The future of global claims programs is here. In one of the most highly anticipated sessions at this year's PLRB/LIRB conference, a diverse panel of claims professionals representing Crawford & Company, Lloyd's and XL Group will discuss key elements of international disaster response. The session, which is titled “International Claim Issues & Challenges,” will be held on Monday, March 18 at 3:30 pm and then again on Tuesday at 8:00 am at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts.

Presenters Cordelia Witton, claims project executive at Lloyd's of London, London, UK, along with Kevin Moon, senior claims perfomance manager at Lloyd's of London, London, UK, will detail Lloyd's strategies for handling major global losses. Additionally, Mike Reeves, EVP-Global Markets, Crawford & Company and Hans Mederer, Senior Vice President, XL Group, Munich, DE, will review successful claims-handling strategies and considerations at their respective organizations, from business interruption (BI) losses to logistical concerns.

On the heels of the conference, Witton and Reeves hinted at what's in store for attendees. Below you'll find an excerpt from an interview with Claims Magazine:

Is the session intended primarily for professionals at larger carriers, or is it also useful for those at smaller organizations?

Our intention is to highlight the issues and challenges around handling claims on the global stage; the learnings from these will hopefully provide insights that can be adapted as part of best practise at every level from regional/national carrier to the worldwide insurer.

In particular, the introduction to the Lloyd's market and how claims are handled at Lloyd's will be very useful both for those at larger carriers looking to understand the international landscape, and for smaller firms looking to broaden their horizons.

What are some crucial elements of global claims programs that you plan to outline?

How pre-planning is a vital component in making global claims programs work and what are the key drivers in making sure Insurers and Reinsurers keep their promises on global risk solutions.

The role of global markets like Lloyd's in placements – the experience and knowledge the Lloyd's market holds that means complex programs can be accommodated. Insureds can use the expertise of an insurer like the Lloyd's market.

What impediments do insurers typically encounter?

Global programs are complex and have many moving parts. Globalization means major events can impact insureds in a variety of ways and locations—an example would be the CBI from Japan or Thailand.

You need to understand the differences in culture that can have a real impact in international claims handling—terminology and behavior in one territory can mean a completely different thing in another—both positively and negatively.

Claims professionals need to be sensitive to this. The importance of global data and how it is used.

Tell us more about the case studies you'll be sharing.

The case studies and experiences of the last 3 years of major catastrophe losses will be very interesting for participants as it provides contemporary and situational know-how to the PLRB. We (the presenters) have all on the ground experience in locations like Thailand and Chile in the aftermath, and can bring some real colour to the themes and layers of influence that have an impact on the way international claims from major events develop.

Special Reports /

PLRB Preview: Claims Handling On The Global Stage

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