SINCE 1994 WITH SCA LIONS GATE HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER At McClellan Park 3410 Westover Street, Sacramento, CA 95652 @ The Sacramento Claims Association takes great pride in being able to give back to our local community at large. This year, the SCA Board has elected to contribute to two fine causes, as well as holding our annual FOOD DRIVE: • AlphaK9 - www.AlphaK9.org • Firefighters Burn Institute - www.ffburn.org • Sacramento Food Bank Alpha K9 is a Combat Disabled Veteran run Non-Profit organization dedicated to the principle of providing highly skilled and effective Service Dogs and Working Dogs to those whose lives depend on them. Decades of military service and real world experience has allowed the Alpha K9 team to witness firsthand the difficulties Veterans and those with Emotional Disabilities face. These experiences are the driving force behind the organization and the reason we adhere to the highest standards of training and ethics in the industry. The Firefighters Burn Institute is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organiza- tion founded by the Sacramento Area Firefighters Local 522 in 1973, for the purpose of establishing a local burn treatment facility; providing recovery programs for burn survivors; providing fire and burn prevention through public education; funding ed- ucation for burn team professionals, firefighters, and burn survivors; and supporting burn treatment and rehabilitation research. The Firefighters Burn Institute does not sell, exchange or otherwise disclose your information to any other organization — public, private or non-profit.
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w w w.SacramentoClaims.org
SINCE 1994 WITH SCASacramento Claims Association News Network
LIONS GATE HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER
At McClellan Park 3410 Westover Street, Sacramento, CA 95652
T h u r s d a y D e c e m b e r 1 1 , 2 0 1 4
SCA Holiday LuncheonJoin us for our annualCharitable Presentations
@The Sacramento Claims Association takes great pride in being able to give back to our local community at large. This year, the SCA Board has elected to contribute to two fine causes, as well as holding our annual FOOD DRIVE:
• AlphaK9 - www.AlphaK9.org• Firefighters Burn Institute - www.ffburn.org• Sacramento Food Bank
Alpha K9 is a Combat Disabled Veteran run Non-Profit
organization dedicated to the principle of providing highly skilled and effective Service Dogs and Working Dogs to those whose lives depend on them.Decades of military service and real world experience has allowed the Alpha K9 team to witness firsthand the difficulties Veterans and those with Emotional Disabilities face. These experiences are the driving force behind the organization and the reason we adhere to the highest standards of training and ethics in the industry.
The Firefighters Burn Institute is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organiza-tion founded by the Sacramento Area Firefighters Local 522 in 1973, for the purpose of establishing a local burn treatment facility; providing recovery programs for burn survivors; providing fire and burn prevention through public education; funding ed-ucation for burn team professionals, firefighters, and burn survivors; and supporting burn treatment and rehabilitation research.The Firefighters Burn Institute does not sell, exchange or otherwise disclose your information to any other organization — public, private or non-profit.
2 Sacramento Claims Association News Network • December 2014
President Vice President Secretary TreasurerYour 2014 SCA Executive Staff
Barbara Tyler, sclaCalifornia Fair Services Authority
Sacramento Claims Association News Network • December 2014 3
2014 SCA President Bob Battezzato
Happy Holidays from the Sacramento Claims Association. Myself and the entire Board wish you and yours the very best in this Holiday Season. We hope that your year was filled with great health, passion, memorable moments, growth and prosperity. We are all so fortunate to be able to get up every morning and decide to “attack the day” with an open mind and a spirit that is grounded in integrity and hard work. That is what your SCA tries to do each and every day with a Vision toward our Members and the value they demand. Throughout the year we have brought the member base a variety of educational seminars and luncheons. Ad-ditionally we have offered platforms for business networking and the exchange of ideas that help drive good business partnerships. With your input the SCA will continue to focus on its core Mission Statement and to provide quality education as its cornerstone for our audience. Continuing to add and build our membership is also a key focus for the SCA with continued outreach to the Insurance Adjuster community as well as others that we serve. By promoting “value-added” programs and events we can accomplish both the attrac-tion of our adjuster partners, the insurance community and gain the needed support of our vendor members. For our November luncheon we decided to reach out into the Liability area of the Insurance world. Larry Muzamel from the California Tow Truck Association was our guest speaker with several timely topics that affect the adjusting community when evaluating liability claims. We enjoyed having several new adjusters come to the meeting who now see firsthand the value of the SCA. Additionally they enjoyed networking with several member vendors to find out how they too can best help in their business. We will continue to develop our educational library and we welcome any and all suggestions you may have for educational
December Message from 2014 SCA President Bob Battezzato
continue page 6
‘tis The Season!
• Insurance Repair Specialists• Fire & Water Damage Reconstruction• 24/7 Emergency Service & Board-Up• Structural Investigations & Consulting
Sacramento Claims Association News Network • December 2014 5
Belfor Adds Estimator O’Shea & Marketing Rep Uhrenholt BELFOR Property Restoration General Manager, Grant Cody, is very excited to announce the addition of new Sacra-mento office Estimator Eddie O’Shea, and Melanie Uhrenholt as Sacramento’s new Marketing Representative.Estimator - Eddie O’Shea is a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving as an Infantry Squad Leader and a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. He began his profes-
sional carrier in new home building before entering into the full service restoration industry. Eddie has over 13 years construction experience of which include; Homeowner Service Representative, Construction Manager, Director of Quality and Safety, Mitigation /Construction Project Manager, Sr. Estimator, and General Manager. Eddie enjoys golfing, hunting, camping, playing softball, and spending time with his wife Ashley, and two children Kylee and Collin. He also has coached his daughter’s softball team over the last six years.
Eddie see’s the advantage of BELFOR’s size and structure as the worldwide leader in Property Restoration, and knows he is a perfect fit for the culture here in the Sacramento office. Eddie looks forward to maintaining and developing many friendships and relationships with all of our SCA members! Welcome Eddie! Eddie can be reached at [email protected].
Marketing Representative: Melanie Uhrenholt is a recent Chico State gradu-ate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. She knew it was important to start her professional career with a great company, and knows BELFOR is that company. In college she studied Business Management and Project Management and knows the importance of building and maintaining relationships. She loves getting to know people and would love to get to know you!
Melanie has always been hard-working but loves to balance her time with hiking and other outdoor activities. She likes to travel and explore as many areas of California as she can. She enjoys adventuring on the weekends and trying new restaurants. Melanie tells us that “BELFOR is a worldwide leader and I am proud to represent the company and all the members that make it possible!” Welcome Melanie!Melanie can be reached at [email protected] Property Restoration is a leader in restoring homes, facili-ties, and personal and mission-critical contents. “From emergency response, through structural drying and decontamination, and final rebuild, BELFOR is the Single Source for Emergency Service; Vital records; Duct Cleaning; Electronics and Machinery; Environmental Services; Mold; Reconstruction; Pre-planning and consulting,” ex-plains Mr. Cody. “Callers may reach us at 800.856.3333 any time,
6 Sacramento Claims Association News Network • December 2014
Happy Holidays
from
Association News Network
continued from page 3President’s Message
Bob BattezzatoBob Battezzato2013 President Sacramento Claims [email protected](530) 570-9070
content that the SCA can deliver. Please reach out to Steve Moore at; 916-418-9100 or [email protected] for a strong finish….we will be having our December Meet-ing that is traditionally our “GIVING & CHARITABLE” donation event. It is a wonderful meeting that is filled with hope, support and goodwill. It is part of the SCA that is so appropriate for this time of the year. Do to the strong support of our membership base we are able to give back to the community locally. With the memberships input we have selected 2 worthy non-profit charities that I am sure you will be grateful and proud of your SCA for supporting. Please come out to the December luncheon and be part of this great luncheon that is designed to promote the season of giving and to remind us all to be so very thankful.Please go to the SCA website to see our posted Mission Statement and more: www.sacramentoclaims.org.Remember, my door is always open,
RON HALL & ASSOCIATES, INCFIRE ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH
(800) 666-0622Tel(916) 635-3441
WWW.RHA-FIRE.COM
• Full Service Fire Investigation• Evidence Storage & Preservation• 7 Day Report Submission• Code Research11151 Sun Center Drive, Suite ARancho Cordova, CA 95670
day or night 365 days a year. A live operator will assist you with your loss. There are over 150 full service BELFOR locations across North America.”
K2GC Welcomes New EstimatorK2GC is very pleased to announce the addition of Estimator Donover Brewer Jr. to their team.Originally from Oakland, Donover holds a Business degree from Dominican University.Donover shared that he has a family member who worked for Farmers Insurance that led him to the position with K2GC. “I was honored to accomplish several awards for outstanding customer service with Farmers,” Mr. Brewer said.K2GC is a general contractor that specializes in water and fire re-construction. They do all scopes of remodeling for commercial and residential property, in addition to board ups throughout the East Bay and North Bay areas. “Big or small K2GC does it all!”“We are so happy to have Donover join the K2GC Family,” said K2GC President Ken Turner. “We know he will make a fabulous addition to our team. With his prior expertise and knowledge of the industry, there is no doubt he will bring to the table the professionalism and dedication that K2GC demands!“Donover is amazing at sketch, so looking forward to him sketching on!” Mr. Turner continued. Donover’s personal interests include sporting events, particularly the Oakland A’s and the RAIDERS !! K2GC Estimator, Donover Brewer, Jr., may be reached at: 925-250-1045, or [email protected]
Thursday, December 11, 2014Luncheon Meeting Annual Charities Donations & FOOD DRIVE- see page 9
8 Sacramento Claims Association News Network • December 2014
The Sacramento Claims Association welcomed Larry Muza-mel, Executive Director, California Tow Truck Association as their guest Speaker at their November 13, 2014 Luncheon Meeting.
Mr. Muzamel explained that the California Tow Truck Association an Organization “made up of many small Mom & Pop Tow Truck Businesses, and making ends meet is tough”. When an automobile has been towed as abandoned it can result in a costly endeavor for the tower. Muzamel explained that “California has no regulatory agency, vehicle licensing, nor driver licensing for the towing industry.” The Tow Truck Drivers Association, he stated, is working with the Legislation to bring some legislation to the table. AB306 brings Professionalism in Towing. This bill requires tow truck drivers that are picking up a vehicle from a storage yard to provide a copy of their Motor Carrier Permit. This verifies that they have at a minimum basic liability insurance & Workmans Compensation to the protect storage facility. Licensed Repossession Companies, he pointed out, are exempt from this regulation.
Liability Claims feature with Look at Towing Rates, Liens, and The California Move Over Law at November SCABy Lynna Harrison, Association News Network, Inc.
Barrish Pelham & associates, inc.Sacramento, California (916) 418-9100Truckee, California (530) 562-4266
He went on to explain that, when an automobile accident happens, the Highway Patrol is the first responder. How quickly they clear the roadway is up to the officer controlling the scene. Fire trucks are placed to protect people. The tow truck driver may not drive on the shoulder, which causes them to remain stuck in the traffic. After emergency vehicles are gone that leaves the tow truck drivers un-protected. “Slow down, and move over for tow trucks.” A new law to allow tow trucks to drive on the shoulder, he added, is critically needed. The California Tow Truck Association is working with the government to develop new laws.Statistically, he said, tow truck drivers are more likely to lose their lives than the Highway Patrol. Determining rates and responses
A. The CHP Area Commander shall establish tow districts for each class of tow truck to facilitate the distribution of calls & meet the needs of the CHP with regards to response time and availability of tow servicesB. Within each tow district, the Area Commander shall deter-mine the maximum response time, reasonable rates, minimum
number of trucks and any appli-cable addendum.Cars which have been involved in serious collisions often find their way into auctions and onto dealers’ lots. A permanent record of a severe accident warns poten-tial subsequent owners that a car has been damaged (and possibly repaired). Properly repaired and carefully inspected, a vehicle may be acceptable - but an improper
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Sacramento Claims Association News Network • December 2014 9
LIONS GATE HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER
At McClellan Park 3410 Westover Street, Sacramento, CA 95652
T h u r s d a y D e c e m b e r 1 1 , 2 0 1 4
For payment by cash or check at the door, please make your reservation now
3 Free to carrier personnel (donations to the SCA Charitable Fund in lieu of fee appreciated)3 $20 Independent Insurance Adjusters3 $32 Assoc. Members w/Reservations made by 11/10/14 3 $45 guests and after 11/10/14Secure your spot at: www.SacramentoClaims.org
11:30 a.m. Check-in Noon - 1p.m. Luncheon
SCA Holiday LuncheonJoin us for our annualCharitable Presentations
The Sacramento Claims Association takes great pride in being able to give back to our local community at large. Donations and revenues made throughout the year contribute to our ability to honor some of our community-based organiza-tions in the Sacramento area.This year, the SCA Board has elected to contribute to two fine causes:
• AlphaK9 - www.AlphaK9.org• Firefighters Burn Institute - www.ffburn.org
Join us as we welcome representatives from each of these groups at our final luncheon meeting of the year, Thursday, December 11, 2014.The SCA is also holding our annual Canned Food Drive at this meeting. Please bring non-perishable foods to contribute to the Sacramento Food Bank.
@
Alpha K9 is a Combat Disabled Veteran run Non-Profit
organization dedicated to the principle of providing highly skilled and effective Service Dogs and Working Dogs to those whose lives depend on them.Decades of military service and real world experience has allowed the Alpha K9 team to witness firsthand the difficulties Veterans and those with Emotional Disabilities face. These experiences are the driving force behind the organization and the reason we adhere to the highest standards of training and ethics in the industry.
The Firefighters Burn Institute is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organiza-tion founded by the Sacramento Area Firefighters Local 522 in 1973, for the purpose of establishing a local burn treatment facility; providing recovery programs for burn survivors; providing fire and burn prevention through public education; funding ed-ucation for burn team professionals, firefighters, and burn survivors; and supporting burn treatment and rehabilitation research.The Firefighters Burn Institute does not sell, exchange or otherwise disclose your information to any other organization — public, private or non-profit.
10 Sacramento Claims Association News Network • December 2014
Insurance Commissioner recommends lower pure premium rate than suggested by workers’ comp rating bureauNews From the California Department of Insurance
repair after a serious accident may leave the vehicle frame, body or key electrical and me-chanical systems in damaged or non-roadworthy condition.Cars are stolen off streets and pushed thru laws before legal documents are checked.Sometimes a slow process to find legal owners.December 11th will be the next Sacramento Claims Luncheon Meeting. Bring an un-wrapped gift for the Toys for Tots. and non-perishable food for the Food Bank of Sacramento.The 50/50 Raffle prize was won by Benjamin Dailey of Engineering Design & Testing .
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones November 14, 2014 adopted an advisory average pure premium rate of $2.74 per $100 of employer payroll for workers’ compensation rates ef-fective January 1, 2015. The adopted amount is lower than that proposed by the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB). The WCIRB’s proposed advisory average rate was $2.77 per $100 of payroll. After a public hearing and careful review of the testimony and evidence submitted, the Department of Insurance recommended adoption of a pure premium rate amount lower than the WCIRB on the basis that a greater reduction in medical losses should be used in the actuarial model due to the anticipated savings from SB 863 (De León) signed in 2012. The WCIRB’s proposed advisory average pure premium rate is 7.9 percent ($2.77 per $100 of payroll) above the industry’s average filed rates as of July 1, 2014 and the adopted pure premium rate ($2.74 per $100 of payroll) is 6.7 percent above the industry’s average filed rates as of July 1, 2014. Commissioner Jones, the WCIRB and the public members’ actuary all agree that the overall impact ofSB 863 continues to result in savings for the workers’ compensation system. The California Department of Insurance continues to observe that medical and indemnity losses are outpacing wage growth and consequently, the average advisory pure premium will increase in 2015.
Nearly 200 arrested in statewide auto insurance fraud sweep$1 million of potential losses uncovered statewide in most common type of auto insurance fraudDetectives from the Department of Insurance, assisted by local district attorneys and local law enforce-ment spent the last week serving arrest warrants in 22 counties where district attorneys have filed more than 200 felony counts and multiple misdemeanor charges against 195 people for alleged auto insurance fraud committed against 40 insurance companies.“Unfortunately, this type of insurance crime is surprisingly common,” said Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. “Insurance fraud is an expensive drain on the state’s economy thattotals into the billions of dollars annually in California. This is not avictimless crime. The cost of these scams is passed along to consumers through higher rates and premiums-everyone pays for insurance fraud.”In nearly all of the cases the drivers were uninsured or underinsured and allegedly purchased or added coverage after a collision or damage was sustained. Suspects then filed a fraudulent claim in an attempt to get the insurer to cover the damage to theuninsured vehicle. Two suspects are insurance professionals, including a claims adjuster, another case involved a pedestrian fatality, one included a vehicle alleg-edly used to transport drugs from Mexico, and one investigation uncovered a staged collision, which is under further investigation.In some cases the fraud was uncovered before the insurer paid on the claim, in others it was discovered after the claims were paid. Detectives suspect that the actual and potential losses to insurers totaled more than $1 million.“The lesson here is simple-don’t drive without insurance,” said Jones. “California’s financial responsibil-ity law requires drivers to be insured. It is simply not worth risking arrest and serving jail time. There are affordable options to help drivers meet there obligation to have insurance.”Local district attorneys, insurance company special investigation units and the National Insurance Crime Bureau assisted with the investigations. Local district attorneys are prosecuting these cases.
2014 SCA Street Team!Direct communication still reins as the most effective way to reach out to the overall community. SCA is proud to announce its new “Street Team” volunteers. Get to know one today!
POSITIONS AVAILABLECLAIMS INDUSTRY PLACEMENTSGary E. Mingus, GEM Search Group provides both Temporary, Temp to Hire and Direct Hire placements in the Insurance Industry also, placing Vendors related to the Insurance Industry. Call Gary Mingus 866-935-4426 or email to [email protected]. Serving the Insurance Industry since 1995.SENIOR PROJECT MANAGERServiceMaster Restoration Services, an employee owned company, is the recognized leader in water and fire damage restoration services to residential and commercial customers alike. We have locations in Concord, Fremont, Sacramento, Santa Rosa, and Novato. For more information about our company please visit our website www.svmcleaning-restoration.com.The Project Manager is the primary point of contact for our customers. With the support of our awesome Support Services team, our Project Managers are responsible from beginning to end to restore our customers’ peace of mind.Responsibilities Include:• Flexibility to work days, weekends, and some evenings as assigned • Visit jobsites, de-termine and write work scopes • Act as liaison with customer and insurance personnel • Complete jobs in a timely and profitable manner • Market ServiceMaster services to assigned adjusters in assigned area and establish working relationship • Personally call on insurance adjusters and general contractors as assigned to establish a good working relationship • Complete project work orders and works with Production Managers, Job Coordinators and Production Teams to insure the best quality service in the country • Maintain and improve on established revenue goals • Maintain and improve on profit goals • Maintain and improve Tell ServiceMaster scores • Complete on call duties as assigned• Be available to your customersRequirements:• Project Management experience • Great customer service skills • Must be familiar with windows and office XP software • Must be able to create written communication without major editing • Must possess excellent written and verbal skills • Must be able to estimate value of a project • Must be able to learn and utilize our proprietary software; Chronicle, Xactimate and others as necessary • Must have a clean driving record. • Must pass a pre-employment drug test. Contact: (800) 480-TIDY, or [email protected].
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Membership Drive features Corporate Member OpportunityNEW FOR 2015!
All 2015 paid corporate memberships come with the opportunity for a
special sponsorship at our luncheons!
We will have sponsors for our new
CENTER PIECE RAFFLE! ** we will still have our usual raffle with prizes from our wonderful vendors**
Asbestos & Lead Abatement •Mold Remediation •
•Demolition •
Air Duct Cleaning • Hazardous Remediation •
(877) 683-9249 www.Alliance-Enviro.com
To Eliminate Mold, Asbestos & Other ContaminantsDon't Hold Your Breath
To be eligible corporate membership ($200 level) for 2015 must be paid before December 31st 2014. Luncheon table center piece sponsorship is limited to one prize per table (bottle of wine, gift baskets, pot-ted flowers etc. approved by reservations chair before the luncheon). Promotional material limited to one bro-chure and trinket ( pens, note pads etc. ) per place set-ting. The center piece will be either raffled by business card under one of the seats at each table, or winner be-ing the person with a birthday closest to the day of the luncheon at each table. This is a first come first served sponsorship for corporate members that have paid their 2015 membership of $200, and will begin filling the cal-endar on December 1st 2014 for the 2015 calendar year. One center piece sponsorship per corporate member-ship per year. To apply for the sponsorship and to check availability of luncheon months, please email [email protected].
** Please note: This is the only corporate membership restricted sponsorship. All other sponsorships for SCA functions are open to all levels of membership. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to any of our board members. Thank you for your support!**
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