Effective teamwork depends on effective communication. Even the initial contact between the salvor and risk management personnel, insurer, and loss-site personnel can dramatically affect the success of the salvage situation and any insurance claim resolution. Our detailed procedures ensure the clear, complete, and timely sharing of all necessary information between the appropriate parties, helping minimize delays and eliminate confusion. Our communication with you is equally important and is something Callan Salvage places a premium on.
Virtually every insurance policy requires some sort of inventory following a damage or loss claim. Conducting a thorough, accurate inventory is often one of the most challenging parts of the entire salvage process, sometimes involving the salvor and the affected company and insurance adjusters, auditors, and CPAs. Callan Salvage’s first step in making an inventory is to prepare the stock by separating it into lots following a thorough site walk-through and discussion with on-site personnel. These individual lots may represent different types of merchandise, mark-ups, other site areas, or simply different degrees of damage. We can even arrange for product testing if you suspect contamination of apparently non-damaged stock. Regardless of the specific segregation methodology, all stock items must be accounted for, and the degree of damage they suffered, if any, documented. Subsequent inventory verification and valuation are also critical. Not only is the quantity of damaged merchandise relevant, but the valuation and supporting documentation are also very pertinent. If needed, we can obtain and verify the values of the damaged merchandise. In many loss situations, some merchandise is either missing or unrecognizable — destroyed by fire, washed away by flood, or stolen during or after the loss, for example. This “out-of-site” merchandise must also be accounted for by either 1) a close inspection of the site and interviews with employees or 2) a formal audit conducted by the salvor or, in some cases, a CPA. Callan Salvage’s extensive experience is invaluable in preparing stock for inventory, conducting the actual inventory, or working with a third-party auditor to reconstruct an accurate account of the site’s contents prior to the loss event.
Once the stock has been accurately inventoried and verified, Callan Salvage can evaluate the data and make accurate appraisals of the loss and damage the stock has incurred and the value of the salvaged items. As with conducting inventories, there are multiple methods of determining, documenting, and justifying the value of the loss. We’ll work closely with you to find the one best suited to your situation. To determine the salvaged stock’s value, we’ll consider several key factors, including the type and degree of damage and whether the affected stock comprises raw materials, work in progress, or finished goods. Based on our experience and research, we’ll also estimate the market for that specific type of stock.
Developing and executing the best disposition strategy for your particular stock is essential to maximizing your recovery. That’s why Callan Salvage will thoroughly weigh all potential benefits — and risks — before recommending a course of action.
Generally, CSA will either dispose of the salvage through methods and markets designed to bring in the best return possible or arrange for the insured to keep the salvage for a percentage of the damage. Our disposition may involve negotiating a quick sale to a specific salvage buyer, arranging for a sealed bid process among numerous potential buyers, or combining both. CSA will use our experience and industry knowledge to determine which disposition path suits your situation best.
We can also evaluate the requirements of applicable brand and label agreements and adjust salvage disposition accordingly. That might include black-lining, label cutting or removal, salvage stamping, or even the supervised destruction of the stock. The salvaged stock may also be repackaged or re-boxed to protect branding further. If geographical restrictions apply, we can arrange for sale outside a specific area or region — even outside the country as we have an extensive worldwide buyer network.
Following any salvage project, Callan Salvage provides you with a comprehensive final report detailing and explaining the entire operation, from initial inspection to stock inventory to the salvage’s final disposition. The report also contains supporting material, including photographs, to present an accurate and thorough record of the loss event and its aftermath. That kind of detailed documentation of every facet of the salvage operation can be invaluable should you become embroiled in subsequent legal or insurance disputes concerning the incident.