 |
 |
 |
Special Section Sponsored by Target Markets Program Administrators Association York Insurance Services Group, Inc. At a time when program carriers are down-sizing their lists of approved third-party claim administrators, many are agreeing to add York Insurance Services Group, Inc., at the request of their program administrators, managing general agents (MGAs) and even their own internal underwriters. As one of York’s four core business segments, York Programs concentrates on pinpointing niche markets’ needs with precision, and then meticulously meeting those needs with customized products and services. A market leader in programs claims administration, York Programs prides itself on its established infrastructure built exclusively around industry-specific programs. In recent client interviews conducted by an outside marketing consultant, the two adjectives most used to describe York were “responsive” and “flexible.” Mark Aussicker, president of York Programs, said the company’s reputation stems from its ability to foster effective communication among all involved parties. “Our goal is to strengthen relationships,” said Aussicker, “and the best ways to do that are by improving our customers’ relationships with their clients and helping improve their profitability. By doing that, we create a successful and lasting partnership.” York’s circle of communication, along with its systems and program infrastructure, augments its unique ability to customize claims solutions. York runs more than 120 national programs in business classes ranging from restaurants and social services to real estate and country clubs. Given the unique demands of each program, no two are structured the same. York assigns a dedicated client services director to each account who collaborates with the carrier, program administrator, and others involved in the partnership to analyze those needs and develop solutions. York then accommodates all parties by customizing data fields on its proprietary risk management information system (RMIS), Claims Connect™, to help collect program-specific data for trending and loss control. Claims Connect™, York’s Web-based claims database, offers 24/7 access to real-time information, making it easy to enter data, and just as simple to run tailored reports. These reports are exportable to Microsoft Excel and empower York, the carrier, and the program administrator to search for common elements of loss, which, when combined with effective loss control, will ultimately reduce the number of claims and raise program profitability. York recognizes the value of tailoring its claims handling methods for its clients. According to Aussicker, “We fully appreciate the industry-specific knowledge that our carrier, program administrator, and MGA partners have. We collaborate with them to make certain that we understand, on a claim-by-claim basis, what needs to be done not only to effectively resolve the claim, but also to maximize profitability.” Perhaps York’s fresh approach to claims management stems from its roots: York was once owned by an insurance company, and most members of its senior management have direct claims experience. Tom MacArthur, chairman and chief executive officer of York, said this gives his company a distinct advantage over competitors. “We are an insurance services provider run by people who know the business,” he said. “Our objective in all we do is to protect our clients’ interests—their money, their relationships, and their reputation.” York’s clients agree. “I think we have unique needs, and York really bends over backwards to do what we ask,” said Joe Saraiva, program claims director of NSM Insurance Group—Get with the Program. “We’ve said we’re going to use York or we’re not going to do the program.” York Insurance Services Group, Inc., provides comprehensive claims and risk management services for property, casualty, and workers’ compensation for insurance carriers, program administrators, MGAs, self-insureds, government agencies, and other intermediaries. Other specializations include the special investigations unit (SIU) and surveillance, recovery, construction, environmental, litigation management, transportation and logistics, medical malpractice, E&O, and D&O. With more than 25 offices and 1,000 employees nationwide, York customizes solutions through four core business segments: York Risk Management Associates, York Programs, York Specialized Loss Adjusting, and York Residual Markets. → |
 |
|
||||||
|
||||||||
