Southern Loss Association Articles

The Many Forms of Fraud During COVID-19

Fraud is an ever-evolving crime with fraudsters continually adopting new methods and concocting schemes to suit the conditions of the times. Currently, during the COVID-19 pandemic, fraudsters are creating new ruses by manipulating society’s changing needs and priorities. Fraudsters were particularly adept at playing on human emotions, concerns, and fears. As companies and individuals navigate these unusual times, the atmosphere is ripe with opportunities for schemes.

Bad Faith v. Good Faith and Just Results

The demand letter alleging bad faith arrives. Your blood pressure goes up – either you are sick of seeing lawyers toss the claim into every claim or you worry you may have made a mistake on a legal or factual point. How do you lower your blood pressure? Each moment of each day, on each file and the many micro-decisions you make – simply to pursue a Just Result. And what do you get – just results – and good results for you and your insureds.

Who Has Priority Over My Recovery?

After paying out a claim, insurers often pursue a subrogation recovery from a responsible third party. In evaluating the potential for recovery, subrogation specialists consider many issues including proof of liability, applicable contract provisions, statutory limitations, and the cost of pursing a recovery. Well informed insurers also work with their subrogation specialist to ask the question: Who is entitled to the recovery if we collect? In other words, who has priority over the funds recovered?

Investigation of Spontaneous Ignition Fires 

Spontaneous ignition has become more known and understood in the fire investigation community over the past 25 years, but is still missed by many seasoned experts. Fire, by definition, is a rapid oxidation process resulting in the evolution of light and heat in varying intensities, NFPA 921; 3.3.66. Oxidation is defined as a chemical reaction that is most commonly caused by atoms gaining oxygen. Therefore, fire investigators must have some knowledge of elementary chemistry to successfully complete origin & cause investigations. Spontaneous heating is the result of the slow oxidation of a combustible material, NFPA 921; 3.3.179. So, what exactly is oxidation?

Other Resources

Atlanta Claims Association - https://www.atlantaclaims.com/

Casualty Adjusters Guide - https://www.cagworld.com/

Claims Magazine - https://www.propertycasualty360.com/claims-magazine/

Georgia Defense Lawyers Association - http://www.gdla.org/

Georgia Trial Lawyers Association - https://www.gtla.org/

Honorable Order of the Blue Goose, Intl - http://www.bluegoose.org/

How Stuff Works - https://www.howstuffworks.com/

Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) - https://disastersafety.org/

Mapquest - https://www.mapquest.com/

National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE) - https://www.nafe.org/

International Association of Insurance Professionals (IAIP) - https://www.internationalinsuranceprofessionals.org/

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - https://www.weather.gov/

Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB) - https://www.plrb.org/

Risk and Insurance Management Society - https://community.rims.org/

Ultimate Insurance Links - https://tonysteuer.com/