Conflict of Interest Policy

Last updated: 30 June 2026

Purpose

Monarch Building Consultants provides two distinct categories of service within the insurance claims process: standard reporting work engaged through panel builders, and direct Independent Expert Assessment engaged by Insurers or loss adjusters on complex, disputed, or stalled claims. This policy sets out how Monarch identifies, discloses, and manages conflicts of interest that may arise from operating across both channels, and from our broader work as a QBCC licensed building contractor.

Our Operating Structure

In standard panel work, Monarch is engaged as a contractor to the insurance builder, not to the Insurer directly. We attend the property, produce the report, and return it to the builder for submission to the Insurer. Our findings are independent of the builder's commercial interest in the resulting repair work.

In Independent Expert Assessment engagements, Monarch is engaged directly by the Insurer or loss adjuster, separately from any panel builder relationship, specifically to provide an independent technical opinion where a claim is disputed, stalled, or requires input beyond what an in-house assessor can resolve.

Prior Employment and Confidentiality

Stephen King, Director of Monarch, has previously held senior roles within the insurance and building industry, including national roles managing building panel performance, training, and compliance for two large Australian Insurers, and a construction management role with a national insurance builder. This background informs the standard of our work, but it also requires deliberate management to ensure it does not create, or appear to create, a conflict in any current engagement.

• Confidentiality obligations continue. Any contractual non-compete restriction relating to prior employment has since elapsed. This does not affect Monarch's ongoing confidentiality obligations: information, relationships, and knowledge obtained during prior employment are not used, referenced, or relied upon in any current engagement, regardless of which party is involved.
• No preferential treatment by association. Monarch does not give preferential treatment, in either direction, to any Insurer, loss adjuster, or builder on the basis of a prior employment relationship. Findings are based solely on the physical evidence and applicable standards for the claim at hand.
• Disclosure on request. Where an engaging party has a reasonable basis for concern that prior employment history may be relevant to a specific engagement, Monarch will disclose the nature of that history on request, so the engaging party can make an informed decision about proceeding.

Key Conflict of Interest Principles

• No coverage opinions. Monarch does not provide opinions on policy coverage, inclusions, or exclusions in any engagement. Findings are limited to physical evidence, causation, and reinstatement scope. Coverage and claim determinations remain with the Insurer at all times.
• No same-claim dual engagement. Monarch will not accept an Independent Expert Assessment engagement on a claim where we have already produced a standard report through a panel builder for that same claim, or vice versa, without disclosing the prior involvement to the engaging party and obtaining their informed agreement to proceed.
• No commission or referral interest in repair outcomes. Monarch does not receive commission, referral fees, or any financial benefit tied to which builder is awarded repair work on a claim we have assessed.
• Evidence-led findings only. Findings on causation, resultant damage, and scope are based solely on physical evidence and applicable standards, regardless of which party engaged Monarch or what outcome that party may prefer.
• Disclosure of QBCC licensed contractor status. Monarch holds QBCC building contractor licences in addition to providing assessment and consultancy services. Monarch does not undertake repair works on properties we have separately assessed for the purpose of an insurance claim, to avoid any actual or perceived conflict between assessment and repair interests.

Identifying a Potential Conflict

Before accepting any engagement, Monarch reviews the claim details provided to identify whether a potential conflict exists, including prior involvement with the same claim, a personal or business relationship with a party to the claim, or any other circumstance that could reasonably affect, or be perceived to affect, the independence of our findings.

Where a potential conflict is identified, Monarch will disclose it to the engaging party before proceeding. If the conflict cannot be adequately managed or disclosed to the satisfaction of the engaging party, Monarch will decline the engagement.

Independent Expert Assessment Engagements Specifically

Given the higher reliance placed on independent findings in disputed or complex matters, Independent Expert Assessment engagements are subject to additional care: the assessment is conducted without reference to, or influence from, any prior report or position taken on the claim by another party, including where Monarch's own panel builder relationship may otherwise apply. Findings are reported directly and solely to the engaging Insurer or loss adjuster.

Raising a Concern

If you believe a conflict of interest exists or has not been properly disclosed in relation to any Monarch engagement, please contact us directly using the details below so the matter can be reviewed.

Contact Us

Stephen King, Director
Monarch Building Consultants Pty Ltd
stephen.king@monarchbuildingconsultants.com.au
0449 966 164