I went to the NFIP seminar in Ontario, California, on Tuesday.  Little did I know that I would meet such luminaries in the CADO firmament as Bob Harvey and Steve Beaumont for the first time.  And I think the convenor considered Leland to be a bit of a troublemaker when it came to discussions of marble countertops.  It's great to be able to put a visual with the names I've seen so often on CADO. 

I excused myself from the seminar in the late morning to make a phone call and accept a permanent position as a claims analyst with Insurance Company of the West in San Diego.  So, in two weeks I will be leaving the ranks of the self employed.  It has been a wild ride these last ten years, and I will miss it in some ways.  But I won't miss wondering if I will be able to put food on the table or pay my bills, or if I will ever work again.

Checking in to CADO will likely continue to be a regular part of my routine because I will need to make decisions concerning use of independent adjusters and catadjusters.  Since I haven't been on CADO nearly enough since January 1, here's wishing everyone a profitable and safe new year.

The seminar was actually sort of entertaining.  It's the last couple years of trying to keep assignments lined up that was depressing, Larry.

I really enjoyed meeting Steve, Bob and Leland at the seminar and just wish we had more time that we could have gotten together to get to know each other better.  I agree that it is nice to put a face to the many posts that you read on here.  I would recommend that anyone going to either one of the NFIP seminars or one of the other conventions/meetings between now and summer, post that they are going and try to see if you can get together with other CADO members at it and get to know them.  I've enjoyed doing that the times I have, whether it be at the CADO convention or just getting together for dinner/drinks at the local Outback.  It is also a great way to learn about other vendors out there, and learn some things that may not be reduced to writing here on a public forum.

Steve, you will be greatly missed in the IA ranks, which I'm sure you have heard from Hart Hubbard by now.  I don't know if your new employer is a national or regional carrier, but hopefully you will be able to continue to get out to some cat sites in the future from time to time and keep in contact with us poor souls that remain in the IA field. And above all, enjoy the bennies at the new job.  Never under estimate the value of good benefits!

As far as the flood seminar went, I think this years presentation was the most interesting I have ever seen.  I always considered the seminar about the least desirable way to spend 6-8 hours, but the way they put it on this year made it enjoyable.  It is basically the exact same material as before (I haven't been to one for a couple years), but the presentation made all the difference.  A couple of the presenters were with the company that administers the flood program (Computer Science Corp I think) and they just lost their contract with FEMA so they will no longer be involved after May/June.  Don't know who will take their place yet.  If you are anywhere close to a seminar, I'd highly recommend attending.  Probably the cheapest way to get 8 CE hrs also.  And by the way, in the future, attendance of a seminar EVERY YEAR will be required to maintain your certification.

Hi Folks, it was awesome to see each of you at the NFIP meeting. Personally - I preferred the State Farm presentations by Mike Ferrier (SF Flood Guru) because he would focus on the real world. "This is what you need to know" and 99% of the words out of his mouth were what you were going to apply in the field. Those guys putting on this years presentation seemed like they just liked to hear themselves talking (with the exception of Dave Gelman the General Adjuster - he shared some useful info).

Yeah - that was odd. Like he just couldn't care less about State law...

All I can say is that they MEAN IT when they say a garage is not covered if it has a toilet. Or a washing machine, or a refrigerator.

It's brutal, but it's their interpretation of page 3 of the policy (a detached GARAGE).  Your right - it doesn't specifically mention toilets, etc.  They want a garage to be just for cars, and it was enforced at my table working flood claims. They see an appliance in the photo of a garage - and that detached structure is not covered.  They expect that detached structure to have it's own policy if it has a toilet - and I wonder how many agents really know that when they write the risk.  If the policy spelled out that a toilet or washing machine disqualifies it, then there is more disclosure.

Reminds me of my favorite quote out of that meeting Tuesday by the speaker:  "There's a whole lot of hurt in the world" (as a lubricant to why your claim is denied, or depreciation severe on ACV only claim).

"There's a whole lot of hurt in the world", those infamous words which were attributed to the infamous Dick Allen, or Dick Wiskers as we used to call him eons ago.  Have not heard that expression for a long time, just like having a parrot on your shoulder when you deal with a GC,

Steve, i'm pleased to hear that you are now sucessfully employed by a carrier, perhaps you can teach them some things you can share some commentary after awhile.

Our original meeting , many years ago was extremely pleasant and personally your commentaries and insight here on CADO have been awesome. Best wishes for continued success in all of your enveavors.

(may want to be a brain surgeon next? )

There will be a NFIP seminar at the Florida Windstorm Conference 2-4 to 2-7-2008 in Jacksonville, FL and it would be great to see some other CADO members there.

Again best wishes and "Godspeed"

I will be at the NFIP session on March 19th in Humble. TX and would like to meet all the CADO, ClaimsMentor and NACA folks for lunch, cocktail hour or both.Send me a email.... rayhall@kingwoodcable.net            all the best to Steve,slip & fall Hall

Ray,

I will also be at the humble seminar hope to see you there. my email is deangelonow@aol.com

Just arrived in Seattle, so looking forward to the flood presentation tomorrow.

Janice and I will be at the Southhaven, MS.,  NFIP meeting on March 11,2008. If anyone else is attending, we would love to meet you. See you there.