1. Understanding the insurance company
Part I - Pre suit

2. Jill Snyder
Introduction
Experience

3. New suits Approach Internal Requirements Handling policies
New assignments

4. Investigation Facts And more facts Numbers And more numbers
“other” facts

5. Know your audience Adjusters Managers Attorney negotiators
Associate directors
Directors

6. Know your audience Adjusters Experience Years in position
Number of assignments
Specialty
Claims specialists
Attorney specialists
Medical specialists

7. Know your audience Internal hierarchy Authority based on position
Reserves
How are reserves set
How are reserves changed
Purpose of reserves

8. Know your audience
Managers/Directors
Specialists

9. Case presentation
Know your case
Present your case
Case status/updates

10. Negotiations Goal for negotiations Proper reserve
Proper claims assignment
Is the case ripe for settlement?

11. Negotiations – demand Reasons to make a demand
Reasons not to make a demand
“suggestions” of value
Proofs of value

12. Negotiations – timing Liability Is liability at issue? Other parties?
Coverage
Policy limits

13. Negotiations – Value Injuries Length of treatment Venue Plaintiff
Wage loss/OOP/
Liens

14. Negotiations – homework
Understanding value to the insurance company
Not their first rodeo
Case presentation
Value – proofs
Paralegals “RGIP”

15. Negotiations - Reserves
Understanding reserves
The “business” of insurance
A claim reserve is money set aside for a claim that has been reported but not settled
Money for the reserve is taken from a portion of the premiums paid. Loss reserves are an estimate of an insurer’s liability from future claims
Reserves are adjusted based upon changed circumstances *
Complex calculations must estimate loss dollars for future payments
*but not happily!

16. Negotiations – documents
Case presentation
Medicals/injuries
Treatment
Wageloss
Liens be aware of requirements for liens
“other” expenses

17. Time limit demands
A demand that sets forth a complete detailed analysis of liability and losses associated with the claim. The demand will set forth a demand for a specific dollar amount or “policy – limits with a reasonable deadline
Timing of demand
Purpose of demand
Include relevant documentation
TGFP!!!!

18. Conclusion Fine wine Is your case aging well? Or just aging?
Insurance company goals
Measuring success
Creative resolution