Libsyn Directory

[REPLAY] PLRB Building Codes: Don't Fall Down the BC Rabbit Hole

Release Date: 11/25/2025

Carpet in the Bathroom? I Hope That's Against Code!

What's the Scenario? with PLRB

The insured lives in a single-family home in Austin, Texas. While hanging a shelf on the wall in one of the bathrooms, the owner drilled right through the metal stud, directly into a plumbing pipe, causing water damage to the wall and to the carpeting on the floor. (Yes, you heard that correctly, carpeting…in the bathroom!) Should there have been some type of pipe protection near the stud? And, does code even allow carpeting in a bathroom? Notable Timestamps [ 00:08 ] - The scenario involves a homeowner drilling into a metal stud and puncturing a plumbing pipe, causing water damage to...

[REPLAY] The PLRB Insurance Services Expo & You

What's the Scenario? with PLRB

For this holiday week, we’d like to prepare you for the upcoming PLRB Claims Conference, so we’re sharing a classic episode featuring some highlights on what to expect. You might notice some details specific to the original date of taping, but we’ve lightly edited it to keep it relevant. We’re looking forward to seeing you at the conference! Let’s say you’re a service provider in the insurance industry. You’ve been attending PLRB Conferences for a few years, and you’re thinking about taking the next step to increase exposure and build relationships with the right...

Herding Weather/CATs

What's the Scenario? with PLRB

A supervisor leads a team of very needy CAT adjusters! Over the course of the year, the supervisor fields many questions as it comes up in their claims. Was there hail on X date? Was there lightning in the area? This hurricane is coming soon, where can I get news about it? Winter weather caused a slip and fall!! Where can I find information on wildfire perimeters and California evacuations? For help herding all these cats, we’ll head to PLRB.org. Notable Timestamps [ 00:00 ] - The episode introduces a scenario where a supervisor fields constant weather-related questions from cat...

A Squirrel, A Power Outage, and a Ruined Dinner

What's the Scenario? with PLRB

A restaurant experienced a power outage lasting over an hour and a half. Because of the outage, they decided to close for the rest of the evening, claiming lost revenue from missed dinner service. PLRB weather tools will help us explore outage duration, date and time, location, and eventual cause. As we investigate, we’ll encounter an efficient proximate cause issue, the electrical currents exclusion, and a fried squirrel. Notable Timestamps [ 00:00 ] - The episode sets up a real-world insurance scenario: a restaurant closes after a 90-minute power outage and claims lost revenue,...

The PLRB Expo: Connection & Community

What's the Scenario? with PLRB

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 the one conference we commit to every single year, and today we'll share our perspective. Notable Timestamps [ 00:58 ] - In this scenario, a new exhibitor is hoping for success at the...

[REPLAY] Join Us at the Claims Conference

What's the Scenario? with PLRB

For this holiday week, we’d like to prepare you for the upcoming PLRB Claims Conference, so we’re sharing a classic episode featuring some highlights on what to expect. You might notice some details specific to the original date of taping, but we’ve lightly edited it to keep it relevant. We’re looking forward to seeing you at the conference! A supervisor is leading a small but mighty teams of adjusters, and they're taking their team to Indianapolis this spring for the 2025 PLRB Claims Conference. The only problem? They’ve never been before and have no idea where to...

Do Jewelry Appraisals Lock In Insurance Payout Amounts?

What's the Scenario? with PLRB

The insured felt like she did everything right. She insured the ring when she bought it, kept it scheduled on her policy, kept up with maintenance, and filed a claim right away when it was stolen. She even submitted the original appraisal for $22,000 so the insurance company would know how much to write on the check. So she was shocked when the insurance payout was only $14,000. Apparently diamonds are cheaper today, but she thinks: "shouldn't the appraisal lock in the cost?" Notable Timestamps [ 00:45 ] - An insured may assume an appraisal amount guarantees payout, but jewelry claims...

Hogging the Blame for a Fire Loss

What's the Scenario? with PLRB

Swine & Dine Farms underwent a devastating loss when a ventilation system shut off, resulting in the deaths of 2,400 hogs. Swine & Dine didn’t own the hogs: they were contract growers raising the hogs for an “integrator,” the contract owner of the animals who is not suing for the value of the lost hogs. What liability coverage is available for these folks? Notable Timestamps [ 00:41 ] - A ventilation failure led to the suffocation of thousands of hogs raised by a Contract Grower. [ 04:47 ] - This scenario centers on farm commercial liability policies, not property...

[REPLAY] What's Your Elevator Pitch?

What's the Scenario? with PLRB

As you prepare your new year’s resolutions, take a moment to ask, “What’s your elevator pitch?” This holiday week, we’re sharing a classic episode featuring an inspirational and thought-provoking scenario that you can bring into your personal and professional life. A claims adjuster is out at a party when they are asked: “So, what do you do for a living?” Our adjuster responds with just: “I’m in insurance claims.” That’s an “Oh no” moment. Turns out their cousin had a terrible experience on a claim and our adjuster is going to hear all about it, ending in: “You...

[REPLAY] Is an Apple Watch a Watch?

What's the Scenario? with PLRB

During this time of year as many people are exchanging presents, I’m sure you’re all wondering exactly how those various gadgets would be classified under the HO3 policy. So for this holiday week, we’re sharing a classic episode featuring an excellent coverage scenario. The insured, a father of 4, was out buying Christmas gifts for his children. This year he decided to splurge and buy each of them a drone and an Apple Watch. On his way back home, he stopped to get gas, and when he went into the minimart for coffee, a thief stole everything out of the back seat. The insured notified the...

More Episodes

This holiday week, we're sharing a classic episode about the PLRB Building Codes department.

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.

[ 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 scenario@plrb.org.

Sponsorship

PLRB thanks SERVPRO Restoration for its Diamond Sponsorship of the 2025 Claims Conference. "The #1 Choice in Cleanup and Restoration
We have more than 50 years of experience in the cleanup and restoration industry." Visit servpro.com!

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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