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august 2019 csengineermag.com 17 We look for a claims department that will help us resolve problems before they become full-blown claims, that will step forward if the claim is justified but that will not roll over and pay unnecessarily just to settle a case. We look for an insurer that will try to find ways to cover claims, rather than run away from them. And we want claims people who help control legal expenses appropriately, who provide personal service and who communicate with us promptly and frequently. A Partner in Risk Management We've found that professional liability insurance carriers with value offer first-rate training and risk management education programs, and our firm relies on and benefits from these programs. And we expect our professional liability insurance company to provide a high level of ser- vice and advice to help us with our professional services agreements. It's also important to us that our carrier is actively involved in the professional associations (especially with the AIA, ACEC, and the Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee, a joint venture of the ACEC, NSPE, and ASCE), that it helps our local, state and national professional associations, and participates in legislative efforts on be- half of our professions. A Word About Insurance Brokers A properly-selected insurance broker will never let us down. The bro- ker that you select for your professional liability insurance should be an expert in the field, not just the same person that sells car insurance to you. We expect them to recommend a professional liability insur- ance program rather than a price. In other words, our broker will run through a qualitative vetting process and will show us how a carrier will support our risk management efforts, educate our staff, and treat our time and deductible as if it was their own. As design professionals, we have to stand by the recommendations we make to our clients; as licensed professionals we do not shy away from this responsibility. We expect the same from our broker. Value vs. Cost The thing is, someone will always offer you a policy for less. But as we are constantly explaining to our own clients, the first cost is not always the lowest cost or the best value. In the end, we want an insurance company that will be there for the long term, one that works hard to preserve our capital, reduce our losses, and that is willing to go to bat for my profession and my business. In other words, the one that offers the best value. ROGER L. BALL, PE, FACEC, is President and CEO of Rick Engineering, headquar- tered in San Diego, CA. CARA SHIMKUS HALL, FAIA, is Principal and CBO of GH2 Architects, based in Tulsa, OK. Roger Ball Cara Shimkus

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