The power to help

Tony Bianco, Senior Equipment Breakdown Risk Engineer

To Chubb customers,  it seems that Tony Bianco has super powers, peering through walls to spot potential problems.

As a Chubb equipment breakdown risk engineer, Bianco uses a thermal imaging camera to inspect businesses — from hospitals to manufacturing operations. 

“The camera can detect hotspots in electrical equipment,” Bianco said. “Anything using energy usually gets hot before it fails. In a typical hospital, we’ll find 15 to 30 electrical anomalies needing improvements, and outside of arson, electrical overheating is the second largest cause of fire.”

These issues could remain hidden without this technology. “We had a critical care facility that had a water leak down seven stories,” Bianco said. “They hired a company to cut out all the drywall. But with our infrared camera, we found even more areas where there was still water being retained in the walls. Water causes mold — unacceptable in a hospital setting.” 

Thermal imaging is also used in roof inspections, giving Bianco the ability to detect water pooling without removing a roof’s top layer.

Bianco’s job responsibilities also include inspecting boilers and evaluating other costly equipment.

A 1987 Ohio University graduate with an engineering degree, he has spent 32 years in the insurance industry, the last 12 with Chubb.

“Chubb is the ‘best of the best,’” Bianco said. “They go to great lengths to find people with integrity as opposed to people who fill positions. In my job, I get to be the face of Chubb. I spend more time in front of the customer than any other Chubb individual. I use that opportunity to demonstrate the Chubb difference.” 

Bianco noted that Chubb has a 97% retention rate for its equipment breakdown customers.

“We share the risk with our insureds,” he said, “helping them do whatever they can to minimize exposure and reduce loss. And whenever there’s a loss, Chubb is very quick and very good about paying those claims.” 

Substantial claims often involve large facilities.

“There’s hospital equipment,” he continued, “called proton beam accelerators — installations worth $50 to $200 million. I’m a subject matter expert on proton therapy and, across the U.S., there’s only 23 of these units. Chubb has become one of their premier insurers.” 

Bianco is also proud of his involvement in Chubb’s equipment breakdown training program, saying it produces outstanding risk engineers able to carry the torch from their senior peers.  

Recently, Bianco noticed disabled veterans having trouble operating cooking grills and enlisted an engineering STEM program to help — an effort supported by Chubb.

That support and a career he loves are greatly appreciated.

“Because of the people I work for and with,” he said, “I get to have an impact on Chubb’s business.”