Volume 1, Issue 15 Subscribe Reply to Editor Full Articles DMA Home Printer Friendly
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Developments in Property

El Niño and Claims
by DMA Claims Services

El Niño is a warming of the Pacific Ocean that occurs every 3 to 7 years and impacts weather on a global scale. As the warming waters move from west to east along the equator, they bring moisture and rain to the Southern tier of the United States and the west coast of South America. Drier weather and warmer weather can appear in other areas (Australia and Indonesia are often afflicted with drought and related issues like wild fires).

A significant El Niño developed in 2009 and is predicted to last well into Spring of 2010.

El Niño’s impacts on weather include higher-than-average rain in California and the Southwest where the storm season can generate peak claims volume. The 1997-98 El Niño (the most significant El Niño measured to date) produced 230% of normal rainfall in San Francisco and 210% of normal rainfall in Los Angeles. This year’s El Niño is producing rainfall well in excess of normal, particularly in Southern California.
From the Industry

Study: Homeowner Insurance Claimants Less Satisfied Than Auto Claimants
By Insurancejournal.com

Homeowners insurance customers who file a property claim are much less satisfied with their claims experience than auto claimants, according to a new study.

The satisfaction level of homeowners claimants is significantly lower than that of auto claimants, says J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Home Claims Satisfaction Study. The study finds that customer satisfaction with the home claims experience averages 828 on a 1,000-point scale. In comparison, satisfaction with the auto claims experience averages 842, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Auto Claims Satisfaction Study released in November.

Read the complete story here.

(In order to access the full study, you will need to register with the JD Powers website. You can do this by clicking on the article link and going to the Library tab, and then go to the 2009 Home Claims Satisfaction Study article, click on download and you will be prompted to register.)

SOURCE: (c) 2009 www.insurancejournal.com
Property Claims Chronicles

"Red Flag” Fire Loss Fraud Indicators – Property Claims
by DMA Investigations

The following is a list of indicators that point to the potential of fraud in connection with a claim. This is a summary of the most common “red flags” for quick and easy reference, but should not be considered a complete list. Note: just because some of these indicators appear in a claim does not mean that any aspect of the case is fraudulent. These indicators are merely a tool to help isolate which cases might warrant further review. The greater the number or magnitude of the “red flag” indicators, the greater the likelihood that fraud may be present in that claim.

 
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