Bermuda's

Colonial recently put all of the lessons of Hurricane Ivan (2004) to good use in preparing a response in readiness for a possible strike from Hurricane Dean in The Cayman Islands. Colonial operates British Caymanian Insurance out of Grand Cayman.

Peter Oliver, senior group underwriter, commented, "Our experience in 2004/5, when we were called upon to settle $300 million in Hurricane Ivan claims, was the catalyst for preparing a more flexible ground response in the event of another major strike. We created a framework, which would improve our ability to assess claims quickly, and the facilities to pay property and motor claims."

The essential components of the Plan were deployed in the week prior to an expected strike from Hurricane Dean over the Cayman Islands. It involved the identification of back-up office facilities and placement of essential supplies for staff, in addition to flying in key personnel.

Alan Peacock CEO, Colonial, explained the key objectives of the plan. "It's all about our ability to pay, and pay quickly. Pre-hurricane preparations are essential to organise the company and secure the database and client records. We need to be able to receive thousands of post hurricane claimants in an organized manner and help loss adjusters carry out their tasks in assessing claims. The company needs to restore pre-hurricane efficiency as quickly as possible".

Peter Oliver described the full scope of the deployment as comprehensive. "Loss adjusters were sent to Cayman in preparation for Dean and additional loss adjusters were also on stand by to be flown in as needed. An alternative office with full, independent infrastructure was set up, and IT staff from Bermuda were sent to ensure all equipment was secured. Satellite phones were installed in readiness and system back-ups were run. A fleet of rental cars was set aside for use by claims staff and loss adjusters and accommodation for support staff was prepared. Copies of policy reports by name and number were run and pre-numbered claim forms and check requisition forms were ready in storage. The medical company had all phone numbers in Cayman redirected to Bermuda to maintain client support. We had even recruited temporary mechanics for vehicle inspections. We're pretty sure we covered all of the essential bases".

Alan Peacock observed, " We were ready to react to a scenario no-one wanted. It's an essential fact of insurance, in fact all insurance companies, that we are a key component of any community with clear responsibilities to rise to what can be the most harrowing of challenges. Fortunately, Cayman was spared, but let's also spare a thought for those communities badly hit by Hurricane Dean".