MOTOR, CAR & CASUALTY

MARINE

FIRE, EARTHQUAKE & TYPHOON

ADJUSTMENT ON CASUALTY (MOTOR CAR) OWN DAMAGE CLAIM

Upon receipt of an assignment order from the insurance coordinator, our seasoned claims investigators conduct ocular inspection of the damages incurred by insured vehicle. Verification entails the lifting off or pencil stencil of motor numbers of its chassis and comparing with that appearing in the insurance policy. 

Part of our responsibility is to offer the services of the insurer’s accredited motor shops for repair. In the event that the Assured refuses because he has a preferred shop, an estimator or representative from an accredited shop will assess the extent of the damage incurred by the insured vehicle. Under this scheme, floated claims are minimized or eliminated. 

The above steps will be conveyed to the insurer in our ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, ATTENDANCE and PROGRESS REPORTS.

On the other hand, should the Assured agree to have the insured vehicle repaired by the insurer's accredited motor shop, a corresponding PRELIMINARY REPORT shall be submitted normally to include a suggestion for the issuance of a Letter of Authority to Repair. Upon completion, we promptly submit our RECOMMENDATION and/or FINAL REPORT.

In cases where the insured vehicle is already repaired at the time of inspection, we require the owner to submit pictures of the vehicle prior to its repair. The evidence shall be subject to further evaluation by accredited motor shops and we resolve the claim on cash settlement, if warranted.

In all instances, we evaluate the estimate or cost of repair of the insured vehicle bearing in mind the merits and reasonableness of the claim.

ADJUSTMENT ON THIRD PARTY PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAIM

Full-blown investigation immediately proceeds upon determining that damage is caused by the insured vehicle to property owned by a third party in the event of an accident. After determining the fault of the insured party and compensability of the third party claim, we coordinate with the insurer's accredited motor shop to undertake the repair or otherwise secure a reasonable estimation of the damage caused.

At the inception of our investigation, the insurer receives our ATTENDANCE and/or ACKNOWLEDGEMENT REPORT containing the details of initial actions taken and to be taken by the claims investigator.

Negotiation for cash settlement may ensue in cases where claimant refuses to avail the services of the insurer’s accredited shop. After assessment and appraisal of the damages sustained by the third party vehicle, a PROGRESS REPORT is rendered apprising insurer of the details of negotiation.

When documentation is completed and the parties agree on the amount of settlement, a RECOMMENDATION REPORT is submitted to the insurance company and followed by a FINAL REPORT.

CASH SETTLEMENT ON OWN DAMAGE AND THIRD PARTY PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAIMS

In Own Damage and Third Party Property Damage claims where either or both the insured vehicle and third party vehicle requires parts to be replaced, we first inspect the items to confirm the claim for replacement. Finding merit in the claim, the investigator proceeds to survey the cost of parts from at least three (3) reputable auto suppliers or dealers.

Under this method, unjustifiable replacements and unreasonable mark-ups of items/parts by suppliers/dealers are avoided.

ADJUSTMENT ON THIRD PARTY BODILY INJURY AND PERSONAL ACCIDENT CLAIMS

Mindful of the emergency nature of these claims, our claims investigators immediately proceed to the place where victims of motor vehicle accidents are brought. We give preferential attention to providing assistance to the insured and third parties alike. When circumstances allow us to conduct immediate conference with victims and their relatives, our adjusters are equipped to address their concerns.

We likewise interview the victim’s attending physician on matter related to the physical condition, injuries and status of the victims.

ADJUSTMENT ON THIRD PARTY DEATH CLAIM

Upon receipt of an assignment order, we immediately coordinate with the relatives of the victim for proper assistance to alleviate their feelings. We hold conferences with the victim’s heir after ascertaining his/her identity. If victim was below 18 years old, we require a birth certificate and a marriage contract of his parents, aside from the death certificate.

ADJUSTMENT ON CARNAPPED CLAIM

These cases normally last for more than three (3) months due to the waiting period required by the Anti-Car napping Unit of the Philippine National Police before they release the Certificate of Non-recovery. During this period, our duty is to regularly communicate with the Assured to apprise him of developments and to assure him that the claim is under close supervision. The normal reporting procedure is followed to keep the insurance company posted on developments.

Our marine surveyors have fundamental and advance knowledge of the information required by underwriters and adjusters to process claims. Ours are well advised to leave decisions as to what is or is not covered by insurance and who may or may not be responsible for liability, to principals concerned and their legal advisors, except upon occasion when instructed otherwise by principles being represented. However, except when instructed otherwise, we refrain from attempting to adjust a claim or apportion various items of damage. At any rate, we endeavor to provide sufficient information our reports for adjusters and underwriters to make appointments as may be applicable in accordance with terms of the marine insurance policy.

Cargo Marine Survey at Port of Discharge 

Our marine surveyors attend at the pier upon arrival of the vessel to conduct initial hatch survey including inspection of cargoes prior to discharge from the carrying vessel onto the pier apron, hence, during delivery to consignee’s final warehouse.

A 24-hour attendance of two (2) surveyors during discharging from the carrying vessel to the trucks including certification of quantity of good and bad order cargoes.

There is also inspection and survey/checking of empty truck before unloading. Likewise, inspection and survey/checking of truck load.

We likewise supervise the unloading of cargo ex-tackle, record the quantity and condition of cargoes per sling and document the findings in the cargo receipts of the cargo checkers. We also suggest systematic and careful handling of cargo stevedores to vessel’s cargo officers on duty to prevent and minimize cargo damage/loss.

During the entire process, we witness the inspection and turn over of the cargo receipts of good and bad order by the vessel’s surveyor to the customs arrastre contractor and confirm that the “turned-over cargoes in bad order” are duly certified.

Normally, we conduct spot checking of cargoes and determine their condition before withdrawal and delivery to your consignee’s final warehouse to ascertain patent damages.

Cargo Marine Survey at Point of Withdrawal Up To Delivery To Consignee’s Final Warehouse

As marine cargo surveyor, our duties consist of the following:

• Periodically check with the Customs Broker or Forwarding Agent the date and time when cargo is to be withdrawn from the pier to the consignee’s final warehouse.
• Attendance at the pier to and during withdrawal of the cargoes and to assist the Forwarding Agent in locating the good and bad order cargoes in storage.
• Assist the Customs Broker or Forwarding agent in overseeing that the cargoes are not tampered with or pilfered while in transit.
• Conduct inventory of the good order cargoes delivered to consignee’s warehouse prior to acceptance by Broker’s Representative and issue the corresponding inspection report being attested to by our Attending Surveyors and Authorized Representative of the consignee.
• Compile all records of deliveries, bad order certificates and requests for the shipping documents preparatory to the issuance of our Final Report on survey.
• As a preventive measure and to minimize untoward incidents or losses to the cargoes while in transit, we can also convoy deliveries from the pier to consignee’s final warehouse.
• Our Status Report is submitted to the insurer on a regular basis.

General Marine Claims Investigation 

As marine surveyor, we may be employed either exclusively or non-exclusively by a ship-owner, underwriter, broker, shipbuilder, ship repairer, salvor, classification society, governmental agency, regulatory body or others who may require the unique service we render.

Our duty basically comprises of the following:

• To examine a vessel or structure for the purpose of determining the nature and extent of damage.
• To determine the cause or proximate cause of damage sustained.
• To record details of damage, repairs required and related costs applicable.
• To determine and agree upon the method of repairs.
• To determine and agree upon a fair and reasonable price for affecting damage repairs.
• To examine repairs as considered prudent during the repair period.
• To determine from personal examination that all repairs as agreed upon have been carried out as specified.

We determine and provide facts, values and supporting material as a record for reference of those who may be concerned with processing insurance claims.

Adjustment on Fire Loss Claims

Upon receipt of a particular assignment, we immediately communicate with the Assured and proceed to the loss site for proper investigation and inspection. For proofs and evaluation, we take photographs and videos of the portions affected by the incident. We interview the Assured and other witnesses, if any, on the origin of the fire for proper assessment. If necessary, we call on the forensic expert for deeper investigation.  We likewise consult with the adjuster of co-insurance companies, if there is any. In all instances, significant developments shall be conveyed as it arises in a Progress or Status Report. If things are in order, we eventually prepare and submit the Final Report for payment.

We have our legal department to handle disputable cases. If insured vehicle is impounded or insured driver is detained, we immediately take action for their releases.