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IAASE Annual Seminar Schedule

The following outline is a schedule of the meetings and events for the 2012 Annual Seminar. 

Sunday, May 6

4:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Registration Open

5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Welcome Reception with Trade Show 

Join us to get acquainted with other participants, IAASE leaders, and presenters at the Welcome Reception accompanied by a Trade Show of all of the exhibitors. You can also pick up registration materials at that time. (Included in registration fee.)  

Monday, May 7

7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Registration Open

7:00 am – 8:00 am
Continental Breakfast

8:00 am – 8:15 am
President’s Welcome & Opening Remarks

8:15 am – 9:00 am
Keynote Address 
State of the Insurance Industry 
Learning Level: All

Ralph Hudgens was elected as Georgia's insurance commissioner on November 2, 2010. In addition to being insurance commissioner, Hudgens is also the safety fire commissioner, industrial loan commissioner, and comptroller general. His duties include regulating approximately 1,600 insurance companies, licensing 137,000 insurance agents, and regulating over 1,000 industrial loan offices (companies that make loans of $3,000 or less).

As safety fire commissioner, Hudgens appoints the state fire marshal, oversees the state arson unit, regulates explosive and hazardous materials, and is responsible for the inspection of public buildings for compliance with the state fire code. After nearly two decades working in the private sector, Hudgens started Quality Propane, Inc. which he sold in 1987. Today, he owns and operates several successful businesses, and understands first-hand how insurance premiums impact companies of all sizes.

Hudgens' public service began with an appointment in the first Bush administration.  He went on to be elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1996 where he served until his election to the State Senate in 2002. Because of his service as chairman of the Insurance and Labor Committee, vice-chairman of the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, and vice-chairman of the Banking and Financial Institution, Hudgens is one of the state's foremost experts on insurance, business regulation, and consumer issues.

9:00 am – 10:00 am
General Session
Why Agents, Underwriters, and Auditors Approach Workers' Compensation Differently
Learning Level: Intermediate

Agents often view underwriters as the business prevention unit of the insurance carrier - so they may try to paint the best possible picture of their client for the underwriter (even if it’s a little skewed). Some underwriters don’t completely trust some agents because they aren’t sure they are getting the entire picture. See the problem? And stuck in the middle is the premium auditor.

This session focuses on the two major concepts in workers' compensation that cause the most problems for agents, underwriters, and auditors at audit and at the time of a claim: 1) Who qualifies as an employee; and 2) What states must be included on the policy?

Objectives:

• Participants will learn or relearn who qualifies as an “employee” in Workers’ Compensation.
• The presenter will explore when and why the “Alternate Employer Endorsement” should be used.
• Participants will gain an understanding of when must a state be named as a “3.A.” primary state or a “3.C.” other state.

Christopher J. Boggs, CPCU, ARM, ALCM, LPCS, AAI, APA, CWCA, CRIS, AINS, is the director of education with Insurance Journal’s Academy of Insurance. As director of education, Boggs is charged with managing all operations of the Academy including researching, preparing, and presenting technical insurance training webinars, managing a group of renowned instructors, developing and managing the on-line training schedule, and promotion of the Academy. One of Boggs’ current projects is the creation of Continuing Education classes for CE providers to license rather than spending their time developing a class. Beyond these duties, Boggs also writes articles, white papers, and books covering a wide array of insurance and risk management topics.

With more than 21 years in insurance and risk management, Boggs’ background prior to the Insurance Journal includes experience in loss control, insurance production, consulting, and teaching.

In addition to his professional experience and activities, Boggs has written and published five insurance and risk management books. Boggs released his first two books in 2009. April 2009 saw the release of, "The Insurance Professional's Practical Guide to Workers' Compensation: From History through Audit" (this books is already in its second edition). In August 2009, "Business Income Insurance Demystified: The Simplified Guide to Time Element Coverages" was published. Business Income is one of Boggs’ “pet” coverages.

Boggs’ third book, “Property and Casualty Insurance Concepts Simplified: The Ultimate ‘How to’ Insurance Guide for Agents, Brokers, Underwriters and Adjusters,” became available in April 2010.

“Wow! I Never Knew That! 12 of the Most Misunderstood and Misused P&C Coverages, Concepts and Exclusions,” Boggs’ fourth book, hit the market in March 2011. Also released in 2011 was Boggs’ fifth book, “Insurance is Not Risk Management! The Insurance Professional’s Guide to Risk Management and Insurance.” Of the five, this is Boggs’ favorite. A graduate of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Boggs has continually pursued career-related education, obtaining nine professional insurance designations. 

10:00 am – 10:15 am
Networking Break/Exhibits Open 

10:15 am – 11:45 am
General Session
How to Read and Understand ANY Insurance Policy
Learning Level: Intermediate

Insurance policy language, although required by many state laws to be “easy to understand,” isn’t always easy to understand. Sometimes the policy gives then takes away only to give back a little bit of what it took away later in the policy. It’s no wonder our clients don’t understand this stuff, we as insurance professionals don’t always fully get it.

However, there are a certain rules to reading an insurance policy - any insurance policy - that when applied correctly increase understanding and the ability to explain the provisions clearly. These rules are discussed in this session.

Objectives:

• Participants will learn the rules for reading any insurance policy
• Participants will gain an understanding of why exclusions and exceptions appear to be constructed to confuse.
• The presenter will explore why exclusions exist.

Christopher J. Boggs, CPCU, ARM, ALCM, LPCS, AAI, APA, CWCA, CRIS, AINS (See Above) 

11:45 am – 12:45 pm
Lunch & IAASE Business Meeting

12:45 pm – 2:00 pm
General Session 
Distracted Drivers Impact Your People and Your Pocketbook
Learning Level: All

Driver inattention is the leading cause of traffic crashes and is responsible for about 80% of all crashes. Talking on a cell phone or sending text messages are much higher risk activities that occur for longer duration and with more people (frequency) than other actions/distractions while driving. This session will address the four types of distractions and explain the scope of the problem with 322 million cell phone subscribers and 2.2 trillion text messages in 2011.Distracted Driving especially from cell phone usage and texting is a growing safety and legal liability problem for you and your company. What should be considered regarding a company policy on distracted driving and what are the potential liability and public relations issues. Distracted drivers impact all of us.

Objectives: 

• What are the myths about distracted driving?
• Why all the fuss and attention to distracted driving?
• Why do many drivers believe they can safely use cell phone while driving?
• What phone call or text message is worth a life?

Bob Wilson is the director of the Georgia Chapter of the National Safety Council. For the past 23 years has been responsible for providing and promoting safety and health services in the workplace, in the home and community, and on the road.The National Safety Council, founded in 1913, is a non-governmental, not-for-profit, international public service organization dedicated to the reduction of accidental deaths, injuries and preventable illnesses through safety, health and environmental advocacy. The National Safety Council has more than 53,000 member organizations and 37 local chapters. Wilson is active in many associations, taskforces and safety committees and is past-president of American Society of Safety Engineers, Georgia Chapter, and Safety Professional of the Year 2005-2006. Wilson has a MBA degree from Georgia Southern University. 

2:00 pm – 2:15 pm
Networking Break/Exhibits Open 

2:15 pm – 3:15 pm
General Session 
TN Workers' Compensation Law - Construction Risks
Learning Level: Intermediate

This session will highlight the intricacies of the new Workers' Compensation law in Tennessee that applies to construction risks. We will bring clarity to the details of the exemption process and how it affects premium audit. The primary items to be considered are when the exemption can be used and by whom it can be used. The items discussed within this session, along with participant interaction, will clear up the confusion encountered with the new law. The content of this session was compiled through numerous conversations with the Tennessee Department of Insurance and through interaction with various carriers. This session will simplify the process of applying the new law at audit.

Objectives:

• This session will explain the exemption process and to whom it applies.
• The presenter will distinguish the difference between residential and commercial work and how the exemption applies to each.
• This presentation shall clarify the application of min/max amounts for principals and the calculation of exposure.

Keith West entered the field of premium audit with Wilkinson Insurance Services, INC (WIS) in October 1996, performing Workers' Compensation, General Liability, and Commercial Auto audits. In October 1998, he was transitioned into the role of lead reviewer for WIS while still performing field audits. In January 2011, he was named premium audit manager of WIS where his duties consisted of quality review oversight and field representative training. In November 2011, West was named vice president of operations for WIS. The duties of that position entail oversight of area managers and the phone audit manager, general oversight of all quality issues, field representative training, and quality review for specific carriers handled by WIS.

3:15 pm – 3:30 pm
Networking Break/Exhibits Open 

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
General Session
Class Code Game 

Ray Fitchner has audited for more than 30 years and currently works at Travelers Insurance Premium Audit. He has held the office of president in local, regional, and national auditor associations. He was a previous past chairman of the Premium Audit Advisory Service (PAAS) and has served on the Education Committee since 1990 and is the current executive VP of the IAASE. Fitchner was awarded the Luis Hernandez Distinguished Auditor of the Year award by IAASE in 1996 and the Betty Gerdes Distinguished Service Award  by NSIPA in 2004. Fitchner was also awarded the President's Award from NSIPA in 1998 and IAASE in 2011.

5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
IAASE Banquet 

Appetizers and dinner event includes presentation of the award for the Auditor of the Year for the Southeast and entertainment. Join us at the DoubleTree for this event. (Included in registration fee.) 

Tuesday, May 8

7:00 am – 8:00 am
Continental Breakfast 

8:00 am – 10:00 am
General Session 
Misunderstood Endorsements and Classifications
Learning Level: All

This session will review and discuss the misunderstood Workers' Compensation Endorsements and Classfications.

• Additional Insured Endorsement
• Voluntary Compensation Endorsement
• Designated Workplaces Exclusion Endorsement
• Engineers and Architects, code 8601 and 8602
• Contractor – Project Manager, Construction Executive, Construction Manager or Construction Superintendent – Code 5606
• Storage Warehouse – NOC, Code 8292
• Social Service Organizations, codes 8864 and 8842

Timothy Cusack has been in the insurance industry for more than 30 years having worked as a field auditor for several insurance carriers and as director of premium audit for a large service company. During his career in the insurance industry, Cusack served as president, vice president, and treasurer of the Northeast New York Auditors Association. Since joining PAAS in March 2001, he has been responsible for managing of the Education Panel, planning of all educational seminars, writing of educational bulletins, overseeing the Technical Achievement Program, and product development. Cusack began his career as an audit trainee with the Continental Insurance Company in Glens Falls, New York. In 1984, he joined the Aetna Property & Casualty Company as a senior premium auditor and was later promoted to audit consultant. In 1995, he took the position as director of premium audit for Charles E. Hock Associates where he worked until accepting his present position with PAAS. Cusack received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Western New England College in Springfield, Massachusetts. He currently holds the APA designation.

10:00 am – 10:15 am
Networking Break /Exhibits Open

10:15 am – 11:45 am
General Session
Technology Today
Learning Level: Basic

The session will cover Technology Today. We will decipher some technology terminology you encounter in everyday life. We will explore the move to tablets and other devices as an alternative to a laptop. The emergence of cloud computing and what it means to us. A review of how the web is changing will also be included. This will hopefully open your eyes to some potential uses of technology within your organization.

Objectives:

• Participants will learn how to determine if there are uses for the new technologies among staff.
• Participants will develop a better understanding of technology encountered in business and personal interactions.
• Participants will be able to impress family, friends, and neighbors with all of the new tech savvy information.

Ken Phillips is a director of premium audit for Travelers Insurance, responsible for Strategic IT initiatives. He has been in the premium audit field since 1987 as an auditor, trainer, and business lead for IT projects. Phillips graduated from the University of GA with a BBA in Accounting and MIS. Phillips has also completed his APA and CPCU designations. 

11:45 am - 12:00 pm
Door Prizes Drawing & Concluding Remarks
Don't forget to stick around to see who wins the exhibit "Play to Win" prizes...maybe it will be YOU!

2012 Annual Seminar

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• General Information
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