Equipment claims: As stated before, no one can be expert on every type of equipment but that does not mean that one just accepts estimates as presented. We know how to source reliable background information to make intelligent and supportable business decision with respect to complicated claims. In the end all property claims break down to labor and materials. Once you have identified the process needed for indemnification and verified pricing of materials the rest is just simple math. See the photos of some equipment claims that we have already settled.
This was a 3rd party equipment claim submitted because an insured truck impacted and knocked down this trailer which housed a temporary heating unit to service a building with its own boiler being rebuilt. The claimant made a demand for a new boiler as well as a new trailer, and loss of rental income in the amount of $229,000.00. The principle's inspection revealed less damage than was alleged so he solicited experts to bid the repair of the trailer and the boiler respectively. He then prepared a report to the claimant addressing every point of contention, including a scale drawing and a physical argument to rebut & defeat all contentions. The claim settled for $59,000.00.
When the insured truck impacted the parked trailer it caused the trailers landing gear to collapse and tear out the bottom framing of the unit.
Better look at the collapsed landing gear.
It was alleged that this boiler was damaged due to impact and dry-firing. The expert hired found no evidence of damage due to dry-firing and recommended a repair to restore the boiler to its pre-loss condition.
I.D. tag on the boiler. The principal identified the unit and sourced a diagram which he used to disprove the argument for dry-firing.
The trailer was a self contained unit that included an interior fuel tank.
The unit also had a fuel pre-heater and filter
Due to the complexity of the unit all packed into a trailer, repair became a much more economical option.
The interior plumbing was significant.
This was a first party claim for a truck mounted crane that tipped while delivering steel decking to a construction site.
The crane tipped and then the telescoping segments of the unit collapsed onto the structure.
The truck/crane was righted and brought to this parking lot for storage.
I.D. of the crane make, model, & serial number.
Looking down the main arm of the crane it appeared to be undamaged.
The hydraulics in the turret also appeared undamaged.
The main piston to raise the arm did not show any signs of leaking or damage.
The outriggers also appeared to be undamaged.
The main damaged was the jib, two telescopic sections, and the associated hardware & hydraulics. The principal supplied two crane builders with specs and photos of the job and received two firm bids for the restoration. On a loss such as this it is just not enough to write your own estimate. It has to be backed by a repair outfit willing to do it for that price and certify the unit as well. Settling claims this way avoids supplements and alienating the insured while still paying the correct indemnification amount.