Barnescraig has completed a number of “audit” assignments, reviewing and analyzing a specific file or an existing portfolio of claims to provide an independent appraisal of the overall efficiency and effectiveness of a client’s claim handling effort.
The audits have included a review of in-house claims as well as legal fee reviews.
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, Claims Management & 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: kherrmann@barnescraig.com
Direct Line: 1 (604) 806-3551
Victor M. Machado
FCIP CRM
Head of Claims Management & Adjusting – Vancouver
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: vmachado@barnescraig.com
Direct Line: 1 (604) 806-3559
Nancy L. Bergh
LLB
Director, Claims Management & 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: nbergh@barnescraig.com
Direct Line: 1 (604) 806-3554
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.
Jennifer A. McGowan
BA (Hon) CIP CRM
Senior Associate
Jennifer began her insurance career at Liberty Mutual Insurance Group in 2001 and moved into independent adjusting in January of 2005. Before her start at Barnescraig in 2008, she handled a balanced mix of property and general liability claims, but quickly discovered her passion for the liability side of the profession. In addition to earning a double honours degree from York University, Jennifer is a Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) and a Canadian Risk Manager (CRM).
Email: jmcgowan@barnescraig.com
Direct Line: 1 (778) 242-5612
Laura L. Yovanovich
Senior Associate
Laura joined Barnescraig in April 2012 after working with SCM Claims Pro as a property adjuster and most recently with a property restoration company. We are looking forward to Laura's leadership in the property side of our business as well as working with her in our liability practice.
Email: lyovanovich@barnescraig.com
Direct Line: 1 (604) 806-3556
Tyler T. Chan
CIP CRM
Associate
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: tchan@barnescraig.com
Direct Line: 1 (604) 806-3380
Valerie E. Weston
CIP
Senior Associate
Valerie joined Barnescraig in 2015 after 15 years as a multi-line field adjuster and examiner, followed by 7 years in claims management with Family Insurance Solutions Inc. A Chartered Insurance Professional, Valerie brings a pragmatic and professional approach to problem solving resulting in successful claims solutions. Valerie’s experience and portfolio includes a broad range of liability claims including casualty and property, professional liability, construction liability and TPA work for syndicates of Lloyds of London.
Email: vweston@barnescraig.com
Direct Line: 1 (604) 806-3555
Jason Harrison
FCIP CRM
Senior Associate
Jason Harrison joined Barnescraig in April 2016, having spent nine years working for a leading insurer dealing with personal lines automobile, property and casualty claims. Jason brings a further ten years of previous claims experience, gained in the UK outbound travel industry where he handled bodily injury claims and consumer contract dispute litigation for a multi-national tour operator’s package travel, travel agency and airline operations. Jason recently achieved the Fellowship Chartered Insurance Professional (FCIP) designation with Honors.
Email: jharrison@barnescraig.com
Direct Line: 1 (604) 806-3386
Denise D. Joskowitz
Administration Manager
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: ddei@barnescraig.com
Direct Line: 1 (604) 806-3382
Jack Ng
B.Comm.
Associate
Jack Ng joined Barnescraig in June 2017 with an analytical background in the banking and insurance industry. He discovered his passion in adjusting and leaped to a career change. Jack holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia, majoring in Finance. He is currently working towards attaining the Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation. Jack is fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin.
Email: jng@barnescraig.com
Direct Line: 1 (604) 806-3387
Kerry Ferreira
London Desk Coordinator
As the London Desk Coordinator, Kerry Ferreira is the firm’s liaison with intermediaries, London brokers and coverholders. She is responsible for funds management, compliance, and reporting. Kerry is looking forward to building lasting relationships in her role at Barnescraig and Associates
Email: kferreira@barnescraig.com
Direct Line: 1 (604) 806-3558
Simon Buckley
Associate
Simon has spent the last 9 years dealing with mult-ilines adjusting in the Interior of BC and recently joined Barnescraig & Associates. He spent 19 years prior investigating structural claims in the UK. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Building Surveying and is focused on building defect analysis, along with property and casualty claims.
Email: sbuckley@barnescraig.com
Direct Line: 1 (604) 806-3383
Brayden Cass
Associate Manager
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: bcass@barnescraig.com
Direct Line: 1 (604) 806-3389
Cory Feng
BBA (Hons), FCIP
Senior Associate
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: cfeng@barnescraig.com
Direct Line: 1 (604) 562-6408
Jeff Kowalchuk
Senior Associate
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: jkowalchuk@barnescraig.com
Direct Line: 1 (236) 688-2475
Tracy Hon
FCIP RF
Senior Associate
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: thon@barnescraig.com
Direct Line: 1 (236) 788-5723
