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Hawaii Declaration from the State Insurance Commissioner regarding assistance of nonresident independent adjusters due to fires across the state

"Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes (“HRS”)§ 431:9-201(b), Insurance Commissioner Gordon I. Ito is issuing this declaration authorizing temporary assistance of nonresident independent adjusters due to fires across the State. The Insurance Commissioner has decided to allow nonresident independent adjusters to operate in the State temporarily to help handle the amount of work due to the fires. The Insurance Commissioner wants to ensure that adjusters and insurance companies can and will timely respond to property owners’ needs."


NOAA predicts above-normal 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season

Ongoing La Niña, above-average Atlantic temperatures set the stage for busy season ahead

Forecasters at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, are predicting above-average hurricane activity this year — which would make it the seventh consecutive above-average hurricane season. NOAA’s outlook for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, which extends from June 1 to November 30, predicts a 65% chance of an above-normal season, a 25% chance of a near-normal season and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.


NOAA updated 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook

August 6, 2020 - Atmospheric and oceanic conditions are primed to fuel storm development in the Atlantic, leading to what could be an “extremely active” season, according to forecasters with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service. Today, the agency released its annual August update to the Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook, initially issued in May.


EXTENDED RANGE FORECAST OF ATLANTIC SEASONAL HURRICANE ACTIVITY AND LANDFALL STRIKE PROBABILITY FOR 2020

Source:Department of Atmospheric Science Colorado State University

We anticipate that the 2020 Atlantic basin hurricane season will have above-normal activity. Current warm neutral ENSO conditions appear likely to transition to cool neutral ENSO or potentially even weak La Niña conditions by this summer/fall. Sea surface temperatures averaged across the tropical Atlantic are somewhat above normal. Our Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation index is below its long-term average; however, most of the tropical Atlantic is warmer than normal. We anticipate an above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean. As is the case with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them. They should prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted.

 


Texas Department of Insurance Commissioner’s Bulletin # B-0008-20

Re: COVID-19: Suspension of certain licensing requirements and fees

The below is from the bulletin.

March 24, 2020

To:   All TDI-regulated carriers, agents, adjusters, and licensees

Re:   COVID-19: Suspension of certain licensing requirements and fees

On March 13, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor authorized the use of all available state and local government resources necessary to cope with the disaster.

TDI expects carriers to work with their policyholders as they prepare for and respond to the spread of COVID-19. Carriers should look to the Governor’s ongoing declarations related to COVID-19 for guidance on how long to extend relief.


Study: State insurance licensing reciprocity benefits everyone

Source: insurancebusinessmag.com

A new study has found that the current system of licensing regulations for independent claims adjusters is causing more harm than help for the industry.

The study, entitled “Breaking Down Barriers” by Pacific Research Institute, found that the average claims adjuster holds between 10 and 12 different state licenses. This can set them back as much as $1,000 each. The study pointed out that these “costly, burdensome state requirements” make it more difficult for adjusters to operate across states, while driving up costs for consumers and limiting the opportunities for new adjusters.

At present, 34 states require independent adjusters to hold a license, the Association of Claims Professionals (ACP) reported.

Source: insurancebusinessmag.com 


Atmospheric River Brings Dangerous Flash Flooding and Heavy Mountain Snow to Central and Southern California

Source: National Weather Service

"A strong Pacific storm system will bring impactful and dangerous flooding rains, heavy snow, strong winds, coastal flooding, and high surf to California. Heavy rainfall will bring the threat for life-threatening flash, urban, and river flooding as well as debris flows and mudslides. High elevation snow may produce whiteout conditions and dangerous, near impossible travel conditions"

The source of the above is the NWS


M 6.4 - 15km WSW of Ferndale, CA

M 6.4 Earthquake occurred 2022-12-20 10:34:24 (UTC) near Ferndale, CA

Below is the FEMA Situation, issued today in the FEMA Daily Operations Briefing

Situation: At 5:35 a.m. ET a magnitude 6.4 (MMI VII) earthquake occurred 7.7 miles west-southwest of Ferndale (Humboldt County), CA at a depth of 10 miles. A Green PAGER was issued for shaking-related fatalities. A Yellow PAGER alert was issued for shaking-related for economic losses. There have been no request for FEMA assistance.


NFIP Adjuster Fee Schedules – Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Revision

This information and the attachment is from the NFIP Write Your Own (WYO) Bulletin W-22001 issued 8/9/2022

"FEMA is pleased to announce the release of the 2023 NFIP Adjuster and Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) Fee Schedules.

Federal regulation requires fee schedule revisions to align with a new FY WYO Financial Arrangement. The FY2023 Arrangement will be effective October 1, 2022; therefore, the 2023 NFIP Adjuster and ICC Fee Schedules will apply to claims with dates of loss on or after October 1, 2022. FEMA is providing the notice well in advance to allow WYOs and the NFIP Direct time for system updates.

 


Update to Florida Senate Bill 4D Concerning Roof Repairs

Summary of SB

" The bill requires the Florida Building Code to provide that when 25 percent or more of a roofing system or roof section is being repaired, replaced, or recovered, only the portion of the roofing system or roof section undergoing such work need be constructed in accordance with the current Florida Building Code in effect at the time of such work. This new provision applies only to roof systems and roof sections built, repaired, or replaced in accordance with the requirements of the 2007 Florida Building Code or subsequent editions. The provision revises the current Florida Building Code which requires that not more than 25 percent of the total roof area or roof section, of any existing building or structure, may be repaired, replaced, or recovered in any 12-month period—unless the entire existing roofing system or roof section conforms to the current requirements of the Code."  


First tropical wave of the 2022 Season

Tropical Weather Discussion
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
1805 UTC Sun May 8 2022

...TROPICAL WAVES...
The first tropical wave of the season has emerged off the W coast of Africa this morning. It is currently located along 14W S of 10N this morning, moving W at 10 kts. Numerous scattered to isolated strong convection is observed from 02N to 08N between the coast of Africa and 22W. Tropical wave guidance has it moving westward over the next 24-48 hours, crossing well S of the Cabo Verde Islands.


Atlantic hurricane season shows no signs of slowing

NOAA's 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season Update

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season is well underway, and atmospheric and oceanic conditions remain conducive for an above-average hurricane season, according to the annual mid-season update issued by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service. 

The latest outlook reflects that the number of expected named storms (winds of 39 mph or greater) is 15-21, including 7-10 hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or greater), of which 3-5 could become major hurricanes (Category 3, 4, or 5 with winds 111 mph or greater). This updated outlook includes the 5 named storms that have formed so far, with Hurricane Elsa becoming the earliest 5th named storm on record.


Magnitude 6.0 Earthquake in California

Release Date: 

magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Little Antelope Valley, California near the Nevada border on July 8, 2021 at 3:49pm local time (July 8 at 22:49 UTC). Seismic instruments indicate the earthquake originated at a depth of 6 miles (9.8 kilometers).

The earthquake struck about 20 miles southwest of Smith Valley, NV. Perceived shaking for the quake was very strong. The event was widely felt, with close to 15,000 "Did You Feel It?" reports thus far submitted.

USGS scientists expect that this event will trigger aftershocks, but these will decrease in frequency over time. See the aftershock forecast for details.

Source: USGS


Florida Senate Bill 76 - Property Insurance

GENERAL BILL by Rules ; Judiciary ; Banking and Insurance ; Boyd ; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Brandes

Insurance; Prohibiting certain practices by contractors; prohibiting a contractor from executing a contract with a residential property owner for a roofing repair or replacement unless certain notice is included; requiring property insurers, effective a certain date, to include certain data regarding closed claims in their annual reports to the Office of Insurance Regulation; requiring the Property Insurance Corporation to include the costs of catastrophe reinsurance to its projected 100-year probable maximum loss in its rate calculations even if the corporation does not purchase such reinsurance, etc.

Effective Date: 7/1/2021
Last Action: 6/14/2021 - Chapter No. 2021-77


Earth just had its 7th-warmest January on record

Polar sea ice coverage was below average for the month

Source: NOAA 2/12/21 Article

True to trend, Mother Earth kicked off 2021 with a balmy January that ranked 7th-warmest in the temperature record, according to scientists with NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information.

Warmth took its toll on sea ice as well, with below-average ice coverage observed at both ends of the planet.

...

 


Wildfires – Western US

Source: FEMA - Updated 10/6

The information below is from the FEMA Daily Ops Briefing issued 10/06 @ 8:30 am

Situation: : Of the over 7 million acres burned, the National Watch Center continues to track 11 active fires that have burned nearly 2 million acres from the West Coast to the Rocky Mountains. Mandatory evacuations continue throughout the impacted regions. No reported unmet needs.


Commissioner Lara urges insurance companies to cover wildfire property losses without requiring a home inventory

California’s Commissioner 10-2-2020 Press Release

From the Press Release.
SACRAMENTO, Calif.
 — In response to California’s latest destructive fires, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is requesting that insurance companies help wildfire survivors who are overwhelmed with the task of navigating the claims process by providing up to 100 percent of personal property coverage limits without a detailed inventory to those who suffered a total loss of their home, similar to previous identical requests in past years.


Simsol’s Latest Build Release with the New NFIP Forms is Now Available

Source: Simsol Blog

Build Release 8.1.13 is now available for Simsol’s Property Estimating Software. The most significant improvements are the multi-page functionality and the new NFIP Forms for the Preliminary and Final Reports. The National Flood Insurance Program’s updated flood claim forms for adjusters were updated to improve readability to make it easier for policyholders to understand.

Source: Simsol website


FAQ

Listed below are some links to other blog post and articles on other sites.

Dimechimes ClaimSmentor Adjuster Information Blog 
 Organization Chart for the Claims Handling Blame Game- A Humorous Graph -A Serious Look at Claim Bad Faith Issues
 On the page the above link takes you to you will find links to some of her other articles at the end of the above article.
  

WHAT MAKES A GREAT CAT ADJUSTER?
Article written by John Postava
On the Ryze Claim Solutions webite

You can find additional post from John and Dimechimes in the CADO forums, they have made many post over the years contributing to the community by sharing their knowledge and experiance.

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