FPCC Claims Conference

I would like to take this opportunity to invite everyone up to the First Party Claims Conference to be held in Warwick, Rhode Island next to beautiful Providence.

Kayleen McAbe, John Minor and Bonnie Schneider
Last House Standing on the DIY Network. From left to Right: Kayleen McAbe, John Minor and Bonnie Schneider.


This year’s event will be held October 15 through the 17; the conference is broken up so you can come one, two or all three days with a different number of continuing education hours depending on the time you select. This event provides an excellent opportunity for networking among professionals in the claims, litigation, restoration and alternative dispute resolution process. The conference will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (Reservations – 401.732.6000); FPCC can be telephoned at 703.433.2520.


The topics of discussion are the based on the best practices for handling property and related claims. The keynote speaker this year is Bonnie Schneider (pictured right), Meteorologist. I have had the pleasure of working with Bonnie on the DIY Network Special “Last House Standing” along with co-host, Kayleen McAbe (pictured right). Bonnie has worked with CNN and others and has recently penned a book titled Extreme Weather with a preface by Bill Read, the former director of the National Hurricane Center. Bonnie’s book gives a good overview of the disasters that prompt many of the losses that we end up working; she can be found at Bonnieweather.com or on twitter at bonnieweather.

Extreme Weather Guide

I attended the FPCC last year and learned much from the presentation of others, in addition to enjoying the absolutely great food and beautiful surroundings found in Providence. This year’s classes include Adjusting 101  to Depositions & Surviving Litigation in the Era of Social Media with Mary Fortson, Esquire, Jeff Rotella and Brian Wagner, Esquire to my class Property Claims – Establishing & Documenting Accurate Valuation/Damage Valuations. The  sessions are provided by adjusting companies – independent and public; attorneys; restoration contractors – general and specialized; as well as, appraisers and umpires involved in the alternative dispute resolution process.  The classes include everything from Occupational Safety for Adjusters to Earthquake Claims to The Ins and Outs of the National Flood Insurance Program.

I hope to see you in Rhode Island where I understand Bonnie will provide her book and sign a copy for you. I appreciate the FPCC for putting this together and for Bonnie for being our keynote speaker. Come to my class and I will share with you what I know from a decade and a half from being in the business and the half dozen trials I have testified in over the last few years. We work large losses from Texas to North Carolina to Miami and are currently all hands on deck in southern Louisiana after Hurricane Isaac.

Complete General Contractors, Inc. specializes in hurricane damage restoration from residential, commercial, industrial and by municipality. John Minor has worked post-hurricane sites since Opal in 1995; his experience is far-reaching — from the Carolina’s to Texas and all along the coast of Florida. The staff of Complete can meet with you to review your preparedness plan, and we will be there afterward should you ever need us. We specialize in the actual restoration, prevention, as well as, dispute resolution of a claim. Call the company the pros choose – call Complete.

This information should not be substituted for professional legal advice; consult with your lawyer for legal advice and ask your insurance professional to discuss the details of your policy and insurance needs.