code of conduct equally applicable to insurers and insured and irda
shailesh shah
affairs of the country,
We surveyors are meekly following (possibly) the code of conduct
stipulated by irda. We have time and again highlighted the facts to
irda that not all rules imposed are possible to be followed without
equal participation from the insures and insured. And those who
attempt to follow it religiously, have to see bad days as no one wants
a surveyor highlighting the flaws of underwriting at insurer's side.
Hence there is a much greater need to impose some regulatory measures
on all related to our work. Let me share my expectations from them.
from irda-
Act as a responsible Grievance cell for surveyors and respond to their
requests in a fortnight maximum, with proper guidelines and issuing
instructions to all concerned, making such papers public in its
website.
from insurers-
Ensure that while issuing the instructions of survey, policy with its
complete attachments is provided to the surveyor on the same day,
preferably before the surveyor can start for work.
Participate in discussion with insured when the surveyor invites for a
dialogue, and satisfy his queries related to coverage, lack of
knowledge of insurance by insured ( majority of times on valuation
aspect we face problem in every claim) and how to bring an amicable
solution wherever the opinions differ. I call it as pro-active method
of dispute resolution.
Insurers can take a week's time for Internal Audit and give Green
Signal to surveyor to release hard copy, rather than expecting him to
make ammendments mainly to cover up their underwriting flaws.
Keep their Agents and Brokers away from Claims unless they are
officially allotted that function replacing their authority.
Ensure that their officers do not demand extra perks and share of fees
from the surveyors. Recently i was called for sharing 20% of my fees
from an insurer who was not releasing payments for more than a year.
Even today half of that is pending. The tragedy is that they had
already released the claims dues to the insured. And the reason given
for non payment was that my name was removed from their HUB so their
computer does not accept it. Hence he has to take higher up's
permission and it costs money to him.
I can provide all legitimate proof provided irda is keen to act upon
our grievance , and ensure that our name is empanelled with all HUBS
operating in our territory ( my city is VAdodara in Gujarat) where i
can reach within 1 hours time for survey.
from insured-
respond to the requests of surveyor in reasonable time limit, but
never later than 15 days unless there is valid reason acceptable to
all concerned. Before reacting insured is expected to read the policy
terms and conditions and understand it. If they can't understand they
should ask for its meaning from insurers and the insures should
clarify the same to them, rather than expecting the surveyors to
resolve their problems.
--
Shailesh B. Shah
Insurance Surveyor / Loss Assessor
Vadodara Cell- 9824021192
www.insurance-surveyors.com