Navigating Catastrophe Season: EstImage Suite Leading the Way

Catastrophic events, such as floods and cyclones, have a profound impact on communities and industries alike. Within the insurance sector, these events often result in an overwhelming influx of claims, pushing the industry to its limits. In these challenging moments, adaptability and innovation are essential for efficient claims processing and rapid customer service. This blog delves into how the EstImage suite of products, focusing on EstImage Property and EstImage Connect, is at the forefront of streamlining and expediting claims handling during catastrophe seasons. We'll draw inspiration from the remarkable story of Ben Marsh, who demonstrated ingenuity in claims management during the 2023 flooding and cyclone events.


The Challenges of Catastrophic Events

Catastrophic events can strike swiftly and with devastating force. As outlined in Ben Marsh’s story, in early 2023, the upper North Island of New Zealand witnessed catastrophic floods followed by Cyclone Gabrielle, resulting in extensive damages and massive insurance claims. These events severely tested the resilience of the insurance industry. As the manager of the Christchurch branch of Sedgwick, Ben Marsh faced a unique set of challenges during the catastrophic events of early 2023. Overwhelmed by a surge in claims, Marsh established a specialised claims hub in Christchurch and reimagined the claims handling process. Rather than relying solely on traditional loss adjusters, he devised a hybrid approach: loss adjusters performed on-site visits, after which claims were transferred to a central Christchurch team for efficient processing.

How can the EstImage Suite support insurance operations during a catastrophe?

In a scenario like the catastrophic events faced by New Zealand in early 2023, where insurance claims surged, the EstImage suite can come to the rescue.


EstImage Property

During catastrophes, smart property insurance solutions like EstImage Property are transformative. EstImage Property streamlines communication between property insurers, suppliers, and customers. With a configurable rules engine, the software is adaptable to meet the unique business needs of a catastrophe while speeding up claim approval, ensuring suppliers can act promptly when claims fall under the authority limit. 


EstImage Connect

In a catastrophe, EstImage Connect is the ultimate tool for a seamless claims process and virtual inspections, effectively mirroring on-site inspections. It can be used as a standalone product or alongside EstImage Property. This cloud-based solution eliminates complexities and the need for app downloads. It offers real-time virtual inspections and step-by-step guidance and can be tailored to your brand.

EstImage Connect enables instant data and image capture with user-friendly, step-by-step instructions. It fosters real-time collaboration and live streaming, essentially replicating an in-person inspection. EstImage Connect operates on a no-code platform, ensuring complete flexibility and customisation. No app downloads are necessary for customers; simply send them a direct link via phone or email. 


EstImage Property and EstImage Connect provide essential tools to help insurers effectively handle claims during catastrophic events, ensuring a smooth, efficient, and customer-centric process.

Scaling Up Operations with EstImage

Marsh's vision of creating specialist hubs to focus on specific aspects of claims aligns perfectly with EstImage's scalable capabilities. The software can be tailored to the needs of different insurance providers or types of claims. It accommodates the creation of specialist hubs, such as large loss or experts specialising in unique policy details. This adaptability enhances efficiency and accuracy during the claims process.

Ben Marsh from Sedgwick's approach underscores the significance of innovation and adaptability in the face of catastrophe. The story of his achievements demonstrates how essential adaptable software like the EstImage suite of products, notably EstImage Property and EstImage Connect, is in streamlining and expediting claims processing during catastrophe seasons. These software solutions serve as invaluable tools for insurance providers striving to deliver efficient and timely services, ultimately aiding customers in their journey to recovery after natural disasters. 

To find out how your business can become catastrophe-ready, contact the EstImage Team today. 


Damien Haenga