Category Insights

Your function is in place and doing rather well. What’s next?

Category Planning

Part of the move from a reactionary supply chain function to a proactive one is the need to have a detailed category plan for all spends.

We have an in depth knowledge of insurance claims spend categories covering the key suppliers, market conditions and performance. Working with your key stakeholders we are able to provide these plans. Just as importantly, can execute them too.

A key element of any plan is a full and detailed data analysis. Not just the basic measures at this stage though. This requires a deeper dive to draw out fresh insights over cost control and performance.

Data drives everything we do, informed by years of experience. We have a deep understanding of what supplier data is telling us and the knowledge base to know how to best use it.

Systems

Running everything on spreadsheets and shared files only works for so long. We have worked on multiple vendor management platforms and e-bidding tools and been part of delivery programmes to implement them.

When they are implemented properly these platforms take the headache out of renewals and compliance. When implemented poorly everyone does everything they can to avoid the platforms so its key to get it right. Once we have received the financial data covering spend we are able to build a picture of what you are spending and where.

We have no links to any systems or platforms, nor any preferences. Each client will have different needs and levels of usage which will dictate the most appropriate systems to be employed.

Our aim is to build on your good foundations and take you to the next level.

Simply put, we specialise in dealing with Insurance Claims Supply Chains. We have experience at all stages of a functions journey, from very beginning to highly evolved and add value at each level.

When working with Insurance Companies we typically find that there are five main stages of maturity of the claims supply chain. Each stage requires a different approach in order to maximise return on investment for the client.

That said, these stages and our approach is indicative of what activity is required and what the likely outcomes will be.

Each client is different, with unique requirements and expectations.

There is no generic approach, only the application of experience and expertise within insurance claims procurement.

STAGE ONE – GREEN FIELD SITE

  • No dedicated supply or insurance claims procurement staff
  • Total supplier spend not known
  • Rates sometimes recorded
  • No formal panel
  • Few if any signed contracts
  • Ad-hoc MI
  • Claims experts not vendor experts

If this describes your company, click here

STAGE TWO – STARTING ON THE JOURNEY

  • Individuals allocated to vendor management as part of wider duties
  • Formal panel exists
  • Annual spend is known
  • Semi-regular MI received from vendors
  • Some contracts in place

If this describes your company, click here

STAGE THREE – GOOD FOUNDATIONS

  • Dedicated Supply Chain and Procurement Teams
  • All vendors on client based contracts
  • MI received monthly in client format
  • Spend data is matched to client not vendor view
  • Claims audit regime in place
  • Formal review of SLA’s and performance

If this describes your company, click here

STAGE FOUR – MATURE FUNCTION

  • Vendor management and bidding software utilised
  • Contract management automated
  • MI and data sets absorbed into central data base for analysis
  • Audit scores (performance, compliance and ESG) centralised and monitored
  • Extensive category plans in place

If this describes your company, click here

STAGE FIVE – HIGHLY ADVANCED

  • Claims supply chain “Eco-system” is all connected and automated
  • Real time data feed and analytics
  • Predictive tools in place to feed into pricing and other areas of the business
  • Surge resilience adaptability
  • Real time measurements of capacity and failure points
  • Performance based work allocation in real time

If this describes your company, click here

Extensive experience of product, service and supplier evaluations for travel claims. Multi million pound tenders undertaken and implementation of new providers.

PACKAGED ACCOUNTS

Strategy and procurement

On behalf of a major UK bank we undertook a complete market review of the packaged account provider.

We designed a and issued an RFP and launched a full blown tender process to ensure that the banks customers received value for money. We were able to identify and recommend a new provider and a transformation project launched to move from the incumbent to the new provider.

HIGH NETWORTH PRODUCTS

Sourcing and re-negotiation

The premium high net worth bank asked us to run a market review to ensure that the best customer value was being realised for their premium product lines.

A through market review across multiple brand identities was launched in conjunction with multiple highly involved stakeholders.

Renegotiation of terms and conditions were concluded with all parties very satisfied.

UPGRADES AND MEDICAL

Evaluation and implementation

In many ways the standard travel product is the easy bit. The upgrades (voluntary) and medical conditions (prescribed) are the hard bit.

Working with third party medical assessment providers we were able to navigate our client through industry applied scoring to ensure that we could provide a continuation of cover even with a change of provider.

Full motor claim supply chain experience and demonstrable track record of achievement.

REPAIR NETWORKS

Strategy and management

On behalf of a major global insurer we have designed the repairer strategy, tendered to the market and implemented a new repair solution.

Using multiple data points and sources with target average repair costs we were able to rationalise a network and make operational improvements with target cost deductions achieved. As importantly, we have significantly improved customer service metrics.

VEHICLE GLASS

Sourcing and negotiation

We have renegotiated multiple glass deals over the years. Because of the nature of fixed unit price deals, a change in book can leave the insurer at a considerable disadvantage. Coupled with rising costs and inflation we believe it is often a requirement to review commercial deals more regularly than previously done.

Changing technology has also led to the requirement for multiple supplier panels which we have successfully implemented.

MOTOR SALVAGE

Design and implementation

Sometimes it’s not just changing the supplier that is required, but the entire process.

And the supplier.

Working with a motor client we completely redesigned the salvage process Starting with when the agent was deployed, to onsite engineering led categorisation, inside storage, and then the auction process.

Not only was the final product exemplary from a compliance standpoint, but returns back to the client were also improved.

PARTS AND PAINT

Commercial negotiation

Negotiating parts and paint on behalf of a large retail insurer.

Using multiple data points from within the business we were able to renegotiate commercial deals to reflect a growing and changing book of business and make it as future proof as we could.

Having previously worked for contents providers we are uniquely placed to provide insight and strategy for insurers when it comes to contents spend.

IT AND LEGAL

Consolidation and procurement

Claims IT in motor was delivered as a programme of works to consolidate outdated technology deals and combat a complex pricing structure that saw overlapping charges at multiple points.

Similarly a consolation of legal firms and introduction of more fixed menu pricing created sizable savings.

With backgrounds covering loss adjusting, building repair networks, supply chain management and auditing, we have unparalleled experience in insurance property supply chains.

LOSS ADJUSTERS

Sourcing and management

From being a loss adjuster out in the field we’ve moved to managing teams and then entire loss adjusting panels. We have extensive data on fee bandings, outcomes and indemnity spend.

We are able to audit panel performance on a case by case basis, covering technical application as well as commercial considerations.

We also have a tried and tested methodology for getting the best performance out of loss adjusting firms.

BUILDING REPAIRS

Strategy and deployment

Having previously run repair networks on behalf of insurer clients this has given us a real hands-on knowledge of how to build a repair strategy for insurers.

We have in depth experience of the eco system of building repairs, covering drying, surveying, restoration, asbestos and restoration. We have set insurer strategies and deployed best of breed solutions.

HOME EMERGENCY

Sourcing and procurement

Either as a stand alone product, a bolt on to a main domestic policy or as a value added cover to the main terms, we have expensive experience in undertaken market reviews of home emergency propositions.

We have previously run multiple audits on performance and then strategic reviews of insurers home emergency propositions.

CONTENTS

Design and implementation

Having previously worked for contents providers we are uniquely placed to provide insight and strategy for insurers when it comes to contents spend.

We have created and delivered strategies for multiple clients for their contents spend. Primarily we focus on validation, repair and then replacement solutions in order to manage indemnity spend.

Main contents items are flooring, jewellery electrical goods and bikes.

ALL OTHER SERVICES

Supply chain management

In addition to the main commodities, a complete property supply chain requires a lot more additional services. We have led strategies and tenders for all of them.

Suppliers will typically cover the following;

Glazing services, alternative accommodation, drainage solutions, asbestos testing and removal, garden items, DIY kit, weather validation and prediction services, fraud detection and forensics.