[REPLAY] My Son Set Off Fireworks in My House
What's the Scenario? with PLRB
Release Date: 06/26/2026
![[REPLAY] A Storm Spoiled My Insured's Fish show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/item/42872430?height=50&width=50)
[REPLAY] A Storm Spoiled My Insured's Fish
What's the Scenario? with PLRB
Welcome to “What’s the Scenario? with PLRB”, where we explore claims & coverage scenarios relevant to insurance professionals. I’m Brennan McLoughlin, and we’re taking a break this week after another successful PLRB Regional Innovation Summit. This week we’ll share a follow-up episode from the PLRB Weather team. A small grocery store specializes in farm-to-table meat and fish, locally sourced and priced at the high end of the market. After accepting their week’s shipment on a Wednesday evening, thunderstorms led to a power outage that spoiled the fish. Notable...
info_outline![[REPLAY] Cyclones, Insurance & A Bowl of Spaghetti (Models) show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/item/42872415?height=50&width=50)
[REPLAY] Cyclones, Insurance & A Bowl of Spaghetti (Models)
What's the Scenario? with PLRB
Welcome to “What’s the Scenario? with PLRB”, where we explore claims & coverage scenarios relevant to insurance professionals. I’m Brennan McLoughlin, and for this holiday week we’ll be sharing a classic episode from the PLRB Weather team. A CAT Manager is making preparations for her CAT team in advance of Hurricane Francine, which approached the Louisiana coast in the second week of September, 2024. She reads something about spaghetti models, and something about Fast Track cyclones? Notable Timestamps [ 00:36 ] - The building owner submits the claim to their...
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Oops! Is a Contractor's Work Ever Really Done?
What's the Scenario? with PLRB
A contractor was hired to renovate a kitchen. The homeowner was thrilled with the results, but asked for a few final punch-list items: adjusting the cabinet doors and replacing a damaged drawer pull. To reach the cabinets, the contractor moved the refrigerator, but failed to securely reconnect the ice maker supply line before leaving. Two days later, the homeowner discovered water throughout the kitchen and adjacent rooms after the line separated, damaging the newly renovated space and the surrounding flooring. Notable Timestamps [ 00:45 ] - Mike sets up today's scenario: a...
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Wait, the PACE Exam has Mock Claim Documents?
What's the Scenario? with PLRB
A homeowner reports that the central air conditioning system stopped working during a summer heat wave. They sent their contractor's invoice to their insurance company. The adjuster has to review the invoice, the Declarations Page, and policy excerpts to handle the claim. But this isn’t a real claims file; this are mock claims documents as used in the PACE Designation Exam. Today we’ll explore how authentic assessment is leveraged to test real-world skills, and you can try your luck with this sample question. Notable Timestamps [ 01:24 ] - The exam includes basic recall questions that...
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Can You Pass the PACE Designation Exam?
What's the Scenario? with PLRB
An adjuster has decided to level up their career by earning their PACE-P Designation. They’ve completed the comprehensive educational program, prepared with the study guide, and are now sitting down to take the remotely proctored exam. Are they ready for it? Are you? Notable Timestamps [ 00:00:34 ] - The podcast explores the scenario of an adjuster who has completed an educational program and a study guide, and is now preparing to sit for the remotely proctored PACE Designation Exam. [ 00:04:04 ] - The PACE Designation program begins with an onboarding curriculum, consisting of three core...
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Help! I Need to Study for the PACE Designation Exam!
What's the Scenario? with PLRB
An adjuster has decided to level up their career by earning their PACE-P Designation. They’ve completed the comprehensive educational program, but don’t feel quite ready to sit down and take the PACE Designation Exam. So they download the PACE Study Guide and get started. Notable Timestamps [ 04:23 ] - The PACE Designation Program provides a comprehensive foundation of knowledge and practical skills tailored for claims professionals to succeed. [ 06:41 ] - Members can complete the Core Curriculum, the Personal Lines Property Track, and the Claims Intensives at no additional cost, and...
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Oops! What is “That Particular Part”?
What's the Scenario? with PLRB
A plumber was hired to perform work on a pipe on an insured home. In the course of that work, the plumber accidentally smashed his wrench into the pipe, damaging it. The water damaged nearby drywall and carpet. Notable Timestamps [ 00:44 ] - The j(5) exclusion specifically applies to property damage on that particular part of real property where operations are directly being performed. [ 01:14 ] - In contrast to the j(5) exclusion, the j(6) exclusion applies to any property that requires restoration, repair, or replacement because the work was performed incorrectly. [ 02:44 ] - If a plumber...
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Oops! Whose Fault is Faulty Workmanship?
What's the Scenario? with PLRB
A general contractor installs a commercial storefront window system. Because the flashing is installed incorrectly, rainwater enters the building during the first storm. The building owner sues the contractor, seeking the cost to remove and replace the defective window system and repair the water-damaged drywall and flooring inside. The contractor tenders the suit to its CGL insurer. Notable Timestamps [ 00:00:34 ] - A contractor faces a lawsuit after incorrectly installing window flashing that leads to water damage inside a building. [ 00:04:48 ] - A central issue in these claims is...
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Is Losing a Horse Bodily Injury?
What's the Scenario? with PLRB
Emma’s cousin Mark moved to the big city and left his horse at Emma’s ranch. For five years, she took care of the horse like it was one of her own. One day Mark took offense at one of Emma’s social media posts, and quietly removed the horse without her knowledge, believing he was the rightful owner. Emma was devastated and sued Mark, alleging emotional distress, mental pain and suffering, and loss of consortium. Mark’s insurer denied his defense on the basis that no bodily injury was claimed. Notable Timestamps [ 00:00:33 ] - The scenario involves a woman who sued her cousin for...
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Your Neighbor's Attitude is Not an Occurrence
What's the Scenario? with PLRB
The insured has spent months in an escalating dispute with his neighbor over the neighbor’s alleged violation of HOA rules and garish lawn decorations. Finally, the insured takes things too far by aiming his sprinkler at the neighbor’s newly painted shed, ruining an expensive paint job. The insured has been sued, and wants their insurance company to defend them in the lawsuit. Notable Timestamps [ 00:00:32 ] - This scenario involves an insured causing damage by ruining a neighbor's painted shed with a sprinkler, and expecting a defense. [ 00:01:17 ] - The PLRB's Frontlines newsletter is a...
info_outlineAs we hit our next holiday week and listen to the sounds of fireworks, we’d like to share a classic episode featuring the insurance implications of fireworks. So fire up the grill, and put this episode on the speakers.
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.
Notable Timestamps
[ 00:17 ] - The insured’s son set off a firework in the house for the excitement, causing fire damage. The homeowners file a property claim.
[ 01:26 ] - Alissha, Mike, and Tim discuss their opinions on fireworks, sneaking over the state line, exploding toys, dog ownership, and dumpster fires.
[ 04:12 ] - There’s no exclusion for “stupid” (i.e. negligence), at least not prior to the loss.
[ 07:34 ] - There is an exclusion for intentional loss. “Intent” usually applies both when the actor intends the consequence, and when they know the consequences are substantially certain to result.
[ 08:46 ] - The fact that the son was intoxicated would not establish an insanity defense.
[ 10:36 ] - The son was living in the house, even though he spent much of the year at college, and would be considered an insured so no subrogation is possible.
[ 11:50 ] - For very young children, their young age can imply that they are not appreciating the consequences of their actions and that can speak to intent.
[ 13:04 ] - The team discusses scenarios where an adult intentionally set a fire so that her husband could heroically put it out, where someone breaks a ring to get it off their swelling finger, and where someone smashes a window to break into their own house.
[ 17:24 ] - Tim provides a recap of the scenario and the points above.
Your PLRB Resources
Homeowners annotation on the intentional loss exclusion - https://search.plrb.org/?dn=37&src=gsa
Does a Farm Policy Cover Injury to a Semi Driver Caused by Water Balloons Tossed from Insured's Vehicle? - https://search.plrb.org/?dn=17362&src=gsa
Cutting Off Ring That is Stuck On Swollen Finger… Intentional Loss? - https://search.plrb.org/?dn=67944&src=gsa
Is Damage to Property of Others Coverage Available Under a Homeowners Policy for a Window Broken by the Insured Tenant's Son at a Rental Property? - https://search.plrb.org/?dn=73010&src=gsa
CE course on Intentional Versus Negligent Conduct For Casualty Adjusters - https://www.plrb.org/public2/dislearn/description.cfm?mod=p0056
CE course on Subrogation Claims - https://www.plrb.org/public2/dislearn/description.cfm?mod=p0050
Webinar on Fire Loss Investigation Strategies - https://www.plrb.org/distlearn/webinars/vplayer.cfm?vid=w0024
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/container.cfm?conlink=sec/cq/default.cfm) at no additional charge to you or your company.
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Send us your Scenario!
Please reach out to us 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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