🔎 Who is a Surveyor?

A surveyor is an independent, licensed professional (approved under IRDAI regulations) appointed by insurers to assess the extent of damage and recommend claim settlement.

They act as a bridge between the insurer, the insured, and the repairer.

⚙️ Key Roles of Surveyors in Motor Claims

1. Damage Assessment

• Inspect the damaged vehicle at the accident spot or garage.

• Identify parts damaged due to the accident vs. those due to wear and tear.

• Use modern tools/software for accurate cost estimates (spare parts, labour, etc.).

👉 Example: A car collides with a pole. Surveyor confirms front bumper, headlight, and radiator damaged due to accident—not the old scratches on the door.

2. Spot Survey

• Done immediately after accident to record evidence.

• Prevents tampering of damage or substitution of parts.

• Verifies third-party involvement (injuries or property damage).

3. Final Survey

• Conducted after repair estimate is submitted.

• Checks whether the accident description matches actual damage.

• Recommends repair, cash loss, or total loss settlement (if repair cost > 75% of IDV → Constructive Total Loss).

👉 Example: Surveyor finds repair cost of SUV = 80% of IDV. Recommends treating claim as total loss.

4. Re-Inspection

• Done after repairs to verify whether approved parts were actually replaced.

• Ensures salvage (damaged parts) is accounted for.

• Prevents inflated or fraudulent claims.
  
  

5. Loss Minimisation

Surveyors also help insurers reduce claim outgo by:

• Checking repairer’s estimates for unnecessary replacements.

• Ensuring salvage is valued and recovered.

• Advising insurers about impact of new vehicle technologies on claims.

  
  

📜 Code of Conduct for Surveyors

As per IRDAI’s Surveyor Regulations, surveyors must:

• Act ethically, fairly, and with integrity.

• Stay objective and unbiased.

• Work with diligence and technical expertise.

• Keep updated with industry knowledge.

• Maintain good relations with insured and repairers.
  
  

✅ Why Surveyors Matter for Customers

• Ensure fair claim settlement.

• Prevent disputes by recording actual damages.

• Speed up settlement if cooperation is smooth.

  
  

💡 Sales Angle for Agents

When clients complain about survey delays, explain:

• Surveyors are there to protect both sides—they ensure genuine claims are paid and prevent fraudulent payouts.

• Cooperation with surveyors = faster settlement.

• Encourage customers to not repair before survey.
  
  

🎯 Conclusion

Surveyors play a pivotal role in motor insurance claims by assessing damages, verifying cause, preventing fraud, and ensuring fairness. They are the technical backbone of the claims process.

👉 Pitch line for clients: “The surveyor is like a referee—ensuring the claim is fair, transparent, and in your best interest.”