Outline of Griffin Seminars

In addition to the formal Risk Management Process, The Griffin also offers training and information to each of its Members focusing on topics of concern and interest to the membership at large.

Below is a list of seminars and workshops that Griffin Members can benefit from.

1. Back to Basics
This presentation gives an overview of some areas that are covered in more detail in the other presentations. It considers the broker’s duties and responsibilities as agent of the client and looks at those duties in the context of the different stages of a placement. It then considers the different capacities in which the broker can be involved in binding authorities and the resultant duties and potential conflicts of interest. It also looks at the importance of documentation from an errors and omissions perspective. Finally it considers some of the issues faced by brokers as a consequence of the explosion in use of e-mail.

Suitable for all members of staff

Duration: 1 hour

2. Warranties, Conditions Precedent, Premium Payment Warranties and Premium Payment Conditions
This presentation considers what a warranty and a condition precedent is and the consequences of breach in each instance. It looks at the difference between these onerous policy provisions and highlights the many guises under which they may appear in a policy wording. The presentation also covers premium payment warranties and premium payment conditions and considers particular issues in connection with these.

Ideally the maximum number of attendees at this presentation is 12, seated around a table with the presenters. Members are asked to provide standard policy wordings in advance so that warranties and conditions precedent within these wordings can be considered during the presentation.

Duration: 1.5-2 hours

3. Binding Authorities
Binding authorities can be a high risk area, not only where the broker is the coverholder but also when responsible for the placement of a Binding Authority on behalf of a client (third party coverholder). This presentation will provide guidance on the areas of most exposure and suggestions on how these can be managed.

Suitable for brokers and technicians who place and administer Binding Authorities.

Duration: 1-1.5 hours

4. Goal
This workshop centres around a Griffin produced training DVD on errors and omissions avoidance. It highlights a number of issues facing a broker where a client’s claims are rejected by insurers. There are a series of ‘flash backs’ starting with the initial client meeting showing how the circumstances occurred.

The DVD is stopped after each chapter is watched so that the risk management issues arising can be discussed. Training material is distributed and full audience participation is encouraged.

It can be tailored to suit senior or more junior members of staff, with 12 attendees being the ideal maximum number.

Duration: 1.5 hours

5. Brokers E&O Quiz
This presentation highlights the legal and management decisions that need to be taken when dealing with an E&O claim. The format is interactive, focusing on both practical and legal issues.

Suitable for senior managers as well as junior employees.

Duration: 1 hour

6. Coverage Pitfalls – Avoiding Trouble in Getting Clients' Claims Paid
This workshop demonstrates some of the issues brokers might encounter when trying to get their clients' claims paid. Although aimed at mid-level claims handlers and wording technicians, both junior and senior employees are likely to find the workshop helpful. It is also likely to be useful to placing brokers who want a better understanding of how the wordings they place may affect subsequent claims processing.

Due to the duration of this workshop it is preferable to incorporate a reasonable break during the session e.g. over a sandwich lunch.

Ideal number of attendees 8-10.

Duration: 3 hours

7. Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery Plan Workshop (BC/DR) – Tailored to Member
The workshop helps staff to understand the importance of their role when formulating and testing a successful Business Continuity Plan. The workshop creates a scenario that simulates the limited resources and communications which would be available to a business division in the event of an unplanned emergency. This helps the staff to identify areas in their business processes that may need to be addressed when creating a Business Continuity Plan.

Aimed at divisional managers and heads of department, senior technicians and brokers. The ideal number of attendees is 6/12 (works better in teams of 2).

Duration: 2 hours

8. MRC Workshop
This workshop is in two sections. The first is a simulation of a standard MRC which can be modified for different classes of business. Only the first three sections of the MRC are addressed, The Risk Details, Information and Security Details. The second section constitutes the main part of the workshop. This takes each aspect of the MRC in turn and explains why it is necessary.

Ideally the workshop is for 6-8 people seated around a table in order to promote discussion. It is aimed at all members of staff who use the MRC, including brokers and technicians.

Duration: 2 hours