Mid-Valley Claims Association News Network - December 2016

Mid-Valley Claims Association News Network

December 2016 Volume XXIII • Number XI

Serving MVCA Since 1994

www.MidValleyClaims.org

Presenting...

Mid-Valley Claims Association

Holiday Luncheon

Plan Now to Join the MVCA

Friday, December 16, 2016 for a very special

Holiday Luncheon

As we honor our

Local MVCA Heroes at

The Dave Wong’s Restaurant 2828 W March Ln, Stockton

FREE for ALL paid 2016 Members $28 for Non-Members or No Reservations

Ethics Focus at November MVCA

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Mid-Valley Claims Association News Network • December 2016

2016 MVCA OFFICERS

Holiday Heroes Luncheon Party!

December, 2016 Message from 2015-'16 MVCA President Staci Moreno Well, I must say this year has passed by quickly. I hope everyone enjoyed spending time with family and friends during the Thanksgiving holiday!

PRESIDENT Staci Moreno

Frontier Adjusters (209) 603-5006

smoreno@frontieradjusters.com

VICE PRESIDENT Sherry Wenograd Frontier Adjusters (209) 478-1422

Centralcalclaims@aol.com

SECRETARY Gaye Bishop

Royalty Restoration Services (209) 529-3110

gbishop613@comcast.net

2016 BOARD MEMBERS Katie Howard Jackie Mezeul John Tucker Marvin Wenograd Tom Shefchick Bryan Harrison

CCNC REP

I would like to say a special thank you to Ruth Anne Griffith, for her fantastic “Ethics” presentation last month! Although we didn’t have a big turnout, we sure had a lot of questions for Ms. Griffith. In today’s world, making ethical and correct decisions is not always an easy task. Ms. Griffith points out that no one can simply read about ethics and become “ethical”. Ethics involves principals that define behavior as right, good and proper. Ethics involves values; those values include “trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship”.?? Thank you again, Ruth, for your fantastic presentation!

Last month, Mid Valley Claims Association held it’s annual election for the 2017 MVCA Officers and Board of Directors.

I’d like to welcome and introduce to you your 2017 Mid Valley Claims Association Officers and Board of Directors: President: Sherry Wenograd Vice President: Mary Parker Secretary: Katie Howard Treasurer: Staci Moreno

Board of Directors: Marvin Wenograd, John Tucker, Bryan Harrison, Thomas Shefchick, Sherry Wenograd, Mary Parker, Katie Howard and Staci Moreno

We want to say a special thank you to a wonderful couple that has contributed so much to our claims association over the years. They have now retired and we want to wish them the very very best. We love you, Gaye & Bob Bishop!!

PLEASE mark your calendar your don’t want to miss out on our 2016 MVCA’s Holiday Heroes Celebration!

We invite you to join us on December 16th at Dave Wong’s for a free lunch to our paid members. That’s right it’s “FREE”!! If you have paid your membership dues for the 2016 calendar year, your lunch is on us. We will be having our “heroes” speak about their humanitarian endeavors, which makes our world a better place. ??Also, don’t forget to bring your “toys for tots”. For each unwrapped toy you bring, you will be entered into our special drawing. The more toys you bring, the more chances you will have to win. This year we will be donating all gifts to Haven of Peace. Hopefully, we can make the holiday better for the many children that receive them.

It’s been my pleasure being your President of the Mid Valley Claims Association. Please join me in welcoming Sherry Wenograd, as she steps forward to be your 2017-2018 President of Mid Valley Claims Association.

Welcome Sherry!!

See everyone on December 16th!!

Sincerely,

Staci Moreno

2015-’16 Mid-Valley Claims Association President Claims Adjuster Frontier Adjusters (209) 603-5006 • midvalleyclaims@gmail.com

Asbestos, Lead, Mold, Bacteria Testing & Consulting Services Anthony Miller: Operations/Lab Manager CSST, CMI, CDPH Lead Sampling Tech anthony@sierraenviro.com

Cell:209-625-6221 Fax: 866-612-8294

Katie Howard www.SierraEnviro.com

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Mid-Valley Claims Association News Network • December 2016

MVCA Upcoming Events December 16, 2016

Holiday Luncheon Meeting - free to current paid members

January 18, 2017 Luncheon Meeting

February 17, 2017

Luncheon Meeting Annual ReCertification of the

California Department of Insurance Fair Claims Settlement Practices Act regulations

Christine Reed Low Ball & Lynch

Around the Network

Association News Network Affiliates Schedule of Events Wednesday, December 14, 2016 East Bay Claims Association - Holiday Charitable Luncheon Party www.EastBayAdjusters.org Friday, December 16, 2016 Mid-Valley Claims Association - Holiday Heroes Luncheon Party www.MidValleyClaims.org Wednesday, January 11, 2017 East Bay Claims Association Luncheon Meeting Emerging Trends in Negligence Actions Against Real Property Owners Sonia T. Ahmad & Trevor W. Montgomery - Low Ball & Lynch www.EastBayAdjusters.org Thursday, January 19, 2017 East Bay Claims Association - New Year Kick-Off Reception Lazy Dog Concord Tickets: $25 or two tickets for $45 - Sponsorships available www.EastBayAdjusters.org Friday, January 20, 2017 Mid-Valley Claims Association Luncheon meeting www.MidValleyClaims.org Saturday, January 28, 2017 Sacramento Claims Association annual Winter Party www.SacramentoClaims.org

Luncheon meetings are held the THIRD FRIDAY of each month moving to Dave Wong’s Restaurant & Bar 2828 West March Lane., Stockton, except where indicated. www.MidValleyClaims.org

Fair Claims Recertification

Scheduled for February 17, 2017 luncheon meeting, with Christine Reed, of Low Ball & Lynch Insurance claims adjusters are required by state law to be recertified annually on the California Department of Insurance “Fair Claims Settlement Practices Act”.

Re-certification can be done simply. Even attending a regular luncheon meeting like the February 17, 2017 Mid-Valley Claims Christine Reed Association meeting, will do the trick.

Low Ball & Lynch The MVCA is pleased to welcome back Ms. Christine Reed, a shareholder at Low Ball & Lynch, out of their Monterey office, to conduct this year’s re-certification meeting.

Christine Balbo Reed joined the firm of Low Ball & Lynch in 2003. She practices in the areas of employment, personal injury, premises liability, construction defect defense. Ms. Reed specializes in the representation of developers and general contractors, and employers in employment law, litigation and wage disputes. She is admitted to practice in the State of California, before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and in the Northern, Central, and Eastern Districts of the Federal Courts.

4

Mid-Valley Claims Association News Network • December 2016

Ruth Griffith Provides Excellent Forum for Ethics Discussion at November MVCA

By Bryan Harrison

Establishing and maintaining a strong ethical standard of practice in today’s business world is not only a more important element to success but a necessary and lawful mandate in the insurance claims world.

Ruth Anne Griffith, owner at Servpro of Auburn/Rocklin, is a certified Continuing Education provider on the topic of Ethics. Ms. Griffith gave a condensed version of her normal three hour Continuing Education course to the luncheon gathering of the Mid-Valley Claims Association Friday, November 18, 2016 at Dave Wong’s Restaurant in Stockton.

The luncheon meeting also featured a quick election process for 2017 MVCA Board of Directors positions. And, it was 2017 President-Elect Sherry Wenograd’s birthday.

Ms. Griffith engaged attendees in what was largely an open forum discussion about their own ideas of ethics. The consensus was that treating others, clients/customers, insureds and claimants as we would all respectively like to be treated is what it comes down to.

“The Golden Rule”, Marv Wenograd stated.

Sherry Wenograd will take the reins as MVCA President for 2017, with Mary Parker, of Golden Bear Insurance, being elected as Vice President.

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5

Mid-Valley Claims Association News Network • December 2016

Presenting...

Mid-Valley Claims Association

Holiday Luncheon

Plan Now to Join the MVCA

Join MVCA for our final luncheon meeting of the year

for a very special

as we celebrate the season!

Holiday Luncheon

Dave Wong’s Restaurant & Bar

Friday, December 16, 2016

at

2828 West March Lane, Stockton

11:30 a.m. check-in Noon - 1:00 p.m. luncheon

As we honor our

FREE for all current paid 2016 or 2017 Members

at

$28 for Non-Members/guests or Those with No Reservations Join or Renew your MVCA Membership Now! www.MidValleyClaims.org

Local MVCA Heroes The Dave Wong’s Restaurant 2828 W March Ln, Stockton

FREE for ALL paid 2016 Members $28 for Non-Members or No Reservations

Dave Wong’s must have a head count and it is important that everyone RSVP to midvalleyclaims@gmail.com or you can call Staci Moreno at (209) 603-5006, by August 10th.

Please make your reservations now with MVCA President Staci Moreno: 209-603-5006, or midvalleyclaims@gmail.com License # 877420

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Mid-Valley Claims Association News Network • December 2016

Mid-Valley Claims AssnNewsNet Services Directory CONTRACTORS - ASBESTOS/LEAD/MOLD REMEDIATION

AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. - Barry Metcalf 2965 Ramco Street.

Barry.Metcalf@atirestoration.com • (916) 388-2440 West Sacramento, Ca 95691 Fax (916) 388-2445 BELFOR USA - Grant Cody 3132 Dwight Rd Ste 300 (209) 339-4301 • Fax (209) 339-4302 Elk Grove, CA 95758 grant.cody@us.belfor.com JM ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. - John Moore & the JM Team PO Box 2189 www.jmenvironmental.net • (916) 726-0304 Granite Bay, CA 95746-2189 Fax (916) 726-0340 P.W. STEPHENS ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. - Jason Kettlehut/Jackie Mezeul 3278 Swetzer Road www.pwstephensinc.com • (916) 212-2962 Loomis, CA 95650 jasonk@pwsei.com

CONTRACTORS - ELECTRICAL

TUCKNOTT ELECTRIC CO. - Robert A. Tucknott, CFLC Forensic Electrical Expert bob@tucknott.com • (925) 931-0800

www.Tucknott.com • Fax (925) 931-0817

CONTRACTORS - GENERAL RESTORATION

BELFOR USA - Grant Cody 3132 Dwight Rd Ste 300 (209) 339-4301 • Fax (209) 339-4302 Elk Grove, CA 95758 grant.cody@us.belfor.com HUGON CONSTRUCTION 4601 Spyres Way Suite 1 (209)491-2620 Modesto, CA 95454 Raquel.hugonconst@yahoo.com • (209)581-0149 MARK SCOTT CONSTRUCTION 241 Frank West Cir. www.MSConstruction.com • (209) 982-0502 Stockton, CA 95206 info@msconstruction.com

CONTRACTORS-MICROBIAL REMEDIATION

AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. - Barry Metcalf 2965 Ramco Street.

Barry.Metcalf@atirestoration.com • (916) 388-2440 West Sacramento, Ca 95691 Fax (916) 388-2445 BELFOR USA - Grant Cody 3132 Dwight Rd Ste 300 (209) 339-4301 • Fax (209) 339-4302 Elk Grove, CA 95758 grant.cody@us.belfor.com P.W. STEPHENS ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. - Jason Kettlehut 3278 Swetzer Road www.pwstephensinc.com • (916) 212-2962 Loomis, CA 95650 jasonk@pwsei.com

ENGINEERS - FORENSIC

COMPLERE ENGINEERING GROUP, INC. - Gene Wilkins, P.E. Fire C&O, Property Liability, Thermography, Structural, Combustion Safeguards 4230 Kiernan Av., Suite 210 wilkins@complere.com • (209) 545-8165 Modesto, CA 95356 www.complere.com • Fax (209) 545-8170

ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING & CONSULTING

SIERRA ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING & CONSULTING, INC. Anthony Miller: Operations/Lab Mgr. CSST, CMI, CDPH Lead Sampling Tech PO Box 1563 Email: anthony@sierraenviro.com • Cell:209-625-6221 Woodbridge, CA 95258 Fax 866-612-8294

FIRE INVESTIGATORS

FIRE CAUSE ANALYSIS - Ulises Castellon, CPCU Serving Clients (800) 726-5939 • Fax: (510) 649-3099 Nationwide! inquiry@fcafire.com

OVERSPRAY REMOVAL

NATIONWIDE OVERSPRAY - Eric Gerencser Benicia, California

www.overspray.net • (925) 408-5909 Safe Overspray Removal eric@overspray.net • (800) 345-1269

PROPERTY RESTORATION-CLOTHING SPECIALIST FRSTeam - Jennifer Martin 910 Striker Ave. Ste E Sacramento, CA 95364

APPRAISER - HEAVY EQUIPMENT & AUTO

Frontier Adjusters is looking for a part-time appraiser for heavy equipment and auto in the Bay Area, North Bay and Central Valley. Must be proficient in Audatex or other similar software. Please call Marvin or Sherry at (800) 2624067 or email. Must have experience and references.

PROJECT MANAGER(S)

ATI - American Technologies Inc’s Sacramento Office is looking for professional Project Manager(s) skilled in estimating and managing property repair losses. Also looking for a PM that can estimate and manage contents losses. Must be proficient in Xactimate. IICRC training and certifications a plus. Check us out on-line at: www.ATIrestoration.com. Contact: Office Manager Raquel Romine: 916-388-2440, C: 916-214-7654, Raquel.Romine@ATIrestoration.com.

CLAIMS INDUSTRY PLACEMENTS

Gary 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 Gary@GEMSearchgroup.com. Serving the Insurance Industry since 1995.

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PROPERTY RESTORATION/CONTENTS

(916) 997-8119 jmartin@frsteam.com

AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. - Barry Metcalf 2965 Ramco Street.

Barry.Metcalf@atirestoration.com • (916) 388-2440 West Sacramento, Ca 95691 Fax (916) 388-2445 BELFOR USA - Grant Cody 3132 Dwight Rd Ste 300 (209) 339-4301 • Fax (209) 339-4302 Elk Grove, CA 95758 grant.cody@us.belfor.com MS VITAL RESTORATION, INC. (a division of Mark Scott Construction, Inc.) 241 Frank West Cir. 1-800-944-0502 Stockton, CA 95206 Info@MSVitalRestoration.com

Have Info to share? Submit it for consideration info@AssociationNewsNetwork.com Deadline for submissions is December 23, 2016 The Mid-Valley Claims Association News Network© is a production of Association News Network, Inc. Published monthly as a free service to the MVCA with a commitment and dedication to the promotion and betterment of this professional organization. The views and comments expressed within the articles herein do not necessarily reflect the views of A.N.N., Inc. or MVCA. We assume no responsibility for any opinions and/or statements offered by contributing authors to the publication. Acceptance of advertising material does not constitute endorsement of the products or services offered. We reserve the right to reject any advertising copy or placement. We encourage industry support of this professional organization - its monthly newsletter publication and web site. Go to: www.MidValleyClaims.org

Please email articles for consideration to: Bryan Harrison, Publisher Bryan@AssociationNewsNetwork.com 925.708.5569

For Advertising opportunities and info, contact: Lynna Harrison, New Accounts Manager Lynna@AssociationNewsNetwork.com 925.785.7021

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Mid-Valley Claims Association News Network • December 2016

Insurance Commissioner investigating allegations Wells Fargo signed up consumers for insurance without theira permission SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones December 12, 2016 directed the California Department of Insurance to launch an investigation into allegations made by former employees of Prudential Insurance Company that Wells Fargo employees signed up consumers for Prudential insurance without the consumers' authorization.

Commissioner Jones asked department investigators to investigate all aspects of these allegations, including possible violations of California laws that requiring persons transacting insurance to have an insurance license issued by the department.

"Investigators with the California Department of Insurance will investigate new allegations of fraud and misconduct made by former Prudential employees regarding Wells Fargo and its employees," said Commissioner Dave Jones. "Former Prudential employees who filed a whistleblower lawsuit allege that Wells Fargo signed up consumers for Prudential insurance policies without consumer permission much as Wells Fargo admitted its employees illegally signed up consumers for bank products without permission. We will also examine Prudential Insurance company's practices in this regard."

Wells Fargo has admitted that as many as two million unauthorized accounts for its consumers were created by thousands of Wells Fargo employees.

Prudential has a partnership with Wells Fargo to sell insurance products to Prudential's customers.

The California Department of Insurance will conduct its independent investigation in collaboration with the New Jersey Division of Insurance, which is also investigating this issue.

Department of Insurance Commissioner Jones receives national consumer advocacy award SACRAMENTO, Calif. - December 12, 2016 California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones received the Excellence in Consumer Advocacy award at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) Fall National Meeting.

The award, from consumer representatives, honors the insurance regulator found to most effectively represent and advance the interest of consumers.

“I am very honored to receive an award from consumer advocates from across the United States in recognition of our work protecting consumers,” said Commissioner Jones. “I want to thank the consumer advocates for so strongly and consistently

advocating for consumers and I want to thank the hard working men and women of the California Department of Insurance who work day in and day out protecting consumers.”

Commissioner Jones has been a strong advocate for consumers in California and at the NAIC, providing leadership and support for consumers on insurance rates, claims payments, the sharing economy, climate risk, auto insurance availability and affordability, unclaimed life insurance benefits, market regulation procedures, and more.

“Regulators juggle many responsibilities from policing solvency, tracking innovation and protecting consumers, and we appreciate that Commissioner Jones constantly keep consumers’ interests at the forefront of his priorities,” said Amy Bach, Director of United Policyholders and NAIC consumer representative. “Jones has not simply supported consumer positions and consumer involvement, but has helped promote consumer priorities.”

Mid-Valley Claims Association News Network

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