Technically yes, but… Forensic engineering and insurance

Insurers and their advisors are major purchasers of forensic engineering services. Sometimes, but not always, the forensic engineers they use are given a clear brief. Often the brief has to be developed throughout the engineer's period of engagement. Forensic engineers may find themselves being pushed by Insurers and their representatives into addressing obscure hypothetical questions whose relevance is unclear. Then, when matters reach a crucial negotiating stage or come to court, the issues change rapidly, turning away from the area where most investigative effort has been concentrated.

For forensic engineers to provide the standard of service which will result in repeat instructions they need to understand their role in a wide context. The skill required to present evidence in a way that can be easily understood whilst remaining technically rigorous is almost as important as the ability to find the solution to a technical question. The forensic engineer needs to understand where his work fits in to insurance/legal processes to ensure that his client is being given the most appropriate advice. It is the variability in the quality of these latter skills that makes Insurers and their advisors cautious in their selection of forensic engineers.

• EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• INSURERS' NEED FOR FORENSIC ENGINEERING SERVICES

• QUALITIES THAT INSURERS SEEK IN FORENSIC ENGINEERS

• FORENSIC ENGINEERING IN A NON-UK ENVIRONMENT

• INSURERS' OBLIGATIONS TO THEIR INSUREDS

• INSURERS' OBLIGATIONS TO THIRD PARTIES IN LIABILITY CASES

• INSURERS AND LAWYERS

• COMMERCIAL CONCERNS

• INSURANCE COVERAGE ISSUES RELEVANT TO FORENSIC ENGINEERING EVIDENCE