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In this episode of The Art of Adjusting® Podcast, hosts William Auten and Chantal Roberts welcome Marty Shaw, RCA, BCMA, TRAQ, TPAQ, a globally recognized consulting arborist and author of The Professional Amenity Plant Appraisal Handbook. With nearly three decades of consulting experience, Marty is one of the few arborists worldwide who consults full-time, offering his expertise to private landowners, insurance companies, attorneys, and various organizations.

Key Topics Covered:

• Tree Liability for Property Owners: Marty explains the responsibilities of property owners to inspect and mitigate tree hazards to prevent liability issues.
• Tree Risk Management Policies: Discover how municipalities, golf courses, and large property owners can implement effective policies to manage tree-related risks.
• Valuation of Trees: Learn about the differences between amenity value and timber value and the methods used to calculate the worth of trees in residential and commercial contexts.
• Large Tree Transplantation: Marty discusses the feasibility and limitations of moving large, mature trees.
• Tree Claims and Litigation: Explore the complexities of tree-related insurance claims, the nuances of contracts, and the importance of seeking expert advice for precision logging or appraisal cases.

Marty also shares insights into the different levels of tree inspections, from basic drive-by assessments to detailed structural evaluations using advanced equipment. He provides actionable advice for adjusters, property owners, and insurers on how to navigate tree-related liability claims effectively.

About Marty Shaw
Marty Shaw, the first Academy Registered Consulting Arborist in Middle Tennessee, is a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) and the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council. Marty is sought after for his expertise in complex and high-profile cases across the U.S. and offers services as an expert witness for tree-related matters.

Contact Marty Shaw:

• Website: https://www.proapah.com
• Email: Expert@greenseasonconsulting.com
• Mobile: 615-477-7889 | Office: 615-794-4377
• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 680716, Franklin, TN 37068

For more information about Marty’s book, The Professional Amenity Plant Appraisal Handbook, visit https://www.proapah.com.

Connect with The Art of Adjusting® Podcast
Join hosts William Auten and Chantal Roberts for this insightful discussion on tree liability, risk management, and valuation. Don’t miss this essential conversation packed with practical advice for adjusters, property owners, and anyone navigating tree-related liability. Subscribe to The Art of Adjusting® on your favorite pod

For more insights, you might consider a career in liability adjusting or if you're searching for reliable adjusting services, visit Auten Claims Management.

To explore more about Chantal Roberts and her contributions to the industry, visit CMR Consulting.

Promotions:

• Once Upon a Claim: Explore the magical world of claims adjusting through fairy tales. Get your copy now.
• The Art of Adjusting®: Master the art of claims adjusting with practical insights and expert advice. Purchase here.

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In this episode, William and Chantal dive into the critical issue of confirmation bias in insurance claims handling. They explore how biases—both conscious and unconscious—can affect claims processes, leading to misinterpretations and errors. Drawing from their extensive experience, they highlight the importance of:

• Peer Review Processes: Chantal emphasizes the value of roundtables and diverse teams in claims review to challenge assumptions and avoid groupthink.
• Open-Minded Investigations: William shares insights on maintaining objectivity and considering alternative perspectives when evaluating claims, especially in scenarios involving slip and falls, tree falls, and food poisoning.
• Agent Biases: The discussion addresses how agents’ vested interests in maintaining clean loss histories can inadvertently lead to errors or biases, and why coverage decisions should remain in the adjuster’s purview.
• Avoiding Groupthink: Together, they stress the need for varied viewpoints in claims handling to ensure accuracy and comprehensive evaluations.

The episode also touches on the role of communication in managing biases, with Chantal and William sharing personal anecdotes about overcoming their own assumptions.

For further insights, check out William’s blog post, “Addressing Confirmation Bias in Claims”, where he takes a deeper look into the challenges and strategies for overcoming biases in the claims process.

Tune in to learn how to identify and mitigate confirmation bias, avoid groupthink, and enhance the objectivity of your claims handling process. Don’t miss this insightful discussion!

For more insights, you might consider a career in liability adjusting or if you're searching for reliable adjusting services, visit Auten Claims Management.

To explore more about Chantal Roberts and her contributions to the industry, visit CMR Consulting.

Promotions:

• Once Upon a Claim: Explore the magical world of claims adjusting through fairy tales. Get your copy now.
• The Art of Adjusting®: Master the art of claims adjusting with practical insights and expert advice. Purchase here.

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In this Thanksgiving-themed episode of The Art of Adjusting®, hosts Chantal Roberts and William Auten reflect on gratitude, from personal appreciation to professional growth. They discuss health insurance complexities, health insurance, document management strategies, and evolving practices in the insurance industry, including the power of storytelling in claims.

With warm anecdotes about Thanksgiving plans, a family graduation, and humorous industry moments, they also explore future topics like Medicare and CMS. This episode blends heartfelt gratitude with practical insights, making it a thoughtful listen for adjusters and insurance professionals alike.

Tune in as they share lessons on balancing life, work, and growth in the claims industry!

For more insights, you might consider a career in liability adjusting or if you're searching for reliable adjusting services, visit Auten Claims Management.

To explore more about Chantal Roberts and her contributions to the industry, visit CMR Consulting.

Promotions:

• Once Upon a Claim: Explore the magical world of claims adjusting through fairy tales. Get your copy now.
• The Art of Adjusting®: Master the art of claims adjusting with practical insights and expert advice. Purchase here.

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In this episode of The Art of Adjusting® Podcast, host Bill Auten takes listeners on a detailed journey through the complexities of evaluating damages in liability claims. Perfect for claims adjusters, legal professionals, and anyone interested in the finer points of claims management, this episode unpacks how to determine fair compensation for both property and bodily injury cases.

Bill explains the distinctions between "special damages" (such as medical costs and lost wages) and "general damages" (including pain and suffering) and provides guidance on balancing objectivity with empathy. Through real-world examples, he covers important principles like the "single recovery principle," ensuring all aspects of a claim are settled comprehensively, and the claimant's responsibility to "mitigate damages" to avoid unnecessary costs.

Listeners will gain insights into how regional law differences, the challenges of evaluating permanent injuries, and various factors can influence claim values. Bill shares practical guidance for adjusters who must consider not only financial costs but also the personal impact on claimants' lives. From calculating loss of earning capacity to addressing intangible impacts like pain and lifestyle changes, this episode serves as a complete guide to assessing damages with fairness and accuracy.

Tune in to discover the expertise required to evaluate damages thoughtfully and ethically in liability claims, revealing the art and precision behind every decision.

For more insights, you might consider a career in liability adjusting or if you're searching for reliable adjusting services, visit Auten Claims Management.

To explore more about Chantal Roberts and her contributions to the industry, visit CMR Consulting.

Promotions:

• Once Upon a Claim: Explore the magical world of claims adjusting through fairy tales. Get your copy now.
• The Art of Adjusting®: Master the art of claims adjusting with practical insights and expert advice. Purchase here.

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In this insightful episode of The Art of Adjusting®, hosts Chantal Roberts and William Auten are joined by David Princeton, principal consultant at Advocate Claim Service, to discuss the complex roles of public adjusters in the insurance industry. They explore the profession’s intricacies, emphasizing the crucial roles of transparency and ethical standards.

David clarifies the often misunderstood position of public adjusters, addressing the stigma of their perceived opposition to carrier adjusters. He highlights a shared goal among all adjusters: to settle claims fairly and uphold high ethical standards, fostering collaboration across the industry.

The conversation covers 'direct physical loss' in insurance policies, its impact on actual and consequential damages, and the importance of accurate documentation to avoid estimate inflation. They also examine the concept of indemnity, focusing on depreciating electronic items, and David introduces a historical perspective on replacement cost policies versus Actual Cash Value, setting the stage for future in-depth discussions.

The trio discusses the challenges of estimating repair and replacement costs, emphasizing the need for clear communication between field and desk adjusters to bridge interpretation gaps and prevent estimation extremes.

They conclude by discussing strategies to manage resistance and gamesmanship in post-disaster restorations, stressing transparency and ethical practices. David commits to further exploring historical insurance valuation cases, and Chantal plans to feature his insights in her risk management class.

This episode not only highlights the essential roles and responsibilities within the insurance claims industry but also emphasizes the importance of collaboration and ethical conduct for effective and fair outcomes.

Our guest's information:

David R. Princeton, CPCU, AMIM, AIC, CSRP
Principal Consultant
Advocate Claim Service, LLC.
(414)841-6462
David@AdvocateClaimService.com
www.AdvocateClaimService.com

For more insights, you might consider a career in liability adjusting or if you're searching for reliable adjusting services, visit Auten Claims Management.

To explore more about Chantal Roberts and her contributions to the industry, visit CMR Consulting.

Promotions:

• Once Upon a Claim: Explore the magical world of claims adjusting through fairy tales. Get your copy now.
• The Art of Adjusting®: Master the art of claims adjusting with practical insights and expert advice. Purchase here.

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In this episode of The Art of Adjusting®, William Auten takes a deep dive into one of the most common liability claims: slip and fall cases, particularly those involving snow and ice conditions. William outlines five essential defenses adjusters and attorneys must consider when investigating these claims, such as the storm in progress doctrine, non-delegable duties of property owners, and proving causation with concrete evidence. This episode highlights the importance of regular inspections, proper maintenance protocols, and thorough documentation. William shares valuable insights on how industries like insurance, property management, and snow removal can reduce liability risks through well-documented maintenance efforts and innovative technology solutions. Tune in for a concise yet impactful discussion that will leave you better equipped to handle slip and fall claims.

For more insights, you might consider a career in liability adjusting or if you're searching for reliable adjusting services, visit Auten Claims Management.

To explore more about Chantal Roberts and her contributions to the industry, visit CMR Consulting.

Promotions:

• Once Upon a Claim: Explore the magical world of claims adjusting through fairy tales. Get your copy now.
• The Art of Adjusting®: Master the art of claims adjusting with practical insights and expert advice. Purchase here.

Send us a text

In this episode, Chantal and William share their personal journeys into the world of claims adjusting, offering insight into what fuels their passion for the profession. They explore the fulfilling aspects of the job, memorable cases that have left a lasting impact, and the unique challenges that come with navigating difficult situations. From stories of overcoming obstacles to advice for future adjusters, this episode provides a heartfelt look at the rewards of a career in adjusting, along with a glimpse into the future of the industry. Whether you're an experienced adjuster or considering entering the field, this episode will inspire and inform.

For more insights, you might consider a career in liability adjusting or if you're searching for reliable adjusting services, visit Auten Claims Management.

To explore more about Chantal Roberts and her contributions to the industry, visit CMR Consulting.

Promotions:

• Once Upon a Claim: Explore the magical world of claims adjusting through fairy tales. Get your copy now.
• The Art of Adjusting®: Master the art of claims adjusting with practical insights and expert advice. Purchase here.

Send us a text

Join hosts Chantal Roberts and William Auten as they celebrate the 50th episode of The Art of Adjusting® podcast with an in-depth discussion on the world of multi-line adjusting. They break down the benefits of holding a general adjuster’s license and the flexibility it brings, while also exploring the unique challenges of handling both property and liability claims. Chantal and William share their insights on the investigative nature of liability work, the realities faced by independent adjusters, and the importance of mentorship and continuous learning. Additionally, the episode highlights the unique experiences of female adjusters and dives into the complexities of determining claim values. Whether you're new to the industry or a seasoned professional, this episode is packed with practical advice and expert knowledge.

Looking for work as an IA? Join our roster!

For more insights, you might consider a career in liability adjusting or if you're searching for reliable adjusting services, visit Auten Claims Management.

To explore more about Chantal Roberts and her contributions to the industry, visit CMR Consulting.

Promotions:

• Once Upon a Claim: Explore the magical world of claims adjusting through fairy tales. Get your copy now.
• The Art of Adjusting®: Master the art of claims adjusting with practical insights and expert advice. Purchase here.