Claims Business: Sedgwick, Justpoint, One Inc.

Sedgwick has acquired Nationwide Appraisals, a national auto damage appraiser based inElgin, Illinois.

Sedgwick said the Nationwide Appraisals purchase brings a nationwide network of claims professionals that will “optimize the appraiser dispatch process.” Nationwide uses technology that directs claims to the appropriate pathways for resolution, including appraisals, photo estimates, repairs and car rentals and replacements, the company said.

Jim Ryan, president of casualty at Memphis-based Sedgwick, said Nationwide “broadens our solutions in the personal claims space.”

“Automotive claims have historically been completed by third-party vendors, but by joining forces with Nationwide Appraisals, Sedgwick will now be able to process them quickly and effectively for our clients,” he said in a press release.

Nationwide’s offerings include first- and third-party claims handling, intake, appraisal, repair, vehicle replacement, salvage, quality control and liability assessment, Sedgwick said.

Justpoint, a New York City-based startup that uses artificial intelligence for faster analysis of individual medical malpractice claims, said investors have provided $1 million in seed money.

The funds come from Vivek Garipalli, founder and chief executive officer of Clover Health, and Harry Langenberg, founder of Optima Tax Relief, Justpoint said in a press release. Amino Capital and Whoa Ventures participated.

Justpoint said its software improves the medical malpractice litigation process on both sides: Its system allows plaintiffs who have legitimate claims to identify and retain the best attorney for their case and quickly identify claims that don’t have legal merits, the company said. The process will decrease frivolous lawsuits against health care providers and insurers, the company said.

The seed money will be used to hire more engineers and designers, expand customer acquisition and customer support and develop partnerships with insurance companies and self-insured hospitals, Justpoint said.

“Justpoint has identified a big inefficient market in medical claims and malpractice that is ripe for disruption,” Langenberg said in a statement. He said Justpoint can analyze performance data from more than 900 plaintiff law firms.

The California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plan, which manages the state’s residual market for property insurance, has selected One. Inc. to expand payment capabilities and streamline reporting.

By adding the new digital payments platform, California FAIR Plan has been able to accept credit card payments for the first time in the organization’s history, One Inc. said in a press release.The payments software was integrated into FAIR Plan’s existing systems, which helped limit costs and minimize disruption for current users, the company said.

In the second phase of the implementation, California FAIR Plan will expand payment channels to include One Inc’s Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, One Inc. said. FAIR Plan President Anneliese Jivan said the One Inc. software makes it easer for customers to make on-time payments and streamlines internal processes.

FAIR Plan was established in 1968 as a syndicated fire insurance pool consisting of all licensed property and casualty (P&C) insurers in the state. One Inc., based in Folsom, California, is a technology company founded in 2012.