Last week, our community focused on some intriguing topics around claim adjustments and liability issues. Members shared insights on handling Florida’s unique laws concerning golf carts and discussed how technology can aid in verifying claim photos. There was also a lively conversation about the quirks of autocorrect impacting CAT teams, and adjustments for moisture detection in challenging environments. Additionally, some shared their experiences with unusual ICD-10 codes and the effectiveness of photo forensics tools.
This Week’s Hot Topics
Florida’s dangerous instrumentality and golf carts
Discussions delved into the specifics of Florida’s dangerous instrumentality doctrine, particularly how it pertains to golf carts. This is crucial for adjusters working in areas where these vehicles are common. Read more
Fast checks for suspect claim photos
Members exchanged tips on tools and techniques for quickly verifying the authenticity of claim photos. This is a critical skill to prevent fraud and ensure accurate assessments. Read more
When autocorrect joins the CAT team
A lighter thread emerged around the humorous and sometimes problematic role of autocorrect in the field. It’s a reminder of the small tech issues that can impact our work. Read more
Moisture meter that’s crawlspace-friendly
Adjusters discussed the best tools for moisture detection in crawlspaces, highlighting the functionality and reliability of different meters. Read more
Strangest ICD-10 code that mattered
This thread explored some of the most unusual ICD-10 codes adjusters have encountered, and how they’ve impacted claims. It’s a testament to the variety in our field. Read more
Photo forensics tools that actually help
A valuable discussion on which photo forensics tools are truly useful in claim verification, helping adjusters make informed choices. Read more
Best CE for tough liability decisions
Community members shared recommendations for continuing education courses that are particularly beneficial when facing challenging liability decisions. Read more
Looking forward to another week of thoughtful discussions. Thanks for being a part of this community.
When a still looks off, I sanity-check the sun/shadow angles against https://suncalc.org for the claimed time and map pin; if it’s off, I ask for a 5–10s video pan that shows the street number and the loss in one take. Not perfect on overcast days, but it’s caught resubmitted stock shots more than once.
Quick example: I do a fast reverse-image check with https://tineye.com on suspect damage pics and, if it’s clean, ask them to resend as the original HEIC/Live Photo so I can see the motion frames — “fast checks” that catch a lot. Not foolproof — cropped shots slip through, — so I’ll request a 5–10s video pan that catches the house number and something time-specific (sprinklers on in the rain, today’s forecast), which has saved me a few times.
I’ve had luck doing a quick ELA pass on https://fotoforensics.com; if anything looks patched, I ask for a retake with a handwritten note showing the claim # and today’s date in frame — low-tech, but it’s the duct tape of photo checks. It’s not gospel — social compression can throw artifacts — so I still prefer originals straight from the camera roll as a backup.
I’ve had good results asking the insured to screen‑record their photo’s info — “tap the ‘i’” so I can see the capture time and the little map thumbnail — then take a wide shot followed by the close‑up from the same spot to lock context. If that metadata’s missing or looks altered, I switch to a brief in‑app live walkthrough so I can confirm location and grab clean stills myself.