- Blog
May 30, 2024
By Duane Pretorius, Environmental Manager, Australia
In the world of loss adjusting and insurance assessments, on-site visits have long been the norm. However, with advancements in technology, a shift towards digital desktop assessments is not only revolutionising the industry but also introducing significant environmental benefits. Let’s delve into the differences between these two approaches and explore why embracing digital methods is crucial for a sustainable future.
On-site visits
Traditionally, when an insurance claim is filed, an assessor is dispatched to the site of the incident to evaluate the damage firsthand. This process involves travel —often by car, boat or plane —which contributes to carbon emissions. Additionally, the physical presence of an assessor at the site consumes resources and time, leading to inefficiencies in the assessment process.
Digital desktop assessments
In contrast, digital desktop assessments leverage technology to assess damages remotely. Using tools such as satellite imagery, drones, monitoring and measuring information, video footage, photo graphic evidence, test results and digital documentation provided by the claimant, assessors can accurately evaluate the extent of damage without the need for a physical visit. This approach not only saves time, costs and resources, but also significantly reduces carbon emissions associated with travel. When a mass amount of claims are executed digitally over several years, time and cost savings are evident. By including and undertaking more digital claims in our operations, we have saved an estimated 581.51 tonnes of carbon emissions over the past three years.
Auswirkungen auf die Umwelt
The environmental impact of traditional on-site visits cannot be understated. The transportation involved emits greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change and air pollution. Moreover, the reliance on paper documentation during on-site visits further exacerbates the environmental footprint through deforestation and waste generation.
Embracing digital desktop assessments offers a sustainable solution to mitigate these environmental impacts. By reducing the need for travel and paper usage, the carbon footprint associated with insurance assessments can be substantially lowered. This shift aligns with global efforts to transition towards greener business practices and combat climate change, especially for scope 3 emissions.
Types of emissions
Each business has a scope when it comes to emissions and their footprint. Let’s explore their differences:
- Scope 1 can be defined as ‘business as usual’. This includes direct emissions, claim adjusting in an office, remote adjusting, driving to and from sites and adjusting claims from a typical adjusting process.
- Scope 2 encompasses indirect emissions associated with the generation of electricity, heating, cooling and/or steam purchased/used to execute operations, often via an office or home.
- Scope 3 is focused on operational activities that require indirect emissions that occur as a result of activities not owned or controlled by adjusters. Involvement includes advising insured’s with risk mitigation, reducing carbon emissions, supply chain activities, waste disposal considerations with external stakeholders and associated liabilities. Scope 3 involves the implementation of policies to reduce travel and source sustainable initiatives to promote digital desktop assessments. Additionally, it promotes supply chain management of service providers that have lower carbon footprints and that are environmentally compliant.
Importance of sustainability
In today’s rapidly changing climate, sustainability has become a pressing concern for businesses across all industries. As stewards of the environment, it is essential for Sedgwick and their supply chain to adopt practices that minimise their ecological footprint. By transitioning to digital desktop assessments, insurance companies not only streamline their operations but also demonstrate a commitment to environmental responsibility.
Longevity of the environment
The decision to embrace digital methods in insurance assessments is not just about short-term efficiency gains, it is about safeguarding the longevity of the environment for future generations. Climate change poses a significant threat to our planet, and every action we take to reduce emissions and conserve our ecological resources makes a difference. Digitalisation presents an opportunity to reduce carbon emissions without compromising the quality or accuracy of assessments.
Small changes, a big difference
Sedgwick’s state-of-the-art liability desktop adjusting team is reshaping the landscape of insurance claims while also prioritising environmental sustainability. Our efficient desktop process expertly manages claims under $50,000 with precision and care. Committed to reducing our carbon footprint, our dedicated remote team uses video technology —minimising the need for travel and on-site visits whilst still maintaining virtual face-to-face interactions.
By embracing digital technology, we streamline the assessment and reporting process, ensuring swift and cost-efficient resolutions without sacrificing the quality of work. This leads to expedited outcomes customised for high-frequency, low-complexity liability claims, among other claim types, where coverage and legal obligations are transparent.
The shift towards digital desktop assessments in insurance represents a significant step towards a greener future and more sustainable business practices. By eliminating the need for on-site visits, we can reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to environmental preservation. Embracing digitalisation is not only economically advantageous but also morally imperative in the face of climate change. Together, we can work towards a future where businesses prioritise sustainability and ensure the longevity of our environment for generations to come.
Sedgwick’s experts in Australia have the systems, processes and resources to execute home claims remotely, with digital systems from the initial visit to final completion and handover. These sites are visited by restorers and builders, information shared and approved to commence initial restoration methods, long term treatment and final completion, without actually visiting the site.
Learn more >Explore the flyers linked below for more information about our solutions.
- Environmental solutions– Australia
- Waste beneficiation– Australia
Tags: aus, Australia, claims technology, digital development, digital technology, environment, environmental, Environmental impact, insurance coverage, sustainability, sustainable, Technological advances
