The Savvy Adjuster Podcast

Hosted by Alpine Intel

Business Management EducationInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Apr 2026

Language

About the show

Welcome to Alpine Intel’s The Savvy Adjuster Podcast, where insurance professionals can hear discussions by experts on a variety of topics related to what you may see in claims. We’ll discuss roof damages, electrical and HVAC system losses, product failures, fire origin and cause, workers’ compensation, complex commercial properties and equipment, and so much more. Each episode features guests from Alpine Intel’s operating brands—HVACi, StrikeCheck, National Fire Experts, Donan Engineering, Component Testing Laboratories, VRC Investigations, The Robison Group, TechLoss Consulting & Restoration, BSC Forensics, and Mecanica Scientific Services—who share their knowledge and experience through conversation and examples from in the field. Get an inside look at what the experts consider during assessments and how their insights can help you reach an accurate settlement, right here on The Savvy Adjuster Podcast.

Listen to episodes

41 recent

April 29, 202625 min

How Adjusters Can Speed Up Hail and Wind Roof Claims with Donan On Demand

With spring storm season in full swing, adjusters handling hail and wind damage claims involving asphalt shingle roofs need ways to make the process easier. In this episode of The Savvy Adjuster Podcast, Alpine Intel Executive Vice President of Innovation Chris Scallion joins Sales Operations Manager Chris Nichols to discuss Donan On Demand, a new solution designed to streamline roof damage claims through faster assessments and engineer-backed reporting. Discussed in This Episode Challenges adjusters face with hail and wind roof damage claims The inspiration behind Donan On Demand and how it addresses these concerns How desk reviews provide actionable, engineer-stamped reports Examples of integrating Donan On Demand into the claims process The role of technology in supporting, and not replacing, licensed engineering expertise Learn More About Donan On Demand: https://bit.ly/4egSBcp Additional Resources Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/4ec1x2R Donan Engineering: https://bit.ly/4eMyCCz Additional Shingle Roofing Resources: Article: Wind and Other Damage to Shingle Roofs: https://bit.ly/3OzKFJ0 Article: Identifying Hail Damage to Asphalt Shingle Roofs: https://bit.ly/4vXbaZp eBook: Residential Roofing Fundamentals for Adjusters: https://bit.ly/4mUyBP0 Video: Donan On Demand Teaser: https://bit.ly/4cEdDAv

December 17, 202515 min

Smoke and Fire Impacts to Business-Critical Equipment

In this episode of The Savvy Adjuster Podcast, we’re talking about the effects of smoke and fire damage on business-critical equipment. Host Chris Nichols welcomes back TechLoss Consulting and Restoration Corporate Vice President Bob Karbin and Vice President of Engineering Mikey Minor to discuss concerns about smoke and fire damage claims and the fire damage restoration process. These include corrosive elements in smoke, how extreme heat impacts functionality, and the importance of quickly stabilizing equipment. Listeners will gain insights into how degreed engineers can differentiate between repairable equipment and a total loss, factoring in everything from fire suppression system damage to business interruption.Discussed in This EpisodeHow smoke and fire contamination damages business-critical equipmentThe scientific process of wipe sampling to identify contamination levelsHow damage can also be caused by fire suppression systems and firefighting efforts, introducing water, chemicals, and debrisKey actions adjusters and insureds should take to evaluate lossesThe importance of timeliness to prevent further equipment deterioration and control costsStories from the field detailing unique and challenging smoke and fire claims, including explosions and widespread corrosion eventsAdditional ResourcesAlpine Intel Resources Page: https://bit.ly/4pKAXRgTechLoss Consulting & Restoration: https://bit.ly/45eWIjNAdditional Resources About Smoke and Fire Damage Claims:Article: Equipment Restoration Following Fire and Water Losses: https://bit.ly/4s00MOHArticle: From FNOL to Resolved: Steps for Business-Critical Equipment Claims: https://bit.ly/3MGrdZJGuide: The Impact of Heat on Equipment: https://bit.ly/3My1Kld

December 3, 202529 min

Drilling Into What To Do With Dental Equipment Claims

It’s time to drill down into the nuances of dental equipment claims with The Savvy Adjuster Podcast. When a peril impacts a dental office, the damage can extend beyond the patient chair. Host Chris Nichols is joined by TechLoss Consulting and Restoration Corporate Vice President Bob Karbin and Vice President of Engineering Mikey Minor to discuss the wide array of specialized equipment that can be compromised. They explore the common causes of loss, from water and smoke damage to power surges, and outline the critical first steps adjusters should take to mitigate further damage. Discussed in This EpisodeThe full range of equipment found in a dental office, including specialized lab and operatory toolsCommon perils that impact sensitive equipment, such as water, smoke, power surges, and physical impactCritical first steps and best practices for adjusters to follow when receiving a dental equipment claim to prevent further damageThe role of wear and tear and how degreed engineers can differentiate it from other causes of lossThe restoration and cleaning process for contaminated equipment to return it to pre-loss conditionOptions for securing equipment to minimize business interruption for the insuredReal-world examples and stories from the field of complex dental equipment claimsAdditional ResourcesAlpine Intel Resources Page: https://bit.ly/44LMUNZTechLoss Consulting & Restoration: https://bit.ly/4pIjjNBAdditional Dental Equipment Claims Resources:Article: Drilling into Dental Equipment Claims: Perils and the Assessment Process: https://bit.ly/3MAr9udGuide: Dental Equipment Assessment and Restoration: https://bit.ly/48LZM9cCase Study: Dental Equipment Claim: https://bit.ly/44KGOxj

November 12, 20256 min

More Than Lightning: Other Perils Found in Electrical Equipment Claims

Lightning and surge are often linked with electronics failures, but other perils might be playing a role. Alpine Intel Executive Vice President of Specialty Assessments Paul Whitmore and Alpine Intel’s Strategic Sales Development Manager Chris Tomlinson rejoin Alpine Intel Sales Operations Manager Chris Nichols on The Savvy Adjuster Podcast to discuss other causes of loss that lead to electrical equipment failures.Discussed in This Episode Water damage to electronicsWeather-related perilsWhat to do when policyholders report the cause of loss as “unknown”Additional Resources Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/4qOGNlDStrikeCheck: https://bit.ly/47RiryKAdditional Electronics Resources:Guide: Water Damage to Electronics: https://bit.ly/3XnCf88Article: StrikeCheck Electrical System Assessment Tools of the Trade: https://bit.ly/3WPFEMMGuide: Weather Impacts to Electronics Claims: https://bit.ly/47M9OWb

October 29, 202523 min

Claimed Residential Electrical Equipment You Shouldn’t Ignore

The Savvy Adjuster Podcast returns with a look at various types of residential electrical equipment frequently found in claims. Alpine Intel Sales Operations Manager Chris Nichols is joined by Alpine Intel Executive Vice President of Specialty Assessments Paul Whitmore and Alpine Intel’s Strategic Sales Development Manager Chris Tomlinson, who each have an extensive history in the insurance industry. Listen as they discuss electronics that may fail during the cooler months and what perils, including water damage, might be affecting them.Discussed in This Episode Outdoor residential electrical equipment often included in claims (including outdoor entertainment systems!)Perils that impact electrically powered equipment in the summer months, such as lightning, and how causes of loss might shift with cooler temperatures to include fire, freezing conditions, and othersWhen repairs may be most appropriate versus a replacementWhy pools and hot tubs might still be included in winter claimsWater damage to electronics, its causes, and its impactsInteresting electronics claims storiesAdditional Resources Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/42UM00YStrikeCheck: https://bit.ly/49liPb8Additional Electronics Resources:Guide: Outdoor Electronics: Your Guide to Perils, Damages, and Assessments: https://bit.ly/4oIh2S8Article: Even Hot Tubs Don’t Like Cold Weather: https://bit.ly/4ofuDQYGuide: Preparing for Winter Electrical Fire Claims Guide: https://bit.ly/4obu2zV

August 8, 202539 min

Certified Fire Protection Specialists: How To Tell if Fire Suppression Systems Impacted Fire Losses

In this episode, Alpine Intel Senior Account Manager Chris Nichols is joined by National Fire Experts Certified Fire Protection Specialists (CFPS) Ted Forbes and Ryan Bain to discuss why it’s important to evaluate fire suppression systems following a fire incident. You’ll understand the difference between the certified fire investigators who determine origin and cause and the fire protection specialists who analyze whether fire suppression systems prevented or failed to prevent the spread of a fire. This can help adjusters determine what may have caused additional losses and if there may be other concerns at a property.Discussed in This Episode:The roles of Certified Fire Protection Specialists and certified fire investigators When during the claims process an adjuster should call for a CFPS How CFPS investigations can be done virtually Different types of Automatic Extinguishing Systems How location and codes impact findingsStories from the field about CFPS investigationsAdditional Resources:Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/476JtDRNational Fire Experts: https://bit.ly/3J7i4YcInvestigating Fire Suppression Systems After Commercial Fires: https://bit.ly/3H1uJvmCertified Fire Protection Specialist Case Study: Investigating a Restaurant Fire: https://bit.ly/4oypsMK5 Questions to Ask After a Kitchen Fire: https://bit.ly/4lk1QskAdjuster’s Glossary of Fire Investigation Terms Guide: https://bit.ly/4ftTnS0

July 16, 20257 min

Take 10: Using Expert Vehicle Forensics in Litigation

In this short episode, Senior Account Manager Chris Nichols returns with Forensic Engineer Brennan Clark of Alpine Intel’s Component Testing Laboratories and Curtis Whitfill, Vice President of SIU Compliance and CE Programs at Alpine Intel’s VRC Investigations. They discuss the role potential litigation plays in the evidence-gathering and preserving process for vehicle crash investigations and auto claims.Discussed in This Episode:What SIU investigators consider going into the assignmentThe importance of accurate reports and evidence preservationKeeping strict processes and single-line chains of custody at Component Testing LaboratoriesHow Crash Data Retrieval experts may be involved with depositions or serve as expert witnessesAdditional Resources:Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/3IuTnVtCrash Data Retrieval and Litigation Guide: https://bit.ly/3TFw2TeHow To Spot Potential Fraud Concerns in Auto Claims: https://bit.ly/3TDcsqPLeveraging Crash Data Retrieval as an Auto Claims Adjuster: https://bit.ly/3GKoc7YBest Practices for Evidence Management in Subrogation Cases: https://bit.ly/3TDQT9F

July 2, 202535 min

When You Should Turn to Vehicle Forensics in Auto Claims

Learn how vehicle forensics and other investigation techniques can be included in the auto claims process during this episode of The Savvy Adjuster Podcast. Senior Account Manager Chris Nichols discusses what a vehicle’s Event Data Recorder, infotainment equipment, and 3D scan can tell adjusters with Forensic Engineer Brennan Clark of Alpine Intel’s Component Testing Laboratories. Curtis Whitfill, vice president of SIU Compliance and CE Programs at Alpine Intel’s VRC Investigations, joins to provide insights on other evidence sources. These include video, neighborhood canvassing, and license plate readers. The pair also shares stories of times this evidence confirmed an insured’s reported auto claim details, and when it proved something else.Discussed in This Episode: Sources for reliable evidence that can be used in vehicle claimsWhat an Event Data Recorder can tell about vehicle characteristics at the time of the lossWhat a vehicle’s infotainment equipment can show about cellphone usageThe incorporation of License Plate Readers in investigationsHow to use evidence for the future of vehicle equipment claimsRed flags in auto claimsReal stories that show how evidence gathering impacts vehicle claimsAdditional Resources: Alpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/46mGDdeCase Study: Retrieving Crash Data: https://bit.ly/44eD9s4Article: How a Car “Black Box” Can Aid Insurance Investigations: https://bit.ly/3Ia33ogGuide: Crash Data Retrieval and Litigation: https://bit.ly/4eE8zeYGuide: Auto Fraud Indicators: https://bit.ly/44rVhgR

June 4, 202522 min

Simplifying Answers to Complex Claim Questions

On this episode of The Savvy Adjuster Podcast, Alpine Intel’s Chief Revenue Officer, Reza Nikrooz, joins Senior Account Manager Chris Nichols to discuss the risks insurance adjusters face when they seek to settle a claim. Using his background in the insurance industry, he explains the risk of making a settlement decision without having all the facts, as well as steps adjusters can take to help ensure better accuracy for claims involving electrical and HVAC equipment. Additional ResourcesAlpine Intel Resource Page: https://bit.ly/3ZMiIzIStrikeCheck: https://bit.ly/4mGiowiHVACi: https://bit.ly/4kQZYYfAdditional HVACi and StrikeCheck Resources:Guide: StrikeCheck 2024 Annual Claims Report: https://bit.ly/3Fnmn0eGuide: HVACi 2024 Annual Claims Report: https://bit.ly/3FuIwtxArticle: 6 Questions to Ask Before Settling Electronics Claims: A Practical Guide to Accurate Settlements: https://bit.ly/43rDo2y

May 14, 202511 min

Take 10: Protecting Against Lightning and Surge Damage

Alpine Intel’s Customer Education Director, Jay Dykstra, is back on The Savvy Adjuster Podcast to discuss measures policyholders can take to protect their electronics from lightning and high voltage surge. He’ll explain to Senior Account Manager Chris Nichols and our listeners some options to prevent power surges—and why they’re not always enough.Additional ResourcesAlpine Intel Resources Page: https://bit.ly/3GPSOEKStrikeCheck: https://bit.ly/43mXlY2Additional Lightning and Surge Resources:Article: How Surge Protection Can Decrease Losses – But Why It Won’t Eliminate Them: https://bit.ly/3RVXiw3 eBook: An Evaluation of Surge and Lightning Damage to Electronics and Specialty Claims: https://bit.ly/439X4qi Adjuster FAQ: High Voltage Surge Impacts to Electronics Guide: https://bit.ly/4daFdnL