Fact or Fixture? That Ceiling Tile is Personal Property!
What's the Scenario? with PLRB
The roof of a 100-year-old farmhouse suddenly collapses under the weight of water. The building was insured under a farm policy that, in this case, only provided coverage for personal property and not the dwelling or real property. The insured claims that the carpet, water heater, and even ceiling tiles are all personal property, and therefore covered! What is a fixture? Notable Timestamps [ 00:00 ] - The episode explores how fixture disputes affect insurance coverage, using a collapsed farmhouse roof scenario where coverage depended on whether damaged items qualified as personal property or...
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Classes & Categories of Water: a PACE Program Exercise
What's the Scenario? with PLRB
A foot of stormwater in your home, and a contractor saying "Let's dry it in place?" That was the scenario explored in Courtney Makris' PLRB Presents talk "When the Storm Hits Home: Courtney’s Personal Journey through Hurricane Helene," and today Mike & Brennan will look at that scenario through the lens of the Categories & Classes of water, with the help of a PACE Program exercise. Notable Timestamps [ 00:06 ] - The episode introduces a real-world water loss scenario tied to a major storm, highlighting how widespread damage and contractor recommendations can complicate mitigation...
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The Personal Property Inventory Game Show!
What's the Scenario? with PLRB
A fire broke out in the insured’s basement, where various household and personal items were stored. The insured husband is a recreational pilot. His wife is an accountant. Their two children and dog also live in the home with them. The fire caused heavy smoke and heat damage throughout the basement and adjoining utility room. The insured provided a personal property inventory form listing everything believed to be damaged or destroyed. What falls under Property Not Covered? In this preview of the PACE program's personal lines course, we'll explore the basics of the different roles in the...
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Who’s Who in the Industry?
What's the Scenario? with PLRB
A major storm hits the city. Sarah’s bakery suffers roof damage, water leakage, and equipment loss. Sarah has heard lots of insurance job titles thrown around: policyholder, agent, broker, adjuster, underwriter, actuary-- who are all these people? In this preview of the PACE program's core on-boarding course, we'll explore the basics of the different roles in the insurance industry. Notable Timestamps [ 00:00 ] - The episode opens with a storm-damage scenario at Sara’s bakery, setting up a practical lens for understanding insurance roles and how multiple professionals intersect during a...
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The PACE Designation Program
What's the Scenario? with PLRB
A claims supervisor with plenty of adjusting experience is looking to open doors to new opportunities with a credential that will signal their advanced claims knowledge. They’re also responsible for onboarding some new adjusters who are brand new to the field of insurance, and need to get ready to handle claims. As PLRB members, they’ll have access to the PACE Designation Program, which can equip participants with the skills and confidence needed to excel in key areas of claims handling. Notable Timestamps [ 02:07 ] - Introducing a fun new segment called "The Dec Page," our hosts reflect...
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What's the Scenario? 100th Episode
What's the Scenario? with PLRB
For our 100th episode, we'd like to share these clips from three exemplary episodes: one each from a property, casualty, and auto example. My Son Set Off Fireworks in My House Is there an exclusion for stupid? Join Alissha, Mike, and Tim to discuss bad decisions, wedding rings stuck on fingers, dumpster fires, and whether the choice to set off a firework inside a house is considered “intentional” under the policy. Game Show Time! What Kind of Vehicle Is It? Anytime something with wheels leads to a claim, Parker's colleagues come to Parker to find out whether the claim should fall under the...
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[REPLAY] Can a Bear Do Vandalism? The First Episode of "What’s the Scenario? with PLRB"
What's the Scenario? with PLRB
We’re taking a break this week after another successful PLRB Claims Conference. As we gear up for this podcast’s 100th episode next week, we’d like to re-share the very first episode. Alissha, Tim, and Mike introduce a complete rebranding of PLRB’s podcast as “What’s the Scenario? with PLRB”, starting with a mini-scenario on a bear attack. Notable Timestamps [ 00:16 ] - A family went camping, only for their personal property to be destroyed by a bear. [ 01:41 ] - The team introduces themselves. is Senior Meetings Manager at PLRB responsible for some of PLRB’s...
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[REPLAY] The PLRB Expo: Connection & Community
What's the Scenario? with PLRB
Right now we’re gearing up for next week’s PLRB Claims Conference. So this week, we’re sharing a recent episode discussing how to make the most of the PLRB Insurance Services Expo. You're a new exhibitor, and you're excited and anxious about your first visit to the PLRB Claims Conference. How will you handle the rushes of attendees and the breaks between them? How will you build relationships that will last after you leave the Expo floor? What tone will you strike with members? Gemcor has been attending PLRB since 1984, just three years after our dad founded the company. It’s...
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What's New with Third-Party Supplements? with Steve Badger
What's the Scenario? with PLRB
An adjuster starts to close the file on a roofing claim. The adjuster had worked closely with the roofing contractor and saw the claim through to its resolution, with the contractor getting paid in full. Then the adjuster receives an invoice with a supplement, from a company in another state. Upon calling the insured, they had no awareness of this company. Today Steven Badger from Zelle LLP will address these and other topics as we continue our discussion on “hot topics” in hail claims. Notable Timestamps [00:01] - Some in the industry describe the “reclaim game” as when an insured...
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What’s New in the Trenches? with Steve Badger
What's the Scenario? with PLRB
Steven Badger from Zelle LLP joins us to talk about all the “hot topics” in the always interesting world of hail and other weather-related claims. Steve will cover all the emerging trends in these claims, including current fraud and other abuse schemes, and provide his recommendations on how to address the common issues. He will also talk about what he is seeing with recent expanded use of the appraisal process. Finally, Steve will talk about how his clients are addressing these issues through underwriting and policy wording changes. Notable Timestamps [ 00:07 ] - The episode...
info_outline“Simply the Vest” is a dry cleaning service with a basement full of supplies, tools, clothing, and… water. After a heavy rain, the owners discovered that their sump pump had failed, causing water to back up into the basement, resulting in damage to their property. Under their BP 00 03 form, coverage for this cause is firmly excluded. However, they paid for a supplemental endorsement with some interesting technicalities…
Notable Timestamps
[ 02:43 ] - When assessing coverage, always start with the underlying policy form before reviewing any endorsements, ensuring clarity on the initial coverage.
[ 05:32 ] - Supplemental coverages given to an insured typically identify specific needs that they have in the transaction and provide clear limits for each supplemental coverage provided.
[ 08:11 ] - Endorsements can provide additional coverage for water-related claims like backup and overflow or mold, which are generally types of losses that would otherwise be excluded.
[ 11:18 ] - Determining coverage requires looking at the exact policy language, fitting it to the specific scenario, and matching facts to the policy language.
[ 13:45 ] - Sump pump issues often involve power outages (necessitating battery backup) or mechanical breakdown, but each claim has to be assessed based on its individual merits.
[ 15:23 ] - An endorsement providing additional water backup coverage may also modify or replace the existing water damage exclusion found in the underlying BP policy.
[ 17:49 ] - If a loss isn't excluded under the underlying policy, the supplemental coverage-- which could be subject to a lower limit-- would not be needed.
[ 16:18 ] - Brennan provides a brief conclusion.
Your PLRB Resources
Coverage Question: Sump Pump vs. Septic Pump - https://www.plrb.org/documents/sump-pump-vs-septic-pump-pcq-2024-09-24-dwf-b
Property Question of the Week: Sewer Backup Coverage vs. Flood Exclusion - https://www.plrb.org/documents/sewer-backup-coverage-vs-flood-exclusion/
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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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.
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