Claims Business: Charles Taylor, Tristar, CCC and Western Alliance Bank

Charles Taylor has acquired Contego Investigative Services, a nationally licensed investigations firm based in Orlando, Florida.

Contego provides customized counter-fraud and special investigation services, including surveillance, social media investigations, background checks, medical facility canvasses, scene investigations, and recorded statements, Charles Taylor said in a press release. The company’s services “are supported by a robust technology platform.”

“Their excellent reputation, strict governance procedures, high professional standards, and trusted client relationships give us the ability to offer the uppermost level of counter-fraud capabilities, delivered with the high quality of service our clients have come to know from Charles Taylor,” stated Christopher Schaffer, chief executive officer of Charles Taylor’s third-party administration division.

Charles Taylor is an international claims administrator with a US headquarters in Wilton, Connecticut.

Tristar Insurance Group has agreed to acquire Risico Claim Management and Risco Total Managed Care’s self-insured book of business. The transaction is expected to close on Feb. 1.

“This move offers our employees and self-insured customers access to the resources that a well-established national TPA can provide,” stated Risco Chief Operating Officer Steven C. Wight. “We look forward to adding to Tristar’s already significant presence in Fresno (California) and the greater San Joaquin Valley.”

Tristar is a privately owned, independent claims administrator headquartered in Long Beach, Calif. The company employs 850 in 30 offices across the United States.

Risico, headquartered in Fresno, was found by William J. Van Beurden in 1999. The company’s clients are primarily public agencies and food processors. Their Fresno-based team offers decades of experience serving California employers.

The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Nationwide had contracted with CCC Intelligent Solutions to use the CCC Mobile Appraiser Pro, the first auto insurer to adopt the new product for its claims process.

CCC, a Chicago-based tech company that sells software-as-a-service products, said its product accelerates the claims process and promotes consistency in field inspections.

“We have been using CCC’s digital tools with our staff for years and wanted to extend access to our field appraisers with CCC Mobile Appraiser Pro,” stated Martha Frye, vice president of personal lines claims for Nationwide.

Western Alliance Bank has acquired Digital Settlement Technologies, which provides a digital payments platform for the class action legal industry.

The Los Angeles-based company does business as Digital Disbursements, a platform that integrates a customizable pay menu into settlement claim forms and other payment selection websites.

Western Alliance said in a press release that Digital Disbursements has grown rapidly since its launch in 2019. The platform allows claimants to choose how they wish to receive payments, including bank account options and digital wallets.

“Combining Digital Disbursements’ leading-edge payments platform and technology with our expanding suite of settlement services and juris banking offerings positions Western Alliance for significant growth in the class action and mass torts arena,” stated Francesca Castagnola, senior managing director of Western Alliance’s settlement services team. “Our team is always striving for new solutions and technology to improve the settlement distribution process, and Digital Disbursements will undoubtedly continue that momentum.”