Regulatory, Ethical, and Professional Standards for Surveyors
Scope
This domain tests the regulatory and ethical standards for licensed surveyors and loss assessors under the IRDAI framework, especially the Insurance Surveyors and Loss Assessors Regulations, 2015, and the professional conduct expected in cargo claims.
Core rules
- A surveyor must hold a valid IRDAI licence for the relevant category and comply with renewal, training and record-keeping requirements.
- Appointments come from insurers or authorized parties. The surveyor must be independent, impartial and free from conflict of interest.
- The surveyor must disclose any relationship with the insured, carrier, broker or cargo owner that could affect objectivity.
- The report must be based on actual inspection, set out facts, cause, policy response and quantum, and be submitted within the required time.
- Confidentiality applies to commercial and claims information. Files and photographs must be retained as required.
- The surveyor must not solicit claims, accept secret commissions, rebate fees, act as an insurance agent or adjust a claim outside the licence category.
Worked example
An insurer appoints a surveyor to assess a seawater damage claim. The surveyor discovers that the cargo owner is a close relative. The surveyor must disclose the conflict and decline or seek reassignment. If the insurer suggests inflating the salvage credit to reduce the claim, the surveyor must refuse and report the facts accurately; the duty is to the professional assessment, not to a predetermined outcome.
Traps
Do not sign a report without inspection. Do not accept hospitality that could influence the assessment. Do not exceed the licensed category. Do not backdate reports or omit adverse findings; such conduct risks licence action and professional liability.