 Kim Tamayo, Restoration Mgmt Co., and Frances Hewitt, Allegra Print, check-in Kim Bierce and Cami Lucas at the October luncheon. |
 EBCA 2008 Vice President, Chris Capels, of AIG, led the October luncheon meeting. |
 Christopher Harnett, of Archer Norris, gave an in-depth presentation at the October EBCA. |
 LeAnn Horton, Eller Torres, and Lee Schiff, of AAA, at the October 8, 2008 EBCA luncheon meeting. |
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 Chris Harnett, of Archer Norris, delved into suspicious auto theft claims, discussing the use of Examinations Under Oath, and sharing some "war stories" at the October 8, 2008 EBCA. |
 Another good-sized crowd turned out, continuing the trend toward more carrier adjuster attendance, at the October 8 East Bay Claims luncheon meeting. |
 EBCA VP Chris Capels, of AIG, thanked guest speaker Chris Harnett, of Archer Norris. |
 Adorably festive October meeting center pieces were donated by Kristen Mayo, of TempHome. |
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 David Dickerson, of Vanderbuilt Construction, and EBCA Treasurer Kim Tamayo, of Restoration Management Company. |
 EBCA Board Member, Tom McIver, of CRDN, calling out a door prize winner. |
 Elsa Kennedy, of ServiceMaster Restoration, was the lucky winner of the 50/50 raffle drawing at the October luncheon meeting. |
 EBCA Board Member, Ray Depa, of Crawford & Company, presents Elsa Kennedy her 50/50 Raffle winnings. |
 Rebecca Geller, of Har-Bro General Contractors, at the October meeting. |
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 Darryl Payne, of Lambco Electric, and Frances Hewitt, of Alegra Print. |
 Kristen Mayo, of TempHome Services; Lisa Winn and Scott West, of Vanderbuilt Construction. |
 EBCA Board member Claudia Gerlach, of AIG (in pink), wins a bottle of wine at the October meeting. |
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 Lisa Winn and Kristen Mayo have agreed to return as EBCA Reps to the CCNC. The duo co-chair the Exhibitors Committee. |
 Halloween themed center-pieces provided by Kristen Mayo, of TempHome Services. |
 Eller Torres, of AAA, flashes a peace sign at the October meeting. |
 Brian Davis, of ServPro; Steve Einhaus, of Einhaus Adjusting Services; and Kelly Stuck and Krista Herlick, of Assured Relocation. |
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 Michael Berlick, of AAA, wins a door prize at the October luncheon. |
 Lisa Schwichtenberg, and |
The EBCA is pleased to present a special luncheon event at OASIS, in Pleasanton, followed by an afternoon Wine Tour of the Livermore Valley FRIDAY, November 14, 2008 at OASIS GRILL, Pleasanton Details |
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Effective use of EUOs
By Bryan Harrison, AssnNewsNet
The October 8, 2008 luncheon meeting of the East Bay Claims Association featured attorney Christopher Harnett, of Archer Norris, speaking on suspicious auto theft claims. Mr. Harnett, a lawyer with lots of experience doing Examinations Under Oath, was pinch-hitting at the last minute for scheduled guest speaker, fire investigator Russ Auker, of Ron Hall & Associates.
Harnett, who stated that he has worked numerous times with Mr. Auker over the years, kept with the theme of first party auto fire and theft claims.
"Most policy holders are impatient and/or anxious," he said. "The only way to find out what happened is to ask questions. The deeper you go into evidence and analysis," he continued, "the more you can learn."
Defining location and time of the incident, and whatever detail you can gain early on can be a tremendous help in piecing it all together.
"If the claim looks suspicious," he suggested, "go into possible motivations, but proceed cautiously, so as to avoid potential bad faith."
"First question," he said, " is 'do we promptly pay this claim?'; 'send it to SIU?'; 'hire experts?'; 'consider using an examination under oath?'.
Mr. Harnett discussed the EUO process in-depth, sharing a few war stories along the way.
Ultimately, due diligence is key. Treating your insured and/or claimaint fairly and professionally is critical. Fraudulent claims will sift themselves out when all claims are processed in a strong and consistent fashion.
Numerous questions followed, primarily from the adjusters in attendance.
Plan now for the November meeting. Please note that EBCA will meet the second FRIDAY of November, the 14th, instead of the normal Wednesday meeting. This luncheon will also be held at a different location: Oasis Bistro in Pleasanton. The luncheon will be followed, for those who can make it, by a chartered tour of the Livermore Valley wineries. Details
You may also purchase tickets for the East Bay Claims "Roaring 20s" Holiday Dinner Dance/Casino Night Gala, to be held Friday, December 5, 2008, at Zio Fraedo's. this is a benefit for the Bay Area Crisis Nursery. Please view the Wish List, and help EBCA contribute to this worthwhile organization for the Holidays.