Without the missing evidence, it is
nearly impossible to substantiate the subrogation claim. Gaining the co-operation
of the policyholder combined with strong
efforts to preserve the evidence will substantially impact the results. Having the
subrogation adjuster involved early in the
process increases the chance of a successful outcome.
Claims management and
continuing education
Enough time must be allowed for thorough recovery investigations to be conducted together with securing and preserving evidence, and obtaining all facts
crucial to the ultimate disposition of the
case, which includes subrogation recovery.
Tutoring staff on the value of expertly
written arbitration contentions which
properly lay out the facts and cite local
statutes will deliver a successful outcome.
Education in the review and defense of
claims denied or improperly reduced
also needs attention. Knowing how to re-
spond and negotiate damage disputes is
becoming increasingly more important.
All staff, including recovery staff,
should receive ongoing training on subrogation awareness, investigation, rules
of negligence and local statutes which
impact recovery opportunities. Membership in industry associations such
as NASP (National Association of Subrogation Professionals) which provide
valuable resources and training opportunities might be considered. Developing
relationships with subrogation counsel,
recovery vendors and industry experts to
support recovery initiatives all contribute
to subrogation success.
Creative claims handling
Creative subrogation efforts can result in
the identification of recovery opportunities even in storm losses which at first may
appear to be an Act of God, but investigated and proven to be poor construction
or improper work performance. These efforts require the cooperation of the insured
to build a solid case against a third party.
The main objective for any project
should always be a successful outcome.
Studies have revealed approximately 15%
of claims are closed without recognizing
a recovery opportunity. That means there
is a lot of room for improvement. A smart
objective for every insurer or self-insured
entity should be to reduce that percentage
through the development and construction of an aggressive subrogation program, using available internal and external resources to deliver success.
Kathleen J. Smith, CSPR, (ksmith@
spartanrecoveries.com) is managing
director of Holbrook, N. Y.-based
subrogation recovery services company
Spartan Recoveries LLC. Donna
Geraghty (dgeraghty@spartanrecoveries.
com) is the business development
manager at Spartan Recoveries.
THE STRENGTH OF
A SUBROGATION
PROGRAM LIES IN ITS
ABILITY TO IDENTIFY
VIABLE RECOVERY
OPPORTUNITIES.
STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP
1. Publication Title: Claims 2. Publication No. 0895-7991. 3. Filing Date: September 25, 2017. 4. Frequency: Monthly. 5. No. of Issues Published
Annually: 12. 6. Annual Subscription Price: $84 Contact Person: Lynn Kruetzkamp Telephone (Include area code) 859-692-2256. 7. Complete address of
Known Office of Publication: 4157 Olympic Blvd, Suite 225, Erlanger, KY 41018. 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of
Publisher: 120 Broadway 5th FL, New York, NY 10271. 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor; Publisher:
Tamara Patterson, 7009 South Potomac St., Ste. 200, Centennial, CO 80112; Editor: Patricia Harman 12515 Falls Rd., Cockeysville, MD 21030. Managing
Editor: None 10. Owners: ALM Media, LLC, 120 Broadway, New York, N Y 10271. 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning
or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None 12. Tax Status (For completion by nonprofit organizations
authorized to mail at nonprofit rates) (Check one). The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income
tax purposes: Has Not Changed during Preceding 12 Months. Has changed during preceding 12 Months (Publisher must submit explanation of change with
this statement): Not Applicable. 13. Publication Title: Claims. 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: September 2017. 15a. Total No. of copies (net
press run) – Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 13607 Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filling Date: 13583.
15b. Paid Circulation (By Mail and Outside the Mail) – ( 1) Mailed Outside-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541 (Include paid distribution
above nominal rate, advertiser’s proof copies, and exchange copies) – Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 12213. No. Copies
of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 11791. ( 2) Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541 (Include paid distribution above
nominal rate, advertiser’s proof copies, and exchange copies) – Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: None. No. Copies of Single
Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: None. ( 3) Paid Distribution Outside the Mails Including Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter
Sales, and Other Paid Distribution Outside USPS® – Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 12. No. Copies of Single Issue Published
Nearest to Filing Date: 7. ( 4) Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail through the USPS (e.g., First-Class Mail®) – Average No. Copies Each Issue During
Preceding 12 Months: None. No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: None. 15c. Total Paid Distribution [Sum of 15b ( 1), ( 2), ( 3), and
( 4)] – Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 12225. No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 11798. 15d. Free or
Nominal Rate Distribution (By Mail and Outside the Mail) – ( 1) Free or Nominal Rate Outside-County Copies included on PS Form 3541 – Average No. Copies
Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 90. No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 471. ( 2) Free or Nominal Rate In-County Copies
Included on PS Form 3541 – Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: None. No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date:
None. ( 3) Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed at Other Classes through the USPS (e.g., First-Class Mail) – Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding
12 Months: None. No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: None. ( 4). Free or Nominal Rate Distribution outside the Mail (Carriers or
other means) – Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 1293 No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 1314. 15e.
Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (Sum of 15d ( 1), ( 2), ( 3) and ( 4)) – Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 1383. No. Copies
of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 1785. 15f. Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e) – Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12
Months: 13608. No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 13583. 15g. Copies not Distributed – Average No. Copies Each Issue During
Preceding 12 Months: None. No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: None. 15h. Total (Sum of 15f and g) – Average No. Copies Each
Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 13608. No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 13583. 15i. Percent Paid (15c divided by 15f times
100) – Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 89.84%. No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 86.86%. 16. Total
circulation includes electronic copies. N/A 17. Publication of Statement of O wnership. If the publication is a general publication, publication of this statement
is required. Will be printed in the November 2017 issue of this publication. 18. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner. Date. I
certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or
who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions Sheila Hyland, Senior Finance Director, Date signed 9/25/17.
