Insurance claims

If buildings insurance cover is in place almost the first thing to do following a catastrophic event is to contact the insurers who usually immediately appoint a loss adjuster to inspect. The loss adjuster’s role is primarily to administer the claim on behalf of the insurance company. Initially this will involve them checking to ensure that you have enough buildings insurance cover. This is done by measuring the property and estimating a rebuilding cost. If the insurance cover is adequate all is well. However, if the cover is not adequate the claim will most probably be ‘adjusted’ to consider for the level of under-insurance and the full cost of reinstatement will not be paid by the insurers.

Whilst the loss adjuster should be acting impartially, they are appointed by the insurer. This does not mean that their decisions cannot be challenged by professional representatives appointed by yourself, usually a building surveyor.

Where a major loss has occurred it is usual for professional consultants to be engaged to oversee the reinstatement works and the lead professional is usually a building surveyor who will project manage the necessary professional team, schedule the necessary works, send out tenders, and administer the reinstatement contract.

Usually the loss adjuster will appoint a surveyor on your behalf, often one geographical remote, without your prior agreement or consultation. This is because various beneficial fee arrangements have been pre-agreed between loss adjusters and surveyors that keep the insurance costs as low as possible. As your buildings insurance policy includes an allowance for professional fees you, as policy holder, have the option of appointing whatever surveyor you consider is going to offer you the best professional service, subject to agreeing charging reasonable fees.

In my experience, the loss adjuster often only visits the property once, immediately following the incident, and they will often leave you to work out for yourself what you need to do and how you go about it. Similarly, the loss adjuster may not be particularly forthcoming regarding advice about precisely what you can and cannot be legitimately claim for.

From the moment your claim is made, the insurers and loss adjusters main interests relate to how much the claim is going to cost, so they are always eager to control and limit costs wherever possible.

By contrast, your main interests following a major loss will be determining how and where you are going to live or conduct your business activities whilst simultaneously trying to deal with administration of the insurance claim itself.

I have handled hundreds of major loss insurance claims and I am therefore well versed in the chaotic aftermath of a fire, flood, explosion, or similar event. I see my role as a practical problem solver, initially to help you adjust to your new circumstances and then to start the process of reinstatement, liaising with the loss adjuster as necessary. In this respect, I act as an effective, proactive intermediary removing this administrative burden from you, enabling you to get on with your life or business activities the best you can in what will undoubtably be trying circumstances.