KMC On Demand(SM) and a key insurance industry advisory committee have released the second Property Technical Certification (PTC) program, which focuses on exterior loss adjusting.

PTC is designed to fill a gap in validation of expertise among property claims adjusters. "As experienced adjusters move toward retirement, we are seeing a growing need for claims processing skills and technical know-how," says Douglas F. Dell, senior vice president of eLearning for Crawford Educational Services, which includes KMC On Demand. "PTC can help organizations handle the professional development and succession planning challenges they are facing in today's market."

PTC II reviews key elements of residential and commercial exterior loss adjusting, including framing, roofing, siding, fencing, drains and claims handling. The program is available via KMC On Demand and also AdjusterPro, which offers educational and career resources for adjusters, and the National Association of Catastrophe Adjusters.

PTC I, which was launched in early 2011, focuses on core property adjusting skills. As the module enters its second year of deployment, test results indicate enhanced skills and early signs of improved claims administration among those who have taken the program, according to Dell.

"If you compare pre- and post-mastery test questions answered by certificate holders, the average improvement is significant," Dell said. "This shows that the program helps adjusters absorb and retain what they have learned. Our initial results also show improvement in the speed of claim handling and a reduction in the days that claims remain open, a validation that adjusters can apply the knowledge once they are back in the field."

Comprising the Property Advisory Committee (PAC) are high-level professionals from insurance companies, independent adjusting companies, and contractor networks. PAC committee members worked together for more than two years to establish the PTC, including collaboration on technical content. The program provides:

• Online instruction and training in specific property technical knowledge, skills, and competencies.
• Evaluation of achievements that demonstrate knowledge.
• Certificate and CE credits awarded to participants who meet performance and proficiency goals.

PTC III, which deals with interior property construction and claims handling, is in development.