Documentation & Reporting Standards Flashcards
7 cards from real CALA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Documentation & Reporting Standards flashcards as text
When documenting a property loss, which photograph should an adjuster take FIRST upon arriving at the scene?
Answer: Wide-angle overview shots establishing the overall loss scene
Overview/establishing shots must be taken first to document the overall scene before anything is disturbed or removed.
A 'reservation of rights' letter must be documented in the claim file because it:
Answer: Notifies the insured that coverage may be limited while investigation continues
A reservation of rights letter preserves the insurer's right to deny coverage while still investigating, and must be documented to show proper notice was given.
Which element is REQUIRED in a proof of loss document submitted by an insured?
Answer: Notarized signature of the insured under oath
Standard policy language requires the insured to sign the proof of loss under oath, often with notarization, to attest to the accuracy of claimed losses.
When an adjuster uses the 'Xactimate' estimating platform, the generated estimate is considered:
Answer: A standardized industry tool for pricing repairs that supports claim documentation
Xactimate produces standardized, line-item repair estimates widely accepted in the industry as documentation supporting the claimed repair costs.
A supplemental report is filed when:
Answer: New damages or information are discovered after the original report was submitted
Supplemental reports document newly discovered damages, additional expenses, or changed circumstances found after the original report was completed.
Under most state regulations, how long must an insurer retain claim files after final disposition?
Answer: At least 3–7 years depending on state law
State regulations typically require claim file retention for 3–7 years after final disposition, varying by jurisdiction and line of business.
Which of the following best describes the purpose of a 'field notes' document in claims adjusting?
Answer: A contemporaneous record of observations, measurements, and conversations made during the field inspection
Field notes capture real-time observations during inspection and serve as the raw documentation from which formal reports are later prepared.