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This course, “The Use of Technology is Water Damage Investigations,” is designed to enhance an adjuster’s knowledge and understanding of the use and misuse of infrared thermography and moisture meters during the handling and investigation of water damage claims. The module is presented by a panel including: Michael Schwartz, RPA, AINS, Executive Vice President and Executive General Adjuster at L.J. Shaw & Company; Michelle Feduccia, PE, Professional Engineer at J.S. Held, LLC; Sara Raley, MWR, MTC, RRP, Vice President, Restoration Practice Director at J.S. Held LLC; and, Matthew Ponzi, founding shareholder at Foran Glennon Palandeck Ponzi & Rudloff PC.
This course begins by defining what infrared thermography is and how infrared cameras are used in the field. The panelist then outlines the key things infrared thermographers should consider before, during and after an infrared survey and what emissivity is. Next, she discusses whether infrared thermographers have to be licensed or certified to operate an infrared camera. She then reviews some case studies on how infrared thermography is used in different potential claim scenarios. She concludes by reviewing some red flags and how infrared thermography can be used or misinterpreted to create nonexistent thermal anomalies. In section three, the second panelist explains what moisture meters are and distinguishes between the three types of moisture meters. She then explains how moisture meters are used to help evaluate water damage claims and identifies ways that water remediation contractors can misuse moisture meters during a moisture survey. Lastly, she demonstrates the usage of different moisture meters in the field. In the last section, the final panelist differentiates between the two legal standards used by state and federal courts to determine if expert testimony is admissible. In addition, he reviews two cases where the courts applied those tests to experts seeking to opine on the cause of different water damage losses, highlighting the reasons behind the courts’ decisions.
After completing the course, the viewer should be able to…
explain what infrared thermography and emissivity are; identify the different applications of infrared thermography in the field; describe the key things infrared thermographers should consider before, during, and after an infrared survey; identify red flags with infrared images and pinpoint ways that infrared thermographers can manipulate or misinterpret infrared images; determine if additional assistance is needed to investigate or understand an infrared image; specify what a moisture meter is and how its readings are interpreted; detail the benefits and disadvantages when using the three different types of moisture meters; provide examples of each type of moisture meter and how they are used to evaluate water damage claims; describe how moisture meters are used on different materials commonly damaged by water; investigate if a contractor is misusing a moisture meter; distinguish between the Daubert and Frye tests for determining the admissibility of expert testimony; recognize potential issues with the admissibility of expert testimony in water damage claims due to questions about the expert’s qualifications or methodology.
The course is designed for insurance professionals working primarily in the area of property insurance adjustment.
What CE Credit is available?
Note: To qualify for credit, you must submit completion (including a passed final exam if required) within five days of completing the last quiz. No partial credits will be awarded.
State:
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Adjuster General CE Hours:
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Adjuster Ethics CE Hours:
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Attorney General CLE Hours:
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State's Course ID:
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NH | 2.0 General | 6000106956 | ||
TX (classroom equivalent) | 2.0 General | 128702 | ||
NC | 2.0 General | 215270 | ||
FL * ( Provider Number: 364169 ) | 2.0 General | 1186114 | ||
IL | 2.0 | 485723 | ||
WY | 2.0 General | 33093 | ||
OK | 2.0 General | 6000107909 |
* This course has been approved by the Florida Department of Financial Services for insurance continuing education credit.
Course Content
At 87% you qualify for TX/NH credit or a PLRB/CPCU certificate. For the other states offered, you must complete a final exam. Submit within 5 days to get CE Credit or Certificate of Completion.