Date: November 2010

Our case studies provide you with an idea of how we reach settlements on behalf of clients. We thought it might be helpful to explain what happens in the very early stages of being appointed. We will also keep you up-to-date with the story of Hurricane Tomas as it unfolds.

Hurricane Tomas

On the 30th October Hurricane Tomas ripped through St Lucia causing destruction and mayhem. Property, and the Island’s infrastructure took a heavy battering, particularly in the southern region of Soufriere, where roads and bridges have been totally destroyed. Communities became totally cut off and could only be reached by boat.

It was from this region that we received instructions from the owners of one of the largest and most prestigious hotel resorts on the Island to help them with their claim. With an estate spanning 120 acres there was a lot to do.

Major Loss Team Assembled

We quickly assembled a major loss team that flew out on the first available flight

Paul Lawrence – Harris Balcombe Partner, specialising in major & complex material damage losses with over 30 years' experience.
Alan Hintz – Harris Balcombe Director, Chartered Surveyor, specialising in major & complex losses with over 20 years' experience.
Stewart Dymant – Harris Balcombe Partner, Chartered Accountant, specialising in business interruption claims

Having the right team in situ at the earliest stage possible is critical in major losses

Creating a Foundation

Achieving a successful claim on a major loss means getting the foundations for the claim right. We immediately set about:

• Creating a forum for communication between all the interested parties, insurers, their loss adjusters and our client and their broker
• Focussing discussions and activity around recovery and mitigation, especially on the key period of Christmas and New Year bookings
• Planning phased reinstatement, as it is clear that the damage will take a considerable time to fully reinstate
• Measuring & quantifying every damaged building across the 120 acre site
• Preparing a detailed damage report for the owners
• Producing a document to enable the claim to be discussed in accordance with the policy wording and sums insured as set out in the policy

Progress

Our actions so far, and the detailed documentation we have provided, have enabled an interim payment to be agreed very early on in the process. Undoubtedly, having a qualified team at the scene has helped. It has been particularly advantageous having an accountant available to prepare an interim claim against both the Gross Profit as well as to project potential losses to help set suitable reserve figures for the claim.