Sedgwick expands client relationship team in the UK

November 2, 2023

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LONDON, 2 November 2023 – Sedgwick, a leading global provider of technology-enabled risk, benefits and integrated business solutions, has bolstered its client relationship management team in the UK with the appointment of five client directors.

The strategic appointments of Laura Adamson, Darren Mabley-Jones, Graeme Mutch, Angela Thomas and Lindsey Thorpe follow a period of growth for Sedgwick’s corporate and key client base and reflect Sedgwick’s continued investment in supporting clients.

Laura Adamson has been promoted to key account client director following eight years as a client delivery lead. An 18-year Sedgwick veteran, she has a demonstrated history of exceeding client expectations by focussing on operational performance and continuous improvement strategy.

Darren Mabley-Jones brings to Sedgwick 38 years of insurance claims experience, a third of which were spent in B2B client-facing roles. His expertise is drawn from a prior 10-year tenure as a client account director.

Graeme Mutch has been appointed client director for Sedgwick’s home emergency division. He has 19 years of client-facing experience at a business specialising in security solutions for vacant and occupied sites.

Angela Thomas has over 30 years of loss adjusting expertise. Her exceptional career history is steeped in liability claims experience, with her most recent insurance role as a client and central services director.

Lindsey Thorpe joins Sedgwick as corporate client director. Her insurance claims experience has been carved out by 19 years as a commercial insurance manager. She has expertise in business engagement, operations management and change leadership.

“The expansion of our team broadens Sedgwick’s risk management capabilities and enables us to provide an enhanced and more robust service level to our valued clients,” said Nicola Dryden, Sedgwick’s chief client officer in the UK. “We are already reaping the benefits of our new colleagues’ unique blend of skills and experience. Sedgwick’s ability to attract top talent from across the market is second-to-none.” 

About Sedgwick

Sedgwick is a leading global provider of technology-enabled risk, benefits and integrated business solutions. The company provides a broad range of resources tailored to clients’ specific needs in casualty, property, marine, benefits, brand protection and other lines. At Sedgwick, caring counts; through the dedication and expertise of 33,000 colleagues across 80 countries, the company takes care of people and organizations by mitigating and reducing risks and losses, promoting health and productivity, protecting brand reputations, and containing costs that can impact performance. Sedgwick’s majority shareholder is The Carlyle Group; Stone Point Capital LLC, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), Onex and other management investors are minority shareholders.

Caring for our temporary housing colleagues, so they can take care of customers

September 27, 2023

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When you think about first responders, what image comes to mind? For many, it’s police, firefighters, paramedics or 911 operators. Those in the insurance industry may see loss adjusters assessing damage. Unless you work in our field, it’s unlikely you picture a team of housing coordinators.

While they may not represent the most common image of emergency response, these dedicated and talented professionals play a vital role in the aftermath of disasters large and small. After all, few things are more important following a catastrophic event than ensuring those affected, as well as those involved in the remediation and recovery efforts, have a safe and convenient place to stay. Sedgwick’s temporary housing team provides a critical service and delivers empathy amid difficult circumstances, so it’s essential we do all we can to help them perform at their best.

Training for trauma

One thing that differentiates Sedgwick from other temporary housing providers is how we train our people on the emotional aspects of catastrophe response. The work we do extends far beyond booking hotel rooms and rental homes; we help people while they are processing the logistical and emotional impact of a significant, and perhaps life-changing, loss.

When an insured policyholder contacts us, it’s because their home is no longer livable due to a fire, hurricane, tornado, flood or other type of disaster. They are displaced from their safe haven and don’t know what the future holds. Chances are they’ve lost some of their possessions, too. They may even have lost a family member or pet in the catastrophe. Depending on their situation, they may feel sad, angry, hopeless, anxious, grief-stricken or all of the above. Many want to do more in the moment than secure temporary housing; they’re looking to process their loss and connect with another person who can assure them things will be OK.

To forge those meaningful connections, our colleagues must learn how to see things from the caller’s perspective, act with empathy, and properly handle the raw emotions that accompany each situation. And beyond learning how to take care of policyholders, they need to know how to care for themselves, too. To that end, we partner with one of America’s foremost experts on emergency responder trauma to deliver onboarding training and ongoing education to all of our temporary housing colleagues. We hear from many of them that the training gives them a critical perspective on the challenging work they do each day and helps them achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Leading with empathy

Another key differentiator is the culture we aim to foster in our temporary housing environment. Because our colleagues’ daily conversations can be emotionally draining, we want our workplace to be a safe space where they can talk through things, rather than internalize negativity. We train our managers to guide those conversations in productive ways and help colleagues cope with the stresses of the job.

Because the temporary housing team works together in a single office location, our leadership is able to practice “management by walking around.” This helps our managers get to know the team, build trust, and monitor how calls are going. Sometimes they determine that a call should be transferred to another specialist or escalated to a supervisor; other times, they identify a colleague in need of a break or supportive coaching to head off the risk of burnout. Our commitment to collaboration and empathy helps colleagues feel supported and valued for more than their work product.

We’re also proud to offer our colleagues a comprehensive benefit package that supports their overall health and well-being. Through Sedgwick’s employee assistance program (EAP) and personal health assistant benefits, colleagues can access a range of support resources to meet their individual needs. Several team members have shared how helpful these benefits were to them during difficult times, when they were struggling with personal issues and the emotional weight of the job.

It is this positive and supportive environment, combined with the satisfaction of performing meaningful work and receiving glowing reviews from customers, that keeps colleagues coming back day after day.

Managing on-the-job stress

One of the greatest challenges of working with distressed individuals is striking the right balance of tapping into your empathy without getting overwhelmed. Here are a few tips we give our temporary housing team to help them manage their day-to-day stress levels:

  • Listen to your body: We encourage colleagues to take regular breaks throughout the workday — and to enjoy time away from work — to avoid pushing themselves too hard. Eating a healthy diet and getting enough rest and physical activity are important building blocks to their well-being and professional success.
  • Have the strength to let go: Everyone who works in claims occasionally has a negative encounter with an irate customer. Becoming the job and holding on to the negative block one’s ability to move forward —fostering anxiety and anger. We want colleagues to recognize that any negativity directed at them likely has little to do with them and everything to do with the caller’s frustration at their own challenging circumstances.
  • Stop biting the hooks: Self-awareness is essential in our line of work. To use a fishing analogy, we want our colleagues to identify the “hooks” that really bother them, so they can control whether or not to bite. For example, a colleague mourning the recent loss of a pet is not the best fit to assist a distraught caller whose pet just died in a house fire. While that experience might eventually help the colleague better empathize with a customer going through a similar loss, we much prefer they speak up (either in the moment or before their shift) and ask for help, rather than relive their trauma in the course of their work.

At Sedgwick, our caring counts philosophy begins with our colleagues. If we take good care of them, we know they’ll take good care of our clients’ partners and policyholders when it matters most.

Learn more – read about our temporary housing solutions, and explore career opportunities as part of Sedgwick’s temporary housing team (use search term “housing”)

Showing vulnerable customers how caring counts in claims

September 21, 2023

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For anyone dealing with a property damage loss, it can be inconvenient at best and traumatizing and life-altering at worst. But for those who are already vulnerable, the experience can be exponentially more difficult.

In commemoration of World Alzheimer’s Day, here I will highlight some of the added challenges for those with dementia and other vulnerable groups as they navigate the claims process and how the insurance industry can take optimal care of these individuals when they need it most.

Identifying and accommodating vulnerable customers

Vulnerable individuals are especially susceptible to harm due to their personal circumstances — particularly when a service provider does not act with appropriate levels of care, according to the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority.Though it is possible for any person to become vulnerable, there is an increased risk for those with characteristics of vulnerability, such as physical or mental health conditions, cognitive impairment, language barriers, financial distress or those who are digitally excluded. Life events, such as bereavement or losing a home and navigating temporary displacement, can also render a person vulnerable.

These groups may have additional needs that could limit their capability to make decisions or represent their own interests in the course of a claim, presenting a greater risk of harm. Such circumstances require us to dig deeper and pinpoint further means of identifying, supporting, and protecting these vulnerable customers.

To support vulnerable customers, we must think creatively — and outside the box. Everyone handles circumstances differently, necessitating an individualized level of care. Whether a policyholder is living with sight loss, memory loss, depression or anxiety, claims professionals must show added empathy and understanding, listen intently, and deliver focused, one-on-one assistance.

In our increasingly digital world, those who are not digitally engaged — whether due to financial constraints, distrust or lack of access — are left in a vulnerable position. It is critical to provide tailored support in navigating digital aspects of the claims process to prevent digitally excluded customers from being left behind.

We aim to create a supportive environment for policyholders to disclose any potential or actual vulnerabilities so we can best support their needs. In some cases, insurers will advise us of a customer’s vulnerability or we’ll receive a disclosure advising that a customer is not coping well. If, for example, we see a homeowner disengage and communication deteriorating during the claim, it may indicate a mental health struggle. At that point, the claims handler can engage our team of customer care specialists.

Tailoring person-to-person support

At its foundation, supporting vulnerable policyholders is about understanding their individual needs, responding to those needs, and then monitoring and assessing whether our tailored support improves the customer’s life. Because there is no one-size-fits-all, customer accommodations vary greatly.

Support can include providing comfortable lodging while repairs are made to the damaged home. If temporary relocation is too drastic or disruptive a change for a particular customer, their home can possibly be tailored to instead make life easier. In the case of one customer with physical disabilities, our care specialists arranged for the creation of a temporary flat — complete with a kitchen and bathroom — and tweaked the surroundings to allow her to safely navigate her home environment.

Damage to a home affects the entire family, and vulnerable children need support, too. In such cases, we work in collaboration with parents to lighten their load where we can. For children with autism, for example, routine changes can be extraordinarily difficult. One small act, such as helping a child access the kind of tablet or gaming system they normally use, can help alleviate pressure among the family unit during an already stressful time.

Caring for customers with dementia

Other circumstances requiring probable intervention are customers experiencing dementia, a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking and social abilities that affect approximately 55 million people worldwide. Among the conditions that can cause dementia is the degenerative brain disease Alzheimer’s. With memory loss being one of the disease’s premier symptoms, the complications of a claim combined with dementia symptoms can upend a person’s routine and functioning in a multitude of ways.

We once handled a flood surge claim for a customer living with dementia who lived by herself and whose family could only visit occasionally. Despite experiencing varying levels of confusion day to day and her ground floor being severely damaged by floodwaters, she was adamant about remaining in her home.

In accordance with her needs and wishes, our team created a comfortable living space on the house’s first floor and installed a new door to ensure privacy. To prevent the customer from forgetting contractors’ scheduled visits, we erected a large wall calendar detailing key dates and instructed the contractors to tally each visit. Additionally, we liaised with the repair contractors on any queries.

Oftentimes, supporting an adjusting team in helping a vulnerable customer means assuming the role of single point of contact. It simplifies the process — for both sides involved — when the customer only speaks to one person about their claim. Adjusting teams can focus on the technical and procedural claim issues, while care specialists can devote their efforts to the policyholder’s specific needs.

At Sedgwick, we believe everyone should have access to the same outcomes, regardless of their level of vulnerability. I am very proud of our groundbreaking efforts to identify vulnerable customers early in the claims process and to adapt our services to do what’s right for the people who depend on us.

> Learn more — read about the Insurance United Against Dementia initiative (with which Sedgwick is proud to partner) and the vital work of our UK specialist care team in supporting policyholders with dementia and other vulnerabilities

International Day of Charity: celebrating our colleagues and community champions

September 5, 2023

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September 5 is the International Day of Charity — offering a chance for organizations to increase and enhance social responsibility around the world, and to celebrate volunteerism and philanthropic activities. Our colleagues demonstrate every day how caring counts, and we want to help their efforts go even further.

With our community champions program, we’re honored to recognize colleagues who give back to their own communities. Annually, we’ll be spotlighting colleagues who go above and beyond for their charity of choice. We’ve shared those spotlighted community champions with our global colleagues and invited them to vote on the individual they believe has demonstrated the most significant commitment and driven an impact in their community.

Please join us in celebrating four colleagues whose efforts in their own communities have made a tangible difference and whose chosen causes will receive a charitable donation from Sedgwick.

Making a difference

Modesto De la O

Modesto is the president of Foxhole, an organization that connects veterans and their families to jobs, financial support and other resources. These resources can be lifesaving, as many veterans struggle with mental health issues and suicidal thoughts as they work to reintegrate into civilian society. Modesto leads a free Brazilian jiu-jitsu class every Sunday – something he’s done for the past five years. He also provides peer-to-peer 24/7 support to veterans, hosts fundraisers throughout the year and works with potential donors. He’s involved with Foxhole because he knows firsthand the difficulties in transitioning from military service. Four of his friends and fellow veterans chose to end their own lives, and Modesto honors them by showing veterans healthy ways to cope with challenges as they transition to civilian life.

Abi Vincent

Abi volunteers at Hangar Hub Food Pantry in the U.K. every Sunday. The food pantry provides boxes of chilled, frozen and fresh food to low-income families and anyone else struggling to put food on the table for their family. The pantry also provides miscellaneous items including sanitary products, toothpaste and more. She helps by checking food inventories at the pantry, setting up boxes of food and cleaning up after the pantry closes to the public. Abi also works with local grocery stores and collects donated food a couple times a week. Abi is passionate about reducing food waste and helping her community. She has seen how the pantry makes a difference to families who are struggling and feels privileged to be able to help.

Jackie Ulichnie

Jackie began volunteering with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society 17 years ago, which provides services and programs for individuals living with multiple sclerosis to help manage the disease’s mobility challenges in everyday life. The MS Society also raises funds for research and development of new drug therapies. For Jackie, working with this organization has become a life-long passion, and she has used her PTO to volunteer at local fundraising events, including the annual 150-mile bike ride. Jackie is deeply involved in the planning of these bike rides, attending monthly meetings and collaborating with the organization’s leadership and logistic partners. She’s also there on race day as a Site Lead to make sure the event runs smoothly. Over the years of working with the National MS Society, she’s made many lifelong friends living with the disease, and they motivate her every day to do whatever she can to find a cure.

Elizabeth Demaret

Elizabeth has served on the board of directors for the Kenneth Young Center for the past four years and also helps by fundraising, donating and volunteering. The organization aims to foster healthier communities by providing family counseling, mental health support, in-home services for the elderly, substance abuse prevention and recovery programs, support for survivors of domestic violence and more. Elizabeth has a personal connection to the group’s mission. In 2004, she turned to an organization like the Kenneth Young Center as a survivor of domestic violence, where she received protection and support for herself and children. She’s been working every day since to pay that help forward.

For many years, Sedgwick has been committed to giving back and making a difference in our global communities through our corporate giving strategy. And our colleagues are doing amazing work of their own for causes they’re passionate about. To our community champions around the world, thank you for showing how caring counts.

> Learn more — read about this observance, check out our community champions program and explore opportunities for a meaningful career at Sedgwick

Maintaining the human touch in contents adjusting

July 25, 2023

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Industry demand is on the rise for a comprehensive contents adjusting solution that pays as much attention to the detail of the scope as it does on a larger-scale building claim. Professional contents adjusters are the essential link between an accurate property inventory, short claims cycle time, and the elevated customer service that defines a world-class integrated provider.

Insurance companies are looking for speed, accuracy, and efficiency when it comes to the creation of an extensive property inventory. In a large loss environment with the increasing value of today’s expendable personal items (like clothes and electronics), it can be challenging to achieve a fair and accurate inventory in a way that meets cycle time needs and maintains a connection with the customer that is vital to ensuring a smooth settlement. Technology-enabled tools do exist to power virtual field visits — cutting adjusters’ claims cycle times in half — but even these do not offer 100% accuracy in capturing inventory. This can result in inaccurate claim assessments, with insurance companies underpaying or overpaying their clients. A contents adjuster can keep cycle times short while acting in the best interests of the insured and the carrier.

Where contents solutions stands out

In this line of adjusting, caring not only counts — it shows. Following a major CAT event, when the insured is receiving advice from everyone around them — agents, contractors, friends and family members — the contents solutions adjuster shows up laser-focused to handle one of the most emotionally challenging parts of the claim: inventory of property’s items. A house can be rebuilt, living expenses can be accounted for, and lost business income can be paid out, but stock, equipment, and personal property are more complex to evaluate.

A seasoned contents adjustment firm ensures a claim is professionally managed not only when the insured is unable to compile an inventory themselves, but also in scenarios where the scope and accuracy of the inventory may be otherwise unverifiable. A properly executed inventory scope reflects the correct quantity and description of items and considers their condition as well as any policy provisions specifying exclusions or limitations on value. It will also address the varied purchasing habits in today’s market of endless options.

In other words, a proper inventory ensures more accurate payments. Having an experienced claims professional specifically trained in how to inventory and evaluate contents items also allows for a reduction in the possibility of soft fraud going undetected. In these cases, the value of having an expert contents professional involved is a clear return on investment for our clients and results in direct savings in many ways — ensuring fair settlements as well as managing audits when necessary, and even working with those representing the insureds, from attorneys to public adjusters. They are a means of providing checks and balances in these cases, especially as they are familiar with the many different resources available to establish value of items. Our claims adjusters are able to do all this while still maintaining the human touch needed to keep the claims process moving forward and ensuring those affected by the loss feel heard and involved.

Staying prepared in the event of a loss

The contents solutions division at Sedgwick receives more than half of their claim assignments as a result of residential losses. With our experience, we’ve learned ways that individuals and even business owners can ensure an efficient inventory process in the event of a loss. Above all, maintaining an accurate set of records of property is essential — ideally, as one full inventory. As new and significant personal property is acquired, simply walking around with a camera, and taking pictures is a valuable move. (Here’s a helpful tip: About 20% of what you own has the most value.)

Business owners may find inventory best taken using POS or annual tax records. In a third-party customer situation like a storage facility, where an owner may not have control over inventory, it’s essential to find a way to manage what is coming and going from the facility — even if it means asking for an accurate and up-to-date property list. One of the greatest challenges to resolving claims quickly and efficiently that we see time and again is when a business does not “empty the attic”; that is, it does not dispose of items that no longer have value.

For both residential and commercial customers, it’s important to have an emergency or storm plan: If you do experience a loss, who’s the contractor you can call that will respond immediately and help mitigate the loss? Sedgwick’s contents solutions team is with you every step of the way. If we can assist your organization, please contact me at [email protected].

> Learn more — explore our  contents solutions flyer.

Unconditional: treating injured workers with care and empathy

July 17, 2023

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Suffering a workplace injury can be a very stressful experience. Going from fully functional to incapacitated in the blink of an eye, combined with angst and uncertainty about the future, makes for a very difficult time for an injured worker.

Adding more pressure to an already challenging situation is the complicated workers’ compensation system, which can be confusing to navigate. In the traditional model, many injured on the job were left feeling that their overall well-being was dismissed, while all that mattered was the operational impact. Today, employers and service providers are leaning into an advocacy-based approach, in which each employee is not just an asset but a human being deserving of empathy and assurance. This blog will highlight some of the ways we can provide injured workers with compassionate care focused on their individual needs.

Clinical support

A hallmark of quality care is ensuring that injured workers have access to the medical resources needed to maximize their recovery, optimize their experience, and produce the best outcome. Sometimes that means guiding them to top-performing physicians with experience in occupational medicine or specialty care; other times, it means advising those with minor injuries to pursue first aid or thoughtful self-care instead of unnecessary, unpleasant and costly trips to an emergency room. Clinical consultation and evaluation at the first notice of injury helps to ensure that appropriate care is delivered at the appropriate time. It also gives injured workers peace of mind they’re doing the right thing, will receive the right care, and won’t have to worry about out-of-pocket treatment costs. With nurses rated as America’s most honest and ethical professionals in Gallup’s survey for more than 20 years, this early engagement can bring added trust to the claim process from the outset.

Case management is another strategy for getting injured workers the care and support they need. Drawing on their clinical training, nurse case managers are ideally positioned to work with treating physicians, employers, claims examiners and others to coordinate proper medical care for injured workers. In case of a severe, complex or catastrophic injury, a field case manager can be on site at the hospital or medical appointment to advocate for the injured worker, help them navigate the health care system, and provide a sympathetic ear. Having a nurse case manager in their corner — whether in person or a phone call away — can make all the difference for an injured worker and their family, who are looking for a personal connection during a very overwhelming time.

Recognizing the need for holistic care following an injury, behavioral health support is a key element of the advocacy model. Behavioral health specialists offer clinical expertise and guidance for injured workers and can help in identifying other related issues that should be addressed to maximize physical and mental/emotional recovery. Behavioral health support is particularly important in claims involving trauma, violence, mass casualties and other catastrophes, or psychosocial concerns like substance abuse, financial difficulties or family/relationship challenges. All of these factors, as well as anxiety or fear about returning to work, can impede healing and negatively affect overall well-being if left unchecked. Behavioral health specialists serve as caring advocates for injured workers, imparting coping skills that promote resilience and providing supportive assistance to help them overcome any barriers on the road to recovery.

Advocacy and empathy

From the first notice of injury to the end of the claim, the tone of every interaction should be supportive rather than adversarial. Employees may come into the claims process with a perception that the workers’ compensation system is “out to get them”; each positive touchpoint can chip away at that negative view, instead replacing it with confidence that the claims team is there to help. Clear, empathetic and frequent communication with the injured worker conveys accountability for their role in the process and their commitment to providing every available support resource throughout the journey.

Claims professionals may touch dozens of workers’ comp cases a day, but it’s likely those injured workers are going through this experience for the first time in their lives. They are scared about their health, their livelihood and taking care of their families. They’re worried about who will pay their medical bills and what they need to do next. In the advocacy model, claims professionals are charged with building trust and rapport with injured workers and enlisting the right clinical resources to support their recovery. By showing they care, claims and clinical professionals have the capacity to allay injured workers’ fears and bring a hefty dose of sensitivity and understanding to an unexpectedly difficult period.

Caring counts

Treating injured workers with care and empathy is not only the right thing to do; it also affects how claims ultimately resolve and yields great results for employers. Data shows that taking a holistic approach to workers’ compensation reduces claim durations, medical and indemnity costs, litigation rates and lost productivity. The advocacy model cuts down on friction in the process and significantly improves employees’ post-injury experience.

Additionally, advocacy helps to prevent employees from never returning to their jobs. Getting employees back to work after they’ve recovered from injury has always been important in workers’ comp, but it’s taken on greater significance in today’s tight labor market. Many of the jobs that are hardest to fill involve potentially dangerous work. The people in those roles perform critical societal functions but are more susceptible to injury. With many employers and industries already scrounging, they cannot afford for skilled talent to unnecessarily depart from the workforce. They also cannot afford to risk further injuries to other employees, so modifications should be considered as part of the overall solution. If talented individuals in these short-handed industries do sustain injuries on the job, they must be treated in a way that reflects the true value they bring to the table — because caring counts.

There is much discussion today about the potential impact of artificial intelligence on workers’ compensation. We’re already discovering some of the ways AI can help us boost claims efficiency and leverage data for better outcomes. But however helpful the technology may be, it can never replace the value of human connection and empathy when it matters most.

Some of these concepts were previously shared in a session presented in conjunction with the State of Louisiana’s Office of Risk Management at the spring conference of the Louisiana Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA).

Learn more — read about Sedgwick’s workers’ compensation and managed care solutions designed to help employers take exceptional care of their workforce when job-related injury or illness occur

Securing temporary housing after Winter Storm Elliott­

March 22, 2023

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In December 2022, extreme winter weather conditions caused power outages and freezing pipes across the United States — damaging properties and displacing residents. In the days that followed, our temporary housing team took on an increased claims load to secure accommodations for policyholders.

In addition to the stress of being displaced, families were concerned with whether their temporary accommodations would accept their pets, as well as the disruption to everyday school and work routines. During situations like this, it’s up to our colleagues to show how “caring counts” and to listen and address their concerns. We specialize in arranging temporary housing that fits each customer’s unique housing needs and keeps them as close to home as possible.

Th­­e time of year added another layer of complexity. Since many policyholders were traveling for the holidays while Winter Storm Elliott took place, they couldn’t evaluate the extent of the damage until it was too late. Significant damage resulted from a variety of issues following the storm, primarily due to frozen pipes that burst. Insureds may have gotten home only to find leaks; and if there was sitting water, there were additional risks, like mold, to consider — forcing them to leave the premises. What was supposed to be a season of cheer, quickly turned into despair — reinforcing the need for our temporary housing team to approach each claim with empathy.

An empathetic approach

Following a traumatic event, the last thing any policyholder wants to deal with is deciding where to temporarily live. Many insureds felt anxious and overwhelmed as they worked through the stages of grief for their damaged home. Learning to identify trauma and respond productively fosters a better claims outcome. That’s why, beyond needing temporary housing knowledge, our colleagues are trained to listen intentionally and act with empathy.

Positive outcomes

We began receiving requests for temporary housing immediately and despite the storm affecting the entire U.S., our strategic catastrophe response planning allowed us to ramp up quickly and handle the call volume. This included conducting early cross-trainings and onboarding a large group of temporary colleagues so we were able to continue providing the level of service customers expect. With the option for all claim requests to be easily submitted and tracked through a digital platform, our experts acted fast — calling policyholders quickly to begin providing housing assistance.

Some policyholders only had a single pipe burst that may have required them to wait on a plumber but continue living in their home. Others had severe, uninhabitable damage that has forced them to evacuate for what will likely be several months to a year. As a result, the temporary housing needs varied from flexible, short-term accommodations in a hotel to a long-term property rental. While our team took care of coordinating temporary housing, insureds could focus on what matters most to them – their safety and recovery after a loss – while staying in their community.

Preparations for policyholders

It’s recommended that policyholders regularly review their insurance policy to understand the response to winter weather-related losses and whether temporary housing expenses are covered if their home becomes uninhabitable. Ways to protect properties include wrapping outdoor pipes and faucets with insulating material, opening cabinet doors under sinks to provide warm air flow and keeping the temperature at 55 degrees or warmer inside (for more tips, click here).

Winter Storm Elliot may be several months behind us, but our teams are committed to being there as long as it takes to support our clients and their policyholders. When natural disasters occur, we can provide temporary housing assistance for first responders, insurance carriers and service teams – from loss and claims adjusters to mitigation and repair employees. Our network of hotel brands and short-term housing options ensure we provide quality temporary housing with the best lease terms when it matters most. If we can be of assistance to you, please contact our team at [email protected].

Embracing equity on International Women’s Day

March 8, 2023

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Every year on International Women’s Day, we come together to celebrate the social, economic, and cultural achievements of women — at Sedgwick and around the world.

While there has been progress in terms of equity for women in the workplace, we recognize that unconscious bias, stereotypes and opportunity for improvement still exist. That’s why, today and throughout the year, we’re honoring the global theme of this year’s International Women’s Day campaign: #EmbraceEquity.

How do you embrace equity?

As opposed to equality, where everyone gets the same thing, equity means everyone gets what they need for fair access to resources, opportunities and advancement — leveling the playing field. Embracing equity is an extension of our core values and caring counts philosophy. At Sedgwick, we are embedding DEI principles into our people and talent practices, integrating behaviors into our CARING model, and providing focused learning opportunities. Today and throughout the year, we’re making an effort to connect with our global community through our Women Colleague Resource Group (our version of an employee resource group — more on that below). We’ll also be celebrating with female leaders from across Sedgwick in panels that drive discussion around equity and professional development and empower women to share their stories.

Workplace trends

According to a recent study, a staggering amount of women in leadership are leaving their companies. In fact, they’re doing so at the highest rate in years. In addition to employee well-being and flexibility, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) was ranked as a high priority among women leaders when evaluating their current or prospective companies. And younger generations are following in their footsteps. This reinforces the idea that organizations need a purposeful DEI strategy and a culture of caring to support women in the workplace.

Nearly 70% of Sedgwick’s global workforce identifies as female, and we are committed to their ongoing personal and professional growth. In fact, Sedgwick was named by Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women 2023! Whether they’re a claims adjuster, clinical consultant, people manager or customer service representative, they have access to family care options, fertility solutions, mental health support and more. Additionally, Sedgwick University offers over 423 courses, videos, books and podcasts for women in or hoping to grow into leadership roles. Colleagues can learn how to unlock their strengths and forge new paths toward fulfillment and advancement in life and work.

Women supporting women

As co-chairs of Sedgwick’s Women Colleague Resource Group, we are proud to lead the organization and promote International Women’s Day. Offering employee resource groups is one way that we advance our diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategy. Colleague resource groups or CRGs, as we refer to them at Sedgwick, are cross-functional and colleague-led. These groups help foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture; cultivate engagement and belonging; and build a sense of community.

Our Women’s CRG (whose seal is shown below) is a unified network that creates opportunities for women at Sedgwick to grow professionally in an inclusive environment and advance their influence both internally and externally. Colleagues can find mentoring opportunities, build new relationships, increase their learning, and advance in their careers.

This International Women’s Day and throughout the year, we support our women colleagues at all levels of the Sedgwick organization. Collectively, we can help to create a more equitable world.

> Learn more — find a meaningful career at Sedgwick.