Michigan State Chapter of the IASIU Events and Resources

Date: 01/19/2023
Time: 9:30am
Location: AAA Insurance 1 Auto Club Dr, Dearborn, MI 48126
Speaker(s): Shelly Lee Griffin with Secrest Wardle
Topic:Ethics
Speaker Information:In the month of January we welcome Shelly Lee Griffin of Plunkett Cooney / of Counsel for MI IASIU to present on Ethics. Please note, this training will meet the qualifications for your required ethics training for your CIFI, CIFA and/or CIFR designations. This meeting will be offered in person only. Refreshments will be offered during this meeting. Following this one hour training, we will host our general membership meeting.

Date: 03/16/2023
Time: 9:30am
Location: Auto-Owners home Office building at 6101 Anacapri Blvd Lansing MI 48917
Speaker(s): Bob Hendricks and Jason Byrne from Warner Norcross + Judd
Topic: How Michigan’s Legalization of Cannabis Affects Insurance Policies, Terms, Insurance Fraud, and Claims.

This training will share the brief history of cannabis legalization in Michigan and the current state of the law, and move into how cannabis legalization (at the state law level) intersects with and affects insurance issues including markets, coverage and claims issues.  There will be an interactive hypothetical case study – Fire Implicating Personal Homeowners Policy, where there is evidence of cannabis activity on the premises, and followed by an audience Q & A (so the concerns and issues that attendees face and manage can be addressed).

Speaker Information:

Robert Hendricks - Senior Counsel, Warner Norcross + Judd

Bob Hendricks brings almost four decades of commercial law experience to his practice. Since 2013, he has been cultivating both a state-level leadership role and a prominent practice in the area of legal cannabis commerce, which now comprises the majority of his practice.

Commercial marijuana activity has existed for decades – it just so happened to be illegal. Since 2008 Michigan has been working to transform cannabis (and cannabis commerce) into something that is lawful, regulated, licensed and taxed, and we now have a full complement of laws that make this possible. But it is much more complicated than simply flipping a switch. That’s where Bob comes in.

Full bio: https://www.wnj.com/people/robert-a-hendricks/

Jason Byrne - Partner, Warner Norcross + Judd

As chair of the firm’s Insurance Practice Group, Jason Byrne brings over two decades of experience advising both insurers and policyholders on complex insurance and risk management issues, including high-stakes coverage disputes. Jason advocates for clients in state, federal and appellate courts and advises clients on policy terms, coverage issues and other insurance related questions.  Jason is also a member of Warner’s Cannabis Industry Group, where he regularly advises cannabis business clients on their insurance needs, strategies and claims issues.

Full bio:  https://www.wnj.com/people/jason-l-byrne/

Date: 5/18/2023
Time: 8am-12pm
Location: Virtual
Speaker(s): Dr. Andrew Rentschler and Kevin Peters of King Tilden McEttrick
Topic: Spring Seminar
Speaker Information: Join Dr. Rentschler and attorney Kevin Peters while they each explore the various aspects of investigations and insurance fraud.
Dr. Rentschler will review the biometrics of injuries, how to identify injuries of concern and mechanisms of injuries.
Attorney Kevin Peters will review Transportation Network Companies, staged accidents and ring activities, identifying steps investigators can take to identify fraudulent activity and the steps to combat them in claims handling.
A TEAMS invite was sent to all CURRENT members of MI IASIU.

Date: 5/02/2023
Time: 08:00am-12:00pm
Location: Auto Owners Insurance 6190 South Campus Blvd, Lansing MI 48917
Speaker(s): Mike Vergon
Topic: Vergon Fire Seminar
Speaker Information: Kenneth Allen a Federally convicted arsonist was involved in a large, complex, arson-for-profit scheme, which ultimately culminated in 46 defendants pleading guilty, and the clearing of over 70 fires that were set for the sole purpose of illegally collecting insurance proceeds. Only 2 of seventy fires were ever classified as “Incendiary” by public and/or private origin and cause investigators, prior to this case being concluded.
Mr. Allen will discuss how he set some of these fires and will discuss the steps he took to further his position(s) with the various insurance companies with which he was doing business. 
Mike Vergon, a retired ATF Special Agent / Certified Fire Investigator arrested Kenneth Allen. He will provide a synopsis of the overall investigation and will discuss lessons learned during the course of this two and half year long investigation. In addition, highlights will also include an analysis of interaction with insurance industry representatives and content of insurance files, origin and cause investigation issues, proper and thorough interviewing, selection of experts, and how this case has impacted NFPA 921 with respect to the classification of fires.

Date: 07/27/2023
Time: 1pm-TBD
Location: Comerica Park
Event: 2023 MIIASIU Networking Session
Information: MI IASIU invites you to the 2023 Networking event to be held at Comerica Park on July 27, 2023.  The Detroit Tigers will be hosting the Los Angeles Angels at 1:10pm. Pre-game meet and greet will be held at Hockeytown Café, from 11am-1pm.  We are utilizing Square for sign-up and payment of this event.  Upon following the link below you will need to complete the registration form and then click on the “See details" button to complete the order by paying online. 

  When completing the registration form please provide the email address associated with your MLB app as that is how you will need to receive your tickets.  You may select the number of tickets during the payment process.

 There are a limited number of tickets for this event so it will be first come first serve.  The tickets will be delivered via the MLB app that is free to download and use.  

  Your families are welcome to attend as well.

    The $40 ticket includes seat at the game and a $15 food voucher.  

    Questions can be directed to Stella Grablick (estella.grablick@fmins.com) or Missy Comini (mjcomini@acg.aaa.com)

  Registration: https://miiasiu.square.site/

Date: 08/17/2023
Time: 9:30am
Location: Frankenmuth Insurance; One Mutual Ave Frankenmuth, Michigan 48734. 
Speaker(s): Kim Downey of Complete Investigations
Topic: Let’s Get Digital! Learn how cell phone forensics and other digital forensics is impacting the insurance industry today!  You will learn when digital forensics is applicable to your investigation, what tactics and techniques are most successful and how this evidence is used in litigation.   With digital forensics in your back pocket, you can uncover GPS locations, text messages, voicemails, emails, video, photographs and social media and gain intelligence that helps create an accurate timeline and story.  This presentation will equip you to feel confident about digital forensics, how it is collected, analyzed, and used as indisputable evidence when litigating an insurance claim. 
Speaker Information:  Founder of Complete Investigations, Kimberly Downey has a dual bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Central Michigan University. She has worked in an undercover capacity for a mid-Michigan police department and has worked as an investigator for over 27 years for a Michigan private detective firm. Kimberly has received intense training and has been certified by the Reid School of Interrogations and Interviewing, Internet Investigations and is an Expert in Cellular Phone Forensics, Cell Tower Mapping and Wifi Router Investigations. She has also attended the academy for the National Insurance Crime Bureau and specializes in surveillance and interviewing. Kimberly has also participated in various types of investigations throughout her professional career in auto-thefts, automobile accidents, home invasions, arson, witness interviews, wrongful deaths, sexual harassment and internal business investigations. She has also investigated national and international patent infringement and intellectual property theft cases.  Kimberly’s most recent federal criminal investigations include Capital Murder, Human Trafficking, Child Pornography, Latin King Gangs, Drug Conspiracies, Bank Robberies, Ponzi Schemes and Death Sentence Appeal cases.

MI IASIU Fall Seminar will take place on 10/19/23 at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, MI. Registration will open in August, details forthcoming.

Date: 11/16/2023
Time: 9:30am
Location: Citizens Insurance, 808 N Highlander Way, Howell, MI 48843
Speaker(s): TBD
Topic:
Speaker Information: