DONAN

Actionable intelligence for complex property loss questions -- forensic engineering and investigation services for the insurance industry since 1947.

Claims Technology Established PE-Backed

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Overview

DONAN is a forensic engineering and investigation firm with over 75 years of experience providing unbiased, conclusive property investigations for the insurance industry. Founded in 1947 in Madisonville, Kentucky as a general engineering practice, the company pivoted in 1999 to focus exclusively on forensic engineering and fire investigation, relocating its headquarters to Louisville, Kentucky in 2005.

In December 2021, Donan merged with CCG IQ -- a provider of HVAC, electronics, and electrical property claims assessment services -- to form Alpine Intel, backed by private equity firm New Mountain Capital. The combined entity serves all 20 of the top 20 US P&C insurance companies and handles more than 100,000 technical claims reviews annually.

DONAN operates as the forensic engineering brand within Alpine Intel, alongside HVACi, StrikeCheck, National Fire Experts, Component Testing Laboratories, VRC Investigations, The Robison Group, TechLoss, and BSC Forensics (acquired January 2025).

Products & Services

Forensic Engineering Investigations

On-site engineering investigations across residential, commercial, and industrial properties covering 16+ loss categories including wind, hail, flood, fire, water damage, lightning, earthquake, mechanical breakdown, and construction defects. Investigations are performed by licensed professional engineers and delivered as peer-reviewed reports.

Key Features

Nationwide coverage with professionals across all 50 states
Multiple report formats from standard to comprehensive
Expert testimony from trained forensic professionals
CAT (catastrophe) response capability with real-time flood monitoring
Virtual joint product inspections

Target Users: P&C carriers, TPAs, legal counsel

Component Testing Laboratories (CTL)

The nation's largest forensic component and materials testing laboratory, conducting more than 10,000 failure analysis investigations annually. Primary facility in Simpsonville, Kentucky; second location in Henderson, Nevada.

Key Features

Appliance testing: material composition, compliance verification, manufacturing defect detection
Component failure analysis
Crash Data Retrieval (CDR): black box extraction for automotive claims
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis
Climate-controlled storage with 24-hour surveillance and chain-of-custody documentation
Custom-built examination rooms per appliance or component type

Target Users: P&C carriers, self-insured entities, legal counsel

Loss Logistics

Dedicated evidence management and shipping service providing single chain-of-custody handling from pickup through inspection and storage.

Key Features

Nationwide evidence pickup and delivery
Photographic documentation and custom packaging
24-hour surveillance storage
Coordination with Component Testing Labs for seamless workflow

Target Users: P&C carriers, TPAs, law firms

DonanConnect

Integration platform enabling carriers and TPAs to order, manage, and receive Donan investigative services directly within their existing claims workflow. Ready for Guidewire-validated -- Donan was the first forensic investigation firm to become a Guidewire Solution Alliance Partner (April 2020).

Key Features

Native integration with Guidewire ClaimCenter: auto-populates claim data, eliminating manual re-entry
Real-time status updates, field data, and final deliverables within ClaimCenter
Embedded Matterport 3D scan delivery
Source7 subrogation intelligence integration
Zensar partnership for free implementation support for carrier technology teams

Target Users: P&C carriers using Guidewire ClaimCenter

Product Intelligence and Liability

Subrogation support and product failure analysis for identifying recoverable losses, including expert reports suitable for litigation.

Key Features

Failure causation analysis
Expert witness preparation
Coordination with Component Testing Lab for physical evidence

Target Users: P&C carriers, TPAs, law firms

At a Glance

Founded: 1947
Headquarters: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Employees: 201-500
Funding: PE-Backed

Category & Focus

Category: Claims Technology
Subcategories: Forensic engineering fire investigation component testing subrogation support
Insurance Verticals: P&C Personal P&C Commercial Specialty/E&S Workers Compensation
Target Customers: Carriers, TPAs