Here is a list of the most common types of telecom facilities damaged for which claims are filed. The 7 major areas of overcharging (described below) apply to all the following categories:

• Poles
  All types ranging in size from Class 1 to 5 and 25’ to 55’.

• Aerial cable and fiber
  Aerial copper and fiber optic cables of all sizes attached to poles. 

• Direct buried cables and fiber
  Buried copper and fiber optic cables of all sizes directly buried in the ground, normally at least 18” deep.

• Underground cables and fiber
  Copper and fiber optic cables of all sizes pulled through underground conduit-runs accessed by vaults/manholes and handholes.

• Vaults/manholes
  Manholes and large vaults can be damaged and re-built; however, they are also sometime placed near a cable cut possibly allowing a telecom to gain a new access point for future growth, thus resulting in an upgrade.

• Cross-connects and remote terminals
  Also known as fiber-fed or copper-fed cabinets, or simply just utility boxes. These are very expensive pieces of equipment that exist out in the field and act as a mini-serving central office for an entire area or city. When damaged (often from vehicle wrecks), these bills can be quite sizable. The reason for this is two-fold: (1) the equipment is expensive and (2) they are prone to advantageous upgrades and network relocations. Since the whole unit needs replaced it is not difficult for a telecom to make multiple non-like-for-like changes and bill the insured for all the work.

Common problems to most all telecom claims are:

1. Labor rates include loaded overhead rates double or triple what they should be based on the reasonable cost of repair
2. Unsubstantiated loss of use charges
3. Facility replacements that do not take into account depreciation
4. Unreasonable charges for administrative costs on several portions of the bill
5. Unreasonable contractor bills
6. Full facility relocations billed to the damager
7. Replacement of obsolete materials with no consideration that it was an upgrade, including replacing damaged old copper cable with fiber as part of a new national roll out.

If we find reason to believe the insured is being improperly billed, as we frequently do; we can negotiate an agreed price in order to settle the claim. We can also summarize all of our findings in report form with a cost estimate and then let you, the insurance adjuster, take care of any negotiations. If liability is a question, especially in cases of invalid locates, an investigation into liability and a subsequent report with our findings can be written and presented to you. If so desired, we can then be of further assistance. We are available as representation in court should the claim go through legal channels and any expert testimony is desired.