Curriculum Vitae

for Edward J. Priz, CPCU, APA

President, Advanced Insurance Management LLC

3230 S. Harlem Avenue, Suite 203

Riverside, IL 60546

                   Phone: 708-442-6010   Fax: 708-686-0222

 

Edward J. Priz has worked full time in the insurance industry since 1976.  In his career, he has worked as a licensed insurance producer, as a Vice-President of an insurance agency specializing in commercial property and casualty insurance, and as a consultant on commercial property and casualty insurance.  Since late 1987, he has headed his own consulting practice on commercial insurance cost and coverage, doing business as Advanced Insurance Management.  In this practice, Mr. Priz provides professional advice to commercial insureds, as well as to insurance agents, brokers, agencies, and insurance carriers on Workers Compensation premium and audit matters. 

An area of particular emphasis in this consulting practice involves reviewing Workers Compensation insurance premiums and audits to uncover and correct technical errors by insurers or rating bureaus.  Clients of this consulting practice have included manufacturers, contractors, utilities, transportation companies, staffing companies, a federal government agency, a chamber of commerce, and insurance companies and insurance agencies.  Mr. Priz’ consulting clients have included both large and small employers throughout the United States, ranging from small machine shops to large well known companies such as Caterpillar, Inc., Federal-Mogul Corporation, Walsh Construction, Bridgestone/Firestone Tire, and the San Francisco 49ers.

  

Mr. Priz has qualified as an expert  regarding Workers' Compensation insurance premium computation, insurance agent/broker standards of care, and other aspects of commercial property and liability insurance, in both federal and state courts in Illinois, Virginia, Florida, Nebraska, Colorado, Tennessee, Ohio, Mississippi, and Texas.

Mr. Priz has been retained by both plaintiffs and defendants to consult on matters in litigation, arbitration, and mediation that involve proper Workers' Compensation insurance classifications, audits, experience modification factors, commercial insurance coverage, and insurance agent standards of care.

Mr. Priz has been retained by policyholders, insurance agents and brokers, and insurance companies, as an expert in these fields. 

He has also served as an expert in legal hearings before insurance regulators in Illinois and Nebraska.  He has also consulted on the drafting of legislation pertaining to Workers’ Compensation insurance in Illinois, and has testified on insurance regulation before the Illinois legislature. 

Professional Designations and Degrees
Mr. Priz holds the professional designation Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) from the American Institute of Property and Liability Underwriters, as well as the designation Associate in Premium Auditing, from the Insurance Institute of America.  He is a 1974 graduate of Roosevelt University in Chicago, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree (With Honors).       

Insurance Career
Mr. Priz entered the insurance industry in 1976 as a licensed life and health insurance producer in Illinois. In 1978 he also was licensed in Illinois as a property and casualty insurance producer.  In his insurance career he has worked for a direct-writing insurance company, independent insurance agencies, and insurance consulting companies, as either a licensed agent/producer or a consultant on commercial property and casualty insurance.  He served as Vice-President of Alper Services, a company that owned a commercial insurance agency and brokerage in Chicago, as well as an insurance consulting company, AuditRate, Inc. In 1982, he began consulting on commercial property and casualty insurance, with an emphasis on Workers’ Compensation insurance, while continuing to also act as an insurance agent and broker.  In 1987, Mr. Priz began exclusively serving as a consultant on commercial property and casualty insurance, first with Corporate Policyholders Counsel, Inc. and later in his own consulting practice doing business as Advanced Insurance Management. 

                                                                                                                                        

 Memberships and Affiliations
National Society of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters
 National Society of Insurance Premium Auditors
Forensic Expert Witness Association. 

Mr. Priz has also served on a task force organized by the Illinois Department of Insurance to implement new Workers’ Compensation insurance regulations. 

Publications
Books:

The Ultimate Guide to Workers' Compensation Insurance, published in 2005 by Entrepreneur Press. 
CompControl, published in 1995 by Oasis Press, with a revised edition published in 2001. 

Workers Compensation: A Field Guide for Employers, published in 2010 by BookSurge Publishing.

Chapter 22 of the Illinois Workers Compensation Manual, published by the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce in 2008. 

 Reports:

“Report on a Study of Small Employers and the South Carolina Second Injury Fund’s Impact on Workers’ Compensation Insurance Premiumscommissioned by the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce. 

 

 

 

Articles:

An online article at Entrepreneur.com headlined “Save Thousands on Workers Comp” published April 10, 2007, and available online at: http://www.entrepreneur.com/management/insurance/typesofinsurance/article176842.html

 

A Commentary in The Business Ledger, entitled “Turn Off Lights at Division of Insurance?” in the September 4, 2006 issue.

 

An online article at Entrepreneur.com, entitled “Workers’ Compensation 101”, published September 2, 2005, and available online at: http://www.entrepreneur.com/management/insurance/typesofinsurance/article79594.html

 

An article in Illinois Business magazine, 4th Quarter 1996 issue, entitled “Taming Workers Compensation Costs”. 

A Commentary in the DuPage Business Ledger, April 1995, entitled “Businesses Can Act Now to Cut Workers’ Comp Cost” 

An article in Corporate Cashflow magazine, dated January, 1993, entitled “Miscalculated Premiums Cause Workers’ Comp Overcharges”. 

An article in Talking To The Boss, October 1991, entitled “Workers Comp Insurance: Are You Overpaying?”

Mr. Priz is also the author of copyrighted material regarding Workers Compensation insurance on the internet at www.cutcomp.com.

 

 

  

Presentations and Seminars
 Mr. Priz has presented lectures and seminars before a number of insurance and business groups, including

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce
The Workers Compensation Claims Association
The International Kitchen  Exhaust Cleaning Association
The Greater Peoria Contractors & Suppliers Association
The Central Illinois Employers Association
The Illinois Manufacturers Association
The Missouri Contractors Association
The Midwest Society of Professional Consultants
Caterpillar, Inc.
The Illinois 1752 Club
The Chicago Roofing Contractors Association
The International Recreational Water Professionals
National Association of Women in Construction
Construction Risk Management Conference sponsored by the International Risk Management Institute

Mr. Priz has conducted Internet-based “webinars” on the subject of Workers’ Compensation insurance premiums for:
 M. Lee Smith Publishers LLC
 Eli Research.

 

Administrative Hearings
Mr. Priz has assisted a number of clients in appeals of NCCI decisions at the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board and the Nevada Workers Compensation Appeals Board.  Mr. Priz has also assisted clients in legal hearings before the Illinois Department of Insurance and the Nebraska Department of Insurance. 

 

Prior Testimony
In the past six years, Mr. Priz has testified as an expert in the following legal matters:

P.J.R, & Associates, Inc. v. Aetna Casualty & Surety Co. of Illinois and Travelers Casualty and Surety Co. of Illinois, Aetna Casualty & Surety Co. of Illinois and Travelers Casualty and Surety Co. of Illinois v. Pete Reiman Case No. 2001-MR-84, filed in Circuit Court of the 20th Judicial Circuit Randolph County, Illinois.  Retained by Plaintiff P.J.R. & Associates, provided written report of opinions and deposition testimony regarding Workers Compensation audited premiums.

 

Factory Sales and Engineering, Inc. and Valbar, Inc. v. Ellsworth Corporation, Tony Currera and Westport Insurance Company and Louisiana Commerce & Trade Association Self Insurers’ Fund Civil Action No. 2007-15870  Division “D”And related Third Party Demand by Louisiana Commerce & Trade Association against Overland Solutions, Inc. and ABC Insurance Company.  Retained by third party defendant Overland Solutions, Inc.  Provided written report of opinions and deposition testimony regarding the duties and responsibilities of Workers Compensation premium auditors.

 

Zurich American Insurance Company v. All American Roofing, Inc., AAA Case No. 51 193 Y 01611 07, in Illinois.  Retained by Claimant Zurich Insurance, provided deposition testimony regarding Workers Compensation audit premium charges on Retrospective Rating policies.

 

Argonaut Insurance Company v. California Box, Case BC 426323, arbitration, Superior Court for the State of California, Los Angeles County, Central District. Retained by defendant California Box, provided deposition testimony regarding California Workers Compensation insurance premiums, experience modifier calculations, and Large Deductible policies.

 

  

 

Mahdi Sikkal v. Pinnacol Assurance, National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA, MKBS, LLC d/b/a/ Metro Filed in District Court, City and State of Denver State of Colorado, Case 2009 cv 11918. Retained by defendant MKBS, testified and provided written report regarding Workers Compensation insurance coverage.

 

Sharon Place and Payne & Associates d/b/a Focus Healthcare Solutions v. Tim Presko and Tim Presko Insurance Agency, Inc. Filed in Circuit Court of Clay County, Missouri, Case No. 08CY-CV05144.  Retained by defendant Presko, provided deposition testimony regarding insurance agent standards of care involving professional liability insurance.

 

Hearing No. 09-HR-1289 In the Matter of the Workers Compensation Insurance Policy Issued to Super Trucking Construction, Inc. by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, at the Illinois Department of Insurance.  Retained by Super Trucking Construction, Inc.  Provided sworn testimony at this hearing regarding Workers Compensation insurance premium charges for owner/operators.

 

 

Hearing No. 09-HR-0423 In The Matter of The Workers Compensation Insurance Policy Issued National International Roofing by Virginia Surety Company, at the Illinois Department of Insurance. Retained by National International Roofing.  Provided sworn testimony at this hearing regarding Workers Compensation insurance premium charges.

 

 

Janusz Kondracki v. Pinnacol Assurance, National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA, MKBS, LLC d/b/a Metro Taxi Case No. 2009 CV 5107 District Court, City & County of Denver State of Colorado And WC No. 4-781-175 State of Colorado Office of Administrative Courts.  Retained by Defendant MKBS.  Provided written report of opinions and testimony at administrative hearing regarding Workers Compensation insurance coverage and premium for taxi drivers.

Commerce and Industry Insurance Company v. Stryden, Inc. Filed in State Court of Dekalb County, State of Georgia, Civil Action No. 09A-05243-1.  Retained by Defendant Stryden, Inc.  Provided written report of opinions and deposition testimony regarding Workers Compensation insurance premium charges.

Advantage Framing Systems, Inc. , and Secura Insurance Company v. Hernandez Agency, LLC. Filed in the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri at Kansas City, Missouri Case No. 0916-CV01973 6 Division 9.  Retained by Defendant Hernandez Agency.  Provided deposition testimony regarding insurance agent standard of care and certificates of insurance.

  

Crum Staffing, Inc. v. National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA. Arbitration between the parties.  Retained by Plaintiff Crum Staffing.  Prepared a written report of opinions and provided deposition testimony regarding Workers Compensation insurance.

Zenith Insurance Company v. Spraggins Flooring, Inc. Filed in United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division Case No. 8:08-cv-542-T-26MAP. Retained by Plaintiff Zenith Insurance Company.  Prepared a written report of opinions and provided deposition testimony regarding Workers Compensation insurance premiums and audits.

Virginia Surety Company v. Raimonde Drilling Corp. v. Dakota Street Insurance, LLC.  Filed in Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois County Department, Law Division, No. 06 L 006153.  Retained by third-party Plaintiff Raimonde.  Prepared written report of opinions and provided deposition testimony regarding Workers Compensation insurance premiums, audits, experience modifiers, and insurance agent duties.

Lumbermens Mutual Casualty et al v. Hydro Aluminum North America, Inc.  Arbitration per agreement between parties.  Retained by Respondent Hydro.  Prepared written report of opinions and provided deposition testimony regarding Workers Compensation insurance premiums, audits, binders, and experience modifiers.

EPIX Holdings Corporation v. National Union Fire Insurance Company Arbitration.  Retained by Claimant EPIX.  Prepared written report of opinions and provided deposition testimony regarding Workers Compensation insurance premiums and audits.

Connecticut Business & Industry Association v. Ahrens, Fuller, St. John & Vincent, Inc.; Reed Vincent and P/A Industries, Inc. Filed in Superior Court, Judicial District of Hartford, Docket No CV-03-0830311S.  Retained by Plaintiff Connecticut Business & Industry Association.  Provided deposition testimony regarding Workers Compensation insurance and insurance agent duties.

Reliance Insurance v. Wayne Williamson and Willstaff Crystal, Inc.  Filed in USDC Western District of Louisiana, Civil Action No. 3:06cv532.  Retained by defendant Williamson.  Prepared written report of opinions and provided deposition testimony regarding Workers’ Compensation insurance premium computation and insurance agent responsibilities and authority.

   

 

Workers Compensation Services, Inc. v. South Valley Drywall, Inc. Filed in District Court Douglas County, Colorado, No.04CV482.  Retained by defendant South Valley Drywall, Inc.  Provided deposition testimony regarding Workers’ Compensation insurance premium calculation and dividend calculations, as well as regarding premium recovery consulting work.

Companion Property & Casualty Group v. Henry’s Automobile Auction, Inc., filed in the Circuit Court for Fairfax County, Virginia, Law No. CL 2005 7307.  Retained by defendant Henry’s Automobile Auction, Inc.  Provided deposition testimony and testimony at trial regarding Workers’ Compensation premium computation, classification, experience modification factors, payroll audits, and NCCI manual rules. 

                                                                                                                         

St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Company v. ABG Caulking Contractors, Inc. v. Gale, Smith and Company, Inc, filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee Nashville Division, Case No. 3:05-0437.  Retained by third-party defendant Gale, Smith and Company, Inc.  Prepared a written report of opinions and provided deposition testimony regarding Large Deductible Workers’ Compensation insurance policies and the standard of care owed by an insurance producer.

Titan International, Inc., et al, v. George Becker, Ronald Bloom, et al, filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Springfield Division, Civil Action No. 00CV3257.  Retained by plaintiff Titan.  Prepared written reports of opinions, and provided deposition testimony, regarding Workers' Compensation insurance premium computation, commercial insurance markets, insurance underwriting, and experience modification factors for Workers' Compensation insurance.   

                                                                                                                       

 Ohio Farmers Insurance Co. v. Ronald J. Hotler, Michael J. Miner, Harold Miner, Jean Miner, Miner Farms, and Betty J. Frimml, filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Urbana Division, Case No. 03-2138.  Retained by defendant Miner.  Prepared written report of opinions and provided deposition testimony regarding the standard of care owed by insurance agents, automobile liability insurance coverage provided by a Farm Insurance package policy, and Umbrella Liability insurance coverage.

Liberty Mutual Insurance v. American Asphalt Company, Inc., filed in Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Camden County, Case CAM-L-3918-04.  Retained by defendant American Asphalt.  Prepared a written report and provided deposition testimony regarding proper Workers' Compensation classification, premium computation, and Davis-Bacon wage adjustments. 

  

United States of America v. William E. Stratton, John J. Leahy, Edward Wisniewski, Starling Alexander, and Terrence Dolan, filed in the United States District Court For the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, Case No. 03 CR 0922.  Retained by defendants Leahy and Wisniewski.  Testified at trial regarding Workers' Compensation insurance premium computation, the Illinois Assigned Risk Plan, Experience Rating of Workers Compensation insurance, and the duties and responsibilities of insurance agents and brokers.