Marshall and Swift/Boeckh (MS/B) recently initiated a project to augment its IntegriClaim field estimating product with operations, features and finishes customarily found in high-value homes. The continual expansion of the IntegriClaim database gives insurance carriers and adjusters the ability to create more accurate and consistent loss estimates for upscale and custom-built homes, MS/B said.

"Growth in the high-value home marketplace and increased use of MS/B's RCT High Value product, a high-value home valuation application, has amplified the need for the creation of a comprehensive database of high-value features and finishes," Jonathan Kost, vice-president of claims at MS/B, said. "The data will be updated on a quarterly basis to coincide with the delivery of our underwriting building cost updates, allowing our clients to react quickly as new high value areas emerge throughout the country." Kost explained that the data-set is of great importance to insurance carriers who use RCT High Value on the underwriting side: it aids the achievement of true indemnification by helping to generate claims payments from the same "total-component"data.

MS/B most recently enhanced IntegriClaim with over 300 upscale or high value components such a sbuilt in aquariums, windows with built-in shades, arbors, granite and marble sunken tubs, 1" X 10" and 1" X 12" base molding, and adobe face veneering.

---from Canadian Underwriter, Feb, 2006 issue.