RSA considers launch for adjusting service

RSA is looking to provide its in-house loss adjusting service to the wider market, a move that could challenge existing companies in the highly competitive sector.

The in-house unit, Loss Adjusting Services, was set up by RSA in 2003. Head loss adjuster Paul Emptage said that it has proved its worth and that it is now ready to provide services to outsiders.

Emptage joined from Cunningham Lindsey and the division was bolstered by a number of adjusters joining from PCS, which was part of collapsed insurer Independent.

"We have the capacity and will be talking to other insurers as well as brokers. We can provide white label services and have our own supply chain, which we feel is one of the best available," he said.

LAS also currently provides claims services for Paymentshield, the UK's largest supplier of mortgage-related buildings and contents cover, for which RSA is the underwriter.

Emptage remarked that LAS acts "impartially and independently" despite being part of RSA and added: "After the experience of the floods, we showed what we could achieve with volume business and we took immense pride when we were able to get people back into their homes - often quicker than other insurers. We also have the ability to deal with large commercial claims and, through our satisfaction surveys, we can show what customers think of our service."