15 September 2014 Insurance

PCS to launch post-cat assessment app

Property Claim Services (PCS) is to launch an app that will allow post-catastrophe damage to be assessed in real time.

The app, which is currently being finalised by Apple, will allow photos and videos to be uploaded immediately after an event, allowing insurers to assess exposures.

“We’re coming out with a PCS app at the end of September which will allow us to align post-catastrophe inspections as this will allow real time uploading of pictures and damage descriptions,” said Joe Louwagie, assistant vice president, PCS. “It will begin with iPhone and then be rolled out across Blackberry etc, within a month.”

Louwagie explained that the app’s development stemmed from a recognition that it was very hard for field adjustors to pull up bulletins on site. This realisation led to further innovation.

“We realised that we could develop the initial idea further, and include features such as the ability to upload pictures and record videos from the site, which will ultimately help carriers assess the exposure and then respond to it,” he said.

“In a partnership with the independent claims adjusters, who are always on site, the app will allow real time photo and video uploading which will be accessible to clients immediately.”

The technology is with Apple and approval could come back in two to three weeks.

Louwagie also spoke of the company’s desire to be more proactive in anticipating its clients’ needs.

“We’ve enhanced our existing process to modernise the way in which data is submitted, which is of great interest to the carriers,” he said.

“We’ve also partnered with our Verisk Climate division to add peril map visual into our estimates which has been of great benefit. By reaching out with the insurance claim adjustor committee, we have expanded our post site inspection process, so for any significant catastrophe we will be there on site within 24-48 hours.”

PCS has spent the last year developing an energy and marine index.

“We’ve put together two work groups – one for marine and one for energy – and we’re in the process of interviewing them,” said Louwagie.

“We haven’t committed to doing the index, as the quality would need to be high for us to move forward, but we have committed to see whether we can. If we go ahead, we’ll be looking to roll this out in early 2015.”

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