Host Whitney Boles is joined in this episode of Alpine Intel’s The Savvy Adjuster Podcast by Alpine Intel Technical Education Manager Jay Dykstra and Donan Senior Forensic Engineer Gary Woodall to talk about solar equipment that appears in property insurance claims. Find out the difference between solar panels and solar arrays, what questions to ask when you’re handling a solar equipment claim, and what you can expect from your expert assessment. 

Discussed in This Episode

• The growing significance of solar panel claims
• Safety considerations during inspections
• Identifying and testing solar equipment
• Repair vs. replacement recommendations and pricing
• Key solar equipment terms
• The solar equipment inspection process and frequent causes of loss
• Real examples of solar investigations

Additional Resources

• About Alpine Intel: https://bit.ly/4eMbcLg
• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/45OXGlY

Additional Solar Equipment Resources:

• Guide: Solar Power System Components: https://bit.ly/3XNvuxM
• Webinar Recording: Exploring Solar Power System Claims: https://bit.ly/3VQULoh
• Interactive Guide: 5 Things Adjusters Should Know About Solar Power Equipment: https://bit.ly/4bupZrb

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.

CAT claims put a lot of strain on policyholders, insurance professionals, and property assessors, but there are ways to make life a little easier in stressful times. Alpine Intel Technical Education Trainer Kevin Huelsman and Donan Principal Engineer John Miller are back with The Savvy Adjuster Podcast host Chris Nichols to share five things adjusters can do to reduce stress and keep things moving efficiently when dealing with high claim volume.

Additional Resources

• About Alpine Intel: https://bit.ly/3VO8EF3
• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/3VKfWcN

Additional CAT Resources:

• Article: 3 Ways Adjusters Can Prepare for CAT Claims: https://bit.ly/3Vuk5jU
• Guide: Desk Adjuster’s Guide to CAT Claims: https://bit.ly/3zhb6uI
• Slideshow: Are You Prepared For Catastrophic Claims?: https://bit.ly/3KS9dHq

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.

In this episode of Alpine Intel’s The Savvy Adjuster Podcast, host Chris Nichols discusses CAT property claims and assessments with Alpine Intel Technical Education Trainer Kevin Huelsman and Donan Principal Engineer John Miller. What qualifies as a catastrophe, and who defines it? How can carriers make sure they’re ready to handle the claim volume that comes with these events – and that their assessment partners are, too? Get these answers and more to help adjusters handle a heavy influx of claims due to catastrophic events like tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods in this episode.

Discussed in this Episode

• CAT classification for insurance carriers and assessment companies
• How carriers and adjusters can prepare for CAT claims
• What makes an efficient assessment vendor in high volume times
• How CAT assessments differ from everyday property claims and how engineers should train
• Real examples of CAT insurance investigations 

Additional Resources

• About Alpine Intel:  https://bit.ly/3wXbEFx
• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/4c4vEF6

Additional CAT Resources:

• Article: How Donan’s CAT Team Rises to the Demand of Catastrophic Perils: https://bit.ly/4e8Lkc4 
• Case Study: Hurricane Residential Claim: https://bit.ly/3X7BwZV
• Webinar Registration: Tornado Damage to Residential Structures: https://bit.ly/458l91a

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.

In this episode of Alpine Intel’s The Savvy Adjuster Podcast, host Whitney Boles is joined by National Fire Experts Fire Operations Manager John Hill and Senior Auto Account Executive Joe Cosgrove to talk about vehicle fires. They cover technology adjusters may see their experts use in these claims, which questions are important to ask, what fire investigators look for onsite, special considerations for electric vehicles, how evidence should be preserved for vehicle fire investigations and potential subrogation, and more.

Discussed in this Episode

• How vehicle fire investigations compare to structural fires
• How EDR may come into play during a vehicle fire investigation
• What questions investigators and adjusters should ask during the claim process
• Common causes of vehicle fires
• How evidence should be preserved for accurate vehicle fire investigations and potential subrogation
• Electric vehicle (EV) fires and their industry impact
• Real vehicle fire stories from the field

Additional Resources

• About Alpine Intel: https://bit.ly/44ZSnQo
• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/3yv37tP

Additional Vehicle Fire Resources:

• Article: The Importance of Origin and Cause of Vehicle Fires: https://bit.ly/4dQSRMr
• Guide: Evidence in Vehicle Fire Claims: https://bit.ly/3Kd55By
• Case Study: Truck Fire: https://bit.ly/3UPCuqZ

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.

A lot of the work to effectively handle large loss fire claims comes before the fire has even occurred by putting a process in place. Lead Fire Investigators Shawn Williams and Jim Sielehr from National Fire Experts once again join host Chris Nichols to share some tips insurance professionals can use to make a plan of action that helps these complex claims proceed efficiently, including lining up partners, being aware of pitfalls, and knowing budgetary constraints.

Additional Resources

• About Alpine Intel: https://bit.ly/3wNrKRY
• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/44X4Vrx

Additional Fire Investigation Resources:

• Guide: Fire Claims: From Investigation to Litigation: https://bit.ly/3RjGG1p
• Guide: 5 Questions to Ask Before a Fire Investigation: https://bit.ly/4bS0v7L
• Article: How Intensity and Duration Dictate Structural Damages in Fires: https://bit.ly/3VdzbLL

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.

In this episode of Alpine Intel’s The Savvy Adjuster Podcast, host Chris Nichols speaks with Lead Fire Investigators Shawn Williams and Jim Sielehr from National Fire Experts. They discuss the unique considerations of a large loss fire, how other parties factor into the process, and how adjusters can ensure they’re picking an assessment partner who’s prepared to handle the complexities of these claims.

Discussed in this Episode

• What constitutes a large loss fire claim?
• What other interested parties – and their representatives – may be involved
• What adjusters should look for in a fire assessment partner
• Common causes of large loss fire claims
• Typical large loss fire assessments step by step
• Real stories from National Fire Experts large loss investigations

Additional Resources

• About Alpine Intel: https://bit.ly/3WYLFrA
• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/3KhBnv6

Additional Fire Investigation Resources:

• Guide: What to Expect From Your Fire Investigation: https://bit.ly/3KbtCXB
• Guide: Your Questions About Fire Investigation Evidence Answered: https://bit.ly/3QSC168
• Case Study: Apartment Fire: https://bit.ly/4bG9PM0

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.

In this episode of Alpine Intel’s The Savvy Adjuster Podcast, Donan Principal Forensic Engineer Marvin Aikens and HVACi Field Operations Manager Joe Brinlee bring their expertise to a follow-up conversation about collateral indicators with host Whitney Boles. After a quick recap of hail, they discuss how other weather phenomena like wind and flooding can impact collaterals. Listen to learn why accurate cause of loss determinations require comprehensive assessments.

Additional Resources

• About Alpine Intel: https://bit.ly/4buLCIB
• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/3UQAoag

Additional Resources for Hail, Wind, and Flooding:

• Case Study: Hurricane Residential Claim: https://bit.ly/4bJ0t1G
• Guide: Wind Damage and Other Losses to Asphalt Shingles: https://bit.ly/3yvS6II
• eBook: Adjuster Tips for Hurricane Claims with HVAC Systems: https://bit.ly/3WMU6q7

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.

In this episode of Alpine Intel’s The Savvy Adjuster Podcast, host Whitney Boles is joined by Donan Principal Forensic Engineer Marvin Aikens and HVACi Field Operations Manager Joe Brinlee. They explain why inspecting collateral indicators is important to hail assessments of roofs, structures, and HVAC equipment; the difference between cosmetic impacts and functional hail damage; and when adjusters should consider claim support from both a forensic engineer and an HVAC expert.

Discussed in this Episode

• What are collateral indicators, and why do they matter to your claim?
• How experts identify cosmetic impacts vs. functional damage
• Other causes of loss frequently reported as hail damage
• When a claim can benefit from both a structural and an HVAC inspection
• Real examples of how collateral indicators have been valuable to Alpine Intel assessments

Additional Resources

• About Alpine Intel: https://bit.ly/3wHRQWx
• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/3wI25Kv

Additional Structural and HVAC Hail Resources:

• Article: The Effect of Corrosion on Repairing Hail-Damaged HVAC Coils: https://bit.ly/3ypVZyG
• Guide: 5 Things That Could Look Like Hail Damage but Aren’t: https://bit.ly/3QY3ZNP
• Webinar: Hail and Wind HVAC Claims Webinar Recording: https://bit.ly/4bM27zD

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.

So you need an inspection to determine if your claim’s product loss has subrogation potential. Following up on their rundown of how carriers can benefit from identifying subro. David Riggs, Chief Operations Officer for Engineering, Fire Investigations, and CTL; and Professional Engineer Adrian France once again chat with host Chris Nichols – this time to outline the process for adjusters from first notice of loss to storage after an inspection.

Additional Resources

• About Alpine Intel: https://bit.ly/3QVtuiJ
• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/3QVpfUA

Additional Plumbing and Subro Resources:

• Case Study: Valve Failure: https://bit.ly/3QWEf4i
• Article: Five Ways to Streamline the Subrogation Process: https://bit.ly/4bykJDF
• Article: Do I Have What I Might Need to Subrogate?: https://bit.ly/3V9aXCd

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.

In this episode of Alpine Intel’s The Savvy Adjuster Podcast, host Chris Nichols speaks with David Riggs, Chief Operations Officer for Engineering, Fire Investigations, and CTL; and Professional Engineer Adrian France. They delve into the importance of identifying subrogation potential, common plumbing losses seen in the Component Testing Lab (CTL), what the experts look for to determine if the failure was caused by a manufacturer’s defect, and exploding toilets! Listen and learn what steps you can take to protect your plumbing evidence and more to ensure you don’t let subro opportunities pass you by.

Discussed in this Episode

• What is subrogation?
• How experts identify the cause of failure based on received evidence
• How to protect evidence against spoliation
• Common plumbing conditions assessed at CTL
• Real stories of how Alpine Intel has helped with subrogation

Additional Resources

• About Alpine Intel: https://bit.ly/4auwg5K
• Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/4dSbL5S

Additional Plumbing and Subro Resources:

• Article: Common Toilet and Bathroom Plumbing Failures: https://bit.ly/4bqJWju
• Guide: Subrogation Basics for Claims Adjusters: https://bit.ly/4bzwRo8
• Article: 3 Adjuster Questions a CTL Should Be Able to Answer: https://bit.ly/44WFKWi

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.