Category: Insurance News / Short Term Insurance / Santam / August 2006

Santam deploys emergency claims unit in PE

Santam, SA’s largest short-term insurer has launched the country’s first mobile Emergency Claims Processing unit. And it has already been deployed in Port Elizabeth following the floods in the Southern and Eastern Cape.

The mobile claims unit is a Santam unique innovation and is designed for use in catastrophe areas. It is wireless and equipped with computers, a photocopier and a printer which are housed in a minibus vehicle, ready for dispatch to high need areas.

Harry van der Westhuizen (left) and Christo Fourie, both part of Santam’s national catastrophe team next to SA’s first mobile Emergency Claims Processing unit launched by Santam this week.

Harry van der Westhuizen, who is employed during catastrophes as the National Catastrophe Manager says it can accommodate four clients and two clerks indoors and a further four clients outside at tables.

“The unit is able to handle the entire process. We can accept the report and are able to register the claim, giving real time advice to clients. We are also able to appoint assessors from the unit and have already assisted a number of clients in this way during the past week.

“Claims processing has entered a new era with the deployment of this unit”, he adds.

“We are delighted to have such an effective way to assist our clients in disaster areas. Our Emergency Claims unit was dispatched to the Eastern Cape as quickly as it could.

“In future we will be able to get it to troubled areas within 12 hours, which will be a great benefit to our policyholders”, says van der Westhuizen.

Source: ITInews – Insurance Times and Investments Online

www.itinews.co.za

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