Gain relevant information and practical ideas distilled for immediate application by participating with Pinnacle’s new webinars.

Called the Apex Discussion Series, the webinars will typically be available on the third Thursday of each month at 2 p.m. ET. The hour-long discussions are available free of charge and participants will be able to submit questions electronically during the webinars.

Webinar dates and topics are below:

• Preparing for Fair Value
   June 18, 2008

  Presenter: Joseph A. Herbers
  The transition from GAAP accounting to the international Fair Value standards promulgated by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) will affect all businesses, including the insurance business. Domestic property/casualty companies will still need to abide by statutory accounting principles. However, self-insured entities, off-shore captive insurance companies, public entity pools, and insurance companies outside the U.S. will also need to reflect Fair Value on their balance sheets. Fair value measurements are more involved than estimating insurance claims liabilities. As a result, expected future cash flows must reflect the time value of money, along with margins for risk and the cost of service.
  
  This webinar will provide the fundamentals of the Fair Value process regarding insurance company assets and liabilities, and on the particular requirements of FAS 157 “Fair Value Measurements."
  
  Intended audience: This is a basic presentation for any financial professionals including CEOs, CFOs, controllers, accountants and actuaries.
  
  



• Boosting Claims Process Efficiency with Predictive Modeling
   July 23, 2008

  Presenter: Roosevelt C. Mosley
  Predictive modeling is going far beyond rating plans to unlock new potential in other aspects of insurance, including the claims process. Discover how predictive modeling can unlock new efficiencies and effectiveness that can improve customer service and trim unnecessary expenses.
  
  Intended Audience: This is an intermediate-level program for claims professionals.
  
  



• The State of the Medical Professional Liability System
   August 21, 2008

  Presenter: Robert J. Walling
  This webinar will examine a wide variety of data that Pinnacle has gathered and compiled on claims trends, as well as the availability and affordability of insurance coverage. Specific attention will also be given to reforms considered and implemented by states seeking to improve the efficiency of their medical professional liability system. Such reforms include: government insurance programs (e.g. JUAs, PCFs, and birth funds), presuit medical review panels, and early disclosure and offer programs such as "I'm Sorry" legislation.
  
  Intended Audience: Insurers, Lawyers, Health Care Providers and Regulators Involved in Medical Professional Liability Insurance.
  
  

For more information about individual webinars and online registration, please click on the links above.

For general Frequently asked questions about Apex Discusion Series, click here.

Past discussion topics have included:

• January 2007 Webinar - Applications of Predictive Modeling - Not Just a Pricing Tool


• February 2007 Webinar - Realizing Personal Auto Market Penetration and Potential


• March 2007 Webinar - Middle Market Accounts - Having Your Cake and Eating it Too


• April 2007 Webinar - Beyond the Balance Sheet: Loss Reserve Development


• May 2007 Webinar - Practical Applications of Predictive Modeling in Commercial Lines


• June 2007 Webinar - Actuaries as Expert Witness


• July 2007 Webinar - Re-Discovering Territorial Potential


• August 2007 Webinar - Determining Risk Transfer in Reinsurance Contracts


• September 2007 Webinar - Catastrophe Ratemaking Challenges


• October 2007 Webinar - Vehicle Symbol Development


• November 2007 Webinar - Actuaries, Auditors and the Sarbanes-Oxley New World Order


• December 2007 Webinar - Optimizing Your Reinsurance Program


• February 2008 Webinar - Bolstering the Bottom Line with Price Optimization


• April 2008 Webinar - Trends in Asbestos Reserving


• May 2008 Webinar - Making a Strong Actuarial Rate Filing