Mr. Trice said there are 28 trucks at various locations that are provided by Crawford Communications, a separate company that was founded by Jesse Crawford, the son of the claims firm's late founder Jim Crawford.

To make a truck operational Crawford & Co., he said, there is "a small box we call a flyaway." The unit has Crawford claims firm-specific machinery, which allows the truck to mesh with Crawford systems and send and receive data.

Each truck also powers a generator, which CAT adjusters can use to charge laptop computers, mobile phones, and other business tools. The company said the technology allows Crawford CAT adjusters to drive up to the truck and download loss assignments as well as upload reports back to an office where claims processing takes place.

"Although the damage from Dennis was not as severe as predicted, Crawford used the opportunity to test our new technology under noncontrolled conditions, and we were very pleased," said Mr. Trice.

He said on unexpected side effect was that the satellite signal from the truck was so powerful, that when it was put in the parking lot of the Pensacola office it provided wireless Internet connections for personnel in the building.

Crawford & Company describes itself as is the world's largest independent provider of claims management solutions to insurance companies and self-insured entities, with a global network of more than 700 offices in 63 countries.