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The Use of Technology in Water Damage Investigations

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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:
Adjuster General CE Hours:
Adjuster Ethics CE Hours:
Attorney General CLE Hours:
State's Course ID:
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

Infrared Thermography Overview
Expand
Lesson Content

1) Introduction of panelists and workshop synopsis
2) Infrared thermography defined
3) Infrared thermography applications
4) Key considerations before, during and after an infrared survey
5) Emissivity Explained
6) Section wrap-up
7) Recap

The Use and Misuse of Infrared Thermography by Experts
Expand
Lesson Content

1) Certification of Infrared thermographers
2) Expert use of infrared thermography and case studies
3) Capacitance of water and infrared surveys of roofs
4) Misuse of infrared thermography and temperature span differentials
5) Other red flags
6) Changing the color palette to manipulate an infrared image
7) How atmospheric conditions can impact an infrared image
8) Section wrap-up
9) Recap

Moisture Meter Basics
Expand
Lesson Content

1) Introduction of new panelist
2) What do moisture meters do?
3) Qualitative vs. quantitative moisture meter readings
4) Importance of maintaining moisture meters
5) Invasive, pin-type meters
6) Noninvasive, pinless meters
7) All-in-one meters
8) Adjuster moisture meter recommendations
9) Recap

Different Types of Moisture Meters and Their Capabilities
Expand
Lesson Content

1) Dri-Eaz HydroSensor II invasive meter
2) Tramex Moisture Encounter Plus noninvasive meter
3) Extech M0210 invasive meter
4) Data Loggers
5) Delmhorst all-in-one meter
6) SurveyMaster all-in-one meter
7) FLIR MR167 all-in-one meter
8) Tramex Concrete Meter 4 noninvasive meter
9) Recap

Moisture Meter Usage in the Field
Expand
Lesson Content

1) Introduction and moisture readings using a noninvasive meter
2) Setting a dry standard
3) Looking for trends and monitoring the ambient conditions
4) Misuse of moisture meters by contractors
5) Unethical use of moisture meters by contractors
6) Moisture meter demonstrations on different types of materials
7) Recap

Water Damage Claims and Expert Admissibility Questions
Expand
Lesson Content

1) Introduction of new panelist
2) Daubert vs. Frye: legal standards for the admissibility of expert testimony
3) Moisture testing and expert admissibility
4) Is licensing required to be an expert?
5) Case Study 1 – Burnett vs. State Farm
6) Case Study 2 – 358 Liberation LLC
7) Module closing remarks
8) Recap

Get CE Credit or Certificate of Completion.

Submit within 5 days to get CE Credit or Certificate of Completion.

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