Disclaimer: Engineering services are provided by or subcontracted to Alpine Intel Commercial Solutions, LLC, Alpine Intel Commercial Solutions, PLLC, Donan Engineering, LLC, Donan Engineering NC, PLLC, Donan Forensic, LP, BSC Forensic Services, LLC, or BSC Experts, PLLC.

Alpine Intel’s Customer Education Director, Jay Dykstra, is back on The Savvy Adjuster Podcast to discuss measures policyholders can take to protect their electronics from lightning and high voltage surge. He’ll explain to Senior Account Manager Chris Nichols and our listeners some options to prevent power surges—and why they’re not always enough.

Additional Resources

• Alpine Intel Resources Page: https://bit.ly/3GPSOEK
• StrikeCheck: https://bit.ly/43mXlY2

Additional Lightning and Surge Resources:

• Article: How Surge Protection Can Decrease Losses – But Why It Won’t Eliminate Them: https://bit.ly/3RVXiw3 
• eBook: An Evaluation of Surge and Lightning Damage to Electronics and Specialty Claims: https://bit.ly/439X4qi 
• Adjuster FAQ: High Voltage Surge Impacts to Electronics Guide: https://bit.ly/4daFdnL

Disclaimer: Engineering services are provided by or subcontracted to Alpine Intel Commercial Solutions, LLC, Alpine Intel Commercial Solutions, PLLC, Donan Engineering, LLC, Donan Engineering NC, PLLC, Donan Forensic, LP, BSC Forensic Services, LLC, or BSC Experts, PLLC.

Alpine Intel’s Customer Education Director, Jay Dykstra, once again talks with Senior Account Manager Chris Nichols on The Savvy Adjuster Podcast. This time, their conversation revolves around lightning damage to electronics, HVAC equipment, and more. Jay sheds some light on why policyholders often suspect lightning when another peril is at play, how experts deliver an accurate cause of loss, what items are particularly susceptible to lightning and surge damage, and much more. 

Discussed in This Episode

• Why lightning is a frequently reported cause of loss
• How expert assessments can provide adjusters with an accurate cause of loss
• Electrical items and other components vulnerable to lightning damage
• Deciding on the next best steps for items damaged by lightning and power surge
• Claim scenarios involving reported lightning damage

Additional Resources

• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/3Rumj12
• StrikeCheck: https://bit.ly/4iwpAYG

Additional Lightning and Surge Resources:

• Case Study: Smart Home Lightning Claim: https://bit.ly/4lZCdyD
• Investigating Lightning and Surge HVAC Claims Live CE Webinar: https://bit.ly/4jKWu93
• StrikeCheck 2024 Annual Claims Report: https://bit.ly/42oIKuL

Disclaimer: Engineering services are provided by or subcontracted to Alpine Intel Commercial Solutions, LLC, Alpine Intel Commercial Solutions, PLLC, Donan Engineering, LLC, Donan Engineering NC, PLLC, Donan Forensic, LP, BSC Forensic Services, LLC, or BSC Experts, PLLC.

Chris Nichols welcomes a very special guest to this episode of The Savvy Adjuster Podcast: Damon Stafford, Alpine Intel’s CEO. Damon talks about the philosophies he lays out in his book, Believe in Better: The Evolution of Core Principles That Pioneered an Industry, in which he draws upon his decades of experience to share tips about how leaders can succeed, particularly in the evolving insurance industry, by demonstrating core values, embracing innovation, and getting the most out of your team. 

Discussed in This Episode

• How establishing and demonstrating core values drives success
• Becoming an industry leader through innovation and persistence
• Offering encouragement and avoiding echo chambers within a leadership team
• How insurance leaders can respond to key challenges

Additional Resources

• Alpine Intel: https://bit.ly/3R9P2bf
• Believe in Better: https://bit.ly/3Gd3EEm

Additional Insurance Leadership Resources:

• Article: Insurance Industry Trends 2025: Bolstering Policyholder Trust: https://bit.ly/3G0NT3w
• Guide: Claims Managers’ Road Map to Efficiency: https://bit.ly/4jo3dWf
• Article: How Managers Can Strengthen Adjuster Support and Boost Retention: https://bit.ly/4jscEnK

Disclaimer: Engineering services are provided by or subcontracted to Alpine Intel Commercial Solutions, LLC, Alpine Intel Commercial Solutions, PLLC, Donan Engineering, LLC, Donan Engineering NC, PLLC, Donan Forensic, LP, BSC Forensic Services, LLC, or BSC Experts, PLLC.

This episode of Alpine Intel’s The Savvy Adjuster Podcast features Alpine Intel Technical Education Trainer Kevin Huelsman and Donan licensed Forensic Engineer Josh Hegenderfer sharing intriguing their own stories of inspections of roofs with suspected wind-damage. These examples highlight the unique possibilities in each claim and that the actual cause of loss isn’t always what it was reported to be.

Additional Resources

• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/4hytgJ0
• Donan Engineering: https://bit.ly/4iAcKcY

Additional Wind-Damaged Roofing Resources:

• Guide: Weather Data in Action: A Guide for Insurance Professionals: https://bit.ly/4kVuReX
• Article: Property Losses Mistakenly Claimed as Wind Damage: https://bit.ly/4kOZwud
• Article: Why Building Orientation Matters in Window and Roof Losses: https://bit.ly/4bUCE8C

Disclaimer: Engineering services are provided by or subcontracted to Alpine Intel Commercial Solutions, LLC, Alpine Intel Commercial Solutions, PLLC, Donan Engineering, LLC, Donan Engineering NC, PLLC, Donan Forensic, LP, BSC Forensic Services, LLC, or BSC Experts, PLLC.

Returning guest and Alpine Intel Technical Education Trainer Kevin Huelsman, and Donan licensed Forensic Engineer Josh Hegenderfer join Senior Account Manager Chris Nichols to talk about how wind can damage asphalt shingle roofs and other perils that might be mistaken for wind. They share their respective insights as a former adjuster and an onsite inspector, so listeners can know when an objective expert assessment is beneficial and what to look for from the engineer’s investigation and report. 

Discussed in This Episode

• Claim details that may point to the need for an objective assessment
• What engineers consider before their onsite roof inspection of reported wind damage
• How collateral indicators help experts draw their conclusions
• How shingle design, installation, and condition impact wind resistance
• Onsite evidence of wind damage vs. other causes of loss

Additional Resources

• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/41mn3tq
• Donan Engineering: https://bit.ly/43qIw7f

Additional Wind-Damaged Roofing Resources:

• Article: Wind and Other Damage to Shingle Roofs: https://bit.ly/3FaKwqk
• Interactive Guide: Adjuster’s Guide to Residential Roof Types: https://bit.ly/3Dhy6fH
• Webinar Recording: Wind Damage to Asphalt Shingles Webinar Recording: https://bit.ly/4bxWOow

Disclaimer: Engineering services are provided by or subcontracted to Alpine Intel Commercial Solutions, LLC, Alpine Intel Commercial Solutions, PLLC, Donan Engineering, LLC, Donan Engineering NC, PLLC, Donan Forensic, LP, BSC Forensic Services, LLC, or BSC Experts, PLLC.

National Fire Experts Certified Fire Investigator Mark Howard once again sits down with The Savvy Adjuster Podcast host Chris Nichols to talk about kitchen fires. This time, they’re exploring what makes commercial kitchen fire investigations different from residential ones, including the equipment and additional parties more likely to be involved in fire claims impacting hotel, restaurant, or cafeteria kitchens.

Additional Resources 

• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/3EUvdC1
• National Fire Experts: https://bit.ly/4hTHkxA

Additional Commercial Kitchen Fire Resources: 

• Case Study: Certified Fire Protection Specialist: Investigating a Restaurant Fire: https://bit.ly/41v7CAs
• Article: Commercial Losses: Hotel and Motel Fire Causes and Investigations: https://bit.ly/4bfcAEW
• Article: How Proper Maintenance Can Help Prevent a Restaurant Kitchen Fire: https://bit.ly/4gUoN2V

Disclaimer: Engineering services are provided by or subcontracted to Alpine Intel Commercial Solutions, LLC, Alpine Intel Commercial Solutions, PLLC, Donan Engineering, LLC, Donan Engineering NC, PLLC, Donan Forensic, LP, BSC Forensic Services, LLC, or BSC Experts, PLLC.

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

Disclaimer: Engineering services are provided by or subcontracted to Alpine Intel Commercial Solutions, LLC, Alpine Intel Commercial Solutions, PLLC, Donan Engineering, LLC, Donan Engineering NC, PLLC, Donan Forensic, LP, BSC Forensic Services, LLC, or BSC Experts, PLLC.