Specialty Equipment Claims: Why Most TPAs Won’t Touch Them

In commercial claims, most third-party administrators (TPAs) stay safely inside their lane (auto and property). But what happens when a claim involves a combine harvester, an RV, or a high-end construction crane?

That’s where things get complicated.

While many TPAs say they handle “heavy equipment,” most lack the specialized expertise to assess, appraise, and resolve these complex assets. The result: delays, inaccurate valuations, and unnecessary supplements that drive up total claim costs.

At Veritas Claims, these “non-standard” files aren’t exceptions; they’re our specialty.

The growing need for specialty equipment expertise

America’s transportation and construction industries are evolving fast. Carriers and insurers are facing more claim types outside traditional auto, including:

• Agricultural machinery: tractors, harvesters, sprayers, and balers.

• Construction equipment: excavators, cranes, bulldozers, loaders, skid steers.

• Recreational vehicles: RVs, ATVs, boats, jet skis, and campers.

• Fleet assets: utility vehicles, refrigerated trailers, and mobile service units.

• Industrial machines: generators, compressors, or even small aircraft components.

Each comes with unique parts, materials, and repair processes, and each requires evaluators who understand their mechanics and market value.

Carriers that rely on auto-centric vendors risk serious blind spots.

Why most TPAs avoid non-standard equipment

The reasons are simple and revealing.

1. Lack of technical knowledge

It’s one thing to appraise a damaged sedan. It’s another to assess a hydraulic combine head or a crane’s boom assembly. Without experience in these categories, adjusters struggle to identify hidden damage or proper repair costs.

2. No access to parts databases

Specialty equipment often lacks centralized pricing systems like Mitchell or Audatex. Valuing these units requires manual research, manufacturer input, and real-world market data.

3. Inconsistent inspection quality

Auto-focused field adjusters may be certified for general appraisals, but they miss critical details on machinery, leading to inaccurate valuations and high supplement ratios.

4. Limited national coverage

Even when TPAs accept these files, they often outsource to smaller regional contractors, creating inconsistency and communication gaps.

In short: most vendors can’t scale specialty knowledge.

The Veritas difference: specialists, not generalists

Veritas Claims was built for the heavy and specialty equipment space. Our team includes appraisers, estimators, and towing specialists who have hands-on experience in trucking, construction, and agriculture.

We don’t “try to make it work.” We already know how it works.

Our specialists:

• Understand the mechanical systems and value curves of heavy and off-road equipment.

• Have handled everything from windrowers and balers to RVs, yachts, and farm sprayers.

• Know the difference between “green metal” (John Deere) and “yellow metal” (Caterpillar, Komatsu).

• Produce full, defensible appraisal reports (not just estimates) within seven days on average.

When combined with our towing and cargo teams, we deliver end-to-end claim resolution for even the most complex equipment exposures.

Examples of the “odd” equipment we routinely handle

Each of these categories requires a different diagnostic and valuation approach.

Accuracy that protects your bottom line

Because specialty equipment is often high-value, even small appraisal errors can translate into five- or six-figure losses. Accuracy is critical not just for indemnity, but for trust.

Veritas’ approach includes:

• Comprehensive reporting: Every file includes full mechanical inspection notes, parts pricing, labor estimates, and photos.

• Verification sourcing: OEM contacts, dealer quotes, and verified market comps replace guesswork.

• Cross-team coordination: Appraisal, towing, and cargo data flow together to eliminate duplication or overlooked costs.

• Low supplement ratio (~14%) versus the 35% industry average (saving time, money, and headaches).

This blend of expertise and precision gives carriers confidence that every dollar spent or saved is justified.

Cycle time: speed still matters

Complex doesn’t have to mean slow.

Even with heavy or specialized equipment, Veritas maintains an average appraisal cycle time of seven days, compared to an industry norm closer to 10 or 12.

How?

1. Centralized intake with detailed asset classification.

2. Direct routing to the right specialist (construction, ag, marine, etc.).

3. Integrated communication so appraisal, towing, and cargo stay aligned.

4. Digital reporting that eliminates waiting for manual uploads or approvals.

Speed doesn’t come from cutting corners; it comes from eliminating hand-offs.

How national coverage supports specialty claims

Many of these assets operate in rural or remote regions where coverage is limited. With Veritas’ national footprint, carriers can send any specialty equipment claims anywhere and expect consistent quality.

• All 50 states covered.

• Local field inspectors where required, coordinated by centralized leadership.

• State law compliance embedded into each claim file.

This consistency means carriers no longer need to scramble for niche vendors or rely on unfamiliar local contacts.

The risks of ignoring the specialty segment

Some carriers choose to “just pay it” when faced with a complex piece of machinery or unique asset type. But avoiding proper appraisal carries real costs:

• Overpayment: Without detailed valuation, carriers may pay full replacement when repair is feasible.
• Reputational risk: Inaccurate settlements damage relationships with insureds, especially fleet clients.
• Compliance exposure: Improper handling of high-value or regulated equipment (e.g., cranes, boats) can trigger legal issues.
• Lost salvage value: Specialty assets often retain resale or parts value that goes untapped.

In short, ignoring these assets doesn’t save money; it wastes it.

Real-world example: the “impossible” appraisal

A national insurer contacted Veritas after multiple vendors declined to appraise a damaged grain harvester worth over $450,000. The unit had suffered a partial fire, leaving internal components intact but inaccessible.

Our heavy-equipment specialist (who previously worked in agricultural machinery repair) performed an on-site inspection, sourced OEM replacement costs, and delivered a full report within five business days.

The insurer recovered significant salvage value and avoided a total-loss payout, saving more than $120,000 on a single file.

Why specialization scales better than generalization

The old TPA model rewards volume, not precision. But the modern trucking and logistics world demands both.

Veritas’ specialization allows for:

• Lower error rates and fewer supplements.

• Faster file turnover thanks to integrated teams.

• Accurate valuation for high-dollar, non-standard assets.

• Seamless communication across appraisal, towing, and cargo.

That’s why carriers and self-insureds turn to us for cargo claims management when other vendors say “we don’t handle that.”

Final thoughts

Not every claim fits the standard mold, and that’s exactly why expertise matters.

From excavators and combines to RVs and boats, Veritas Claims handles the assets that others won’t touch. Our heavy-equipment specialists combine technical know-how, accurate valuation, and nationwide coverage to deliver the fast, defensible results today’s carriers demand.

Have a complex or “odd” equipment claim on your desk?

Send it to the team built for it. We’ll deliver a complete, compliant, and cost-saving solution no matter how unusual the file.