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January 2011
| Vol 1, Issue 3
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Gene G. Veno, Chief Executive Officer at the American Association of Public Insurance Adjusters, Washington, DC Completes First Year Successfully at the Association
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 The first year serving as Chief Executive Officer at AAPIA was one busy year for Gene G. Veno. This interview was conducted by a Board Member, Mr. George Sackandy. We are sharing the information to keep all of our members updated on the plans we have for 2011.Board Member George Sackandy: Gene, when you became CEO of AAPIA in 2010, what did you know about the profession of Public Insurance Adjusters?Veno: I am pleased you asked that question George. I have a long history of serving the profession of public insurance adjusters in that I was a consultant to PAPIA, The Pennsylvania Association of Public Insurance Adjusters assisting them in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with legislative strategy. PAPIA was comprised of many members of the national association known as NAPIA. I was an advocate for the industry in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Many individuals I served are still viable in NAPIA today, Mr. Dick Burr and Mr. Stephen Figlin of Young Adjustment Company and I remain friends with them to this day. I also represented the current state association known as MAPIA from 1998 to 2010 now headed by Mr. Jay Massucci, President. I believe I have seen the growth of this profession the last two decades and I am eager to continue representing the profession over the next ten years! Sackandy: In your meetings with legislators in many states what are their views on a Public Adjuster?Veno: Let me be clear, the Public Insurance Adjuster has been a licensed professional long before I was born and that is a long time ago! Legislators see the profession as a valuable service to policyholders and business owners when property loss occurs. The profession has a good reputation before legislators nationally. In many states where I appeared the past year I met legislators who were so willing to vote on legislation that would enhance the license and most importantly provide consumer protection laws for policyholders.Sackandy: You mention consumers, how does AAPIA address policyholder issues?Veno: George, although our nonprofit status is a trade association for licensed public insurance adjusters, we maintain a national web site that is available to our member's clients, policyholders. Our profession works directly with the consumer and it is vital that we insure our profession is handling all contracts, documents with the utmost professionalism. We take a hard line against unscrupulous individuals. Sackandy: What are your plans for AAPIA the next five years?Veno: Well my initial goal is to keep growing the association. When the association was established in 2004 by our Founder Mr. Steven McCaffrey, President of Metro Public Adjustment Company located in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, it began with the one premise in mind, that was to provide a voice for the small public insurance adjuster company who at that time did not have a national association representing many of the adjusters that Mr. McCaffrey would meet during his visits to other state legislatures addressing key legislative Bills. Of course, I want to continue what Mr. McCaffrey initiated seven years back and I believe the past 12 months we have seen a greater awareness on what www.aapia.org can in fact do for the profession regardless of the size of this business. Let's face it, in today's hectic business environment, associations must be seen as providing all types of services to all of their members. It is impossible to meet every demand. When I am asked by NAPIA members when they call my office, they ask of me, why is there a need for AAPIA? My response is simply this, "AAPIA came into being as a result of thousands of Public Insurance Adjusters in 2004 who felt their license and the way they operated their business was in jeopardy"! It is a matter of fact and if that was never a concern by many pubic insurance adjusters at that time, AAPIA would never have been founded in the first place.Today, we do our very best to represent the PIA! That's right, The Public Insurance Adjuster. We report on laws and regulations as they develop even before legislation is written offering input and advice to rule makers so that when legislation is being developed we are there from the beginning making sure our members business model remains viable.I want to conclude with this comment. The other national association has been functioning well over 61 plus years. They do a great job in representing their members and I believe the members we represent we do an equally as good a job. But truth be told, neither of our organizations represent 100% of the industry. That is why I believe it is vital to have a national voice(s) advocating on behalf of the profession and working together to improve the overall effectiveness and image of the Public Insurance Adjuster.The next five years we want to see improved laws in many states. We also want to see the profession licensed in states where they are not currently. We want to be a resource to the profession answering their questions and addressing their concerns on a daily basis via our interactive web site www.aapia.org AAPIA will conduct in 2012 a national conference that will have keynote speakers and excellent lecture CEU topics for our members.We have much to do over the next five years as I see it, but as they say, with every step you achieve success for the profession you serve! That is my personal goal for our membership, to keep achieving success for our member the Public Insurance Adjuster!
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| Officers and Board | Officers
Gene G. Veno President CEO
Holly K. Soffer, Esquire Chief Counsel
Board Advisors
Mr. Josh Beemiller
Ms. Susan E. Biggs
Dr. Michael Capili
Mr. Peter J. Capozza
Dr. Vincent Grattolino Mr. George Sackandy
Ms. Holly Soffer, Esquire
Mr. Gunter Volders
Mr. Mark Waters
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On The Road
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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Saturday January 15, 2011 - addressing 200 Public Insurance Adjusters
Covington, Louisiana, January 20, 21 - Advisory Panel Meeting
Houston, Texas, January 24,25,26 Windstorm Conference
Austin, Texas, March, 26,27,28, 29th NAIC Convention
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
NAIC Conference August 29th - September 1, 2011
Washington, DC, November, 3-6 NAIC Conference
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AAPIA Participates in Legislative Strategy Meeting, January 5, 2011 Tampa, Florida
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AAPIA President and CEO, Mr. Gene Veno, participated in a legislative strategy meeting January, 5, 2011, in Tampa, Florida to begin discussions on a list of legislative issues that are likely to come up during the legislative session that could impact consumers, the insurance industry, and professionals who maintain their businesses in Florida.
Veno, remarked, "the strategy meeting organized by the Merlin Law Group, Mr. Sean Shaw, Esquire was an excellent opportunity for all stakeholders to come to the table to establish meaningful strategies that will serve the consumers of Florida in dealing with rising property insurance rates"!
The meeting is a first step in understanding all sides of the issues that will be addressed in 2011.
Issues identified are:
- Return of previous legislation
- Rate deregulation
- CPIC - Repeal of Bad Faith
- Public Adjuster Regulations
- Claim Filing Deadlines
- Sink Holes
The list of topics is a starting point for all stakeholders to bring their issues and solutions to the table with a goal of improving the insurance industry in Florida, and protecting the consumer from excessive rate hikes. Homeowners need a solution for the continual rate increases, which have plagued the many citizens in Florida.
Sean Shaw, Esquire of the Merlin Law Group called for this strategy session that had a wide range of participants in attendance. Mr. Shaw stated, "we need to have a presence in Tallahasse, and the best way to have an impact is to speak as one voice"! All in attendance agreed that if we cannot work together our efforts will not be considered.
AAPIA has a membership base in Florida, and will continue to participate in all meetings representing our members, The Public Insurance Adjuster and the many consumers.
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Unlicensed Public Insurance Adjusters, "Beware"!
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New Laws are now being adopted to protect consumers.
Illinois has recently declared in its newly enacted Public Adjusters Law that a person who acts as a public adjuster without a valid license in Illinois is "inimical to the public welfare and [is] to constitute a nuisance." 215 ILCS 5/512.64. Very strong language indeed. Inimical: hostile, unfavorable, harmful. Unlicensed public adjusters are a threat to both the industry and the consumer, and AAPIA applauds the state governments that are beginning to address the problem.
Minnesota, for instance, has enacted a new law that specifically targets roofing contractors who have been acting as pubic adjusters without a license. In its new statute, M.S. § 72B.02, subd. 6 (2), as well as BULLETIN 2010-4 from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry , Minnesota focuses on the advertising of public adjusting services by roofing and other contractors, a widespread problem in Minnesota and elsewhere throughout the country, especially after a catastrophic loss. Many states already have laws or regulations that require department of insurance approval for solicitations or advertisements by public adjusters, but those types of guidelines don't ensnare the unlicensed "pretenders" who are unlawfully soliciting business as both a contractor and an adjuster. Many states are moving to enact laws that scrutinize and restrict the actions and advertisements of duly licensed public adjusters. New Jersey's new law , for instance, requiring mandatory CE for public adjusters, does "strengthen" the license and ultimately benefit the consumer, but most public adjusters are already well-trained and knowledgeable in their field. It is the unlicensed public adjusters, not bound by these laws, who are doing the most harm, and who dishonor the profession. New laws and regulations such as those in Minnesota not only help police the situation, but also bring attention to the problem, which helps to educate consumers. AAPIA is working for you to bring attention to and combat this problem on many fronts, and we will keep you posted on our progress.
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State of New Jersey New Public Adjuster Law P.L. 2010 C.116
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Governor Chris Christie signed Senate Bill No. 1557 on January 5, 2011 which revises statutes concerning public adjusters. Senate Bill 1557 was Sponsored by The Honorable Gerald Cardinale District 39 (Bergen), and Senators Nia H. Gill, District 34 (Essex and Passaic) The Bill was co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Quigley and Assemblyman Mainor in the 214th Legislature. SB 1557 was filed on February 22, 2010 and concurred November 22, 2010. There was concern that Governor Christie may not sign the Bill into law citing budgetary reasons.
Synopsis of the Bill:
Creates two-year license term for public insurance adjuster license; establishes continuing education requirements and waivers for licensed public adjusters; provides that no licensed individual, firm, association or corporation shall solicit the adjustment of a loss or damage occurring in the state from an insured, whether by personal interview, by telephone, or by any other method between specified hours during the 24 hours after the loss has occurred.
The New Law
- Public Adjuster is now required to complete 15 hours of continuing education to maintain their biennial license renewal.
- Every Adjuster's license issued pursuant to this new act may be renewed for a two year period upon filing an application in conformity with section 6 of the act, which shall include proof of completion of CEU requirements.
- The Insurance Commissioner will establish standards for CEU
- Commissioner will establish subject matter and course content
AAPIA monitored discussions and attended committee meetings to ensure that the legislation was finalized in the best interest of the consumer and the profession.
AAPIA Legislative Counsel, Mr. John Bombardier and AAPIA Legal Counsel Ms. Holly Soffer, Esquire reviewed all language that was being considered throughout the legislative process.
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AAPIA President and Legal Counsel to Attend Final Advisory Panel Meeting in Baton Rouge, Louisiana January 21, 2011
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The Advisory Panel that the Louisiana Legislature created in 2010 will convene in Covington, La. on Friday January 21, 2011 to finalize their report to the Louisiana Legislature as required in the resolution passed in 2010.
Meetings have been conducted the past few months with the intent of finding reasonable solutions between the insurance industry, public adjusters and trial lawyers in Louisiana. There has been strong opposition from the latter group to amend the current public insurance adjuster act.
AAPIA initiated discussion in March of 2010 with the sole purpose of opening up the current act and seeking language that would protect the citizens of Louisiana by allowing a public insurance adjuster to communicate with the insurance company on behalf of the policyholder. Current law does not grant permission for a public insurance adjuster to represent the policyholder in this way, declaring such conduct the unauthorized practice of law. In addition to this recommended change to current law, AAPIA also is fighting for public insurance adjusters to be able to establish a percentage fee for the work they perform on behalf of the insured. We are hoping that at the conclusion of this meeting, the committee will be able to propose specific language to the legislature, with the assistance of Representative John Schroeder.
The Final Report to the Legislature is due February 1, 2011.
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Thank you from AAPIA
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We thank you for taking time to read our newsletter that we plan to publish each month to keep you up to date on industry happenings around the country! If you have an article you wish to publish or a story you have that you would like to share from a satisfied policyholder that you served, please send me a note and I will be happy to publish that article for you. Finally, if you join today you will be entered into the membership drawing to win one of three excellent prizes: New Apple I-Pod Droid Generation II Blackberry Storm Our motto at AAPIA is simply, "Where service to you is our only Business"! |
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