Increasing the Impact of Risk Management with your Organization (Presented by: Advisen Ltd.)

Leading risk managers are delivering compelling insight to executives and board members regarding their organizations’ risk portfolio and the financial implications of their combined risk transfer, risk retention and risk mitigation program. Attend this session to learn how the nation’s top risk managers deliver compelling Executive Management information.  Session available in select cities. Please contact RIMS for more information.

Managing Property Valuation Issues in Today's Insurance Market (Presented by: American Appraisal)

This session will discuss a best practice property appraisal process from review of current values to the commissioning and receipt of the valuation consulting report.  You will learn about the insurance market forces that are driving the demand for supportable values; how to conduct your own initial diagnostic review of your current property values; and the use of appropriate selection criteria for valuation consultants.  The session will also highlight the optional levels of service appropriate for valuing properties in both public and private entities, and the structuring of an affordable appraisal program over a numbers of years.  (Note that the session would be customized to address construction and equipment cost trends specific to the particular chapter, and all data would be updated to the most current available.) Sessions available to All RIMS US Chapters in the 48 contiguous states as well as Canada. This session is available in French.

NEW! @SmartRiskManager: “How can I avoid risk management disasters arising out of the use of Twitter and other social media? #risk mitigation #protocols #procedures #employees” (Presented by: Anderson Kill & Olick, P.C.)

Each year social media networks such as Twitter and Facebook are becoming increasingly woven into our culture, including the use of such social media in the workplace.  Increased business and personal use of social media brings with it increasing risks associated with the use of social media by both your organization as well as your employees.

Our panel experts will discuss many risks associated with your company’s official business use of social media, as well as your employees’ personal use, and offer pragmatic and effective solutions for identifying, avoiding and mitigating such risks.  Sessions available to all RIMS Chapter (including Mexico & Canada).

NEW! "Environmental” Insurance: It’s Everywhere” (Presented by: Anderson Kill & Olick, P.C.)

Those facing “environmental” risks need to make the right choices when it comes to placing coverage. An array of new environmental insurance products exist to address emerging issues such as Green Buildings and climate change or to manage cleanups, facilitate Brownfield transactions and reassure property buyers and sellers, including government stakeholders. Contractors of all stripes also can now obtain broad coverage for professional liabilities involving the environment. Energy, petroleum, electronics and real estate business sectors can all benefit from a better understanding of how to manage emerging environmental risks. Sessions available to all RIMS Chapter (including Mexico & Canada).

NEW! Performance Review:  Is Your Insurance Coverage For Employment-Related Claims Working To Its Potential?  (Presented by: Anderson Kill & Olick, P.C.)

Although employers frequently face claims arising out of employment practices and employee dishonesty, such claims tend to increase following an economic downturn and not only carry with the possibility of large settlements or awards, but also increasingly high defense costs. This session provides policyholders from small businesses to multi-national corporate employers with proven strategies for maximizing available insurance coverage for employment-practices related claims as well as for claims involving employee fidelity claims. This presentation covers both the fundamentals of standard Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) and employee dishonesty policies and the claims that many employers do not realize are covered under such policies, as well as more in-depth nuances of successfully obtaining coverage from the application process through the settlement or resolution of claims. Sessions available to all RIMS Chapter (including Mexico & Canada).

NEW! What Every Insurance Professional Should Know About Insurance Coverage (Presented by: Anderson Kill & Olick, P.C.)

Most insurance professionals know in some detail the types of coverage their companies or clients need and various formulae for determining how much coverage to buy. What's all too often not so widely recognized are the types of policy provisions that often spell the difference between coverage and no coverage; the types and degrees of persistence required to get a claim processed and paid in full; and the lengths an insurance company will typically go to wear a policyholder down and force it to accept either half-a-loaf or no bread. This session will walk a risk manager and broker through the minefield, detailing key issues of policy language and effective claims handling techniques from loss valuation to short-circuiting insurance company delays to insisting on partial payment when the loss amount is in dispute. Sessions available to all RIMS Chapter (including Mexico & Canada).

Key Issues in Loss Mitigation -- Is your organization prepared to respond? (Presented by: Aon)

After a catastrophic property loss, the Risk Manager is responsible to implement loss mitigation procedures to minimize interruption of revenue and resume operations quickly. This session will consider several specific case studies involving catastrophic property and business interruption loss experience and will explain the basic components of loss mitigation efforts: stabilization, recovery, and financial impact. Sessions available to all RIMS US Chapters in the 48 contiguous states.

NEW! Risk Management & Cloud Computing (Presented by: Aon)

Discover benefits of storing and processing information in the cloud: freed up resources, security and privacy, rapid implementation, lower total cost of ownership. Learn difference between public and private clouds and considerations when choosing different types of cloud computing providers. Sessions available to all RIMS US Chapters in the 48 contiguous states.

NEW! The Casualty Diagnostic: Leveraging the power of data to reduce total cost of casualty risk (Presented by: Aon)

Risk and financial leaders are continually seeking new ways to reduce their organization's total cost of risk, while at the same time optimizing the performance of their risk program. New strategies focusing on data and advanced analytics can help risk leaders improve key cost drivers. This session will explore how risk managers can use analytics, KPIs and proven diagnostic processes top better-informed decisions to reduce claims, lower risk management expenses and potentially help drive profit margins. Sessions available to all RIMS US Chapters in the 48 contiguous states.

Determining Injury Causation: Biomechanical Engineering for the Risk Manager (Presented by: ARCCA)

Risk Professionals deal with bodily injury claims every day resulting from vehicle collisions, slips & falls, product use and industrial accidents. In some cases, the description of loss does not account for the claimed injuries. This session takes a biomechanical analysis of events and injuries to determine whether there was an injury mechanism present that could have caused the claimed injuries. Sessions available to All RIMS US Chapters (including Hawaii & Alaska).

Captive Insurance Defined (Presented by: Bermuda Insurance Development Council)

Learn all one needs to know about Captive Insurance, Protected Cell Companies (PPC) and related programs designed to manage retained risk.

NEW! Medicare Set-Asides, Section 111, and Conditional Payments (Presented by: Carr Allison)

This course will be an advanced discussion and exploration of the purpose of Section 111 of the Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (MMSEA) 42 U.S.C. 1395(y), Medicare Set-Asides, and Conditional Payments as they apply to insurance companies and their adjusters.  Section 111 of the act compels mandatory reporting to Medicare by both Group Health Plans (GHP) and Non-Group Health Plans (NGHP).  The main objective of this course is to insure that the adjusters fully understand Medicare Set-Asides, Conditional Payments, and the purpose of Section 111, including its provisions, notification requirements, the reporting timeline, and the penalties that will result from noncompliance with this law. Sessions available to all chapters (including Mexico & Canada).

NEW! Aftershock: Property and Business Interruption (BI) Claims Issues in the Aftermath of Historic 2011 Catastrophes (Presented by: Dempsey Partners)

Dempsey Partners will share their perspective on the challenges - and opportunities - arising from the myriad of issues that continually arise in the aftermath of catastrophe claims.  Many claim settlements are slowed down and disputes often arise over the following areas which will be discussed:

• definition and tiers for suppliers and customers on contingent BI claims
• service interruption and resulting rolling black-outs
• commodity cost increases
• local international policies and global master policies and how they relate (or not)
• loss of market exclusion

- intertwining of perils that often occur together such as tsunami and EQ or hurricane and flood, and how various deductibles and sublimits are applied. Sessions available to all RIMS Chapter (including Mexico & Canada). This session is available in Spanish.

Crime Pays: Recovering Employee Dishonesty Claims (Presented by: Dempsey Partners)

An organized crime investigator and a forensic accountant discuss strategies to maximize recovery of employee dishonesty claims, including:

• tips for a productive investigation, coverage and legal pitfalls to be avoided
• properly documenting liability and damages
• working with law enforcement and negotiating a successful settlement with your bond carrier Sessions available to all RIMS Chapter (including Mexico & Canada). This session is available in Spanish.

Property Insurance Program Potholes (Presented by: Dempsey Partners)

Property insurance policies are very complex documents. When putting together programs and policies to cover an organization’s physical assets and resulting time element losses, there are common “potholes” in these contracts that risk managers need to be aware of. Many of these can be eliminated with thorough negotiation,  communication and documentation of the coverage terms and conditions. This program will help risk managers identify, avoid and fix the common potholes and minimize surprises in the event of a loss. Sessions available to all RIMS Chapter (including Mexico & Canada). This session is available in Spanish.

Supply Chain Risk Quantification (Presented by: Dempsey Partners)

In 2011, corporations are more vulnerable than ever to disruptions in the supply chain of the goods and services they manufacture and provide. Risk managers need better tools and analytics to assess these potential increased risks. Dempsey Partners offers practical advice for exactly how to quantify the risks associated with a disruption in an organization’s supply chain regardless of the reason – natural catastrophe, bankruptcy, labor dispute, political unrest, transportation blockage, product recall, pandemic or any other cause. Regardless of the event, risk managers can benefit from tips on how to quantify the actual financial exposure to those risks Sessions available to all RIMS Chapter (including Mexico & Canada). This session is available in Spanish.

Business Continuity Management for Risk Managers (Presented by: DRI International)

This program provides risk managers and professionals with a better understanding of the issues surrounding Business Continuity Management (BCM) and a starting point for understanding how BCM relates to Risk Management in general.  The regulatory landscape, the business continuity continuum and context with enterprise risk management are highlighted and evaluated using real world examples. Sessions available to all RIMS Chapter (including Mexico & Canada). This session is available in Spanish.

Business Interruption Crash Course (Presented by: Ernst & Young)

You walk into your office to hear that your largest facility was flooded by a storm and then leveled by a tornado. Now what? Once the dust settles, suddenly you are surrounded by a team of people throwing around terms like concurrent loss, time element exposure, CBI, EPOI and BI value. What does it all mean?  The authors of The Business Interruption Book lead you through a crash course in business interruption losses to better prepare you for that day. Using a case study, participants will understand the components of a business interruption loss, how property damage and business interruption are intertwined and how different coverage wording impacts the measurement and amount of loss that an insured may recover.  Sessions available to all RIMS Chapters in the 48 contingent states.

NEW! Disaster Preparation and Business (Presented by: Ernst & Young)

Recent catastrophic events around the world have highlighted the critical nature of planning for and executing after catastrophic events. Companies that prepare and react effectively during times of crisis to protect key resources, restore operations and recover financially will have an advantage over their peers. This session combines the experience of professionals dedicated to assisting companies with disaster recovery and claims along with results from E&Y’s 2011 Catastrophic Claims Survey to provide practical insight into how companies around the world are preparing for and responding to catastrophic loss. Sessions available to all RIMS Chapters in the 48 contingent states.

Property Policies: Does Your Business Continuity Plan and Property Policy Agree? (Presented by: Ernst & Young)

What happens when your business continuity plans and your property policy do not agree or worse yet, contradict each other? This interactive seminar, led by risk managers and property claims experts, uses lessons learned by policyholders in actual loss situations. The seminar will demonstrate how good communication and teamwork between risk managers and business operations personnel can lessen the confusion and documentation breakdowns that can occur between restoring the business after a loss and preparing the insurance claim resulting from that loss. Sessions available to all RIMS Chapters in the 48 contingent states.

NEW! Supply Chain Risk and the World Economy (Presented by: Ernst & Young)

As companies grow, acquire and move toward more complex, global supply chains, the risk that they acquire or create grows and changes as well. Without proper identification of supply chain complexities, companies could improperly identify and measure their risk and either overpay premiums or, worse, underinsure the risks they face. Learn to identify risk factors, contingencies and interdependencies and measure those risks. Recent global shed a spotlight on the risk that a global economy and global supply chain can have on business and the insurance industry. Sessions available to all RIMS Chapters in the 48 contingent states.

NEW! Medicare's Interests - The Basics to Consider When Settling  (Presented by: Gitter & Associates)

The title tells the story, this presentation is aimed at educating people to understand the interests of Medicare as it relates to the settlement of Workers’ Compensation claims. Sessions available to All RIMS US Chapters (including Hawaii & Alaska).

NEW! What is Subrogation and Why is it Important? (Presented by: Gitter & Associates)

This presentation is designed to draw attention to the importance of pursuing subrogation recoveries on Workers’ Compensation claims.  This session also provides attendees detailed information about what attendees need to know about how to pursue subrogation recoveries. Sessions available to All RIMS US Chapters (including Hawaii & Alaska).

Workers’ Compensation Large Loss and Catastrophic Claims Settlement Specialists (Presented by: Gitter & Associates)

This presentation focuses on the components, valuation and negotiation techniques that can be employed to bring resolution to workers’ compensation cases.   The discussion includes the various aspects of a case including indemnity, medical, non-medical items as well as a brief discussion and history of Medicare Set-Asides.  Various strategies are outlined and approaches/methodologies for resolving ongoing high exposure claims.  Sessions available to All RIMS US Chapters (including Hawaii & Alaska).

Natural Catastrophe Management Lessons from Recent Hurricanes and Earthquakes (Presented by: Global Risk Consultants)

First hand lessons learned from recent disasters that caused significant property and business interruption loss to businesses and industries, including earthquakes in Italy, Japan, China, Mexico and Chile, and hurricanes along the Gulf Coast of the United States.  In addition, a proactive approach to catastrophe risk management, related successes and failures, and natural hazards software applications and limitations will be discussed. Sessions available to all RIMS chapters including Mexico and Canada.

Privacy and Risk Management (Presented by: Identity Theft 911)

The privacy and data risk management Professional Development course focuses on providing a general knowledge of identity theft and data breach, state and federal legislation,  compliance programs, managing the crisis, and then controlling the damages once the breach takes place.  Data breach facts will be reviewed and specific examples of the most recent breaches that have taken place will be detailed with emphasis on prevention and mitigation of the damages. Cyber risk and privacy insurance analysis will be reviewed. Our sessions will be available to all Chapters in the 48 contingent United States and all Chapters in Canada.

Determining Appropriate Retentions (Presented by: Integro)

Organizations with large self-insured retentions and captive insurers have to face off a tradeoff when determining the appropriate retention level:  by increasing their retention, their re/insurance costs will decrease, but the required capital in their captives/self-insurance program will increase.  The presentation will introduce a very practical approach that determines an appropriate retention based on the price of insurance as well as the parent company’s cost of capital.  The presentation will define the cost of capital and offer a simple method to calculate the appropriate retention. Sessions available to all RIMS Chapters in the 48 contingent states, as well as Canada.

ERM: Using Realistic Disaster Scenarios (Presented by: Integro)

As an organization’s ERM program matures, it tends to become more granular and complex.  By quantifying the impact of specific realistic disaster scenarios (RDS), risk managers can effectively communicate ERM results throughout the organization.  The presentation will offer a case study and give practical tools to develop and quantify RDS. Sessions available to all RIMS Chapters in the 48 contingent states, as well as Canada.

How To Monitor Your Insurance Company’s Financial Strength (Presented by: Integro)

Some organizations have re-examined their reliance on rating agencies to determine the safety of their insurance contracts.  This presentation describes some simple ways to examine the financial strength of an insurer based on its publicly-available statutory annual reports.  The presentation will be handed out for attendees’ future use as a reference document. Sessions available to all RIMS Chapters in the 48 contingent states, as well as Canada.

NEW! Explaining the Scale of Sophistication in Litigation Management (Presented by: Legal Solutions Group)

Litigation management, including its related cousins of legal spend and cost control, is not a new phenomenon. They have been around in various guises, especially in the insurance market, for well over a decade – but it’s evolving rapidly in the economic downturn.  With the advent of universally applied invoice or billing formats such as LEDES, the “science” of litigation management has evolved.

Demonstrable performance data shows that use of technology in litigation/legal spend management generates an economically-sound business case.  We’ll outline the stages of evolution, and have attendees reflect on where their organization stands.

Three specific areas to be covered

·         Background on advances in litigation management, such as LEDES universal billing codes

·         Defining the stages of complexity in litigation management

·         Areas where technology can assist in litigation and legal spend management

Learning objectives:

The takeaways from the discussion are that the science of litigation management is more than just e-billing.  Also that technology can play a useful role in helping the claims handler, or other professional, manage their litigation and legal expenses.  Finally, this presentation will outline for risk professionals the stages of increasing complexity in litigation management, as well as the financial and behavioral benefits of adopting a more sophisticated strategy towards litigation management.  Sessions available to all RIMS Chapters in the 48 contingent states.

NEW! Mitigating Risk in D&O and E&O Claims (Tracking Self Insured Retention) (Presented by: Legal Solutions Group)

There’s been a trend in the industry towards larger SIR's (self-insured retentions) and policy deductibles. By increasing an SIR or Retention limit, premiums can be negotiated downward by the insured. The flip side of reduced premiums is increased responsibility on the part of the insured for settling (in the case of SIR) or contributing towards claims costs (in the case of Retention). This change has manifested itself into an increased focus and attention to detail on the exhaustion or erosion of the SIR. A growing and worrying trend is beginning to emerge related to claims for coverage, where the SIR be fully and properly demonstrated as completely eroded. Effectively, coverages are being disputed where it cannot be proven that full erosion or exhaustion of the SIR is proved. Several cases can be cited, with a proportion spawning fresh E&O claims for claims mishandling or alleged lack of meeting fiduciary duty amongst the most common.

Three specific areas to be covered

·         Issues in proving proper erosion of a deductible layer, and the risks of not doing so

·         Ways of proving erosion through transparency

·         Other ways in which technology can be used to support litigation management efforts

Learning objectives:

The takeaways from the discussion are that there are a number of avenues and strategies to avoid the kinds of dangers inherent in deductible and self-insured retention agreements through creating transparency and showing demonstrable proof that fiduciary obligations have been met.  Sessions available to all RIMS Chapters in the 48 contingent states.

NEW! Gaps and Inconsistencies in Layered and Quota-Share Insurance Programs (Presented by: ReedSmith)

Many insurance programs include excess layers and shared participation within layers. However, when each insurer uses its own policy form or unique endorsements, which is common, various gaps or "non-concurrencies" can be created, which in turn, can create mischief in the claims process. This program will identify common gaps and make recommendations about how to deal with them. Sessions available to all RIMS Chapters in the 48 contingent states.

NEW! Key D&O Coverage Issues and How to Maximize Coverage Through Negotiation of Policy Terms (Presented by: ReedSmith)

D&O insurance can provide critical protection for the personal assets of corporate officers and directors, as well as the assets of the company itself. This program reviews the key coverage issues most frequently raised by D&O carriers and advises how to negotiate policy language that will maximize recovery should a claim be made. Sessions available to all RIMS Chapters in the 48 contingent states.

NEW! Shotgun Marriages and Strange Bedfellows: The Risks of Joint Legal Representation (Presented by: ReedSmith)

When an insurer reserves its right to deny coverage but also hires an attorney to defend the insured in a lawsuit, that attorney is often between a rock and a hard place when it comes to communications, coverage issues and settlement negotiations -- to name a few tight spots. This tri-partite relationship between the insurer, the policyholder and the lawyer who is supposed to be zealously defending the policyholder can raise many frustrating legal, financial and coverage issues for policyholders who may be tempted to ignore the problem. To make matters worse, tri-partite issues can vary from state to state, making decisions mind-numbingly complex. This program explains in straightforward, entertaining fashion the legal and ethical underpinnings that got us where we are today. Topics include the ethical constraints on attorneys who enter into joint representations, ground rules for effective communications, and strategies to employ when a serious conflict arises in the middle of a lawsuit. Sessions available to all RIMS Chapters in the 48 contingent states.

NEW! When Insurance Companies Refuse to Settle: Important Steps To Take To Maximize Your Insurance Coverage (Presented by: ReedSmith)

A policyholder facing “bet the company” liability from product liability, “mass tort,” or other forms of liability need not “roll the dice” when its insurance company unreasonably refuses to participate in settlement negotiations or even when its insurer affirmatively presses to try the underlying case. This program will explain when a policyholder will have the right to settle a claim without its insurer’s consent, and the steps a policyholder should consider taking in order to preserve its rights while maximizing its insurance coverage. Sessions available to all RIMS Chapters in the 48 contingent states.

NEW! RISK PAC-A Risk Management Tool for Risk Managers (Presented by: Risk and Insurance Management Society)

One of RIMS most exciting new initiatives for 2011 is the creation of RISK PAC, a political action committee created for the purpose of advancing the discipline of risk management through public policy. This session will provide information on political action committees in general, the purpose and necessity of having an effective political action committee, and background on RIMS decision to create RISK PAC. Members will also learn about the structure of RISK PAC and how the PAC fits into RIMS goals going forward. This session is available only to Chapters within the 48 contiguous states.

Infectious Communication - Change the Culture of Your Organization: Embrace Facebook and Linked In-style technology to manage your risks (Presented by: Riskonnect)

Apply social media technology to better communicate within your organization. Enable your Risk Management Information System (RMIS) to become a convergence of communication. Finally Risk, Safety, Finance, HR, and Operations can collaborate in real time, in a secure environment using new technologies. Explore how Facebook-style and Linked In-style technology FOR business, WITHIN business, can be a huge BENEFIT to your business. We will use real use-cases to demonstrate innovative, game-changing technology. Sessions available to all RIMS Chapter (including Mexico & Canada).

NEW! RMIS Nirvana - Engage Your Entire Organization Anywhere, Anytime (Presented by: Riskonnect)

New technologies enable risk professionals to have the information they need at their fingertips - in real-time, anywhere and anytime. Through innovations in risk technology, your RMIS can be the backbone of your risk-related processes and decision-making. See workflow, approval processes, escalations, business intelligence and email services connecting information from multiple system sources and multiple people groups - all on one platform and accessible in your pocket. Sessions available to all RIMS Chapter (including Mexico & Canada).

Work Smarter, Not Harder: Risk Management, Safety Workflow and Business Rules (Presented by: Riskonnect)

In this presentation we will discuss and demonstrate specific, real-world examples of how risk management executives of global, brand name organizations are implementing new and innovative methods of managing losses and controlling costs. Participants will observe technology and functionality that risk managers are using to impact costs through risk transfer, claims management and risk financing. Sessions available to all RIMS Chapter (including Mexico & Canada).

How Surety Fits into Your ERM Strategy (Presented by: Rosenberg & Parker)

Learn how to make ERM seamless in your organization and discover the tools other organizations are using to implement ERM and uncover the new trends.  Sessions available to all RIMS Chapter (including Mexico & Canada).

Surety, Wine & Cheese (Presented by: Rosenberg & Parker)
What do surety, wine & cheese have in common? Rosenberg & Parker!  Rosenberg & Parker will provide your RIMS chapter with a wine & cheese tasting as well as a fun educational class on cheese. A great session for a chapter’s holiday party or for special events, Surety, Wine & Cheese can be offered on its own, or paired either with one of our other surety bond presentations or on a surety topic specifically tailored to your chapter’s needs.  Chapters are responsible for the cost of the wine & cheese. Sessions available to all RIMS Chapter (including Mexico & Canada).

Surety: Real Stories from the Streets (Presented by: Rosenberg & Parker)

Hear real stories of challenging situations as seen by a surety broker who has spent many years in the trenches.  This session will equip risk managers with the tools that they need to better manage their companies’ surety programs. Sessions available to all RIMS Chapter (including Mexico & Canada).

NEW! Business Interruption Values & Exposures: Quantifying and Communicating your BI Risk (Presented by: RWH Myers)

This session reviews the basics of BI worksheets, including what information they are meant to convey and why they may not accurately represent your organization's risk.  We will also discuss the challenges in allocating BI values by physical location and compiling consistent and accurate reporting from different divisions / business units.  Finally, this session will discuss the benefits to performing a study of BI exposures vs. the annual, consolidated value and highlight the concepts of and methodology of an exposure study. Sessions available to all RIMS Chapter in the 48 contingent states.

Effective Construction Auditing for Property Damage Claims (Presented by: RWH Myers)

The construction auditor bridges the considerable gap between construction and accounting functions by recognizing and preventing risks at every stage of the project, from inception to completion.  Construction audits can mitigate the risk that billing issues excluded from an insurance recovery leave the risk manager with an uninsured cost of rebuilding damaged property. Sessions available to all RIMS Chapter in the 48 contingent states.