Claims Business: Davies, Charles Taylor and VRC Investigations

Davies, an international claims administration provider based in London, has purchased an actuarial consulting firm in Georgia and a claims administration provider in the United Kingdom.

Davies said in a press release that it has signed an agreement to acquire Merlinos & Associates Inc. in Peachtree Corners, Ga. The company offers actuarial expertise for compliance and risk management functions to the property and casualty and life and health insurance markets in the United States.

Merlinos Chief Executive Officer Steven Crabb and other managers will continue to lead the day-to-day operations of the company and all 50 employees will remain on, Davies said in a press release. Crabb will report to Davies’ Insurance Services US CEO Robert Dewen.

“The expansion of our operations across North America with additional and new high value services capability continues to be an important strategy for Davies,” stated Davies Group CEO Dan Saulter. “The addition of Merlinos significantly enhances our existing actuarial services capability and will accelerate growth in this high value service space.”

Davies is also continuing an international expansion. The company acquired Building Validation Solutions Group in Bolton, United Kingdom. The company specializes in end-to-end claim management and property and subsidence claims validation, Davies said.

The firm is known for its web-based claims administration system, MetrixTM, which closes more than one third of its claims volumes through an automated process, Davies said.

Charles Taylor has acquired Underwriters Safety & Claims, a third-party administrator based in Louisville, Kentucky.

The acquisition of US&C expands Charles Taylor’s claims management footprint and enhances the managed care solutions offered to clients, the Wilton, Conn.-based company said in a press release.

“The acquisition of US&C, which has built a reputation for exceptional service over 80 years, brings onboard a highly experienced team of claims and managed care professionals along with long-term clients with multiple risk exposures,” stated Charles Taylor Global Chief Executive Officer Robert Brown. “Together, we strengthen our comprehensive service offerings across all lines of business, including property and casualty.”

US&C administers claims for municipalities, utilities, school districts and private employers. The firm specializes in workers’ compensation and liability, providing services including bill review, utilization review, access to preferred provider organizations, utilization review and 24-hour nurse triage, Charles Taylor said in a press release.

Charles Taylor said US&C’s strong presence in the Southeast and Midwest broadens its geographic reach, which is concentrated in the coastal regions of the US. The geographic expansion started last year with acquisition of Aegis, a third-party claims administrator for the municipal market, the company said.

“This acquisition supports Charles Taylor’s strategy to become one of the leading providers of comprehensive claims solutions for all property and casualty claims in the US, offering national coverage supported by global resources,” stated Christopher Schaffer, CEO of Charles Taylor TPA.

VRC Investigations has acquired two insurance defense investigation firms: Woodall and Broome and Prime Source Investigations.

VRC, based in Denton, Texas, said it intends to become the leading insurance investigations and anti-fraud firm in the United States.

“Our clients can further benefit from having more local investigators, especially in rural areas,” stated Chief Executive Officer Greg James. “They need instant access to investigation results, and they need experts to train their teams to spot fraud.”

Woodall & Broome, based in Acworth, Georgia, specializes in workers’ compensation, general liability, cargo, and corporate theft investigation, VRC said in a press release. The company was founded in 1994 by Scott Woodall, a former police officer, and now operates in 17 states. All of the company’s employees are licensed private detectives.

Prime Source Investigations, based in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, specializes in surveillance. The company has developed a strong reputation in the mid-Atlantic states for obtaining useful video evidence on a regular basis, VRC said. Prime Source also offers social media analysis and medical canvassing, the company said.

The acquisitions of Woodall & Broome and Prime Source Investigations follow VRC’s acquisition of California-based Probe Information Services in 2019.