Assessing Structural Damage in First-Party Property Claims

Webinar

Maria Louise (Ria) Cousineau of the Global Insurance Department and John Osteraas, Ph.d., PE of Exponent will present this one hour Cozen O'Connor webinar, which will provide an overview of some of the issues you are likely to encounter while investigating a claimed loss to a structure. Attendees will gain insight into basic building components, and learn about items to consider and/or obtain in assessing structural damage. Presented jointly by an engineer and a coverage attorney, this webinar will focus on several “hot topics” you may encounter on your next claim. Some of the questions we will answer:

• Is the structure damaged? How do you define “damage” in the context of an insurance claim?
• How can you distinguish between normal conditions for vintage of building and damage resulting from a covered event?
• What constitutes an adequate investigation? When is enough, enough?
• What repair standards do you apply? A discussion of "like, kind, and quality”, code upgrade and enforcement, and other issues regarding repair.
• What are some of the new theories being proffered by policyholders and their representatives with regard to structural damage? How should you properly investigate and/or address them?
• When is it time to bring in an expert (and which expert is the most appropriate)?

FL, TX, NC approved for 1 CE credit. 1 CLE credit pending.