Crawford Launches ‘Japan Connect’ Across Asia

Crawford & Company, a claims management company, has announced the creation of a claims handling model designed specifically for Japanese-based insurers and companies with interests across Asia.

In a press release, Crawford described the model, named Japan Connect, as a “culturally competent claims handling, aimed to manage claims in accordance with Japanese business culture, customs and etiquette in countries across Asia, outside of Japan. For Japanese-based insurers and companies, and their affiliates, Japan Connect offers peace of mind that their claims across Asia will be handled in adherence with commonly accepted Japanese business practices and values.”

Crawford Japan Managing Director Mamoru Tanouchi explained that through Japan Connect, clients in Japan will only ever deal with Crawford Japan during the duration of their claims. For example, a loss that’s insured by a Japanese-based insurer may take place in Singapore or Taiwan. The local Crawford team in those countries will assess the loss, supervised by Crawford Japan. Crawford Japan will also instruct on how the claim is to be managed, including coaching on Japanese customs.

Scott Reichelt, Crawford Asia President, said that Japan Connect consists of a local presence in Japan with access to Crawford’s global capabilities. He explained that Japan Connect has received “exceptional feedback” while in a pilot mode for several months.

“Our people who make up the team at Japan Connect come with strong backgrounds across industries such as insurance, surveying and IT,” Reichelt said. “They are highly trained to tap into our global Crawford loss-adjusting teams to manage large and complex losses across areas including commercial business interruption, cyber, marine, liability, product recall and commercial property.”

Japan Connect is led by Satoshi Yamazaki, head of Japan Connect (ASEAN), and Masakazu Nagumo, head of Japan Connect (Greater China).