The type of claims we adjust is limited only by the imagination of the underwriters. We are equipped to handle all manner of claims including, but not limited to, defamation, products liability, advertising injury, and more.
We adjust professional liability claims involving the defence of a wide variety of professionals including architects, engineers, land surveyors, insurance brokers, accountants, acupuncturists, chiropractors, nurses, and more.
While Barnescraig is best known for its excellence in the management and adjustment of liability claims, the firm also has a long history of handling specialty property losses, specifically in the area of construction.
The sign of a successful claims management program is its ability to promptly deploy and control the appropriate resources to manage claims and potential claims. We are able to provide this service directly.
Litigation Management is an essential component of a proper claims management program. As with our Claims Management service, our Litigation Management is available on a broad, program-wide basis.
Research and knowledge gained from our training and from years of previous claims experience assist us in identifying areas of concern which may not have been immediately evident or fully appreciated by our clients.
Barnescraig has experience in third party administration of a variety of underwriting programs. We focus on retaining adjusters with experience in the area of expertise required to ensure a thorough investigation.
Barnescraig & Associates employs experienced claims adjusters across Western Canada’s major markets to ensure we can provide professional and expedient service, regardless of where the claim takes place.
We have adjusters in:
“Working with the highly skilled team at Barnescraig over the years has been a pleasure. Their work is always thorough, prompt, concise, and cost effective. I trust them and highly recommend their services.”
Brent Lexier / Vice President, Claims / Can-Sure Underwriting Ltd.
“ENCON and our clients value BCA’s specialized experience in professional liability and construction claims including their strategic and proactive approach to claims resolution.”
Karen Corrigan / Vice President of A&E, ENCON Group Inc.
“Our experience with Barnescraig has been nothing short of exceptional. Their day-to-day service for handling and adjusting claims is professional and timely, with a level of expertise that is unparalleled in the industry.”
Johann Schneider / Co-Principal, i3 Underwriting Managers Inc.
“Through a combination of technical knowledge and commercial awareness Barnescraig & Associates provide outstanding service.”
Scott Saunders / Claims Adjuster, Chaucer Syndicates
“Wherever possible we instruct insurers to assign BCA to attend to our client’s needs because they bring experience, intelligence, and knowledge to bear on everything they touch. Their involvement in any claim gives us a sense of comfort.”
Glen MacRae / Vice President, Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services Inc.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Barnescraig for many years and have always been impressed with their collection of very skilled professionals. Their reports are concise and well written.”
Steve Wallace / Partner, Dolden Wallace Folick LLP
“In my experience, the team at BCA consistently add value to claims handling. It is immensely helpful as a lawyer to receive a brief that comprehensively reports the facts, sorts the relevant from the irrelevant, and provides real insight into the essentials of a case.”
Craig A. Wallace, P.Eng.* / SHK Law Corporation
“Barnescraig has assembled a dynamic team of experienced professionals who take great pride in providing superior service to their clients. They are a pleasure to work with and have a practical and intelligent approach to the investigation and resolution of claims.”
Christopher E. Hirst / Partner, Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP
“The team at Barnescraig has earned a strong reputation in the industry for their ability to handle complex liability claims.”
Stephen J. Berezowskyj / Partner, Singleton Urquhart LLP
“I have been working with the team at Barnescraig for over 10 years. They are technically strong, pragmatic, communicate effectively and are a pleasure to deal with.”
Alexandre T. Maltas / Director, Whitelaw Twining Law Corperation
Richard B. Darke
B.Comm CIP
Head of Claims Management & Adjusting – Canada
Ric is the Managing Director and Chief Executive of our firm and one of four partners. He joined Barnescraig in 1995 after spending ten years as a claims analyst, branch manager and Assistant Vice-President in a nationally based claims firm, running operations in Vancouver and Toronto. Ric is an experienced claims professional who focuses his attention on complex claims issues including professional liability, construction liability and property claims, claims consulting, third party administration and litigation management. In 1996, Ric obtained his Associateship with the Insurance Institute of Canada, graduating as the Bronze medalist. He is a Chartered Insurance Professional.
Email: rdarke@barnescraig.com
Direct Line: 1 (604) 806-3557
Tricia C. M. Smith
CM OBC BA LLB LLD (Hon)
Retired
Tricia is one of the five partners of Barnescraig and our Deputy Managing Director. She joined our firm in 1992 after practicing law for seven years. Tricia leads our personal injury practice and provides adjusting and consulting services on a broad range of liability claims, including head injury and catastrophic claims. She has completed detailed risk management studies for sport and recreation exposures. Tricia is a qualified Sport Arbitrator and a member of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport which oversees the International Court of Arbitration. A medallist at the Olympics, she remains active in the Olympic movement and the governance of international sport. She was recently elected to the International Olympic Committee.
Karl H. Herrmann
Director of Adjusting - Vancouver
Karl is a seasoned claims analyst and adjuster with over 30 years’ experience. Karl has focused his expertise on professional liability and construction claims. Karl, a skilled and respected negotiator, is extremely effective in resolving conflicts, advancing our clients' cases, and in bringing files to conclusion in an economic and expedient manner.
Email: karl.herrmann@bca.dwfgroup.com
Direct Line: 1 (604) 506-1734
Victor M. Machado
FCIP CRM
Head of Adjusting – Canada
Victor has been an associate with Barnescraig since 2007 and in 2016 became a partner. Before joining the firm, Victor was a Senior Liability Examiner with ING Insurance Company of Canada, specializing in niche claims. Prior to that Victor was a Liability Examiner with Allianz Insurance and a Claims Analyst with TD Insurance. Victor has earned his Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional (FCIP) and Canadian Risk Management (CRM) designations. Currently Victor handles a wide array of casualty claims while specializing in commercial host liquor liability.
Email: victor.machado@bca.dwfgroup.com
Direct Line: 1 (604) 806-3559
Cell: 1 (604) 506-2575
Nancy L. Bergh
LLB
Director of Adjusting – Vancouver
Nancy has been an adjuster with Barnescraig since 2000. Before joining our firm, Nancy practiced law for several years, focusing on insurance and general litigation. Her portfolio includes a broad range of complex liability claims, including professional liability, CGL and products liability. Nancy was a key member of our adjusting team for the 2010 Games. She is currently managing a number of large cases including class action proceedings. Nancy also has extensive expertise in policy interpretation and coverage matters.
Email: nancy.bergh@bca.dwfgroup.com
Direct Line: 1 (604) 374-0331
Beverly L. Wilbee
CIP
Retired
Bev is a founding partner of Barnescraig and has been with the firm since it was established in 1991. Bev brings energy and compassion to her work. A Chartered Insurance Professional, she has handled hundreds of liability claims in her adjusting career including professional and municipal liability, personal injury and motor vehicle claims. In 1997 Bev was the Silver medalist in the Insurance Institute of Canada's Associateship program. She was also awarded the Canadian Independent Adjusters' Association Prize for Top Graduate - Independent Adjuster.
Tyler T. Chan
CIP CRM
Senior Adjuster
Tyler came to Barnescraig & Associates with a background in automobile and property adjusting. He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia majoring in Accounting and is currently working towards obtaining the Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional designation. Tyler manages a diverse portfolio including automobile liability, commercial general liability, course of construction, and professional liability claims. Tyler was born and raised in Vancouver and appreciates the value of preserving his culture. He is fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin.
Email: tyler.chan@bca.dwfgroup.com
Direct Line: 1 (604) 561-3574
Denise D. Joskowitz
Service Delivery Manager – Canada
Denise is the Manager of our Administration Department. She has been with Barnescraig since 1997. Through her hard work and dedication in all aspects of our administration and IT, Denise has gained a wealth of experience and knowledge which makes her an indispensable member of our management team.
Email: denise.joskowitz@bca.dwfgroup.com
Direct Line: 1 (604) 806-3382
Brayden Cass
Head of Adjusting – Vancouver
Brayden joined Barnescraig in July of 2020. His experience in the industry began in 2014 working on a wide range of claims with a particular interest in casualty claims. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Simon Fraser University with a major in Criminology and is currently working towards attaining the Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation.
Email: brayden.cass@bca.dwfgroup.com
Direct Line: 1 (604) 218-7363
Cory Feng
BBA (Hons), FCIP
Senior Adjuster
Cory joined Barnescraig in June 2023 bringing extensive claims handling experience from prior roles held in all facets of the insurance business. Over the years, Cory has gained valuable insights into effective claims management and developed skills critical to the investigation, negotiation, and fair settlement of claims. Most recently, Cory held the role of National Claims Specialist for a global specialist insurer. Cory has experience handling a combined portfolio of both property and casualty claims, but has a current focus on commercial casualty claims in areas including Occupier’s Liability, Tenants’ Legal Liability, Employers’ Liability. Cory also has experience handling Physical and Sexual Abuse claims. Cory earned her Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional (FCIP) designation and received the Top Graduate Award.
Email: cory.feng@bca.dwfgroup.com
Direct Line: 1 (604) 562-6408
Jeff Kowalchuk
Senior Adjuster
Jeff joined Barnescraig & Associates in February 2023 bringing over 25 years’ experience in the insurance industry. His collaborative and practical approach helps clients achieve fair resolutions to their claims. Jeff has experience with a wide range of complex commercial casualty claims including product liability, sports and recreation, municipal liability, serious personal injury, and professional liability.
Email: jeff.kowalchuk@bca.dwfgroup.com
Direct Line: 1 (236) 688-2475
Tracy Hon
FCIP RF
Assistant Claims Manager
Tracy joined Barnescraig in April 2023 after working as an Insurance Manager for FortisBC Holdings Inc. Tracy has held previous roles specializing in claims as a Specialty Lines Examiner at International Programs Group and as a VP, Senior Claims Consultant at Aon Risk Solutions. Tracy’s experience extends from major property claims to various types of liability claims. Tracy has earned her Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional (FCIP) and Fellow RIMS (RF) designations. Tracy is proficient in Cantonese and Mandarin.
Email: tracy.hon@bca.dwfgroup.com
Direct Line: 1 (236) 788-5723
Corbin S. Payne
B.COMM. CIP
Adjuster
Corbin joined Barnescraig in April of 2024. He comes to us having experienced the insurer side of the business at Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company as a Liability Adjuster, Level III, Casualty. Prior to Wawanesa, Corbin worked at Monette May and Associates as a Specialty Independent Adjuster, where he gained valuable experience handling various Commercial General Liability claims and Professional Liability claims. He has experience with domestic and international markets while working as a technical analyst at Acrisure Re (Formerly Beach Re) in Toronto. Corbin has earned his Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation. Currently, he handles a wade array of casualty claims, with an inclination towards Professional Liability claims.
Email: corbin.payne@bca.dwfgroup.com
Direct Line: 1 (604) 306-5759
Colm Ivers
Senior Adjuster
Colm has over 15 years of experience in adjusting and claims management, specializing in Construction and Professional Liability. His expertise spans management, independent adjusting, third-party administration, client-side advocacy, and insurance management. Colm oversees complex construction and professional exposure losses. He rejoined Barnescraig & Associates in 2024 after working with McLarens Canada as a general adjuster. Colm holds a degree in Humanities from the National University of Ireland and began his insurance career before relocating to Canada in 2012.
Email: colm.ivers@bca.dwfgroup.com
Direct Line: 1 (604) 318-1954
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Melissa Dumas
Junior Adjuster
Melissa has 10 years of experience in claims management, specializing in disability, critical illness, and life claims for French and English clients with internationally recognized companies. Transitioning to a Junior Adjuster role at Barnescraig & Associates, she is working towards adjudication licensing under mentorship. Melissa began her insurance career in 2015, earning certifications in Insurance Principles, Operations (LOMA), and Medical Aspects of Claims (ICA), as well as a Masters Certificate in Intelligence Analysis. With her unique background, Melissa brings enthusiasm, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to continuous improvement, believing in lean, efficient processes and striving for excellence.
Email: melissa.dumas@bca.dwfgroup.com
Direct Line: 1 (672) 339-9438
Kari Beshry
Senior Adjuster
Kari joined Barnescraig & Associates in February 2025, bringing extensive claims management experience. She started her career at Royal & Sun Alliance, handling multi-line claims, and later specialized in Occupiers Liability and Bodily Injury at Allianz. At Travelers, Kari served as Arbitration Officer for General Liability. She has handled commercial general liability claims across various industries, including construction, energy, and retail. With a Chartered Insurance Professional designation, she is committed to providing innovative solutions and outstanding service.
Email: kari.beshry@bca.dwfgroup.com
M: 1 (604) 506-3473
O: 1 (604) 806-3552
James Bolland
Senior Adjuster
James joined Barnescraig & Associates in July 2024, bringing over 25 years of experience in loss adjusting. He began his career in 1988 as an automobile and residential adjuster and later gained expertise in residential, automobile, accident benefits, and commercial losses. In 2002, James joined Air Canada, handling passenger injury and property damage claims worldwide, eventually becoming General Claims Manager. He also worked as a General Adjuster for a global firm and a Senior General Adjuster at a national firm. At Barnescraig, James focuses on large, complex commercial liability, aviation, and professional liability losses.
Email: james.bolland@bca.dwfgroup.com
Direct Line: 1 (604) 505-7902
Meghan Smith
Adjuster
Meghan Smith returned to Barnescraig in 2025 after growing her professional leadership coaching practice. She first joined Barnescraig in 2015 after working as a litigation lawyer at a large Vancouver firm. Meghan also gained experience as a claims examiner in the London Market, where she handled complex commercial and professional liability claims. Known for her attention to detail and commitment to client satisfaction, Meghan has built a strong reputation in the industry.
Email: meghan.smith@bca.dwfgroup.com
Direct Line: 1 (236) 558-6649
