Jackson County to file senior center claim with county insurer after third‑party depreciation dispute
June 30, 2026 | Jackson County, Iowa
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Chair Don Swer and county staff debated options for resolving an insurance claim stemming from a January accident at the county senior center and rejected accepting the at-fault carrier's heavily depreciated settlement.
Jeff Kilberg, who led the presentation, told the board the external adjuster (referred to in discussion as Custard) applied a high depreciation to its settlement offer, which would leave the county with a substantial out-of-pocket exposure. Kilberg recommended submitting the loss to IAP to secure replacement-cost payment, noting "they will pay to get you to full replacement of the damages less your deductible which is 25,000." He added that if IAP pays, it is "almost certainly" going to subrogate against the at-fault party's insurer and seek recovery later.
Lisa Smith, the county auditor, and Joe Benz (participating remotely) noted the county already has much of the documentation organized and that submitting the claim to IAP would allow an IAP adjuster to contact county staff and move the claim more quickly than the current third‑party process. Kilberg estimated the at-fault carrier's depreciation could appear as roughly a $34,000 loss on the county's insurance history but said he expected IAP would pursue subrogation to recover much of that amount.
Supervisor Mike Stein moved to "proceed with the senior center insurance claim with IAP as recommended." Supervisor Nen Flegel seconded the motion; Auditor Smith confirmed the motion and a voice vote was recorded in favor. Kilberg and county staff said they would provide the board with the adjuster contacts and documentation and follow up with progress reports.
The board's action authorizes submission of the claim to IAP, acknowledges the county's $25,000 property deductible will be payable initially, and directs staff to work with IAP on adjustment and subrogation efforts.
The board closed the item after confirming staff would circulate updates and necessary paperwork to supervisors.
Jeff Kilberg, who led the presentation, told the board the external adjuster (referred to in discussion as Custard) applied a high depreciation to its settlement offer, which would leave the county with a substantial out-of-pocket exposure. Kilberg recommended submitting the loss to IAP to secure replacement-cost payment, noting "they will pay to get you to full replacement of the damages less your deductible which is 25,000." He added that if IAP pays, it is "almost certainly" going to subrogate against the at-fault party's insurer and seek recovery later.
Lisa Smith, the county auditor, and Joe Benz (participating remotely) noted the county already has much of the documentation organized and that submitting the claim to IAP would allow an IAP adjuster to contact county staff and move the claim more quickly than the current third‑party process. Kilberg estimated the at-fault carrier's depreciation could appear as roughly a $34,000 loss on the county's insurance history but said he expected IAP would pursue subrogation to recover much of that amount.
Supervisor Mike Stein moved to "proceed with the senior center insurance claim with IAP as recommended." Supervisor Nen Flegel seconded the motion; Auditor Smith confirmed the motion and a voice vote was recorded in favor. Kilberg and county staff said they would provide the board with the adjuster contacts and documentation and follow up with progress reports.
The board's action authorizes submission of the claim to IAP, acknowledges the county's $25,000 property deductible will be payable initially, and directs staff to work with IAP on adjustment and subrogation efforts.
The board closed the item after confirming staff would circulate updates and necessary paperwork to supervisors.
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