Schedule/Sessions

SESSION 1 - Identity Theft and Identity Fraud - Does It Affect Insurance Claims?

• Speakers:

• Maria Elena Abate, Colodny Fass, P.A.

• Stephen Jones, Admiral Insurance Company

• Mariela Perez-Pennock, Assurant

This panel discussion will provide real life examples of both identity theft and identity fraud and discuss how they impact insurance. The panelists will discuss the latest schemes and scams and emphasize the checks and balances need to be in place to combat a growing epidemic. Participants will be asked to join in the discussion and examine their own “risk” score. After the presentation, participants will be able to define Identity (ID) Theft and ID Fraud as well as recognize ID Theft/Fraud in several different lines of insurance. They will also be able to identify action steps to counter ID Theft/Fraud and how it applies to applications, claims and coverage.

SESSION 1 - Where's Waldo? Using Technology Tracking in Claims Investigations

• Speakers:

• Brett Kelley, Assurant

• Matthew J. Smith, Coalition Against Insurance Fraud

• Gene A. Weisberg, GladstoneWeisberg ALC

The technology explosion is dramatically changing how insurance claims involving potential fraud are being investigated and litigated. Insurance carriers who are “ahead of the curve” are using everything from smart phone and GPS tracking to consideration of drone technology as tools in the claim investigation process. As with any form of new technology new risks and concerns also arise. These range from government regulations to the need to update policy language and claims authorizations. This course will address all aspects of these and other new ways to successfully investigate and litigate insurance claims involving fraud.

Break

SESSION 2 - On the Record: The Value of Cell Phone Records in Suspicious Claims Investigations

• Speakers:

• Gianina Dimitriou, McDowell Shaw & Garcia

• Nancieanne Hopkins, Mercury Insurance Group

• Princess Spencer-Kuc, Renue Systems of Indiana

The course objective is to educate those working in Special Investigations in obtaining and using cell phone records in claims investigations. Participants will walk away with a better understanding as to why cell phone records are a powerful investigative tool, and how to better overcome the legal and practical obstacles faced in acquiring these records.

Break

SESSION 3 - The Black Car Blues: Investigating and Adjusting Potentially Fraudulent Claims Involving Suspected Rideshare Drivers

• Speakers:

• Stephanie Glickauf, Goodman McGuffey LLP

• Todd Keller, AFICS

• Valerie Moore, Self Employed

• Constance Woods, American Southern Insurance Company

Uber, Lyft, and Sidecar, etc. are “ridesharing services.” Through the each company’s own smartphone app, passengers request a ride from a driver who is driving their own car, not a taxi or limousine. The drivers receive passenger requests through the app, decide whether to take the fare, and pick up and drop off the passenger at the passenger’s desired location. Drivers turn on the app when they want to take fares and turn off the app when they’re done working for the day. At the end of the ride, the passenger’s credit card is automatically billed to a credit card on file with the company.

Although we’ll use the term “ridesharing companies” throughout our presentation and paper, most ridesharing companies describe themselves as “technology companies.” There are two significant implications of ridesharing companies’ self-description. First, if ridesharing companies self-identify as “technology companies” that connect passengers with drivers, not “transportation service providers”, liability coverage under the ridesharing company’s policy versus the driver’s personal auto policy becomes a complicated question. Second, the lack of available liability coverage due to commercial exclusions in personal auto policies can lead to fraud. We will discuss how and why and how to detect and prevent fraud.

Cocktail Networking