Following the finalization of its strategic acquisition of Cunningham Lindsey, Sedgwick—a premier global provider of technology-enabled business solutions in the risk and benefits services space—announced that Michael Holden will serve as president of its combined business operations in Canada.
Since 2016, Holden has led Sedgwick and subsidiary Vericlaim’s operations and business expansion in Canada. During his 30-year career, he has worked in all aspects of insurance, brokerage and claims management, including loss adjusting, underwriting and business development. He previously served as CEO of Granite Claims Solutions, a company he helped to transform from a small business into a leading national Canadian provider.
Holden is a member of the Canadian Board of Marine Underwriters, Insurance Institute of Canada, Ontario Insurance Adjusters Association, and the Canada and Ontario Risk & Insurance Management Society (RIMS).
“Mike Holden has been a critical member of our management team since he joined Sedgwick, playing an instrumental role in leading our growth in the Canadian market,” said Tom Simoncic, Sedgwick president of property for the Americas. “He is the natural choice to lead our combined operations across Canada. I have full confidence in his ability to oversee our teams in providing responsive, best-in-class business solutions to our customers and expanding our services for customers across North America.”
About Sedgwick
Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc. is a leading global provider of technology-enabled business solutions that include property, casualty and integrated risk services and benefits administration. At Sedgwick, caring counts®; through the dedication and expertise of more than 21,000 colleagues across 65 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 the bottom line. Sedgwick’s majority shareholder is KKR; Stone Point Capital LLC, La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) and other management investors are minority shareholders. For more, see www.sedgwick.com.
Greater complexity in insured losses from forest fires is leading to increasing innovation in loss adjusting, according to Cunningham Lindsey’s 2017 Major & Complex Loss Review. The annual report highlights many examples where increasingly complex losses have led to new and innovative ways loss adjusters are having to evaluate and manage claims.
The report highlights the issues surrounding last year’s Fort McMurray fire in Alberta, Canada. The cause of the fire is unknown but insured losses mounted significantly as very dry conditions, strong gusty winds and pine forests combined to aid the fire’s progress, engulfing communities and businesses. The fire led to around 44,000 residential, commercial and motor insurance claims .
Cunningham Lindsey’s report highlights the need for loss adjusters to work in shifts due to the remoteness of the affected area, lack of local accommodation and the no-fly zone in place. This also prevented their adjusters from using drone technology to assess the damage.
Commenting on the Fort McMurry fire, Albert Poon, Cunningham Lindsey’s President, Canada, said: “Our ability to arrange access with the local authorities for our team of specialists into the affected area before the evacuation order was lifted was crucial. This enabled us to undertake loss assessments and help get businesses operational and homes habitable as quickly as possible.
“It’s clear from our report that the role of loss adjuster is changing as the nature and complexity of insured losses facing the insurance industry evolves. We are seeing more innovative approaches emerge, reflecting the changing nature of the claims being managed.”
The report also illustrates the use of aerial photography and thermal imagery to more accurately assess levels of damage, for example the age of trees affected by forest fires. Being able to accurately assess the age of fire damaged trees enabled adjusters to calculate reforestation costs, which depend on the time taken for new trees to reach the age of the burnt ones.
Read the 2017 Major & Complex Loss review – click here
We are growing! We are currently looking to hire junior, intermediate and senior claims professionals across Canada.
A role at Cunningham Lindsey means helping people. We assist individuals and businesses when they suffer a loss. You will discover working with us gives you the opportunity to make a positive difference.
We are proud of what we do and how we serve others:
- We have deep Canadian roots that take us back to 1923. Throughout our 94 year history, we have grown from a humble one person, one office in Hamilton, Ontario to a multinational organization with a global platform of over 6000 skilled staff in over 600 global offices.
- We are known for our technical expertise and offer great training and professional growth opportunities.
- We consistently surpass quality and technical requirements of the customers we service.
- Our customers are at the core of everything we do.
Cunningham Lindsey offers excellent total rewards compensation packages. We offer a comprehensive benefit plan, solid pension plan, superior vehicle package including car allowance and fuel provisions. In addition, a scholarship program for your children entering their first year of college or university.
If you consider yourself to be a professional in loss adjusting, you care about taking care of the customer and you care about your future – come join our team!
Visit our job board and apply online – click here.
With residents returning to Fort McMurray weeks after a raging wildfire forced them to evacuate their homes and businesses, the city is now facing the challenges of rebuilding and restoring – the cleaning up of contamination, repairing damage, and ensuring air quality and other aspects of occupant safety are addressed and monitored.
EFI Global effectively addresses post fire concerns like those associated with wildfires, including asbestos, ash and soot, mould and water damage, and indoor air quality (IAQ) in ‘Post Fire IAQ and Clean-up Issues’ – click here to read.
