APA Fraud Fighter Quarterly | Summer 2023
Read All About It: APA Efforts Become National News
“Sunlight is the best disinfectant” as the old saying goes & the APA completely agrees.
The American Policyholder Association uses a four-step strategy to protect consumers from Insurer Fraud. A key part of that strategy is publicizing tactics used to illegally underpay or deny legitimate claims.
APA has received multiple complaints from Florida Policyholders in the wake of Hurricane Ian. In addition, multiple insurance industry insiders with evidence of potential fraud have reached out to the APA Whistleblower program.
The American Policyholder Association has been working closely with the State of Florida fraud investigators & also with multiple media outlets to address these issues. These media outlets include NBC, CBS, ABC, The Insurance Journal, Tampa Bay Times, and the world-renowned Washington Post. While many of these stories have been published and aired, the story is ongoing and there are several national media outlets working closely with the APA on News stories that will run in the coming months.
Keep an eye on the APA’s social media outlets for upcoming stories as they run.
Watch Lester Holt interviewing APA Executive Director Doug Quinn, you can also read the Washington Post investigation featuring The APA.
BOARD ADVISOR SPOTLIGHT
ERIC & MIKA HUNTER
Meet Eric and Mika Hunter! The
Hunters have shown endless support
for the APA’s mission. In the
industry, they are known as a power
couple whom balance each other out
perfectly and for running their
successful business, Precision
Construction and Roofing.
They are passionate about their work, and view the staff at Precision as family. In fact, they treat their top earners to vacations to the most pristine destinations in the world. This lovely couple is based out of Texas, where they raise their two beautiful daughters, Kimber and Presley.
Mika is also one of the masterminds behind Grace & Grind; an event designed for women in the restoration industry. When it’s time for the Hunter’s to take a break, they enjoy traveling and tending to their pet giraffes. Our mission is impossible without Board Advisors like the Hunters.
Thank you for your support!
PROSECUTORS CORNER
An update from Dominic Dugo, the head of the APA SIU
Your APA team of retired anti-fraud experts with over 100 years of law enforcement experience are having an impact in protecting consumers from insurer fraud.
Our Consumer Protection Unit (CPU) is actively assisting law
enforcement in Louisiana and Florida on open criminal investigations which can potentially produce monumental changes in how homeowners are treated by insurance companies after they suffer property damage to their homes.
CPU carefully and objectively reviews allegations and facts to present law enforcement with cases that deserve criminal review by government authorities. While this criminal case review is a time-consuming and laborious process, once accomplished, APA will have a tremendous impact nationwide in protecting consumer rights from fraud and abuse. CPU believes that, primarily due to APA, the consumer will see a bright future in making sure homeowner losses are fairly and legally compensated by insurance companies per the policies purchased.
Introducing the APA Whistle Blower Program
The APA believes strongly in the critical role
Insurance plays as a risk management tool that
helps American families recover from a loss
that would otherwise be catastrophic.
We believe that most insurance industry employees are sincere, hard-working professionals who want to help policyholders in the time of need. We also know there are some fraudsters on all sides of the claims process & sometimes honest people are pressured to do things they believed to be unethical or even illegal in order to reduce or deny legitimate claims to Policyholders.
We have created a safe place for those who wish to report potential violations of the law that they’ve witnessed. As an APA member, you can help get the word out to these professionals by adding this whistleblower graphic to your email signature, website, or wherever you feel it will appropriately get the word out.
This graphic was emailed to all members but you can email Megan@apassociation.org for a copy. With the help and support of our members, together we can end insurer fraud.
FRAUD FIGHTING TIP OF THE SEASON
To get your claim paid fairly, you must do your part.
As part of your insurance contract, you have the “Duty To Cooperate” with the insurer’s efforts to investigate and adjust your claim.
Be pleasant and cooperative. Do not interfere with the inspection in any way. Some inspectors will have questions for you. Because of your duty to cooperate, it is best that you answer those questions to the best of your ability.
If you have a representative (attorney, PA, etc.), have them inform the inspector that you are happy to answer questions. The inspector will submit the questions they have to your representative, and it’s your job to answer them thoroughly and in a timely manner.
Where have you seen the APA?
Doug-APA-Members
Doug with APA Members Jim Cook and Edgar Gonzalez at IRE in Dallas
Morgan-APA-Ryan-Holliday
Morgan with APA Member Ryan Holliday from Iinked at The Experience in Fort Lauderdale.
APA-Exhibition-Stall
Doug speaks to APA Members during the Members-Only Meeting at WTS
APA-Luck-Roofing-APA
Morgan, Heather, and Megan with APA Members from Luck Roofing at WTS
Tim-Johnson-APA
Doug, Megan, and Larry got to hear founding APA Board Advisor Tim Johnson speak at CAM in Shakopee, MN
PATH TO INDEMNITY
May 24-26
The Experience
September 6-8
GPS Conference
Oct 4-6
FAPIA LIVE
October 21-23
APA Membership Summit
November 1-3
Don’t forget to use the hashtag #APAOnTheMove when you see us out and about!
A WORD FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Doug Quinn
Greetings Fraud Fighters!
The APA team has had an incredibly busy quarter with many opportunities to fulfill our mission. Our phone is ringing off the hook for press interviews, and we are working behind
the scenes, developing and distributing critical research on carrier side abuse of policyholders.
In addition, we have submitted criminal, referrals in Louisiana, Florida,and Alabama. The APA team is also investigating preliminary complaints in several other states.
If you were on April’s quarterly membership update conference call, you were privy to some pretty exciting information that we haven’t released to the public just yet. Stay tuned for more big news!
DID YOU KNOW?
YOU SHOULD BE VIDEO TAPING AND TIMING YOUR INSURANCE INSPECTOR WHILE ON YOUR PROPERTY
Remember that vendors such as adjustors and engineers sent by your insurer are loyal to the insurance company’s interests, because they are the people who write their checks. Videotaping and timing inspections is crucial.
Make sure you see them inspect- or don’t inspect- all damaged areas of property carefully. Make sure you have on record how long they were on the roof, in the crawl space or other damaged areas. It’s best to inform adjusters or engineers in advance that you will be videotaping. Someone that is honest and wants to see the policyholder get a fair claim won’t have a problem with this. This should also be kept on record. Be polite, but firm. Do not get in their way. A professional with nothing to hide will be perfectly fine with this.
ATTENTION
- Please make sure that you are in the APA Members-only Facebook Group! It is a safe place to talk about industry-related topics with like-minded professionals. We encourage you to start any conversation! This is a secret group, so you must contact Megan@APassociation.org for access.
- Make sure the APA has your updated information on file! If you’ve changed your email, mailing address, or phone number, please contact Megan@APassociation.org at your earliest convenience.
- If you have yet to become an APA Member, email Megan@APassociation.org to learn more about the benefits and the change you can make within the insurance industry.
- As a professional, make sure that your clients how to protect themselves from insurer fraud. Sign them up as an Associate Member of the APA. We have the tools they need to advocate for themselves available for free at APassociation.org.
HAVE YOU SAVED THE DATE?
2023 APA MEMBERSHIP SUMMIT
HAPPENING NOVEMBER 1-3RD IN DALLAS, TX!
The APA Membership Summit is a three-day event with opportunities to learn from our Consumer Protection Unit, Executive Director Doug Quinn,Elected Officials, and APA Board Advisors.
You will also spend time networking with like-minded individuals who believe in and support our mission. Your tickets to this event are included with your membership dues. We are so excited to announce that Professor & Author of Delay,Deny, Defend, Jay Feinman will be speaking at this year’s event! More details will be announced soon, but sponsorship opportunities are available now! Please email morgan@apassociation.org for more information.
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Florida considers expanding insurance fraud squads
(Via Florida Politics) Officials from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ staff presented budget details in a House State Administration & Technology Appropriations Subcommittee, including boosting investigators of insurance fraud.