AGENDA
Tuesday, April 15
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. - Breakfast & Registration
8:30 - 8:45 a.m. - Welcome Remarks
8:45 - 9:40 a.m. - Keynote: Navigating the Claims Landscape - Emerging Issues & Challenges
This session will explore the evolving landscape of property/casualty insurance claims, focusing on emerging issues and the current challenges claims professionals face. Specific areas of focus include social inflation, auto severity, changing weather patterns, catastrophe frequency and severity, and mass torts.
- Tim Fletcher, Senior Emerging Issues Specialist, Gen Re
9:40 - 10:30 a.m. - Litigation Update
He’s back! Join Mike McKenna as he highlights the year as well as what the Courts have been up to and how it impacts you?
- Mike McKenna, Margolis Edelstein
10:30 - 11:00 a.m. - Networking Break
11:00 - 11:50 a.m. - Sex, Drugs, & Alcohol - Handling Sin in Casualty Claims
- Josh Bovender, Thomas, Thomas, & Hafer, LLC & Kenneth Graham, Ph.D, Forensic Toxicologist
Noon - 1:15 p.m. - Lunch
1:15 - 2:05 p.m. - Breakout Sessions
New Homes New Risks
In the fast-paced world of new home construction, cutting corners can lead to unforeseen and costly consequences. Join our expert panel as they delve into the critical risks that arise when construction shortcuts are taken, and how they impact insurance claims and coverage. Key topics covered will be phantom sinkholes, close neighbors, and waived inspections.
- James Kugel & Greg Decker, Barry Isett & Associates
- Mike Danilla, Penn National
- Scott Rybny, Morgan, Akins, & Jackson, PLLC
Is the Fair Share Act Dead Following Spencer vs. Johnson?
- Joshua Brownlie, Marshall Dennehey
- Jacob Kratt, Margolis Edelstein
- Paula Kosh, Goodville Mutual
2:15 - 3:05 p.m. - Breakout Sessions
Working with Third Party Advocates
This session will focus on best practices for interacting with the insured’s representatives, pitfalls to beware of, and emerging trends in claim handling.
- Jonathan MacBride, Zelle Law
AI in Claims
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the claims landscape, offering insurers powerful tools to enhance efficiency, improve decision-making, and reduce costs. We’ll discuss the challenges and best practices for integrating AI into claims workflows. Whether you're just beginning to explore AI or looking to optimize your current systems, this session will provide valuable takeaways to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market.
- Ben Frommer, Thomas, Thomas, & Hafer
3:05 - 3:30 p.m. - Networking Break
3:30 - 4:20 p.m. - Breakout Sessions
Reinsurance 101
This session will examine what reinsurance is, why you should purchase it, and why you should care about reinsurance for your business.
From Crisis to Resolution: Mastering Emergency Claims for Environmental Spills
Navigating emergency claims, such as oil spills and hazardous exposures, demands swift and effective action. This presentation delves into the intricacies of managing these urgent claims, highlighting the challenges and obstacles you may face, and the importance of strategic partnerships in the remediation process. Key Topics Covered: Managing Emergency Claims, Reporting & Documentation, and Case Studies.
- Jennifer Potter and Lori Girvan, Barry Isett & Associates
4:30 - 6:30 p.m. - Welcome Reception
Wednesday, April 16
7:15 - 8:15 a.m. - Breakfast
8:15 - 8:45 a.m. - Welcome & Exhibitor Door Prizes
8:45 - 9:35 a.m. - Contractor Deliveries & Premises Liability
Premises liability lawsuits involving delivery drivers and contractors in Pennsylvania center on the duty of care owed to business invitees, including third-party delivery drivers. Property owners, DNCs, and 3PLs may face exposure depending on control over delivery operations and site conditions. Key defenses include the open and obvious doctrine, assumption of risk, and comparative negligence—while evolving insurance coverage and contractor status issues add complexity to claims handling and resolution.
- Claire Murtha & Jacob Kratt, Margolis Edelstein
9:35 - 10:00 a.m. - Networking Break
10:00 - 10:50 a.m. - Resilience is Not Optional - Managing the Challenges of the Claims Professions (geared towards newbies)
Claims adjusters are expected to be investigators, mediators, and negotiators amid disaster. Yet, they are human beings who are often left to cope – on their own – with the stress associated with the job. This is impacting our ability to respond as an industry and can be seen as a heightened risk to the health of the insurance industry ecosystem; but it’s an issue we often don’t want to speak about for those very reasons. Not dealing with this can lead to talent fallout, lack of stickiness in claims industry roles, and customer experience impacts. This session will focus on actionable steps claims professionals and leaders can take to manage the stresses of the role and build resilience with a focus on de-escalation techniques, communication, and engagement tactics.
- Heather Blevins, J.S. Held, LLC
10:50 - 11:00 a.m. - Networking Break
11:00 - 11:50 a.m. - Top Issues of 2024
This session will explore hot topics in our industry including climate change, cybersecurity risks, talent acquisition, evolving regulations, and a variety of topics affecting you.
- Heather Norris, Penn National
- Sarah Cobbs, Thomas, Thomas, & Hafer
11:50 - Noon - Closing Remarks & Packed Lunch
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