An evaluation of the value of preliminary investigation in insurance loss adjusting

Abstract

The aim of this research is to evaluate the degree to which the loss adjusters are engaging in preliminary investigation in insurance loss adjusting at TIH. The preliminary investigative phase is regarded as the cornerstone of criminal and other investigative processes. This includes the investigative process followed in the insurance industry which directs a case that is being investigated with the main objective of gathering accurate evidence to ensure that the entire investigation is not jeopardised. Literature confirms the importance of the preliminary investigative phase, which includes the collection of information and evidence and interviews. To answer the primary research question, the researcher used a qualitative research approach and conducted one-on-one interviews with knowledgeable loss adjusters based in KwaZulu-Natal and one expert. In addition, national and international literature sources were consulted. The study found that the preliminary investigative phase is a vital part of an investigation into a short-term insurance claim.

Injongo yolu phando kukuphonononga iqondo apho abalungelelanisi belahleko babandakanyeka khona kuphando lokuqala kulungelelaniso lwelahleko yeinshorensi kwi-TIH. Isigaba sokuqala kuphando sithathwa njengesibalulekileyo kwiinkqubo zolwaphulomthetho kunye nezinye iinkqubo zophando. Oku kuquka inkqubo yophando elandelwayo kushishino lweinshorensi ekhokela ityala eliphandwayo ngenjongo ephambili yokuqokelela ubungqina obuchanekileyo ukuqinisekisa ukuba uphando lulonke alukho sengozini okanye aluchithwa. Uncwadi luyakungqina ukubaluleka kwesigaba sokuqala kuphando, esibandakanya ukuqokelelwa kolwazi/iinkcukacha, ubungqina kunye nokwenziwa kodliwanondlebe. Ukuphendula umbuzo ophambili kolu phando, umphandi usebenzise indlela yophandontyilazwi waze wenza udliwanondlebe lobuqu nabalungelelanisi belahleko abanolwazi kunye nengcali enye KwaZulu-Natal. Ukongeza, kolu phando kusetyenziswe imithombo yoncwadi yesizwe neyamazwe ngamazwe. Uphando lufumanise ukuba isigaba sokuqala kuphando siyinxalenye ebalulekileyo yophando lwebango kwi-inshorensi yexeshana.

Inhloso yalolu cwaningo ukuhlola izinga abalungisi bokulahlekelwa abahlanganyela ngalo ophenyweni lokuqala ekulungisweni kokulahlekelwa komshwalense e-TIH. Isigaba sokuqala sophenyo sithathwa njengesisekelo sobugebengu nezinye izinqubo zophenyo. Lokhu kuhlanganisa nenqubo yophenyo elandelwa embonini yomshwalense eqondisa icala eliphenywayo ngenhloso enkulu yokuqoqa ubufakazi obunembile ukuqinisekisa ukuthi lonke uphenyo aluphazamiseki. Imibhalo iqinisekisa ukubaluleka kwesigaba sokuqala sophenyo, esihlanganisa ukuqoqwa kolwazi nobufakazi kanye nezingxoxo. Ukuphendula umbuzo oyinhloko wocwaningo, umcwaningi usebenzise indlela yocwaningo olusezingeni eliphezulu futhi wenza inhlolokhono yomuntu ngamunye nabalungisi bokulahlekelwa abanolwazi abazinze KwaZulu-Natal kanye nochwepheshe oyedwa. Ngaphezu kwalokho, kwaxhunyanwa nemithombo yezincwadi kazwelonke neyamazwe ngamazwe. Ucwaningo luthole ukuthi isigaba sokuqala sophenyo siyingxenye ebalulekile yophenyo mayelana nesimangalo somshwalense wesikhathi esifushane.