PCAPIA Hosts Inaugural Pacific NW Conference in Seattle

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On: 09/22/2025 16:29:10
In: Latest News

The Pacific Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (PCAPIA) held its first ever Pacific NW Conference on September 18–19, 2025 at the Cedarbrook Lodge in Seattle, Washington. The event brought together over 50 public adjusters, attorneys, industry experts, and vendors for education, networking, and collaboration.

The conference opened on Thursday evening with a reception, providing conference attendees with the opportunity to connect before a full day of programming that offered five CE credits to licensed adjusters in Washington, Oregon, and California.

Educational Highlights

Friday's sessions began with a welcome from PCAPIA President Denise Hsu Sze, Esq. of Blue Oaks Public Adjusting, who emphasized the association's commitment to education, professional growth, and consumer protection.

The first seminar, “Is It Remediated? Hidden Pitfalls and Shortcuts That Sabotage Claims,” was presented by Colby Wynne of Flagship Environmental. This session highlighted the legal and technical challenges involved in verifying fire, water, mold, and environmental remediation work. Attendees learned how to identify red flags in restoration claims, avoid fraud schemes, and ensure compliance with California, Oregon, and Washington regulations.

Next, Dr. Dilip Khatri, SE, of Khatri International, Inc., led “Managing Construction Costs: 2025 Reality Check on Rebuild Cost Estimates.” He addressed rising material costs, regional market pressures, and valuation practices. The presentation emphasized fair claims handling, ethical valuation, and compliance with evolving insurance codes.

Following vendor presentations and a networking break, the program continued with a comprehensive two-part workshop: “The Essentials of Public Insurance Adjusting: Foundations for Success,” presented by Michael Poli, Esq. of Poli, Moon & Zane, PLLC and Taylor Babb of Pacific Public Adjusters. This in-depth seminar reviewed statutes, fiduciary duties, fair claims practices, and the role of public adjusters across multiple jurisdictions, equipping both new and experienced professionals with practical tools for success.

The final presentation of the day focused on innovation with “Claim Smarter, Not Harder: AI Tools and Organizational Best Practices for Adjusters,” presented by Chelsea Piel, Esq. of Poli, Moon & Zane, PLLC and Austin Zane, Ph.D. of UC Berkeley. This session demonstrated how AI is transforming claims handling, explored compliance considerations, and shared practical strategies for leveraging technology while safeguarding fairness, ethics, and transparency.

The conference concluded with closing remarks and acknowledgments of sponsors, including Poli, Moon & Zane, PLLC, whose support made the event possible.

Looking Ahead

With a strong focus on professional development, legal compliance, and ethical practice, the 2025 Pacific NW Conference reinforced PCAPIA's mission to advance the interests of public adjusters in California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington, and to protect policyholders. Members left with practical tools, valuable insights, and renewed connections to carry forward into their work.