“Professional Fees” coverage is written in to policies to pay for third-party professionals, such as forensic accountants and engineers. Some policyholders use the coverage for additional resources to relieve the burden of the taxing claims process while others leverage the experience and expertise of such professionals. This is especially valuable for complex claims with business interruption. Exclusions for this coverage typically apply to public adjusters, attorneys and may include broker affiliated consultants. Remember, the coverage is their to support you, the policyholder, with your claim.
First, examine your policy. If there’s coverage, consult a forensic accountant to ensure you have adequate limits. If you don’t have this coverage, ask for it as an endorsement. It is advisable to identify a forensic accounting firm that has experience, a proven track record and most important, no conflicts of interest. Don’t wait until you have a loss though. You'll have enough to do already. Picking your team to help you through the preparation and settlement of a property claim is one of the most important decisions you will make. Choose wisely and you’ll make one of the hardest parts, that much easier.