Surveyor Conduct, Ethics, Reporting Standards and Professional Practice
This domain tests the professional and ethical standards expected of an IRDAI-licensed surveyor and loss assessor, and the reporting standards that make a report usable in claims handling. Expect questions on independence, conflicts, confidentiality, evidence and report structure.
Core rules
- The surveyor acts independently of insurer and insured, discloses any conflict, and must not accept an appointment where objectivity is compromised.
- Fees must not be contingent on the claim amount or a favourable outcome. Hospitality, gifts or referral arrangements that could influence judgment must be refused.
- Confidentiality covers claim data, photographs, reports and commercial information. Records must be kept as required by the regulations.
- The report should contain appointment details, scope, documents, attendance, findings of fact, cause, quantum, recommendations and reservations. Facts and opinions must be distinguished.
- The surveyor does not decide policy liability, admit the claim or bind the insurer. The report supports the insurer's decision.
Worked example
An insured asks a surveyor to raise a repair estimate to cover an unpaid yard bill. The surveyor refuses, records the request, verifies actual repair scope and reports the factual estimate. If the surveyor had a family interest in the repair yard, he should have declined the appointment and disclosed the conflict before any attendance.
Traps
Do not become an advocate for either party. Do not accept a fee based on a percentage of the claim. Do not give unsupported opinions or final liability conclusions. Do not omit conflict disclosure, dates, photographs or reservations. Do not breach confidentiality in informal discussions.