Crawford launches Japan Connect

Leading international claims management firm Crawford & Company has announced the creation of Japan Connect, a claims handling model designed specifically for Japanese-based insurers and companies with interests across the Asia region.

Japan Connect is “culturally competent” claims handling, aimed to manage claims in accordance with Japanese business culture, customs and etiquette in countries across Asia, outside of Japan, said Crawford.

“For Japanese-based insurers and companies, and their affiliates, Japan Connect offers peace of mind that their claims across Asia will be handled in adherence with commonly accepted Japanese business practices and values,” said the firm.

Crawford Japan managing director Mamoru Tanouchi said Crawford fully understands that clients headquartered in Japan want claims handling aligned to Japanese philosophies and that Japan Connect had been created as a direct result of client feedback.

“This model means our clients in Japan will only ever deal with Crawford Japan during the duration of their claims. For example, a loss that’s insured by a Japanese-based insurer may take place in Singapore or Taiwan. Our local Crawford team in those countries will assess the loss, supervised by Crawford Japan,” he added.

Crawford Japan will also instruct on how the claim is to be managed, including coaching on Japanese customs every step of the way. The claims firm said that its internal processes mean Crawford Japan always has full knowledge of the status of the claim and the client receives all information and correspondence via Crawford Japan in Japanese.

“The location of the loss becomes irrelevant; Japan Connect ensures a consistent and streamlined loss-adjusting service to Japanese companies right across Asia,” Tanouchi said.

Crawford Asia president Scott Reichelt said Japan Connect consists of a local presence in Japan, with access to Crawford’s global capabilities.

“Our people who make up the team at Japan Connect come with strong backgrounds across industries such as insurance, surveying and IT. They are highly trained to tap into our global Crawford loss-adjusting teams to manage large and complex losses across areas including commercial business interruption, cyber, marine, liability, product recall and commercial property, said Reichelt.

“Crawford Asia has had Japan Connect in pilot mode for several months now, with exceptional feedback from a number of Japanese clients; it’s always fulfilling to watch something become highly valued to the Japanese insurance industry so quickly,” he added.