What’s New in the Trenches? with Steve Badger
What's the Scenario? with PLRB
Release Date: 03/06/2026
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...
info_outline![[REPLAY] Can a Bear Do Vandalism? The First Episode of](https://assets.libsyn.com/item/40558980?height=50&width=50)
[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_outlineSteven 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 introduces a discussion on emerging trends in hail and weather-related insurance claims, including fraud schemes, disputes over damage assessments, and how insurers are exploring underwriting and policy wording changes to address recurring issues.
[ 01:22 ] - A key industry trend is shifting toward bigger-picture solutions that reduce disputes altogether, such as improving building resilience or changing claims processes so insurers and policyholders spend less time fighting over losses.
[ 02:12 ] - Roof resiliency is a major topic. If roofing materials could withstand moderate hail, many claims would never occur, raising debate about requiring more durable materials like Class 4 hail-resistant roofing in hail-prone states.
[ 03:28 ] - Some insurers already offer premium discounts for homes with Class 4 hail-rated roofs, but experts argue broader mandates may be necessary to significantly reduce hail claim frequency and stabilize insurance markets.
[ 05:39 ] - Insurers report a rise in fabricated hail and wind damage claims, particularly during slow storm years when contractors relying on storm work may be tempted to create damage to generate insurance-funded repairs.
[ 07:24 ] - Fabricated damage raises complex coverage questions. If a contractor intentionally damages property, insurers must consider whether the loss could fall under vandalism or malicious mischief provisions.
[ 09:40 ] - Disputes often shift from scope of damage to pricing. Estimating tools like Xactimate help set initial reserves, but they are still estimates and can be manipulated by adding or removing line items.
[ 11:27 ] - Many policies ultimately require payment based on the “amount actually incurred,” meaning the real cost of repairs. This shifts focus from software estimates to contracts, invoices, and proof of actual payments.
[ 14:08 ] - Contractors and public adjusters may inflate estimates within software systems, even adding items like adjuster commissions that are often not covered, which can raise unrealistic expectations for policyholders.
[ 15:33 ] - One strategy to counter inflated estimates is obtaining real competitive contractor bids. Presenting an independent price for the same work can help challenge excessive claims and refocus negotiations on actual costs.
Your PLRB Resources
Invoking “Our Option” – Increased Use of Preferred Contractor Networks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC_WAl0N7gI
The Appraisal Process – Is it Still Useful to Resolve Disputed Claims?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5YgKpL5FlI&t=1s
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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.
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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