NAPIA Claims Journal – CCJ 2026 Annual Theme

Complexity, Pitfalls & Advocacy in First-Party Claims

Annual Focus:
Exploring where first-party claims break down, why coverage and valuation issues arise, and how Public Adjusters and policyholder advocates can anticipate, prevent, and resolve claim challenges.

Spring/Summer 2026

Theme: Hidden Coverage Pitfalls: Preventing Claim Failure Before Dispute Begins

Issue Focus: Identifying coverage gaps, valuation errors, and procedural traps that quietly undermine claims early, often before the insured or their representative realizes recovery is at risk.

Requested Article Topics (Article materials due: March 15^th)

Coverage Exclusions in Practice: Identifying, Challenging, and Mitigating Hidden Denials
A professional analysis of frequently overlooked exclusions, how they are applied by carriers, and strategies to minimize their impact on claims. (i.e. Wear & Tear vs Sudden Loss; Cosmetic Damage; Faulty Workmanship/Construction Defects; Water Damage vs. Flood; Vacancy/Occupancy, etc). 

Endorsements, Sub-limits, and Coverage Modifiers: How Small Policy Changes Create Big Claim Consequences Examines how endorsements alter coverage intent, reduce recovery, or shift burdens, often unnoticed until loss. (i.e. Cosmetic Damage on Roofing and Exteriors Finishes; Roofing Payment Schedule and ACV Modifiers; ACV Endorsements on Certain Perils; Ordinance or Law, etc.)

Coinsurance Clauses and Underinsurance: Financial Exposure and Claim Strategy
Breaks down how coinsurance penalties arise, how they are calculated, and how they can impact a claim payment on ACV only basis, what is the difference when it is a partial vs total loss? 

Low Initial Estimates: Scope Gaps, Methodology Errors, and Strategic Responses
Explores how professionals can methodically challenge scope, pricing, and assumptions. 

Policy Deadlines, Conditions, and Compliance: Avoiding Procedural Traps That Jeopardize Coverage
Addresses notice requirements, proof-of-loss deadlines, and cooperation clauses that insurers use to limit or deny recovery. 

Business Interruption Coverage Gaps: Waiting Periods, Civil Authority, and/or Denial Triggers
A technical discussion of BI coverage gaps, including timing issues, causation disputes, and/or commonly misunderstood provisions.

Article Submission Guidelines

Submission Deadline: March 15

• Articles must be original, educational, and non-promotional
• Topics should be relevant to public adjusters, insurance claims professionals, and/or policyholders
• Proper sourcing is required for any referenced material
• Articles may be any length to allow for in-depth discussion
• Please include an author bio and high-resolution headshot (optional)
• Additional high-resolution images may be included (optional)
• Submissions should be formatted as a Word document and emailed to: KatiePapa@nfa.com no later than March 15

• • Please include in the subject line: CCJ 2026 Spring/Summer Article Submission – [Article Topic]