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Explore every episode of the podcast The Savvy Adjuster Podcast

Dive into the complete episode list for The Savvy Adjuster Podcast. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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1–24 of 24

TitlePub. DateDuration
Why To Prioritize Scene Investigations15 Jan 202500:34:15

In 2025’s first episode of The Savvy Adjuster Podcast, host Chris Nichols welcomes VRC Investigations’ Vice President of SIU Compliance and CE Programs Curtis Whitfill to delve into the importance of scene investigations. Find out what red flags adjusters notice that may indicate the need for an expert, techniques VRC employs to get the evidence to verify claim facts, parties they interview, and more.

Discussed in This Episode

  • Types of claims that benefit most from scene investigations
  • Red flags that may indicate fraud
  • Scene investigations vs. desk reviews
  • How investigators identify people to interview
  • Additional examples from real scene investigations

Additional Resources

Additional Fraud Investigation Resources:

How Code and Regulation Updates Impact Claims18 Dec 202400:37:35

We wrap up 2024 on The Savvy Adjuster Podcast with a discussion about how recent and upcoming changes to codes and regulations can impact claims, and a look at the various sources available to adjusters who want to make sure they’re making accurate settlement decisions. Host Chris Nichols is joined by returning guests, Alpine Intel’s Director of Customer Education Jay Dykstra and Donan’s Principal Forensic Engineer Rich Grimshaw, as they touch on HVAC refrigerant legislation, building codes, and more.

Discussed in This Episode

  • Why adjusters need to know about codes and regulations
  • How experts use of code knowledge in their conclusion and recommendations
  • Important organizations and codes that may be referenced
  • The AIM Act and other refrigerant legislation
  • 2024 changes to the International Residential Code

Additional Resources

Additional Code and Regulation Resources:

National Fire Experts: PC360 Luminaries Class of 202420 Nov 202400:09:17

Host Chris Nichols welcomes National Fire Experts General Manager Pat Walsh and Senior National Fire Experts Account Executive Kathleen Riley to talk about NFE’s use of customer feedback and insurance industry pain points to enhance origin and cause investigation offerings. This earned the brand a spot in PropertyCasualty360’s Insurance Luminaries Class of 2024 in the Claims Innovation category. In this short episode, learn how NFE addressed cycle time concerns and updated reports to ensure adjusters had everything they needed to take confident next steps. Listen on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. 

Additional Resources

Additional National Fire Experts Resources:

Water Damage to Structural Elements06 Nov 202400:39:08

On this episode of The Savvy Adjuster Podcast, host Chris Nichols is joined by Donan’s Principal Forensic Engineer Rich Grimshaw and Senior Project Engineer Alec Haugdahl to discuss the huge topic of water intrusion, leaks, and other sources of water damage to structural components. Learn from their expertise and experience about internal and external water sources, which structural elements are more vulnerable to moisture damage, and what adjusters should ask when water is a suspected cause of loss.

Discussed in This Episode

  • Common sources for damage from water
  • Structural elements susceptible to water damage
  • How experts assess reported water damage
  • What adjusters should consider before settling structural water claims
  • Real examples of structural water damage assessments

Additional Resources

Additional Structural Water Loss Resources

Take 10: Smoke and Fire Damage to HVAC Equipment16 Oct 202400:10:58

Host Chris Nichols is once again joined by Alpine Intel Customer Education Director Jay Dykstra. This time, Jay’s delving into “the dreaded puffback.” Learn what puffbacks are, what can cause them, and what these challenging (and messy) claims can look like for both the adjuster and assessing expert. Listen on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.

Additional Resources

Additional Puffback Resources:

Smoke and Fire Damage to HVAC Equipment02 Oct 202400:36:31

Host Chris Nichols talks about the causes and effects of smoke and fire to HVAC systems with Alpine Intel’s Customer Education Director Jay Dykstra in this episode of The Savvy Adjuster Podcast. Find out why even distant fires may lead to a claim, which different types of smoke can impact equipment, how changing codes and regulations affect adjusters’ processes, and more. 

Discussed in This Episode

  • How wildfires and other fire outside the house can affect HVAC equipment (3:08)
  • Why the type and amount of smoke matter (10:42)
  • Why adjusters shouldn’t settle fire-related HVAC claims without an assessment (13:10)
  • How experts identify the presence and scope of smoke damage to ductwork (16:50)
  • What to do when a contractor calls for a full replacement due to phased-out refrigerants (24:15)
  • Real examples of HVAC smoke and fire assessments (29:30)

Additional Resources

Additional HVAC Resources

Take 10: Parallel Fire Claim Investigations04 Sep 202400:12:30

Senior National Fire Experts Account Executive Kathleen Riley and NFE Fire Operations Manager John Hill join host Chris Nichols again to talk fire investigations. Specifically, they delve into how both adjusters and certified fire investigators can collect and analyze witness statements – even when stories change or don’t support the facts of the claim. Listen on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.

Additional Resources

Additional Fire Investigation Resources:

Parallel Fire Claim Investigations22 Aug 202400:36:30

Host Chris Nichols is joined in this episode of Alpine Intel’s The Savvy Adjuster Podcast by Senior National Fire Experts (NFE) Account Executive Kathleen Riley and NFE Fire Operations Manager John Hill to talk about how insurance adjusters and certified fire investigators conduct their respective investigations. Find out what each party should look for as well as how information the investigator collects onsite helps with the origin and cause claim. Listen on Apple (https://bit.ly/4fXsUw4), Spotify (https://bit.ly/4dRPNiz), or your favorite podcast platform.

Discussed in This Episode

  • Information adjusters may collect onsite vs. from the office
  • What the adjuster should know before a vendor’s assessment
  • Tasks the fire investigator completes before going onsite
  • What certified investigators look for on a fire scene
  • How and what the adjuster and the investigator communicate
  • Real examples of parallel fire investigations

Additional Resources

Additional Fire Investigation Resources:

 

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Claims Adjusting With Ema Roloff07 Aug 202400:34:08

In this special edition of The Savvy Adjuster Podcast, host Chris Nichols is joined by Ema Roloff, cofounder of Roloff Consulting. Using her years of experience influencing the digital transformation of the insurance industry, Ema answers pressing questions about the future of AI for claims processing as technology grows and changes. Find out how carriers can combine these developments with a human touch to streamline processes and deliver exemplary customer service.

Disclaimer: The views expressed by third-party guests of The Savvy Adjuster Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts and opinions of Alpine Intel or this podcast. The material presented is for general informational purposes only.

Discussed in This Episode

  • The growing significance of AI
  • How adjusting jobs will change as technology develops
  • How digital changes affect customer service
  • How carriers can use digital literacy to streamline processes
  • Examples of how to leverage and grow AI in insurance claims

Additional Resources

Additional Digital Literacy Resources:

Take 10: Solar Equipment Investigations17 Jul 202400:11:44

Alpine Intel Technical Education Manager Jay Dykstra once again joins host Whitney Boles to discuss some of the more technical aspects of solar equipment. They talk more in-depth about why the often-claimed phrase “solar panels” doesn’t begin to cover the different parts of the equipment you might see in claims – as well the experience that kickstarted Jay’s solar interest.

Additional Resources

Additional Solar Equipment Resources:

Solar Equipment Investigations03 Jul 202400:39:15

Host Whitney Boles is joined in this episode of Alpine Intel’s The Savvy Adjuster Podcast by Alpine Intel Technical Education Manager Jay Dykstra and Donan Senior Forensic Engineer Gary Woodall to talk about solar equipment that appears in property insurance claims. Find out the difference between solar panels and solar arrays, what questions to ask when you’re handling a solar equipment claim, and what you can expect from your expert assessment. 

Discussed in This Episode

  • The growing significance of solar panel claims
  • Safety considerations during inspections
  • Identifying and testing solar equipment
  • Repair vs. replacement recommendations and pricing
  • Key solar equipment terms
  • The solar equipment inspection process and frequent causes of loss
  • Real examples of solar investigations

Additional Resources

Additional Solar Equipment Resources:

Take 10: CAT Claims and Assessments19 Jun 202400:11:14

CAT claims put a lot of strain on policyholders, insurance professionals, and property assessors, but there are ways to make life a little easier in stressful times. Alpine Intel Technical Education Trainer Kevin Huelsman and Donan Principal Engineer John Miller are back with The Savvy Adjuster Podcast host Chris Nichols to share five things adjusters can do to reduce stress and keep things moving efficiently when dealing with high claim volume.

Additional Resources

Additional CAT Resources:

CAT Claims and Assessments05 Jun 202400:43:02

In this episode of Alpine Intel’s The Savvy Adjuster Podcast, host Chris Nichols discusses CAT property claims and assessments with Alpine Intel Technical Education Trainer Kevin Huelsman and Donan Principal Engineer John Miller. What qualifies as a catastrophe, and who defines it? How can carriers make sure they’re ready to handle the claim volume that comes with these events – and that their assessment partners are, too? Get these answers and more to help adjusters handle a heavy influx of claims due to catastrophic events like tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods in this episode.

Discussed in this Episode

  • CAT classification for insurance carriers and assessment companies
  • How carriers and adjusters can prepare for CAT claims
  • What makes an efficient assessment vendor in high volume times
  • How CAT assessments differ from everyday property claims and how engineers should train
  • Real examples of CAT insurance investigations 

Additional Resources

Additional CAT Resources:

Vehicle Fire Investigations01 May 202400:37:37

In this episode of Alpine Intel’s The Savvy Adjuster Podcast, host Whitney Boles is joined by National Fire Experts Fire Operations Manager John Hill and Senior Auto Account Executive Joe Cosgrove to talk about vehicle fires. They cover technology adjusters may see their experts use in these claims, which questions are important to ask, what fire investigators look for onsite, special considerations for electric vehicles, how evidence should be preserved for vehicle fire investigations and potential subrogation, and more.

Discussed in this Episode

  • How vehicle fire investigations compare to structural fires
  • How EDR may come into play during a vehicle fire investigation
  • What questions investigators and adjusters should ask during the claim process
  • Common causes of vehicle fires
  • How evidence should be preserved for accurate vehicle fire investigations and potential subrogation
  • Electric vehicle (EV) fires and their industry impact
  • Real vehicle fire stories from the field

Additional Resources

Additional Vehicle Fire Resources:

Take 10: Large Loss Fire Investigations17 Apr 202400:10:59

A lot of the work to effectively handle large loss fire claims comes before the fire has even occurred by putting a process in place. Lead Fire Investigators Shawn Williams and Jim Sielehr from National Fire Experts once again join host Chris Nichols to share some tips insurance professionals can use to make a plan of action that helps these complex claims proceed efficiently, including lining up partners, being aware of pitfalls, and knowing budgetary constraints.

Additional Resources

Additional Fire Investigation Resources:

Large Loss Fire Investigations03 Apr 202400:37:28

In this episode of Alpine Intel’s The Savvy Adjuster Podcast, host Chris Nichols speaks with Lead Fire Investigators Shawn Williams and Jim Sielehr from National Fire Experts. They discuss the unique considerations of a large loss fire, how other parties factor into the process, and how adjusters can ensure they’re picking an assessment partner who’s prepared to handle the complexities of these claims.

Discussed in this Episode

  • What constitutes a large loss fire claim?
  • What other interested parties – and their representatives – may be involved
  • What adjusters should look for in a fire assessment partner
  • Common causes of large loss fire claims
  • Typical large loss fire assessments step by step
  • Real stories from National Fire Experts large loss investigations

Additional Resources

Additional Fire Investigation Resources:

Take 10: Hail Damage and Collateral Indicators20 Mar 202400:09:26

In this episode of Alpine Intel’s The Savvy Adjuster Podcast, Donan Principal Forensic Engineer Marvin Aiken and HVACi Field Operations Manager Joe Brinlee bring their expertise to a follow-up conversation about collateral indicators with host Whitney Boles. After a quick recap of hail, they discuss how other weather phenomena like wind and flooding can impact collaterals. Listen to learn why accurate cause of loss determinations require comprehensive assessments.

Additional Resources

Additional Resources for Hail, Wind, and Flooding:

Hail Damage and Collateral Indicators06 Mar 202400:36:29

In this episode of Alpine Intel’s The Savvy Adjuster Podcast, host Whitney Boles is joined by Donan Principal Forensic Engineer Marvin Aiken and HVACi Field Operations Manager Joe Brinlee. They explain why inspecting collateral indicators is important to hail assessments of roofs, structures, and HVAC equipment; the difference between cosmetic impacts and functional hail damage; and when adjusters should consider claim support from both a forensic engineer and an HVAC expert.

Discussed in this Episode

  • What are collateral indicators, and why do they matter to your claim?
  • How experts identify cosmetic impacts vs. functional damage
  • Other causes of loss frequently reported as hail damage
  • When a claim can benefit from both a structural and an HVAC inspection
  • Real examples of how collateral indicators have been valuable to Alpine Intel assessments

Additional Resources

Additional Structural and HVAC Hail Resources:

Take 5: Plumbing Damage and Subrogation21 Feb 202400:16:48

So you need an inspection to determine if your claim’s product loss has subrogation potential. Following up on their rundown of how carriers can benefit from identifying subro. David Riggs, Chief Operations Officer for Engineering, Fire Investigations, and CTL; and Professional Engineer Adrian France once again chat with host Chris Nichols – this time to outline the process for adjusters from first notice of loss to storage after an inspection.

Additional Resources

Additional Plumbing and Subro Resources:

Plumbing Losses and Subrogation07 Feb 202400:46:55

In this episode of Alpine Intel’s The Savvy Adjuster Podcast, host Chris Nichols speaks with David Riggs, Chief Operations Officer for Engineering, Fire Investigations, and CTL; and Professional Engineer Adrian France. They delve into the importance of identifying subrogation potential, common plumbing losses seen in the Component Testing Lab (CTL), what the experts look for to determine if the failure was caused by a manufacturer’s defect, and exploding toilets! Listen and learn what steps you can take to protect your plumbing evidence and more to ensure you don’t let subro opportunities pass you by.

Discussed in this Episode

  • What is subrogation?
  • How experts identify the cause of failure based on received evidence
  • How to protect evidence against spoliation
  • Common plumbing conditions assessed at CTL
  • Real stories of how Alpine Intel has helped with subrogation

Additional Resources

Additional Plumbing and Subro Resources:

Take 5: 5 Non-Weather-Related Indicators of Damage to HVAC Equipment31 Jan 202400:12:18

Many indicators of damages to HVAC systems can be found via visual inspection. Following up on their discussion about various weather-related perils in episode 3, Alpine Intel’s Technical Director Curt VanNess and Technical Field Manager Chris Molnar join host Whitney Boles once again for a brief look at other causes of loss that evidence surrounding these systems may indicate.

Additional Resources

Additional HVAC Fundamentals:

HVAC Systems 10118 Jan 202400:43:45

The Savvy Adjuster Podcast host Whitney Boles speaks with Alpine Intel’s Technical Director Curt VanNess and Technical Field Manager Chris Molnar about HVAC equipment and their experiences with HVACi and beyond. They discuss the fundamentals of common HVAC systems and how adjusters can address claims that include them in the face of changes in climate, codes, and technology.

Discussed in this Episode

  • HVAC equipment common in geographical regions
  • How codes and regulations affect repairs vs. replacement
  • Residential vs. commercial inspections for claims
  • How weather conditions can affect HAVC equipment
  • How arcing and other electrical damage manifest on equipment
  • Hints the surrounding area provides during an HVAC assessment
  • What an HVAC assessment offers and examples of real inspections

Additional Resources

Additional HVAC Fundamentals:

Take 5: Indicators of Wind Damage Not Found On the Roof10 Jan 202400:16:23

Evidence of winds strong enough to damage shingles goes beyond the roof. In this mini episode, Chris follows up with Kevin Huelsman and Gary Ellis about collateral indicators, weather data, and other evidence the experts look at to verify claimed wind damage.

Additional Resources

Additional Wind and Roofing Resources:

Wind Damage to Asphalt Shingles28 Dec 202300:47:28

The Savvy Adjuster Podcast Host Chris Nichols speaks with Alpine Intel’s Technical Education Trainer Kevin Huelsman and Donan Engineering Professional Engineer Gary Ellis about the big questions surrounding wind damage to asphalt shingle roofs, including evidence of wind damage, variables influencing shingle lifespan, other common causes of loss, and why an assessment by an expert can help adjusters make accurate and fair decisions about these claims.

Discussed in this Episode

  • How to define wind damage [05:25]
  • Why shingles exhibit wind damage the way they do [10:45]
  • What variables influence the shingles’ lifespan [12:35]
  • Other causes of loss frequently claimed as wind damage [24:14]
  • Which conditions are most likely to generate roof claims [34:30]
  • Real examples of wind-related roofing assessments [39:47]

Additional Resources

Additional Wind and Roofing Resources:

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