Seems unnecessary to retain a cause and origin expert to investigate a water loss.  Both the insured and field adjuster have identified the “cause” and “origin” simply by observing water leaking from the water supply line.  Should the adjuster then simply collect the subject water supply line and ship it off to a vendor for...

Technology is advancing and so are subrogation investigations.  We are seeing investigations of losses and presentations for recovery make use of new technology, including laser scanning, 3D imaging, Lidar, drones, etc.  Some tech can come at a high expense, but as the tech becomes more available, it will become standard use in the industry.  For...

The world is watching live updates of the destruction, as flames take over the Norte Dame Cathedral fire in Paris, France.  Not every building fire or water loss captures media attention, not even the local news broadcast.  However, conducting a search for newspaper articles, news broadcasts, fire department facebook updates, police department twitter feeds, etc. can...

A recent federal court ruling offers a reminder that subrogating carriers need to be careful when disclosing expert opinions. The case, Columbia Grain v. Hinrichs Trading et al. (D. Idaho 2015), involved a fire in a garbanzo bean elevator. The plaintiff’s expert opined that a failed bearing ignited garbanzo bean dust, which smoldered for two...