One of the tools available for this purpose is a home-study program which teaches, and then tests, qualified employees in this area. This column should not be construed as an endorsement of DPIC by me or CE News. Following the DPIC guidelines can save time, money, and heartache if you are employing good loss avoidance and risk management practices. A list of 20 of the questions, with answers, follows. Some have been shortened or paraphrased in the interest of brevity.
Few claims stem from non-technical aspects of a practice.
To keep legal fees down, wait as long as possible before reporting a problem to your insurance carrier. Overstating your firm's capabilities, even if done unintentionally, can be considered misrepresentation. If you refuse a settlement recommended by the insurance company, it's obligation usually will not exceed the amount the claim could have been settled. If your scope of services does not include construction observation, you cannot be held responsible for failures arising from poor construction. Standard professional society contract forms cannot be modified.