Libsyn Directory

Don’t Fall Down the Building Codes Rabbit Hole!

Release Date: 08/12/2025

Suicide, Arson, and the Intentional Loss Exclusion

What's the Scenario? with PLRB

Warning, this scenario mentions suicide. The insured's 21-year-old son lives with them and suffers from depression. While the insured parents are away, their son goes through a breakup and decides to kill himself. He gets very drunk and douses the entire first floor in the gasoline they use for their lawnmower. He turns over a candle and goes upstairs to pass out. A neighbor called the police in time, and the young man was saved-- but the resulting fire consumed the house. Notable Timestamps [ 00:10 ] - John shares a serious scenario that raises pertinent coverage questions. [ 01:22 ] -...

Don’t Fall Down the Building Codes Rabbit Hole!

What's the Scenario? with PLRB

The adjuster on a hail claim receives a long list of line items that are "required by code." Once the old shingles are torn off, they find rot and gaps in the sheathing, and the contractor says a thicker sheathing is now required by code. Notable Timestamps [ 00:10 ] - Ice barriers, drip edges, a double felt underlayment... Searching the internet only leads the adjuster spiralling down a rabbit hole. [ 01:30 ] - What internet rabbit holes have you gone down? [ 04:28 ] - With PLRB's updated Address Report, members can provide an address and specify details such as rafter spans. [...

Posthumous Premium Payor

What's the Scenario? with PLRB

The 100-year-old named insured died of natural causes. His daughter, the executor, inherited and moved into the home, continuing to pay the same bills—including insurance premiums. Four years later, a fire occurred, but the policy still listed her late father. Can it pay out? Notable Timestamps [ 00:10 ] - The daughter continued to pay the premiums, but did not contact the insurance company to advise them of her father's death. [ 01:30 ] - Trivia Time! Who was the oldest living person? [ 04:06 ] – Insurance policies generally follow the insureds, as defined by the policy, as opposed...

Sugar, Spice, and Everything Sand: The CGL Auto Exclusion

What's the Scenario? with PLRB

A concrete foundation is crumbling due to a truck's sugar-contaminated sand delivery. Now, a court case hinges on whether the CGL auto exclusion applies: Did the damage occur in the truck or on the job site? Notable Timestamps [ 00:30 ] - At the outset, it seems the question (of whether the CGL or the BAC policy applies) turns on whether the damage occurred on the job site, at the concrete plant, or on the sand delivery truck. [ 05:01 ] - Sugar can be used in small, controlled amounts to delay concrete setting time, but higher concentrations can prevent proper curing. The contamination in this...

[REPLAY] Detached Garage Converted to AirBNB

What's the Scenario? with PLRB

This is a replay of an episode that originally aired on March 19, 2024. An insured’s detached garage burns down in a covered lightning strike, and somehow it’s not covered just because of a little side hustle? The PLRB crew hunt for coverage and find what the insurer can pay out on when an insured rents out their property without updating their insurance company. Notable Timestamps [ 00:17 ] - The insured remodeled their detached garage for use as an AirBNB rental, but never notified their insurer. The garage burned down, and the insured files a claim for the...

[REPLAY] I Crashed My Bike Into a Tree

What's the Scenario? with PLRB

Is a recycle bin a “vehicle”? Does a car antenna ripping a coat fall under the Vehicles peril? How about a poorly secured wedding dress in the backseat of a convertible? If you occasionally win a biking competition, does the loss of your bike trigger business property coverage? Join Mike, Tim, and Alissha for the lightning round and discuss bikes, eBikes, sleds, boats, and more. Notable Timestamps [ 00:15 ] - The insured is an avid cyclist who occasionally wins money from his hobby. Another cyclist cut him off and he crashed his bike into a tree while at a park, destroying...

[REPLAY] The Appraisal Process – Is it Still Useful to Resolve Disputed Claims?

What's the Scenario? with PLRB

This is a replay of an episode originally aired on Apr 22, 2025. An adjuster working on a complex property damage claim closes the file, having paid out on the claim. Then they receive a notice that the insured is demanding appraisal. They call up the insured, only to find out that the insured has no idea what’s going on. About Our Guest Steven J. Badger, Partner, Zelle LLP [email protected] https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-badger-467b0322/ Notable Timestamps [ 00:20 ] - The insured signed a form on a tabet, presented to them by the contractor, without realizing it authorized a later...

[REPLAY] Invoking “Our Option” – Increased Use of Preferred Contractor Networks

What's the Scenario? with PLRB

This is a replay of an episode originally aired on Apr 15, 2025. A Texas adjuster gets an assignment for a simple hail damage claim. He anticipates having to argue with the roofing contractor, debate whether overhead and profit is owed, deal with the supplementing company, receive an appraisal demand, and finally face a lawsuit. About Our Guest Steven J. Badger, Partner, Zelle LLP [email protected] https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-badger-467b0322/ Notable Timestamps [ 00:20 ] - Because of his years of experience, he knows that the 30 square comp shingle roof should cost...

Tree Roots Blocked Up My Kitchen Sink

What's the Scenario? with PLRB

The insured's kitchen sink wasn’t draining well. A plumber scoped the line and found tree roots blocking it. The only fix is to dig up and replace the pipe. The adjuster checked the HO3 (2011) exclusions but didn’t find one specifically for tree roots. Do others apply? Notable Timestamps [ 00:45 ] – The adjuster checks the ISO HO3 (2011) policy but finds no explicit exclusion for damage caused by tree roots. [ 04:44 ] – Tree root damage exclusions can exist in some policies, but are rare. If clearly written, they’re usually enforceable. [ 05:30 ] – Lacking that, adjusters must look...

Murder Mystery: Diminution in Value

What's the Scenario? with PLRB

A wealthy couple is murdered after a glamorous party—jewelry stolen, town abuzz. Their estate files an HO3 claim for the stolen jewelry and loss in home value due to the stigma. But does the policy cover reputational "diminution in value"? Notable Timestamps [ 00:37 ] - The scenario involves a wealthy couple poisoned in their mansion, with jewelry stolen and a claim submitted under their HO3 policy ISO 2011 edition. [ 01:39 ] - Trivia Time! Who are the six main characters of the board game Clue? [ 03:40 ] - Diminution in value refers to a property's market value being less than before...

More Episodes

[ 00:10 ] - Ice barriers, drip edges, a double felt underlayment... Searching the internet only leads the adjuster spiralling down a rabbit hole.

[ 01:30 ] - What internet rabbit holes have you gone down?

[ 04:28 ] - With PLRB's updated Address Report, members can provide an address and specify details such as rafter spans.

[ 05:05 ] - PLRB's Building Codes Address Report provides the adopted building code for a specific address, ensuring it falls within the correct city boundaries (e.g., Parma, Ohio).

[ 06:39] - Hail reports from NOAA are also included, allowing adjusters to confirm if hail was present in the area on the claim date. They also provide state-specific matching information, such as Ohio's "reasonable comparable appearance" standard.

[ 08:27 ] - The report includes diagrams that visually differentiate between modern wood structural panels and older lumber sheathing (planks), explaining concepts like H-clips for edge support.

[ 11:31 ] - The reports clarify requirements for common contractor-claimed line items, such as ice barriers, confirming if they are required (e.g., statewide in Ohio) and providing links to the source of this information.

[ 14:14 ] - The "Ask a code question" button links to a form where building code experts will research the specific inquiry and provide citations and links back to the member.

[ 15:44 ] - Ruth provides a recap of the points above.

Your PLRB Resources

Building Codes Hub & Address Report - https://members.plrb.org/building-codes

FAQ: When is Double Underlayment Required? - https://www.plrb.org/documents/when-is-double-felt-underlayment-required/?search=When%20is%20Double%20Felt%20Underlayment%20Required?

Ask a Building Code Question - https://www.plrb.org/building-codes/ask-plrb-building-code-question/

Employees of member companies also have access to a searchable legal database, hundreds of hours of video trainings, building code materials, weather data, and even the ability to have your coverage questions answered by our team of attorneys (https://www.plrb.org/ask-plrb/) at no additional charge to you or your company.

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Send us your Scenario!

Please reach out to us at 630-509-8704 with your scenario! This could be your “adjuster story” sharing a situation from your claims experience, or a burning question you would like the team to answer. In any case, please omit any personal information as we will anonymize your story before we share. Just reach out to [email protected].

Legal Information

The views and opinions expressed in this resource are those of the individual speaker and not necessarily those of the Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB), its membership, or any organization with which the presenter is employed or affiliated. The information, ideas, and opinions are presented as information only and not as legal advice or offers of representation. Individual policy language and state laws vary, and listeners should rely on guidance from their companies and counsel as appropriate.

Music: “Piece of Future” by Keyframe_Audio. Pixabay. Pixabay License.
Font: Metropolis by Chris Simpson. SIL OFL 1.1.
Icons: FontAwesome (SIL OFL 1.1) and Noun Project (royalty-free licenses purchased via subscription).
Sound Effects: Pixabay (Pixabay License) and Freesound.org (CC0).

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