Estimating
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Workflow
100
Three part question for the full 100 points. We don't want minimum charges on the totals page. How do we estimate for minimum charges? And, do we apply depreciation? Why or why not?
Minimum charges should be added to the body of the estimate in the most appropriate room.
We apply depreciation when the repair will require the replacement of materials.
If we are replacing materials we will depreciate them. But, if the minimum charge is for labor only we do not depreciate the line item.
100
Our insured had a fire loss and has received their initial payment for coverage A. Their Agent calls you for the amount of recoverable depreciation available on the insured's claim. Do you give it to them?
No. Due to privacy issues we can not share claim specific information with the agent. The insured may provide permission to do so which should be documented in the claim file.
100
Your Eagleview report includes a 2D diagram. Can you order a Hover report? What happens if you do?
No, you can only order one or the other.
At this time, nothing happens if you do. We are, however, generating a report that will identify who habitually orders both.
100
Name three reports that your supervisor uses to supervise your work.
Possible Answers:
Cycle Time Report - Dashboard, TQS, Claims over 30 days, and Data
Best Practice Report - Dashboard, TQS, and Data
Tablou
Homelink Portal
RD Aging Report
Subrogation Report
100
You're ready to close the claim in Mobile Claims. Estimate and letter are done. What are the last steps?
Estimate Completed, ACV Payment Tracker, Assignment Completed, Claim Closed, Add your CA as a participant, release ownership.
200
When should you use "Wire Residence" per square feet?
This line item includes the breaker box, home runs, phone lines, outlets, switches, and outlet and switch plates. It does not include fixtures.
Do not use this line item if the breaker box is not damaged. We recommend writing by room for smaller claims.
200
Wind and hail loss. What are five things you should learn during your first contact conversation with our insured?
Extent of damage, interior damage, roof accessibility, and number of other structures.
Are temporary repairs needed?
When to inspect. Who are you meeting? Does the insured have a contractor?
Email address. Mortgagee confirmation.
200
Who is OneClick Code and can you use them?
OneClick Code provides local municipality, taxes, and building code information. Right now they offer information regarding drip edge and ice & water shield.
No, you may not use them... yet. We are currently working on a contract and will begin rolling it out slowly in 2023.
200
According to Tableau, Average Cycle Time in days for St Louis Other Lines claims is Currently sitting at 71 days. Out of 18 branchs, how many branches have fewer average days?
Seven.
200
What are three things that should be in your Corelogic Quick List?
Final journal entry.
Your contact information.
Debris footer and Depreciation disclaimer.
300
We can use the Paid When Incurred functionality in CoreLogic when we want to estimate repairs that are required by ordinance or law. What documentation should we have before using the PWI function?
It must be a known ordinance and we need supporting documentation either in the claim file or on our Ordinance or Law shared drive. We need the ordinance and ordinance number that suports the required repairs.
Send this to Mike Billington to add to our Shared Drive.
300
Our policy requires the insured provide their signed and notarized Proofs of Loss to us within 60 days after they have received it. What if the insured tells us they can not meet that deadline? How should we respond.
We need an agreement. When can they get it back to us?
We absolutely can deny their claim if we have made resonable attempts to acquire the insured's proof of loss. When our file includes clear notes about these conversations and appropriate follow up letters, we can deny the insured's claim.
300
Very few of our adjusters are IICRC certified in water restoration. Yet, we ask adjusters to review mitigation bids and push back on the charges that we feel are unreasonable. What can you do to verify that remediation costs are accurate?
Verify charges with insured.
Request dry out logs. There should be a dry standard and we should see progress over time.
What were they able to save?
Acorn claims will audit the invoice according to IICRC standards. Send them anything over $10,000, and seriously consider them for others on a case by case basis.
300
What is the average number of claims and/or reserves for a Property Adjuster per month over the last two years?
Per Tableau, 79.8/mo. for property adjusters and 72.2 for Material Damage adjusters.
300
The insured's mortgage holder has changed. What are your options?
First, if the repairs have been completed, we no longer need to include the mortgage holder.
Second, per the policy, two things must be true. The financial institution must have an interest in the property and they must be listed on the dec page.
For initial or supplemental payments, if the mortgage holder listed in the declarations no longer has an interest in the property, we do not need to include them or the new mortgage holder. However, we do need proof from the insured that that the financial institution listed on the declarations page no longer has an interest in the property.
400
You are writing an estimate for water damage to a drywall ceiling. What line items do you include? Walk us through your thought process.
Move or protect contents. Tape and drape or mask and prep walls. Insulation? Repair drywall? Texture? Paint. Antimicrobial by square feet.
At a Minimum: Min Insulation, antimicrobial by SF, tape and drape, texture, and one coat of paint on the ceiling.
Remember, if you tape and drap or mask walls, these are wall operations and you will need to add wall openings to your diagram.
400
HO-3. The insured has hail damage to their vinyl siding on one side of their home. They insist that you should pay to replace all of their siding. What do you tell them.
The policy dictates what I can and can not pay a policy holder. We owe for the damaged property and will allow for the closest match. However, replacement of non damaged adjacent parts is specifically excluded by the policy.
Follow up with a partial denial letter that includes the definitions for Accidental Direct Physical Loss and Restoration Cost.
400
You're assigned a lightning claim. What are the vendors that you may consider using to investigate the cause of loss and extent of damage?
StrikeCheck, Strikenet, HVACi, Research & Replacement Group, and local electric companies meter readings.
400
Why are we focused on closing 2022 reserves before November 30?
We need our open reserve count to be accurate for the 2023 calender year. By closing reserves in November, we can run a report in December that will more accurately represent what is left to be closed before the end of the year, thereby reducing the number of files needed to review.
400
Fire Loss. The insured is claiming the recoverable depreciation for framing that has been completed. You use payment tracker and find that the amount of the invoice is different than our agreed upon restoration cost. If we agree to the new amount, can you use the invoice function within Payment Tracker to calculate our payment? Why or why not?
No, you should not use the invoice function. The best course of action is to update your estimate to reflect the agreed upon restoration cost for the framing.
This may include deleting line items and entering a new line item figure, or updating the existing estimate.
The invoice function does not work because your approved amount does not update the estimate, or revise the amount of recoverable depreciation pending. The Payment Summary form will be incorrect for all payments from that point forward.
500
Wind damaged an asphault shingle roof. You determine that the damage is sufficiant to replace the entire roof. Do you include the roof to wall flashing, pipe boots, drip edge, skylight flashing, step flashing, and chimney flashing on your estimate?
We do not owe for items that are not damgaed. The argument is that these items are damaged during tear off or will have additional unnecessary nail holes.
As a general rule we should not include them, roofers will often reuse them.
Any decision to replace them should be a unique accomodation made on a claim by claim basis.
500
Insured has hail damage to their roof and gutters. They have an HO-3 Policy. Give us your settlement speil for the damage, recoverable depreciation, supplements, etc.
Scope, coverage, deductible.
Depreciation: How was this determined? How much? How can they recover it?
Supplements: Debris, GCOP, Ordinance or Law. What happens if the repairs are done for less? More?
Email? Mortgage holder?
500
Why are some numbers on Research & Replacement valuations highlighted in red?
This means that based on R&R's formula for market value the withholding applied is 100%.
We'll need to correct this figure to withhold an appropriate amount.
Don't be afraid to contact R&R with questions about their valuation or amount being withheld.
500
What would you like Shelter to report on that you currently don't see?
I will take note!
500
When should your friendly Property Specialist be involved in your claim, per the Claims Property Guidelines?
Branch consults with Property Specialist:
1. as needed;
2. before setting or changing reserves on claims with anticipated loss above $150,000;
3. for any claim with anticipated payments of more than 149% of Coverage A limits;
4. for any claim with losses over $50,000 in which the branch decides not to use an O&C expert;
5. For claims in which an adjuster is not required to prepare an estimate because that claim meets the definition of a total loss;
6. for any claim involving factual investigation related to suspected material misrepresentation in presenting a claim or suspected fraud or arson (also must refer to SIU).