Insurer majority alive to specialist need

However, in our experience, some insurers have been attracted to using contractor networks or general adjusters who often involve tradesmen and contractors that can fail to correctly identify the most appropriate cost-effective remedial solution.

While this often leads to excessive costs being incurred by insurers, of more concern is the fact that on a number of occasions we have been instructed on cases where incorrect claim handling has led to policyholders/claimants suffering subsequent health problems and/or prosecutions and enforcement notices being pursued — in some instances against insurers themselves.

As a result, most insurers have now removed these highly specialist claims from the 'volume process' and placed them with specialist environmental claims adjusters. Among other things, a specialist will impose a stringent due diligence process to ensure that all environmental consultants and contractors meet the relevant professional criteria in terms of competence and appropriate insurance cover etc.

This safeguard should not only ensure a pragmatic and cost effective solution is implemented at the outset, but that, in the rare cases where mistakes are made, the matter is resolved by the responsible party — usually the consultants/contractor backed up by appropriate insurance cover as required. This then provides adequate protection for relevant stakeholders while the involvement of specialist loss adjusters ensures control over the specification and cost of works to be undertaken by the consultants/contractors.

Alan Dobson

Director, environmental claims,

Questgates