Damage Surveys

1 AUGUST 2021

With Topo4D we provide assistance to individuals, companies and insurers to obtain a complete file regarding storm damage. The determinations can be made with a drone to get a clear view of the damage. For example, we can get a clear view of a loose roof. We can then use these images to prepare a motivated report with our own independent experts. As a company or private individual, you can contact your insurer. The survey can then also serve to settle conflicts within or outside the court. This can be unilateral, contradictory (at the request of 2 or more parties), or judicial. An amicable survey at the request of 2 or more parties also ensures the necessary discretion, and runs a lot more smoothly. In addition, the costs are also a lot lower compared to legal proceedings. For expert assessments at a counter-survey, or where an insurer does not intervene, the amounts mainly depend on the size of the assignment.

What is an expert survey?

An expert investigation occurs when one or more parties call on a person who is deemed to have a specific professional knowledge. This can be to establish technical facts, or to provide technically motivated advice. For example, a problem can be analysed on the basis of different scenarios and determination methods, in order to search for the cause.

Such working method is recorded in a report. A judicial survey involves a preliminary report to which the parties can respond, an interim judgment and a final report. Such a report serves as substantiated evidence in the event of a dispute, be it between mutual parties or in court.

What types of survey are there?

First and foremost there is the amicable survey. This is between the parties themselves, where the expert takes on an independent role, and can be done out of court. In addition, there is also the unilateral survey, or the contradictory survey. In the case of a unilateral assessment, an expert is appointed by one party to make factual determinations, to provide advice on a technical level or to act as technical adviser. This may involve, for example, an estimate of damage to a building due to inadequate measures on a construction site. During legal proceedings, the expert can then act as technical adviser to the party. Then there is the adversarial procedure. In this case, a court expert is asked by 2 or more parties with opposing interests to provide advice on a technical level and/or to reconcile the parties. The order here comes from both parties and the expert will act independently. This can take different forms. An example of this is a binding third-party decision in which the expert judges the problem and delivers a binding conclusion. Of course, this will first be mutually agreed upon by the parties. Finally, there is the judicial survey. This is requested by the court, or by the parties involved.

What are the advantages of an amicable survey?

First and foremost, it represents a huge cost saving compared to legal proceedings. In addition, it goes a lot smoother, and it is always completely confidential. What does a survey cost? This depends on your insurance. You are usually fully entitled to a free counter-examination at the expense of the insurance to defend your rights and interests. This is determined according to certain scales and policies in your insurance. For example, with a legal aid policy, the costs of a loss adjuster are usually covered. Feel free to contact us and we’ll check it out! For expert assessments at a counter-survey, or where an insurer does not intervene, the amounts mainly depend on the size of the assignment. Contact us and we will provide a free estimate.