Claims management provider Crawford & Company has launched a new online portal for business interruption (BI) claims.
Launched earlier this week, the portal was created in response to the recent judgement passed down by the UK Supreme Court.
Last week, the Court issued a judgement in the COVID-19 business interruption test case brought by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The Court ruled in favour of the FCA’s argument that insurance clauses relating to “disease” and “prevention of access” in a sample of policies meant that the coverage applied in the case of COVID-19.
Crawford & Company is anticipating a surge in BI claims following the ruling, prompting the creation of the new BI claims portal. It is designed to enhance an insurer’s ability to process claims information and support a quicker review and settlement of claims.
In addition to the BI claims portal, Crawford & Company has undertaken a recruitment drive to strengthen its BI claims capabilities, as well as to expand its Crawford Forensic Accounting Services team. Two directors, two managers, several financial claims analysts, and specialist lawyers have all been onboarded by the company as part of this push, a release said.
“While the full implications of the Supreme Court ruling will take time to emerge, we are anticipating a marked increase in BI-related claims and there is already clear evidence of this,” said Crawford Forensic Accounting Services UK & Ireland head Andrew King. “Through our BI claims portal, Crawford has created a digital solution to facilitate the efficient and speedy processing of the wealth of claims information this will generate.”