The Claim Hunters

In this episode of Claim Hunters, your host Chris Tidball speaks with Tracy Yaun, Head of Casualty Claims for the US and Canada at AXA XL. They explore key challenges in the insurance claims industry, including fraud detection, medical billing abuse, and the strategic use of social media evidence. The conversation also addresses the growing knowledge gap as experienced professionals retire, highli...

In this episode of the Claim Hunters podcast, your host Chris Tidball speaks with Matthew Deming, a major case unit liability administrator at Acadia Insurance. Matthew discusses handling large casualty claims, including construction defects, severe injuries like TBIs and fractures, and trends such as unnecessary medical treatments inflating claim costs. He addresses the challenges of nuclear verd...

In this episode of The Claim Hunters, host Chris Tidball sits down with Dave Fernandez, Chief Claims Officer at Kingstone Insurance. Dave shares his unexpected journey into insurance, from a temporary role at Progressive to over three decades in the industry. The conversation covers Kingstone's growth plans, the shift to fully remote work, and the importance of hiring self-motivated, curious adjus...

In this episode of the Claim Hunters, your host Chris Tidball interviews Rob Bowers, Chief Claims Officer at Westfield, as he reflects on his nearly four-decade career ahead of retirement. Rob discusses the dramatic evolution of claims handling, from handwritten logs to AI, drones, and satellite imagery. He shares insights on remote work, the "Amazon mindset" of modern customers, nuclear verdicts,...

In this episode of the Claim Hunters, your host Chris Tidball interviews Taylor Smith, Founder and President of Suite 200 Solutions, about the 2026 CLM Defense Council study. They discuss rising claim severity, increasing indemnity and defense costs, and the growing use of AI by plaintiff firms to secure larger settlements. The conversation highlights the defense industry's struggle to keep pace w...

In this episode of the Claim Hunters podcast, your host Chris Tidball interviews Krista Glenn, Chief Claims Officer at Westfield Specialty. Krista explains how Westfield Specialty, launched in 2021, operates as a specialty division focusing on cyber, excess casualty, and professional lines, with a growing global presence. She shares her career journey from law school to building Westfield Specialt...

In this episode of The Claim Hunters, host Chris Tidball speaks with Lauren Watstein from W. R. Berkley Corporation, who oversees legal bill review for 17 Berkley entities and manages corporate panel counsel. Lauren explains how her experienced team of legal professionals audit invoices for accuracy and compliance with billing guidelines. She highlights common red flags like pattern billing and cl...

In this episode of Claim Hunters, your host Chris Tidball speaks with Mike Cummings, Head of Claims at Norfolk & Dedham (N&D Group). They discuss rising litigation costs, inconsistent claims handling, and strategies to combat claim severity, including social media investigations and surveillance. Mike highlights challenges with soft fraud and inflated medical bills, and shares how AI is be...

In this episode of Claim Hunters, your host Chris Tidball speaks with Hope Remetta, Director of Claims at Berkley Industrial Comp. Hope explains her team's focus on high-severity workers' compensation claims, including fatalities, amputations, and traumatic brain injuries, involving highly skilled workers in hazardous industries. She highlights Berkley's flexible, creative approach to claims manag...

In this episode of Claim Hunters, host Chris Tidball speaks with Montana attorney Brandon Shannon about litigation management challenges. Brandon explains why subrogation is difficult in Montana due to the state's "made whole" rule. He highlights the importance of early case evaluation within 45–60 days and advocates for standardized litigation guidelines to improve consistency across insurers. Br...

In this episode of the Claim Hunters podcast, your host Chris Tidball interviews Bryan Guin, Co-Founder and COO of Avallon AI, about the role of artificial intelligence in insurance claims operations. Bryan explains how Avallon AI builds AI agents that handle routine communications, document processing, and medical bill reviews, freeing adjusters for complex tasks. They discuss AI's potential for...

In this episode of the Claim Hunters podcast, host Chris Tidball speaks with Michele Punturi, Director, Workers' Compensation, Marshall Dennehey. Michele shares her career journey from law clerk to firm board member, and discusses key aspects of workers' comp litigation, including balancing employer and injured worker interests. The conversation covers rising medical costs, attorney fees on medica...

In this episode of the Claim Hunters, your host Chris Tidball speaks with Steve Ellis, Liability Practice Lead at Sedgwick, about the declining art of negotiation in insurance claims handling. Steve draws on his experience teaching MBA negotiation courses to highlight how adjusters today often reduce negotiation to simple number exchanges rather than leveraging case facts. They discuss challenges...

In this episode of The Claim Hunters, your host Chris Tidball interviews Carly Eastwood, Assistant Vice President of Risk Management at MODE Global, a non-asset transportation broker. Carly discusses the company's role in vetting carriers, managing claims, and preventing fraud, which has surged 2,400% since COVID-19. She highlights MODE Global's success in reducing fraud by 42% year-over-year usin...

In this episode of The Claim Hunters, your host Chris Tidball speaks with Amy Cooper, CEO of RISE, a professional network for young insurance industry professionals. Amy shares RISE's remarkable growth to nearly 9,000 members across 12 countries, including their first international event at Lloyd's of London. She discusses stepping into the CEO role full-time and the upcoming 10th Annual RISE Awar...

Your host, Chris Tidball, talks with Susan Wisbey-Smith, CEO of the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), recorded live at the CLM Annual Conference in Orlando. Susan discusses CLM's mission as a 60,000-member organization spanning defense counsel, claims and risk professionals, corporate members, and service providers. She shares how CLM is working to bridge the growing divide between...

Your host, Chris Tidball, talks with Matt Freiman and Eric Ashley, the Director of Large Loss Subrogation and the Litigation Manager at SubroIQ. Matt and Eric discuss their career backgrounds, challenges in subrogation, and innovations like cyber subrogation. Both preview their upcoming presentations at the NASP conference, covering leadership, joint prosecution agreements, autonomous vehicles, an...

In this special joint episode, Ashton Kirsch and Chris Tidball—hosts of the Subrogation Support Network and Claims Hunter podcasts—combine their expertise to discuss key challenges and trends in the subrogation and claims industry. They explore the importance of training, early claim identification, and balancing technology with human expertise. Ashton and Chris share real-world stories, highlight...

Your host, Chris Tidball, talks with the CEO at ClaimConnectIQ, Jeanette Hernandez. Jeanette discusses her career journey, the creation of ClaimConnectIQ—a platform connecting claims professionals with vetted service providers—and her work with AMA Roundtables, which foster industry collaboration. She explores talent shortages, the evolving insurer-service provider relationship, and the competitiv...

Your host, Chris Tidball, talks with the Head of Liability, North America at Gallagher Bassett, Gary Leonard. Gary shares his unconventional path into the claims industry, insights from his private investigation background, and the importance of timely investigations and clear communication. He covers challenges faced by claims adjusters, the impact of fraud, and the need for better training. Gary...

Your host, Chris Tidball, talks with the Partner of Collins + Collins, Howard Franco Jr., Esq. Howard explains the benefits and challenges of repurposing malls, including implications for the insurance industry and community revitalization. He shares examples of successful projects and emphasizes the need for creative, collaborative approaches to housing shortages, encouraging listeners to conside...

Your host, Chris Tidball, talks with the Managing Partners and Shareholder at Bohyer, Erickson, Beaudette & Tranel, Erin Erickson and Paul Tranel. Erin and Paul highlight recent legal trends, legislative changes, and the impact of new residents on jury verdicts. They also cover the firm’s national recognition, the advanced pay rule, and the effects of litigation funding. To learn more about Er...

Your host, Chris Tidball, talks with the Claims Consultant of Golden Bear Insurance Company, Alexandra Santo. Alexandra discusses her transition from practicing law to working in insurance, highlighting the variety and flexibility of her current role. She shares insights into handling general liability, cannabis, and legal malpractice claims, including unique challenges and memorable cases. To lea...

Your host, Chris Tidball, talks with the Director and Sr. Counsel of Markel Group, Phyllis Modlin. Phyllis discusses the intricacies of construction defect litigation, common property damage issues, and the insurance industry's evolving responses. Phyllis highlights the rise in construction defect claims, the importance of adhering to building codes, and the cyclical nature of insurance exclusions...

Your host, Chris Tidball, talks with the Owner of Metro Claims & Risk Mgmt, Dwight Geddes. Dwight shares his unconventional entry into the claims industry and discusses the rampant issue of insurance fraud in New York, highlighting the involvement of organized crime, such as the Russian mafia. He explains the challenges of prosecuting fraud and the economic factors that drive opportunistic fra...