Southern Loss Association News

President’s Message

Dear Southern Loss Association Members,

Spring is finally here, and with it comes one of the best times of year for our association. Warmer weather, longer days, and plenty of opportunities to reconnect with colleagues across the industry—it’s a great time to be part of the Southern Loss Association.

First and foremost, I want to highlight our upcoming Larry Hart Memorial Spring Golf, Cornhole, and Pickleball Outing on April 23 at Château Élan Golf Club. This event is always a blast and continues to be one of our most well-attended gatherings of the year. Whether you’re there for the competition, the networking, or just a great day out of the office, it’s the perfect setting to strengthen relationships and welcome new faces into our group. If you haven’t signed up yet, I highly encourage you to do so—we’re looking forward to another fantastic turnout. Let’s not forget about our upcoming C/E Seminar which is scheduled for August 13, 2026 at Andretti’s in Marietta.

On the industry side, we’re continuing to see an interesting shift as we move through 2026. While parts of the country experienced a relatively quieter winter from a catastrophe standpoint, recent storm activity has started to pick up, leading to a noticeable increase in claim volume in certain regions. Carriers are maintaining a cautious approach, with ongoing focus on underwriting discipline and cost control, especially as material and labor costs remain unpredictable.

Additionally, we’re seeing continued emphasis on technology and efficiency across the claims process. From increased use of virtual inspections to AI-assisted estimating tools, the landscape is evolving quickly. While these advancements bring opportunities, they also reinforce the importance of experience, judgment, and strong relationships—things that organizations like the SLA are built on.

As always, our goal is to keep providing meaningful opportunities for connection, education, and collaboration within the claim’s community. I appreciate the continued engagement from our members and encourage you to stay involved, attend events, and bring a colleague along when you can.

I look forward to seeing many of you out on the course later this month.

Sincerely,
Stephen Philips
President
Southern Loss Association