Commercial and Business Insurance Claims Support, From Assessment to Resolution

Last updated: October 2026

A business insurance claim can become complex when an unexpected loss disrupts your operations. Davis Martindale helps clients understand the financial impact and navigate the commercial insurance claim process with confidence. Engagements are led by partners, Gary Phelps, CPA, CMA, CFF, CFE, Danielle Martens, CPA, CA, DIFA, CFF and AJ Miller, CPA, CGA, who are experienced in loss quantification and independent financial analysis.

Here When the Details Matter

We regularly assist business insurance claim clients with assessing the reasonableness of subrogated claims, and our centralized team, consistent approach and commitment to client service means transparent, timely reporting for every party involved. Davis Martindale’s Senior Loss Accounting team is equipped to provide exactly the service you need — from initial loss quantification through to expert testimony.

Types of Business Insurance Claims We Handle

Business Interruption

A business interruption insurance claim is one of the most complex categories of commercial loss to quantify accurately — we calculate lost income and ongoing expenses against what the business would have earned had the loss not occurred.

Stock & Inventory Loss

Independent quantification of stock and inventory losses following theft, fire or water damage, reconciled against your actual books and records.

Fidelity Bonds & Employee Dishonesty

Investigating and quantifying losses tied to employee theft and fraud covered under a fidelity bond.

Arson & Extra Expense Analysis

Independent financial motivation and arson investigation, along with extra expense analysis to quantify costs incurred to reduce or avoid a larger loss.

HST Rebate Calculations

Calculate the HST rebates that potentially may be available to insurers.

Subrogation Assessment

Independently assessing the reasonableness of subrogated claims to determine whether recovery may be warranted.

Scope & Industry Experience

We handle claims across the full range of scale — from short-term small business loss claims to large total loss commercial claims, with reporting that ranges from concise schedules for settlement through to full reports prepared for litigation. Our loss accounting team is experienced with loss claims across the farming, service, professional, processing, manufacturing, transportation, retail and wholesale sectors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: October 2026

How is a business interruption loss calculated? +

Business interruption loss is typically calculated by comparing actual post-loss financial performance against a projection of what the business would have earned had the loss not occurred. To do this, we review financial statements, sales records, budgets, contracts, seasonality trends and industry conditions to establish an expected level of performance.

For example, if a manufacturer is forced to shut down for three months following a fire and historical records show the business normally generates $500,000 in monthly revenue during that period, we would analyze the revenue not earned, any expenses that were saved during the shutdown, and any extra costs incurred to continue operations elsewhere. The result is an objective calculation of the business interruption loss that can be used by insurers, adjusters and legal counsel to evaluate the claim.

What is a subrogation assessment? +

A subrogation assessment reviews whether an insurer's paid claim can reasonably be recovered from a third party responsible for the loss. Once an insurer has paid a claim, subrogation is the process of pursuing repayment from whoever caused it — that could be another business, a contractor, or another insurer standing behind that party. Davis Martindale's independent analysis typically includes reviewing repair costs, business interruption losses, supporting documentation and claim calculations. The goal is to work out whether the amount being pursued is reasonable and supportable, based on the evidence rather than the initial payout figure alone. The party on the other end of a subrogation claim has every reason to challenge the number, so the analysis needs to hold up to scrutiny from the outset.

What is an extra expense claim? +

Quantifying an extra expense claim means separating costs that were genuinely necessary and reasonable from costs the business would have incurred anyway, then supporting that distinction with its actual financial records. This analysis often runs alongside a business interruption insurance claim, since both are trying to establish what the loss cost the business, from different angles. For example, after a fire shuts down production, a business might pay overtime once equipment is repaired or rent temporary space to keep shipping orders. Those costs are what an extra expense claim covers: the additional spending a business takes on to keep operating, or to reduce the size of a loss, after an insured event like a fire or other property damage.

Meet the Team

Our independent loss accounting experts hold a variety of accounting, forensic, fraud and insurance designations which we use to tailor our service to your direct needs.