Sun staff
American Modern Insurance Group held a ribbon cutting and open house on Oct. 9 to celebrate the completion of the company’s LivingWise smart home.
The 1,471 square foot, two-story house was built in AMIG’s 50,000 square foot claims training center, located in Amelia.
The house, which features smart technology, sustainable building materials and increased security measures, will be used as part of the company’s hands-on claims training curriculum.
“We’re going to put this house through the wringer,” said Bill Bangert, public relations specialist for AMIG. “We’re going to flood it, we’re going to damage it, where the smart technology isn’t, and then our adjusters will come in and learn how to deal with water remediation issues, for example.”
He added, “It’s going to be a living, breathing ongoing claims training facility.”
Bangert said the house is also an advocacy tool for smart building.
“LivingWise isn’t necessarily this house, LivingWise is a lifestyle,” he said. “It’s about smart, sustainable and secure living, and that’s the thing that we keep hammering home here.”
The house was built with sustainable and environmentally friendly materials, including bamboo and cork flooring, low volatile organic compounds paint, concrete countertops and carpet made from recycled plastic bottles.
Smart technology features include a thermostat, keyless entry doorway, camera security, water sensors, carbon dioxide and smoke detectors and full voice-controlled home automation.
The garage was built to resist high winds and hail.
“This project reminds me of our values and how we look at teamwork, accountability and superior performance,” said David McNutt, senior vice president of claims operations for AMIG. “When we use this house to train adjusters, and not only American Modern’s, but adjusters from other companies, that’s superior performance.”
He added, “What we see here is really state of the art. It’s one of the best examples of innovation you might find. This is the stuff in the house, whether it’s the fortification, the smart technology or the green materials, which our adjusters and underwriters are going to have to consider in their work for the next 15 to 20 years, as it grows. So, we’re kind of ahead of the ball game.”
The house was built in partnership with the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, Hartford Steam Boiler and the Huber Lumber Company.
Some 370 AMIG employees volunteered to help build the house, which took seven months to complete.
“The company allowed people, on work time, to come here and volunteer on a house,” Bangert said. “So, you got to learn how to use a nail gun. You got to learn how to paint. Some people got on the roof and nailed in shingles. Some people put up siding.”
Bangert added, “It was really a hands-on thing that really engaged the employees.”