(WLA) Western Loss Association Information

History of the Western Loss Associaton: Shortly after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, a group of property adjusters convened and formed the Western Loss Association. At that time, commercial property structures and civilization in general existed mainly between the Mississippi River and the Atlantic Ocean, and Liability, Auto, and Workers’ Compensation Insurance didn’t really have much of a market-share. Almost all adjusters were involved in handling property losses of one type or another, mainly cargo losses and building fires. An adjusters’ group known as the Eastern Loss Association already existed in New York City, drawing membership from the eastern seaboard and New England. The Western Loss Association incorporated as a counterpart, accepting members who handled property losses from Duluth to New Orleans, up to the western border of the Mississippi River. Their purpose, then as now, was to secure greater efficiency in the adjustment of property losses through education and training. The focus of the Western Loss Association is on first-party and third-party property losses of all types, including Commercial and Residential Buildings, Contents, Business Interruption, Jewelers and Furrier Block losses, Auto Material Damage, Heavy Equipment, Marine, Inland Marine, Cargo, Fine Arts, Environmental and Toxic Torts, Boats, Electronic Equipment, Computers, Fidelity and Surety Bonds, Aircraft, Crops, Agribusiness, and Subrogation. Current activities include three educational seminars per year, plus a Christmas Holidays Party. Membership is open to all persons affiliated with the property insurance industry, including company staff adjusters, defense attorneys, independent adjusters, appraisers, salvors, contractors, accountants, engineers, risk managers and other experts providing service to insurance companies and self-insured’s.