What is Assent? Assent is not just about insurance assessment... Assent is about IT

Assent is well-equipped to deal with any computer-related insurance claim, ranging from the most basic desktop or laptop computer claim right up to the most complex claims dealing with multiple file servers and associated network infrastructure and software. We are able to personally examine, and carry out diagnostic testing on, damaged or faulty goods that are the subject of claims where this is economically practical. Alternatively, we can liaise with IT companies to carry out the examination and testing of damaged goods, providing instruction to the engineer(s) involved on what specific information or evidence we need them to look for and requesting digital photographs (where appropriate) of their findings to assist in our assessment of the claim.

Where there is some doubt as to whether a client is covered for full replacement, indemnity (second hand or current) value, or not covered at all, we would request the client's policy wording from their insurer or the loss adjuster handling the claim. As a result of this, there have been numerous cases where settlement has radically changed due to the application of a clause or exclusion within the client's policy.

In every case, we strive to report back to the loss adjuster, assessor, claim handler or broker in a professional but understandable manner, and always attempt to process claims in the most efficient and timely fashion, subject to the reasonable cooperation of clients in providing relevant information. Most importantly, we always endeavour to provide the most accurate assessments, minimising the cost of claims on behalf of insurers in most cases, while still ensuring an equitable settlement for the clients.

Services Offered

Assent offers the following services:

• Analysis of IT-related claim documentation
• Communication with the insured and/or their IT service provider
• Physical examination of damaged equipment
• Diagnostic testing and repair of faulty equipment
• Quantification of loss
• Assessment of applicability of policy wording
• Provision of detailed reports
• Supply of replacement goods where necessary

For a more in-depth discussion of some of these points, click here (PDF document - 176 kB).

Over the last few years, we have assisted insurance assessors, loss adjusters and brokers with hundreds of IT-related claims. Many of these were relatively basic in that they involved the loss of a single laptop or desktop computer; others were very complex, involving multiple file servers, workstations and network infrastructure; yet others required the investigation of replacement software or the assessment of the economic feasibility of recovering data from a faulty array of hard drives versus the re-keying of the data by hand.

Each claim is dealt with entirely separately - we do not use template-driven reporting that produces generic solutions inconsistent with the unique losses experienced by each insured. Through our experience of dealing with thousands of claims, we are able to apply knowledge previously gleaned to new situations, adapting to the specific variables that make each claim unique.

The sample reports in the list on the right are all genuine reports that were produced for real assessors and real insurers - only the personal details of people involved have been edited out. Please browse these reports (they are all in PDF format) to get a feel for the types of claims we have dealt with in the past, how we approached them, and the solutions provided in each case.

Report List

The following links (all PDF documents) serve to demonstrate some of the work that we do. Two of these example reports are for work carried out for NZ loss adjusting companies (hence prices in $). All are genuine reports, with contact details removed.

• Typical laptop claim (update coming!)
• Typical server-related claim (410 kB)
• Typical software/dongle claim (update coming!)