The Best Defense Is a Good Offense When Preparing for Fire Season

Tonya Courtney of Nationwide explains why brokers and carriers are rethinking their approach to risk and growth in today’s market. The E&S property market is in a period of transition. While rates are easing and capacity is returning, volatility remains. Tonya Courtney, head of E&S Brokerage Property at Nationwide, explains why this tension makes the market riskier and why old strategies like broad appetite and aggressive pricing no longer work.   In this podcast, you’ll learn: What increased CAT volatility and reinsurance pressures are doing to underwriting strategies Why today’s market demands a more intentional, transparent, and data-driven approach How brokers can thrive by leaning into precision, understanding carrier appetites, and building stronger partnerships

John Otero and Robert Montgomery from 1-800 WATER DAMAGE share tips to help insureds put up their best defense against a fire. As fire season approaches, insureds must start thinking about the best way to protect their home and family against a possible devastating fire event. A lot of preparation and strong partnerships with insurers and restoration professionals are key to ensuring the best outcome should a fire occur. In this podcast, John Otero, Regional Business Coach at 1-800 WATER DAMAGE, and Robert Montgomery, Franchise Owner of 1-800 WATER DAMAGE of Western Montana, provide their best advice for preparing for fire season. You’ll learn: When fire preparedness should ideally begin, and why it’s an ongoing process; Why it’s important for insureds to have a preparedness plan in place and the proactive measures that should be taken, such as creating a “go bag” with essentials and ensuring adequate insurance coverage;  Why insureds should take pictures of the inside and outside of their home to help document what possessions they have to make it easier if they put in a claim; Some elements of fire preparedness that are commonly overlooked by insurers and restoration professionals, and; The timeline and process insureds should follow that could help insurers and restoration professionals expedite restoration.  

Flood damage differs quite a bit from water damage, and the measures to get ready differ as well. Peak flood season can leave both insurers and homeowners underwater — literally and figuratively. But insurers can make the entire claims process much smoother for their customers when they understand the complexities flood claims present. In this podcast, Rick Wahlstrom and Jordan Demmon, both from 1-800 WATER DAMAGE, discuss the finer points of flood claims, and how insurers can work together with restorers and independent adjusters to make claimants whole again after a flooding disaster. You’ll learn: ●     How much a residential flood claim can cost, including tear out, demolition and full dryout; ●     Why flood claims have their own special policy exclusions and conditions, and how this requires understanding complex policies and FEMA guidelines; and ●     What restoration professionals can do to prepare for flood season.

Mike Case of Blue Kangaroo Packoutz explains the key factors restoration pros consider in this podcast episode. Choosing the right restoration strategy involves many factors, including the type of loss, extent of damage, materials, and overall value of an item. Mike Case, director of operations at Blue Kangaroo Packoutz, explains how restoration teams decide whether they can restore an item and how sentimental value impacts the policyholder experience. In this podcast, you’ll learn: How the type of loss and material composition impact restoration potential What surprising items for policyholders—like electronics and textiles—can often be restored successfully Why innovations such as ultrasonic cleaning, advanced moisture detection, and digital reproduction are improving restoration outcomes  

Ken Davis and Tim Singnysane of 1-800 WATER DAMAGE, part of BELFOR Franchise Group, discuss why training is more important than ever as insurers prepare for the upcoming CAT season. Increasing claims volumes, rising customer expectations, and fast-changing technology are putting even more pressure on CAT response teams. Ken Davis, claims partnership manager at BELFOR Franchise Group, and Tim Singnysane, director of operations at 1-800 WATER DAMAGE, explain how gaps in practical experience, especially among new adjusters, can lead to slower responses and communication challenges during major events. In this podcast, you’ll learn: How customized training improves speed, accuracy, and communication during CAT events How gaps in knowledge can delay claims and frustrate policyholders How practical, hands-on training helps adjusters adapt to field conditions and new technologies  

Advanced technologies are helping claims professionals document losses more efficiently and generate more accurate estimates. Rick Wahlstrom, who handles estimate review and compliance at BELFOR Property Restoration, explains how these tools are transforming outdated methods, reducing costs, and improving efficiency. Wahlstrom also represents BELFOR Franchise Group’s Claims Partnership Program, which is supported by BELFOR’s 1-800 WATER DAMAGE and Blue Kangaroo Packoutz brands. He emphasizes the need for ongoing training to support claims professionals in fully using the tools available to them. In this podcast, you’ll learn: ●     How 3D imaging and AI-driven estimating tools are improving claims accuracy ●     Why ongoing education is critical for claims professionals adopting new technologies ●     How advancements in estimate writing reduce costs and improve efficiency for insurers and restoration companies

David Gavilanes of Blue Kangaroo Packoutz shares key insights on choosing a contents restoration partner that supports efficiency and controls costs. Selecting a restoration partner with the right experience and capacity is important for preventing project delays and cost inefficiencies. David Gavilanes, training development leader and regional business coach at Blue Kangaroo Packoutz, explains how vendor selection impacts the overall claims process, highlighting the importance of clear communication, proper scoping, and transparency. In this podcast, you’ll learn: ●     How experience and capacity impact cost efficiency and project timelines, ●     Why a restoration provider’s ability to salvage more contents can support higher policyholder satisfaction and lower claims costs, and ●     How clear communication and accurate scoping support fewer delays and minimize unexpected expenses.

Tim Fagan of 1-800 WATER DAMAGE discusses strategies to streamline the claims restoration process and addresses the differences between commercial and residential claims. The claims restoration process involves many variables, each affecting the speed and cost of claim resolution. As the scope of residential and commercial claims can differ, Tim Fagan, brand president at 1-800 WATER DAMAGE, offers suggestions for improving the restoration process to benefit both insurance carriers and policyholders. In this podcast, you’ll learn: ●      How policy differences impact the claims restoration process. ●     The importance of urgent response and creative restoration plans for both types of claims. ●     How technology is improving the speed and cost-effectiveness of claims closure.  

Through a combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision models applied to aerial imagery – and delivered through a comprehensive software solution – Nearmap changes the way insurers manage and price property risk. It earned them multiple PropertyCasualty360 Luminaries Awards, including as a company for its risk management innovation and technology innovation.  Individually, Dave Tobias, general manager of Insurance at Nearmap, was named as a risk management innovation Luminary for his leadership in creating the industry’s first comprehensive property intelligence tech stack. It began with his co-founding of Betterview in 2014 to help insurers better manage risk, and over time, this effort evolved into joining forces with Nearmap in 2023.

Market conditions that are a moving target, talent shortages, and quick advancements in technologies such as AI have created unique challenges for the specialty insurance market. According to Mike Kerner, a member of the board of management at Munich Re responsible for global specialty insurance, while there are challenges in specialty re-insurance, there’s also room for optimism.  In this podcast, you’ll hear: The value of expertise, stability and partnerships in the specialty market;  What he sees on the horizon for the specialty lines; and  Where exactly his optimism is coming from.