At Crawford & Company, we constantly strive to push boundaries and embrace opportunities that allow us to showcase our expertise and problem-solving capabilities. One of our dedicated employees, George Rountree in Crawford Catastrophe Services, recently had the unique opportunity to travel to Angola and participate in a client’s drill titled the “Giant Black Sable."
This drill brought together a rapid response team of professionals representing 36 countries, all working from the Incident Command Center to tackle a simulated oil spill and its associated claim challenges. Our role was to assist the client in developing a comprehensive process for funding, evaluating, and paying potential claims that could arise from this complex scenario.
Challenges Galore
Participating in the “Giant Black Sable” drill presented our employee and the team with several challenges, which tested their skills and resourcefulness. Let’s take a closer look at some of the obstacles they faced and how they triumphed over them:
- Rapid Response and Intake: With a drill scenario focused on an impending oil spill, time was of the essence. George had to ensure swift claims intake and response, allowing for quick identification and evaluation of affected parties.
- Identifying Claimants: In some cases, claimants had no personal identification, making it difficult to determine their eligibility for compensation. Our employee and the team devised innovative ways to identify claimants, ensuring no one was left unheard.
- Quantifying Damages: Business Interruption documentation, typically used to quantify damages, was not available in this scenario. George and the team had to think outside the box, developing alternative methods to accurately assess and quantify the losses suffered by the affected parties.
- Secure Claim Payments: Angola’s unique circumstances required payments to be made in a currency and method that ensured safety during transfer and usage. George worked diligently to find secure and reliable payment solutions, guaranteeing that claimants received their compensation without any issues.
- Safe Delivery: Ensuring the safety of both the adjuster and claimant during the claim process was a paramount concern. The team devised strategies and protocols to ensure a secure and risk-free process, even in the absence of organized banking systems, commerce systems, or highway systems in rural coastal villages.
- Handling Staged Claim Calls: The team had to deal with staged claim calls, replicating real-life scenarios and providing the opportunity to refine their processes and responses. This allowed for continuous improvement and enhanced preparedness in handling future actual claims.
- Geographical Trends: By meticulously tracking and recording requested claims information, George and the team were able to provide valuable feedback on geographical trends in the types of claims, allowing for better anticipation and allocation of resources in specific areas.
The Aftermath
The “Giant Black Sable” drill was an extraordinary opportunity for George and our business to showcase our expertise and resilience in the face of complex challenges. George’s journey to Angola highlighted the dedication and problem-solving skills required to develop a process for funding, evaluating, and paying potential claims associated with the drill scenario. By overcoming obstacles such as rapid response, identification, quantification, secure payments, safe delivery, and more, George demonstrated the exceptional capabilities of our team.
At Crawford & Company, we thrive on such unique experiences, as they allow us to continually evolve, adapt, and provide innovative solutions to our clients. This drill was not just a learning experience for our employee, but a testament to our commitment to excellence and our ability to overcome even the most challenging circumstances.
As we reflect on George’s remarkable journey, we’re excited for the future opportunities that await us, knowing that we are well-equipped to face any challenge head-on and deliver outstanding results for our clients – wherever they are in the world.
