Here at the Property & Liability Resource Bureau, we create many different types of resources for our members:
Our coverage attorneys create detailed policy annotations, state-by-state surveys, in-brief case summaries, and coverage questions for our database.
PLRB's weather department provides historical and breaking weather/CATs data, interactive maps, and a number of useful web apps.
The building code attorneys have created a comprehensive building code database with adoptions, interactive diagrams, and online learning.
PLRB.org's online education section contains slides from our numerous conferences, CE-accredited online courses, monthly topical webinars, bi-weekly podcasts, and more.
All of this just scratches the surface of the great resources created by the PLRB team. With Learning Paths, we can gather these great resources together so that you can access them all in one convenient place and track your progress.
On the first page you will see a list of resources. Click the down arrow to proceed.
On each page, you will be asked to watch a video, read an article, or take a quiz. Check your progress any time by clicking the menu button in the upper left.
At the end, you will see your progress. If you've completed everything, you will see green checkmarks. On this page you can share your progress.
Learning Paths are a great way to customize your training to the needs of your team! PLRB creates and curates plenty of Learning Paths for your use (see examples below). All you have to do to assign a Learning Path to your team is to share the link. (You can either copy-pasting it, or click "Instructions" on the first page of any Learning Path to see a "click to send email" button.) When your team member completes the Learning Path, on the last page there is a link on the bottom to "email progress" back to you. (If you would like to test out an experimental way to track your team without asking them to self-report, please contact me at bmcloughlin@plrb.org.) Please note, your team will all need to make individual PLRB accounts. They will be prompted to make an account if they don't have one, and it is easy and free for all PLRB member company employees with no impact on your company's fees.
We are also experimenting with a way to allow you, the team leader / supervisor / trainer, to create your own Learning Paths! Just about any resource PLRB produces can be added into a Learning Path, so you can specifically customize what you want your team to learn. Test this feature at this link, and let us know using this form if you have any feedback.
You can also ask PLRB to make a Learning Path for you. We would love to know what your team needs. Contact us at bmcloughlin@plrb.org and let us know what topic you would like a Learning Path on.
Chimneys provide a path for smoke to leave a home, but a poorly-designed chimney can be a path for water to enter. Take look at these chimneys and see if you can identify the potential issues that can lead to water damage.
The Business Income worksheet was designed as a tool for business income loss analysis. If you add sales information to the highlighted areas in this Excel sheet, a tab will populate and automatically calculate key information for you, such as the net business income loss collectible. First, check out a brief presentation on how to use the worksheet. Next, we'll check out an example. Practice filling out the information sheet using documents provided by the insured. Next, you will see the completed worksheet for that example, and finally, you can download the blank template for your own use.
The Business Income worksheet was designed as a tool for business income loss analysis. If you add sales information to the highlighted areas in this Excel sheet, a tab will populate and automatically calculate key information for you, such as the net business income loss collectible. First, check out a brief presentation on how to use the worksheet. Next, we'll check out an example. Practice filling out the information sheet using documents provided by the insured. Next, you will see the completed worksheet for that example, and finally, you can download the blank template for your own use.
The Business Income worksheet was designed as a tool for business income loss analysis. If you add sales information to the highlighted areas in this Excel sheet, a tab will populate and automatically calculate key information for you, such as the net business income loss collectible. First, check out a brief presentation on how to use the worksheet. Next, we'll check out an example. Practice filling out the information sheet using documents provided by the insured. Next, you will see the completed worksheet for that example, and finally, you can download the blank template for your own use.
The Business Income worksheet was designed as a tool for business income loss analysis. If you add sales information to the highlighted areas in this Excel sheet, a tab will populate and automatically calculate key information for you, such as the net business income loss collectible. First, check out a brief presentation on how to use the worksheet. Next, we'll check out an example. Practice filling out the information sheet using documents provided by the insured. Next, you will see the completed worksheet for that example, and finally, you can download the blank template for your own use.
When water is entering a basement, that's a good time to take a look at the downspouts. Are they effectively leading water away from the home? Look at these examples and test your knowledge on downspouts.
An intentionally set fire in a home can actually be safe... if it is safely contained within a properly installed and maintained fireplace or wood stove. If the fireplace or wood stove is not properly installed, however, disaster can follow. See if you can identify the potential issues below.
The homeowner says that there has never been water intrusion in their basement. Take a look at these pictures and decide for yourself. Can you solve these basement mysteries?
A hose in the janitors closet was left running over a weekend, causing water damage to a 2-story, plus parking garage of a commercial office building. Damage included flooring, ceiling tiles, drywall, insulation and business personal property. Mitigation and building restoration took place while tenants continued to use this space.
Is a snake clogging your HVAC unit? What happens when rain enters your insured's building through the HVAC unit? Here at PLRB, we receive some fascinating coverage questions. Check out these interesting HVAC situations, then see if you can answer the questions posed by them.
Whether you are hoping to repair an HVAC system or simply value it, understanding what kind of HVAC unit it is becomes critical. Let's ask Andy Connell of Grange about how to find the age and size of the unit just by looking at it. Then we will close with a quick quiz on unusual HVAC systems.
When an HVAC unit breaks down, it can be a stressful event for a family trying to resist the elements. Damage to HVAC units can be hard to diagnose and even harder to fix. Learn more about this topic through this Learning Path on HVAC Restoration.
Foundation problems are no joke, but they aren't always easy to spot. You may need to know the signs of foundation issues. Look at these images and see if you can find the problem.
How well do you know your siding? It's likely not something you think about often, but deficiencies in siding can lead to major water damage. Test your knowledge on siding with these photographs.
An electrical fire at a 6,000 square foot house resulted in a total loss. The house had to be rebuilt from the ground-up using only the existing foundation.
A sprinkler value on the house exterior failed, causing water to penetrate the structure and damage the basement area. Water damage was to drywall, carpet, flooring and contents.
Is it "Do It Yourself" or "Don't Do It Yourself"? When it comes to decks, landing, and stairs, many homeowners feel confident in building complex structures intended to hold peoples' weight. Can you determine if these structures were built properly?
So the retaining wall failed, and now it's your job to find out why. Test your skills by taking a look at these retaining walls to identify what went wrong.
The home often is not the only building on an insured's premises. The garage can present its own set of issues. Test your knowledge of these common issues pertaining to garages.
Why wait until you are at a loss site to test your ability to notice problems with a house's condition? Review these four photos and identify the condition at issue.
So there's a leak in the basement. What's causing it? Take a look at these photos and fill in the blanks in your knowledge about potential causes of basement leaks.
Older homes can present their own unique challenges. If you have an insured with an older home, are you aware of all the unique issues it can present? Test your knowledge on older homes.
Chimneys are used to produce draft that draws out dangerous fumes. However, some chimneys may be poorly designed, leading to issues with this intended function. Can you spot the design faults in these chimneys?
Faulty electrical wiring can create massive problems for a home. Before you touch that wire, take a look at these photographs and test your ability to spot electric issues. (And then use a voltage meter first!)
HVAC systems are more than just the air conditioner-- the ductwork, the insulation, and the whole system has to work together to successfully regulate a house's temperature. Can you spot the issues with this house's HVAC setup?
If something's wrong with a plumbing system, it can lead to dangerous sewer gases or water damage. Can you recognize the plumbing hazards in these systems?
Something is not right with this house. It's up to you to take a look at these four conditions and answer the question, "What is wrong with this structure?"
Some chimneys look decrepit, but they function just fine. Other chimneys may look acceptable, but actually need serious work. See if you can notice the issues in these chimneys.
A roof is supposed to keep out the elements, but sometimes it doesn't. You may often be faced with the question, "Why is my roof leaking?" Examine these photos are see if you can figure out why these roofs are leaking.
So the retaining wall failed, and now it's your job to find out why. Test your skills by taking a look at these retaining walls to identify what went wrong.
Even if you close that window, water can still get in. Take this test to see if you can identify the issues that allow water to enter into a home through the window and surrounding area.