Across the globe, individuals, families, communities, and businesses are adjusting to a new reality considering the COVID-19 pandemic. We extend heartfelt sympathy to anyone impacted by the virus, and sincere gratitude to the healthcare workers and organizations on the front lines, battling this unprecedented disease.
 
Needless to say, the safety and well-being of our team, partners, carriers, and the communities in which we live and work, is our top priority.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak is causing a host of unique challenges. However, I want to assure you that Leading Edge Claims Service is fully operational and that there has been no disruption in our service.

In addition, we have taken measures to minimize any potential effect on you, your policyholders, and members for the duration of this health crisis.

Among them:

• We put our business continuity plan into action.  Leading Edge has been prepared to operate with full continuity in an event such as this.
• Our employees proactively and successfully tested their ability to work remotely without slowdowns or disruptions to our field and internal claim administration teams. 
• As the situation progresses, to reduce the risk to our team and ensure that our workforce remain intact, we’ve implemented a work-from-home approach as of Monday, March 16th for all internal staff.  We anticipate this being in effect until approximately April 1st.
• Our field adjusters are proceeding with inspections with caution and care, putting the safety and well-being of all involved first and foremost.    

Please be assured that continuity of your business and taking care of your policyholders and members is our first goal.  During this challenging time, we will continue to provide the exceptional service you rely on. 
 
We have created a COVID-19 Resource Site for our independent adjusters and staff that can help them stay up-to-date on the latest COVID-19 information and provide notification to us of any possible illness or symptoms they are experiencing.  Feel free to utilize this resource and share with your employees if you wish.    

Our thoughts and best wishes are with you and all your staff who continue to work hard during this crisis.

Please stay safe and we appreciate your partnership and support.

Troy S. Hansen | President

Like so many of you, we have spent the last several days and weeks learning about the coronavirus (COVID-19) and how it is impacting our world.  For Leading Edge, that means understanding how it affects our employees, customers, and communities, and then making the necessary adjustments to our work and operations.
 
Leading Edge is closely following the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) guidelines and recommendations on the steps we can take to help prevent the spread of the virus.  (Stop the Spread)  We have shared specific instructions with our employees on the importance of washing their hands and staying home if they feel sick or are returning from an area of the world identified as posing a coronavirus-related risk. Per CDC recommendations, we will ask employees who have traveled to such locations or have been exposed to others who have traveled to such locations to self-quarantine for 14 days.  (Symptoms of Coronavirus)
 
Our housekeeping and sanitization efforts at our home office have expanded and increased in frequency. Our cleaning crews and staff are disinfecting often-touched surfaces such as door handles, countertops, keypads, and restroom surfaces. 
 
A strict travel policy for our employees is in place, and we have halted travel for non-essential business meetings, including trade conferences, air travel, and face-to-face meetings with large groups to help prevent the spread of the illness.
 
At Leading Edge Claims Service, we are taking all necessary measures to protect the health and well-being of our staff, independent adjusters, and clients.  We will continue to closely monitor the situation and take any additional measures to continue protecting our staff and customers as needed.     
 
For additional information about COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov.
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Thanks to all our attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, and speakers!.  This was another great event!  It was awesome  visiting with the adjusters that make it all happen!  Thank you helping us Lead the Way in Times of Crisis!  

​Now that the Holiday season is behind us, don't forget to register for 
Leading Edge Claims Service's 11th Annual Claims Conference. 

All field & desk adjusters, examiners, and reviewers are invited to attend! Even if you’ve never worked for Leading Edge Claims Service, we invite you to attend and learn who we are, what we have to offer, and the benefits of working with us.
 
Join us as we hear from our incredible presenters including Texas Windstorm, HAAG Engineering, Service Master, NEFCO, Symbility, Xactimate, and BSC Forensics. Other speakers will include Troy Hansen, President of Leading Edge Claims, as well as Leading Edge Executives’ David Christopher, EVP, Blake Mears, VP of Claims, and Thomas Noonan, VP of Sales and Marketing. 

We are also looking forward to an update from the trenches regarding Texas wind and hail claims, appraisal laws, and other news from our keynote speaker, Steve Badger, Partner at Zelle, LLP.  
 
By attending this conference, you will receive up to 10 CE credits, of which, 1 applies to the 2-hour ethics requirement. In addition, you will learn more about Leading Edge, talk to the experts helping sponsor the event, meet our deployment coordinators, various Carrier representatives, and the executive management of Leading Edge Claims Service.  

As of early afternoon, Hurricane Dorian is approximately 100 miles off the east coast of Florida. The National Hurricane Center reported that Hurricane Dorian would likely move slowly up the Florida coast to Georgia and the Carolina's. While the storm’s intensity has declined since it struck the Bahamas as a Category 5 hurricane, Dorian is now classified as a Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 105 mph.

Florida coastal residents, businesses and their Insurance Carriers have dodged a major catastrophe with Dorian.  With that said, Leading Edge has downsized the temporary cat personnel deployment and will retain a small group of desk adjusters to help administer the claims that trickle in along the Florida Coast over the coming weeks.    

We will be watching North Carolina very closely as our field adjuster exposure strengthens as Dorian approaches North Carolina.  

​As Hurricane Dorian approaches, our Carrier's requested the deployment of forty (40) inside desk adjuster/examiners to our home office in Colleyville, TX.  All personnel were deployed and are in place ready for FNOL.    

This massive storm has virtually come to a stop over the Bahamas causing extreme devastation.  We extend our prayers to the people in the Bahamas trying to survive the storm.    

We will continue to monitor and track the storm over the coming days to evaluate the need for additional personnel.   

​As we watch the tropics and the Gulf of Mexico, Adjusters are starting to get the premature stand-by calls for storms that may or may not develop or cause damage that require CAT teams.  While there is still great uncertainty in the prediction models, there is even greater uncertainty in the intensity of the storm.  As you may know, when Leading Edge Claims issues a stand-by alert, it’s because claims are most likely imminent.
 
We’re closely watching Invest 92L.  At present, the disturbance has a 90% chance of cyclone formation over the next 48 hours and is expected to move westerly in the Gulf.  The latest spaghetti models are coming closer together, with Louisiana and possibly East Texas being targeted. 
 
A team of Hurricane Hunters is planning a flyover to investigate the storm later today (Wednesday, 7/10/19).  Leading Edge Claims has Carriers with exposure across the Gulf of Mexico and we will keep you updated on all deployment or stand-by opportunities as they become more evident.     

Today is the last day to register with the $100 discount. 

We have a great line-up of speakers and classes that will provide 12 CE credits, including the 2-hour ethics requirement. 

Come join us at the beautiful Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, TX and meet with Leading Edge Claims' management, clients, and some industry experts who are exhibiting at this event. 

Please click here to view more about the conference, the agenda, and to register.  We will see you in a few weeks!       

Leading Edge Claims sends our deepest sympathies to the victims of Hurricane Michael.  What an unprecedented hurricane this is!  The storm is still packing 50 mph sustained winds over Augusta, Georgia.   

Our first wave of adjusters have been deployed and help is on the way!  We will continue to monitor the event and keep our adjusters on alert as our Carriers issue more deployment requests across the southeast.