As one of the largest and most rapidly growing claims and insurance services organisations in Australia, there is always something happening. Keep up with the latest news by reading the press releases below.
Freemans NZ wins Tower Insurance adjusting business [22/10/08]
Loss adjusters and insurance claims specialists, Freemans New Zealand has been appointed by Tower Insurance to provide home, contents, rural and motor vehicle assessing services following a competitive tender with the new agreement commencing in October.
While Freemans New Zealand was formed in 2007, the principals have nevertheless had 25 years of activity with Tower. The company provides a complete range of claims and insurance services throughout New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
Freemans New Zealand CEO, David Hargreaves said, "We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with Tower Insurance. The loss adjusting area is of vital importance to insurers and we can deliver Tower unique efficiencies along with our significant experience."
Freemans has developed their own IT system called 'Freeway'. "Our sophisticated IT system streamlines the entire claims management process and allows Tower direct access for immediate response to all claims data and management reporting amongst other features," said Hargreaves.
Awarded 'IT Innovator of the Year' in 2005, Freemans' system is continually enhanced by their own dedicated IT department. In addition to technology, a wealth of in-house knowledge and expertise is the critical factor in making Freemans’ service so effective.
Hargreaves believes another factor in Freemans favour was their clear ability to increase service capacity in the event of a major disaster in New Zealand. "We can call on more than 350 loss adjusters, claims technicians and support staff in New Zealand and Australia, should the need arise."
With five successive record years, Freemans strong growth in traditional and new lines of business continues. Apart from the build of our current new business lines, Freemans recognises there are great opportunities in the claims environment to add value to underwriters. To effectively pursue these avenues, Freemans today announced the appointment of Nick Morgan to head Innovation.
In this role, Nick, who is based in Brisbane will be exploring opportunites for new growth and diversification of our service offering. He will continue to account manage some of Freemans large clients and work on promoting our current new lines in claims management, marine, New Zealand and motor particularly.
Martin Hartcher, Freemans CEO was looking forward to seeing Nick's efforts impact the claims sector, adding value and greater service to clients, brokers and service providers. Nick starts in his new role immediately.
Freemans Marine - now Lloyds Agent for Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane [25/6/08]
Following the success of Freemans Marine as Brisbane Lloyds Agent since early 2007, Freemans Marine has now been appointed as Lloyds Agent for Sydney and Melbourne effective 1 July 2008. Freemans Marine as Lloyds Agents now cover the entire East Coast of Australia, encompassing all of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. Freemans Marine has also been appointed as Lloyds Claims Settling Agents for the same regions.
We will continue to work closely with the Lloyds Agency Network, undertaking all Marine Surveying and Adjusting work for the enlarged region. The Lloyds Agency for Sydney and Melbourne are based in the Freemans Office in those cities, and has strengthened and complimented the quality services offered by Freemans Marine throughout Australasia.
Contact details for Freemans Marine Lloyds Agent are as follows:
Continuing its aim of being closer to customers, Freemans has again expanded its geographic spread of offices. Following recent new operations in Ballarat, Kadina and Mildura, Freemans has now opened its Orange office which will be operated by Chris Kinsela. The office details are:
Myanmar Typhoon and China Earthquake Catastrophes [6/6/08]
Loss Adjusters from the Freemans network are on the ground in both Sechuan Province following the devastating earthquake in China and in Rangoon Province following the floods in Myanmar. Should you require our services then please contact Andrew Thomas at our Sydney office on 0411-310-311 or andrew.thomas@freemans.com.au
Our WA State Manager, Gavin Northmore, has been with Freemans for the past 4 years. In this period, he helped develop our liability portfolio in WA, and earned an inimitable reputation as a major liability adjuster, due to the quality and professionalism of his work. Also being a qualified lawyer, Gavin has recently accepted an offer to join leading Perth based law firm, Jackson McDonald, in their Insurance Law division. His last day at Freemans will be Friday 9th May 2008.
Although we are disappointed to lose Gavin, we nevertheless congratulate him, and celebrate his appointment and change of career. We are proud to have given Gavin the opportunity in the market in Australia and to play a part in his professional development. We have no doubt that he will become a successful and respected insurance lawyer in the WA market. Freemans is an organisation that proudly provides real opportunities for employees to develop their potential so as to assist their career development.
We wish to announce that effective immediately Dan Webb, our SA State Manager, has accepted the dual responsibility of management for Freemans' South Australian and Western Australian operations. Dan's contact details are:
Dan will be in Western Australia on a frequent and regular basis over the coming months, during which time he will be in touch with you or your office.
Our Liability team in Perth will be managed by Mark Young and Dan Holmes - both experienced liability specialists pending further appointments to our Western Australian offices.
Freemans Australia, is pleased to announce that it has formally established new offices in the Sunraysia/Mildura region trading as Freemans Mildura. Contact details are:
The Mildura office will be managed by Chartered Adjuster, Rob Healey, who has 36 years general and liability adjusting experience, with particular emphasis on regional based operations. Rob has adjusted claims in Mildura (Sunraysia), Swan Hill, Ouyen, Balranald and Broken Hill areas for the past 25 years and the permanent establishment of a Mildura based office is a natural extension to the Riverland base from which Rob & Sue Healey have successfully operated since 1982 and continuing.
With the expansion of operations, we are pleased to welcome Sue Laidler, who has joined the team in a Claims Technician and Support role. Sues' 20 years experience in this role is a valuable addition to the revised Tri-State operations of Freemans Riverland and Freemans Mildura.
Rob, Sue and Sue plus the staff at Freemans Australia wish to assure all clients of the same personalised professional service. Should you wish to discuss any aspect of the services we are now able to offer in the Sunraysia/Mildura region please do not hesitate to contact Rob Healey.
Anthony Gatt, Freemans' National Operations Manager, tragically passed away on Sunday 24 February while at the beach with his family.
Anthony enjoyed great respect in the industry and was admired throughout the Freemans' group for his hard work, integrity and loyalty. He was a vital part of the company and intrinsic to its growth and success these last several years. He is survived by his wife Edwina, Amelia, Douglas and Thomas. He will be greatly missed.
At the recent formal launch of Freemans New Zealand, Chief Executive Officer David Hargreaves said he was pleased with the support already shown from underwriters to the arrival of a new force in New Zealand loss adjusting. Many had acknowledged the need for a significant third player in the national market. Building on the experienced Auckland team at Newmarket Adjusters has been a great place to start.
While Freemans has been operating since July, the official launch was held in Auckland on 22nd November at the Auckland Convention Centre.
Freemans has grown dramatically in Australia in the last four years on the back of innovation, technology and responsiveness.
Chairman of Freemans New Zealand, Peter Aitken is confident that this approach with a good New Zealand team would also impress the market. Headquartered in Auckland, our customer support strategy sees an expansion into key locations throughout New Zealand with the Wellington office already up and running. Freemans has the capability to deliver the required response and service to both customers and claimants.
The departures of Alan Cuthbert from our Moonta office and that of Steve Argent from our Port Lincoln office on 8 October will see some changes in those offices. John Haywood and Andrew Thompson will continue to operate our Port Lincoln office so as to provide quality and dependable property adjustment and motor claims assessment services to the Eyre Peninsula. Contact details for our Port Lincoln office remain as follows:
Freemans Port Lincoln
Unit 11, 50 Liverpool Street, Port Lincoln SA 5606
PO Box 1158, Port Lincoln SA 5606
Tel: 08 8682 6555
Fax: 08 8683 0607 portlincoln@freemans.com.au
Likewise, Mark Corby, based in our Moonta office, is suitably able to assist with all domestic and commercial property claims given his background as an assessor and Home Claims Manager, previously with a major insurer, and his experience in disaster response situations such as bush fires, severe storms and floods. In addition, Mark has an extensive background as a Senior Motor Assessor and Motor Vehicle Branch Assessing Manager and is able to assist with all forms of motor claims, cars, heavy motor and caravans, together with marine (pleasure craft). Contact details for our Moonta office remain as follows:
Freemans Moonta Bay
6 Ellen Street, Moonta SA 5558
Tel: 08 8825 2777
Fax: 08 8825 2560 moonta@freemans.com.au
Notwithstanding the above, Freemans remains committed to the ongoing improvement and expansion of our regional services so as to ensure the widest network of offices and geographical coverage throughout South Australia, and indeed Australia and New Zealand as a whole. Accordingly we will continue to provide you with updates of all developments, news and events involving Freemans.
Should you have any queries regarding the above personnel movements, or the ongoing services which Freemans Australia are able to provide, we encourage you to contact Dan Webb, State Manager. Alternatively please feel free to make contact directly with Mr. Richard McDonough, Director, as follows:
Darryl Greig's appointment as General Manager Freemans Motor Pty Ltd heralds a new era for our motor portfolio.
Darryl joins Freemans with 15 years in the automotive industry and has both motor trade and insurance industry qualifications. He has been with Allianz for the previous eight years of which the last twelve months were spent in the QLD senior assessor and state assessing manager positions.
He is headquartered in our Gold Coast office, but it is a national role.
He brings a new professionalism that will see enhanced quality assurance, consistency and better IT for our growing motor book.
Once he has settled in he will be calling on all our motor clients to map the way forward in giving better services for the future. His details are:
Lee Cooper, Southern Region Operations Manager for major loss adjusting firm Freeman’s Australia expects a wave of new claims over the next few weeks as residents return to their properties.
"Our claims technicians are experiencing an extremely busy period with resources stretched between the Gippsland and Newcastle regions," he said.
"Having a Catastrophe Response Plan ready for these such occasions allows us to handle multiple disasters."
"Whilst resources are stretched our implementation of the plan means that procedures are there to assist in assessing claims and following them throughout the claims process."
He says, "The last four years have been very busy for our adjusters attending the Newcastle Floods, Cyclone Larry in Far North Queensland, Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and the Canberra Bushfires, as well as smaller disaster zones in New Zealand and Western Australia."
With a reported 26,000 claims received so far, the storms of 8 & 9 June have indeed caused havoc. Sadly there have been a number of deaths and a great deal of damage, dislocation and heartache.
In response Freemans put its Catastrophe Plan into operation and brought adjusters, IT and considerable support personnel to the disaster.
Freemans Australia is delighted to announce that Gavin Northmore LLB; ANZIFF (Snr Assoc) has been appointed WA State Manager. Gavin replaces Doug Berry, who has accepted a broking position in Melbourne. Scott Constable, formerly of our Dubbo office, has been transferred to Perth as the Branch Manager.
Gavin is well known in the market as a leading liability adjuster, has considerable international experience in the industry, and will be responsible for the strategic management of Freemans activities in Western Australia. Scott has broad industry and product experience in West Australia and NSW, and will be responsible for the management and performance of the branch.
Freemans Marine has recently been appointed as the Lloyds Agent for Queensland and Northern New South Wales. This has been effective from 1 April 2007, and will compliment the extensive work already undertaken by Freemans Marine in these area's, and around Australia. In addition, Freemans Marine has been appointed as Lloyds Claims Settling Agents in Australia. The Lloyds Controller Of Agencies, Sonja Fink, was delighted to offer these appointments to Freemans Marine, and we are now working closely with the Lloyds Agency Network and undertaking all of the Marine Surveying and Adjusting work for these regions as required of a Lloyds Agent. The Lloyds Agency is based in the Brisbane Head Office of Freemans Marine, and will strengthen and compliment the quality services offered by Freemans Marine throughout Australasia. Contact details for Freemans Marine Lloyds Agent are as follows :-
Dan Webb appointed State Manager for South Australia [2/2/07]
Freemans Australia is delighted to announce the appointment of Dan Webb to the position of State Manager for South Australia. Dan is well known in the Adelaide market, is experienced in the industry and holds a Diploma in Business (Loss Adjusting). He is also an Associate of the Australian Institute of Chartered Loss Adjusters and Senior Associate of the Australian & New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance.
Dan will manage our Adelaide team of experienced and capable practitioners who will continue to provide the full range of high quality adjusting services that Freemans traditionally delivers.
A great day was had by all at the Fourth Freemans Golf Day
at Macquarie Links in Sydney. An early morning start saw 120
attendees brave the morning chill under a cloudless sky for
a four ball ambrose team competition.
The winners were the team of Graham Edwards (Freemans), Heidi
Edler (Western QBE), Paul Gugich (Shannons) and Paul McNamara
(MCS Group). The runners up were Andrew Thomas (Freemans),
Rob Crittenden (Phillips Fox), John Newson (QBE) and Tony
Lavan (Lavan Disaster Management).
A charity raffle also raised $2000, which was the target
needed to send an athlete to the Special Olymipcs being held
in 2007.
Andrew Thomas thanked all the clients, staff and sponsors
of the event plus all those who had donated prizes to the
charity raffle.
Last night Freemans Australia won the coveted LOSS ADJUSTER
OF THE YEAR AWARD at the 3rd Australia & NZ Insurance
Industry Awards. Speaking at the presentation, Freemans CEO
Martin Hartcher said - "Following on from last years industry
recognition in winning the Technological Innovation Award,
the win was the next strong step in realising Freemans' objective
of becoming the pre-eminent Claims firm in Australia". The
judges were impressed with the unrivalled local reach, new
services in claims management, claims validation and marine
services. They referred to Freemans client focus research
and our strong financial growth over the last few years.
Mr Hartcher accepted gladly on behalf of Robert Harrison,
Freemans Chairman and the more than 300 people that make up
Freemans dedicated team.
Martin Hartcher CEO announced today the appointment of Jim
Manser as Wagga Wagga Branch Manager.
The appointment represents a promotion for Jim who is currently
based in Perth as a senior adjuster. Prior to moving to Perth,
Jim was the manager of our Warrnambool office.
Cyclone Larry damages Innisfail and Northern
Queensland [20/3/06]
In anticipation of considerable damage resulting from Tropical
Cyclone Larry, Freemans today invoked its Catastrophe Response
Plan. While it is too early to estimate spread or intensity
of losses, Freemans CEO Martin Hartcher believes that the
reported windspeeds to 290kmh, damaging waves and flooding
of low lying areas indicates there will be significant losses.
"We are immediately marshalling resources from our 13 offices
in Queensland to ensure we have good numbers on the ground."
Nick Morgan, the Freemans Australia director in our Brisbane
office has been appointed Disaster Manager. He will organise
Freemans resources in accord with need. Our back office and
IT systems are ready for the significant volume expected.
Martin Hartcher will take a first hand look at the situation
as soon as flights are available.
Freemans is very pleased to announce that it has recruited
prominent local Loss Adjuster, Mark Young to join its Adelaide
operation. Mark was a partner of Laidlaw Young for approximately
10 years before establishing his own niche loss adjusting
practice, Brandwood Young in November 2003, specialising in
public liability, professional indemnity and agricultural
matters. He has a Diploma in Applied Science (Agriculture),
is an associate of the Australian & New Zealand Institute
of Insurance and Finance, Fellow of the Australian Institute
of Chartered Loss Adjusters and a member of the Australian
Insurance Law Association.
There is no doubt that Mark will make a significant contribution
to our Adelaide team, also complimenting our regional South
Australian offices located at Mount Gambier, Riverland, Port
Lincoln and Moonta Bay.
Freemans now dominant in South Australia [27/1/06]
Freemans is pleased to announce that it has opened an office
at Moonta Bay (Kadina) in South Australia to service the Yorke
Peninsula and Mid North and Northern Districts. It will be
managed by our Adelaide office, however will be staffed by
one of our key adjusters, Alan Cuthbert, who permanently resides
in the area. Alan is well known to the Adelaide market, having
been a Loss Adjuster for the past 30 years, the last 4 of
which have been with Freemans. He has considerable expertise
in commercial, domestic, rural, livestock, farm machinery
and liability matters.
Freemans coverage in South Australia is now second to none
with this office complementing our Adelaide, Mount Gambier,
Riverland and Port Lincoln operations. No other firm can service
the state more quickly or more economically than Freemans.
2005 was another year of strong growth for Freemans Australia
with revenue up 8% on 2004 following two earlier years of
good growth. Significantly too there was a strong improvement
in earnings. Announcing the 2005 result, Freemans Australia's
CEO Martin Hartcher summed up the year as challenging. Most
pleasing were receiving technology leader status (Winners
of the industry'sTechnological Innovation of the Year) and
the attraction in the latter part of the year of a growing
amount of high value work said Hartcher. We've received nearly
40 jobs recently involving losses over $500k, 23 over $1m
and 9 over $5m. Freemans is increasingly being seen as a market
leader. Hartcher expects 2006 to be a year when Freemans will
achieve even stronger growth with the impact of new services
and smarter technology.
Freemans Australia CEO, Martin Hartcher announced today the
opening of a new Freemans office in Moe (commencing 3rd October
2005) that will service the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland in
regional Victoria.
David Guthrie formerly of Gippsland Claims Assessors and
Loss Adjusters P/L will manage the branch. David and Keith
Guthrie have operated Gippsland Claims Assessors and Loss
Adjusters P/L for almost 22 years and have specifically serviced
the region since 1985. The practice has provided an all round
suite of products and services.
David and his experienced team of three adjusters and four
support staff have a well-earned reputation of providing consistent
quality service.
Their decision to join Freemans will enhance our ability
to service all areas east and south east of the Melbourne
metropolitan area. The current office at Warrigal will relocate
to Moe and will compliment our other office in the region
at Bairnsdale.
The first Freemans Australia team of six adjusters have arrived
and started work helping rebuild the shattered areas of southern
USA. Freemans vrs UNIVERSE partners Vericlaim asked for us
to send resources in the face of massive property and business
interuption claims from Hurricane Katrina. A second team of
a further eight adjusters will shortly follow.
The Freemans field team of Nick Morgan, Brett White, Darren
Bissett and Anthony McKinnon have returned from a four week
contract at Tauranga New Zealand, where they have been carrying
out landslip claims on behalf of the Earthquake Commission.
During the period of the contract the team was able to settle
in excess of 400 claims with payments recommended in excess
of NZ$6,000,000.
This is the first time that EQC has used Freemans adjusters
to set up a field office for them following a catastrophe,
and Wayne Lawrence, the assessing manager of EQC congratulated
the Freemans team on their efficient handling of the incident.
Freemans extends capabilities - in Tasmania [25/8/05]
Ann Mackay has been appointed Freemans' new State Manager
for Tasmania. Ann succeeds Jo Tye who has taken the role of
Tasmanian Director.
In announcing the appointment, Freemans CEO Martin Hartcher
welcomed the skills that Ann will bring to the position as
our business continues to strengthen. We are continually recruiting
good, effective claims professionals to our ranks coming to
us with reputations strong in both people skills and claims
ability. Ann has more than 20 years background in insurance.
Freemans extends capabilities - in Townsville
[25/8/05]
Freemans is delighted to announce Ian Mains has joined our
Townsville office as manager and senior adjuster. Ian brings
23 years of experience adjusting all claim types, with particular
expertise in Motor/Machinery, Commercial, Mining, Refineries,
Marine, Contract Works and Liability (claims investigation,
personal injury, products liability, workplace liability,
harassment/bullying etc).
He is trade qualified, an associate of AICLA, licensed investigator,
JP and ANZIIF (DIP AII). Ian is highly regarded in the industry
and adds significant depth to our Queensland operation.
Freemans extends capabilities - in Project Management
[25/8/05]
Freemans Project Management arm, fpm, has bolstered its Sydney
presence with the recruitment of Graham Bee. Graham comes
from a strong biulding background with 25 years in construction
and project management. He most recently spent four years
with AAMI attending to their major losses.
Joanne Tye, Freemans Tasmanian State Manager, has accepted
a new role as State Director. This move, effective from 12
September 2005 will free Jo from day to day claims and management
responsibilities to concentrate on the big picture.
Jo took over the reins in Tasmania when Freemans had to transition
to new operations with the sudden and unexpected departure
of the previous adjusting team. She has built the business
well, and with considerable growth now set in train, she has
set her sights on more family time and a broader role with
Freemans.
Freemans sees Tasmania as a significant part of its growth
plans and will shortly be announcing a new State Manager.
Freemans has been successful with its tender to provide Loss
Adjusting services to On Track Insurance, the Captive Insurer
of Queensland Rail. The services include investigating and
settling property and liability losses, and effecting recoveries.
Freemans has also been appointed by Queensland Rail to provide
Workplace Resolution services, which incorporates the investigation
and mediation of workplace issues involving the staff of QR.
Freemans Wins Technological Innovation of the
Year Award [26/7/05]
Freemans clear leadership in technology and innovation was
last night recognised in the Australian and New Zealand Insurance
Industry Awards. In its drive to expand and evaluate new tools
and procedures to further improve and become more efficient
with its loss adjusting services throughout Australia, Freemans
impressed the judges with its revolutionary Satellite Imagery
and Geographic Information System. According to the judges,
this provides an unparallelled advantage to the insurance
industry, claims processing, planning, investigation and risk
management.
Freemans' Catastrophe Team activated for New
Zealand [14/7/05]
Freemans has sent a team of 5 loss adjusters from Australia
to Tauranga in New Zealand. They will set up a field office
for the New Zealand Earthquake Commission to handle landslip
and storm claims following the recent spate of damage in the
Bay of Plenty region. To date, the NZEQC advises approximately
750 claims have been reported to it with an estimated total
value of NZ$15M. The Freemans team is expected to run the
field office for at least one month, to get to EQC's clients
quickly, assess and settle their claims.
Hugh Robertson rejoins Freemans in Tasmania [7/7/05]
Experienced liability and workers compensation specialist,
Hugh Robertson, has re-joined Freemans in Tasmania. State
Manager Joanne Tye welcomed Hugh on board in the face of a
growing liability workload. Hugh holds Associate qualifications
with AICLA and ANZIIF and his wealth of experience will be
a considerable asset for Tasmania. Hugh had previously worked
for Freemans for 10 years and will again be providing specialist
liability and workers compensation services Statewide.
Freemans Australia is delighted to announce the appointment
of Richard Rose to the position of Kalgoorlie Branch Manager.
Richard has 12 years experience in the industry as an adjuster.
For the past 4 years he has been based in Kalgoorlie employed
as the regional assessor for a major insurer.
Richard will replace Trent Stehn who will retire on 22nd
July after 40 years service to the industry and more specifically
after 20 years adjusting claims in Kalgoorlie. Trent has provided
great service to the industry and has been made a valuable
contribution to Freemans. His services will be sadly missed
however we wish him well in his retirement.
Richard is able to provide the full range of services that
Freemans traditionally delivers in this region that captures
Kalgoorlie and the Goldfields and from Merredin through Esperance
and Norseman and north to Wiluna.
The services include domestic and commercial property, fire,
motor, farm machinery, heavy motor, liability, marine, and
risk survey. Richard will receive the full support of the
WA network that currently employs 12 adjusters in 4 locations
covering all regions of the state. All work can be viewed
live over the Internet on our ClaimNet service.
Freemans CEO, Martin Hartcher announced today the opening
of a Burnie office to service the north western region of
Tasmania and the west coast. Jo Tye the Freemans State Manager
now looks after three offices in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie
ensuring good state wide coverage with an initial team of
nine people. We will be building on this team in the coming
months as the volume of work continues to build. It was clear
clients wanted us to establish a good capability in the north
and west, and with Dennis Reeves in Burnie and Tim Baker in
Launceston we have done just that Ms Tye said.
Dennis has served national and local clients in Burnie for
more then 20 years and is highly regarded. With our recent
setback in Tasmania the support from clients has been very
heartening and we will do all we can to repay their loyalty
and provide service and value, Hartcher said. Reopening in
Burnie is just a part of that process.
The Burnie office phone fax and email details are as they
have been for many years - Phone 03 6432 3770 Fax 03 6432
3771 Email burnie@freemans.com.au
while the new address is 76 Bass Highway, Cooee, Burnie (PO
Box 753 Burnie 7320)
Freemans Australia CEO, Martin Hartcher today announced the
appointment of Joanne Tye as the new Tasmanian State Manager.
Joanne has worked in the insurance industry for more than
13 years in a variety of roles principally with TGIO and RACT.
She has worked in a variety of roles including assessing,
accounts, and call centre operations. She ran her own external
adjusting business as well. She is a ANZIIF Fellow and an
AICLA member and has earnt Diplomas in management and human
resources. Joanne is well regarded in the Tasmanian insurance
scene and we are pleased she has come on board to build a
new team for Freemans.
From Monday 17 January, Joanne has been joined in our Hobart
office by Larraine Hickey who worked in an administration
and finance capacity for Freemans Tasmania for nearly 13 years
'til 2000. Peter Norton, formerly with Freemans Tasmania has
also started in our Hobart office. Peter is also well known
and regarded within Freemans and locally.
Joanne has an exciting time ahead as she leads a new team
ensuring our clients are well looked after in Tasmania, Hartcher
said. The support from clients has been very good and we look
forward to rewarding that loyalty as more appointments are
made.
Freemans Hard at Work On Eyre Peninsula Tragedy
[14/1/05]
The fires are a tragedy. Nine people have lost their lives.The
disaster has struck farms, towns and holiday villages causing
substantial losses.
Port Lincoln is the main provincial town in the area of the
disaster and as Freemans is the only adjusting firm with an
office there it has been playing its part in helping a speedy
recovery.
Freemans have two adjusters based in Port Lincoln, Steve
Argent, Branch Manager and John Heywood. Richard McDonough
SA State Manager has managed the response with help on the
ground from Andrew Stevens, the Adelaide Branch Manager, and
are receiving support from Allan Cuthbert also from Adelaide.
Support staff in Port Lincoln have worked tirelessly. Receiving
well over 100 claims in the first few days, the adjusters
are working in extremely difficult conditions and their efforts
have been nothing short of magnificent.
Staff are working on the weekend to continue inspections
and compile reports. Consolidated reports are being prepared
for submission to the major underwriters effected.
Freemans Australia announces the opening of our newest office
in Caboolture.
Caboolture is located at the southern end of the Sunshine
Coast and has a large agricultural base with expanding commercial
and retail sectors.
The Caboolture area has a rapidly growing population of about
120,000.
The addition of our Caboolture office creates an important
geographic link for Freemans in the provision of services
in Queensland, and will provide a rapid response to both coastal
and rural areas of southern Queensland.
Don Craig is the Manager of the new office. Don has over
30 years experience in loss adjusting and previously established
and managed Freemans Canberra for many years, and has been
working at Freemans Sunshine Coast office for the past 12
months.
Don has substantial experience in attending commercial, domestic,
liability, motor and marine losses.
Caboolture is the 55th office in the Freemans network, which
is now the largest national loss adjusting business in Australia.
The Caboolture office is located at Suite 2, 10 King Street,
Caboolture, phone 07 5450 7010, fax 07 5450 6464, email caboolture@freemans.com.au
New manager for Freemans Hervey Bay - Maryborough
office [2/11/04]
Freemans Australia is delighted to announce that Trevor Pohlmann
has joined the Freemans Sunshine Coast Wide Bay Group as Manager
of the Hervey Bay-Maryborough office.
Trevor has 40 years experience in the insurance industry,
with 12 years experience as a loss adjuster. He is a Senior
Associate Member of ANZIIF and a member of QAFI, the AII and
CIP.
During his career Trevor has managed loss adjusting offices
and in-house assessing departments. He has handled domestic
and commercial losses, legal liability matters, rural claims
and has a thorough understanding of the insurance law and
contracts act.
Freemans Hervey Bay-Maryborough office has also relocated
and can now be found at Suite 4, 403 The Esplanade, Torquay,
phone 07 4125 6777, fax 07 4125 6888, email herveybay@freemans.com.au
Freemans is delighted to announce that Doug Berry MBA, AIISA,
FILA (SA) has joined the team in Perth effective Monday 25th
October 2004. Doug is employed as our senior major loss practitioner
and commercial adjuster. He has vast and proven expertise
in fire, business interruption, contract works, infrastructure
and ISR claims.
Doug is an internationally experienced adjuster having previously
been employed by Crawfords International and McLarens International
in South Africa as General Manager/Director between 1996 –
2000. More recently he has worked in Europe and the United
Kingdom as a major loss adjuster with a number of international
firms. Doug's experience and expertise will add considerably
to the depth of talent we now have in the market in WA and
in particular the suite of services we currently offer.
Freemans in WA has been committed to developing a comprehensive
team of qualified and experienced adjusters with a focus on
quality, efficiency and transparency.
This appointment is the latest of many initiatives Freemans
has announced for WA including the appointment of Gavin Northmore
LLB; DII (IISA); ANZIFF (Snr Assoc) as State Manager, a joint
venture with Prime Assessing and the opening of regional offices
in Albany, Bunbury and Kalgoorlie.
Freemans launches their Victorian Workers Compensation
Division [3/9/04]
Freemans announces the opening of our new Victorian WorkCover
Division, Freemans Workers Compensation. The new entity will
provide circumstance and surveillance investigations on behalf
of the Victorian WorkCover Agents, Self Insurers, Major Clients
and Panel Solicitors.
The division will be managed by Chris Mills and Tim Foster
who together bring over 30 years workers compensation experience
to the Freemans stable. The division strengthens our overall
presence in Victoria and adds to our existing workers compensation
capabilities.
Freemans WC has offices located throughout Melbourne and
regional Victoria and is consistent with our strategy to broaden
the Freemans network and improve our range of service to our
clients. Details for the new office are:
Freemans Australia is pleased to announce the opening of
a new office in Warragul Victoria. Along with the Freemans
office in Bairnsdale which opened earlier this year, the two
offices will replace the facility at Traralgon and provide
Insurers with a more accessible and wider coverage of the
Gippsland area for their customers.
The new office strengthens our presence in Victoria providing
an improved ability to service the eastern region of the state
and is consistent with our strategy to broaden the network
to improve our delivery of service to our clients.
The details of the two branches are as follows:
Warragul Office
27 Albert Street Warragul Vic 3820
Ph: 03 5623 2566
Fax: 03 5623 6522
Email: warragul@freemans.com.au
Manager: Chris Lucas
Freemans Australia is pleased to announce the opening of
the group’s newest office in Ipswich. Located approximately
40 kilometres south-west of Brisbane, Ipswich services a rapidly
growing area and provides an important geographic link for
Freemans in the provision of services in South East Queensland.
John Thomas, formerly of McKay Thomas and Associates, is
the Manager of the new office. He brings over 35 years industry
experience, having conducted his own practice in Ipswich and
surrounding areas for 30 years. John is experienced in attending
motor and heavy vehicle claims, as well as commercial and
domestic property lines. He is a long term Associate Member
of AICLA.
The full complement of loss adjusting and claims management
services is available, with support from Brisbane office as
required.
The Ipswich office is located at:
158 Brisbane Rd, Booval
phone 07 3281 0066
fax 07 3325 4074
email ipswich@freemans.com.au.
Freemans welcomes its new Chairman Robert Harrison
Martin Hartcher, CEO of Freemans Australia, is pleased to
announce that Robert Harrison has been appointed Chairman
of the company.
Freemans, the largest Australian owned loss adjusting firm
in Australia, believes that Robert Harrison will add considerable
weight to its market presence. Freemans has invested heavily
in new satellite capability, new technology, new staff and
new offices. At a time when the insurance sector still faces
significant challenges, Hartcher believes that the new Chairman
will greatly assist our positioning and experience across
the several sectors of the industry.
Robert Harrison is very well known in the insurance industry,
until recently holding the position as CEO of Aon for Australia,
New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
He is a Fellow and past President of the Australian and New
Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance, a Fellow and past
President of the Australian National Insurance Brokers' Association,
a former member of the Australian Institute of Risk Management
and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Freemans has now opened a new office in Port Macquarie as
part of its desire to bring insurers closer to their clients.
This new office will add significantly to our presence on
the NSW mid North Coast linking our existing offices at Taree
and Coffs Harbour. It will service the Kempsey and Port Macquarie
areas.
The new office will be managed by John Kannard, an experienced
Chartered Adjuster who formerly managed our Dubbo office.
John has 15 years experience handling liability, contract
works and domestic and commercial claims. Michael Richards
with 15 years experience in motor and domestic claims, will
also work from this office.
Martin Hartcher, Freemans Australia CEO, formally announced
today the opening of the 50th Freemans Office and the 7th
to open in 2004 at Bairnsdale Victoria. Part of the strategy
to increase our spread of offices in Victoria includes east
Gippsland and for this purpose we have recruited Peter Murphy
former branch manger of GAB Bairnsdale to establish the new
office. Peter has operated in the area for almost 20 years.
Bairnsdale is located some 300kms east of Melbourne and the
intended area to be serviced will extend from Traralgon in
the west to Welshpool in the south to Omeo and beyond to the
high country in the north and east to Mallacoota. Bairnsdale
is a significant centre supporting local farming, forestry
and light industry in the district as and is near Sale that
largely supports the Bass Strait gas fields.
The new office strengthens our presence in Victoria providing
an improved ability to service the eastern region of the state
and is consistent with our strategy to broaden the network
to improve our delivery of service to our clients. Details
for the new office can be found here.
Insurance Claims Solutions (ICS) is in the front line of
the Australian insurance industry's moves to outsource claims
management.
Processing and settling claims quickly and easily is the
key to ICS success in both domestic and commercial insurance.
Part of that success depends on ICS partnering with a major,
responsive and pro-active Adjusting firm like Freemans.
ICS has integrated communication, statistical reporting,
and claims tracking into a single and universally accessible
document by using a sophisticated web-based insurance claims
management product called Claims FasTrack.
This can allow loss assessors, brokers, underwriters and
others to monitor, and participate in, the claims process,
reducing "claims leakage".
Richard McDonough, Freemans South Australia Manager announced
today the opening of another new Freemans office. This time
in Port Lincoln, South Australia. The office will service
the entire Eyre Peninsula on the west coast of South Australia
with the regional towns of Port Lincoln, Ceduna and Whyalla
forming a triangular pattern of trip work and encompassing
all the rural towns and farming areas in between.
The business formerly traded as Accredited Resources and
DR Redman & Associates before that, stretching back for
25 years providing loss adjusting services to the Eyre Peninsula
on the west coast of South Australia. So there will be a continuity
in local knowledge boosted by the resources and management
of Freemans Australia.
The branch will be managed by Steve Argent. Details for the
new office can be found here.
Martin Hartcher, Freemans CEO was pleased to see Freemans
coverage in South Australia extended, noting that this is
the sixth new office Freemans has opened this year. "It is
all about bringing our clients closer to their customers"
said Hartcher.
Freemans Australia CEO, Martin Hartcher announced today the
opening of another new office this time in Albany, Western
Australia that will service the Greater Southern Region of
WA extending west to Denmark, Walpole and Manjimup, north
to Katanning, Narrogin, Lake Grace, and east to Ravensthorpe
and Esperance. Peter Masson formerly of Advanced Loss Adjusters
will manage the branch.
Advanced Loss Adjusters has serviced the region since 1989
providing an all round suite of products and services including
Commercial, Personal/Domestic, Liability, Motor, Heavy Machinery,
Farm and Agriculture as well as Marine.
Peter is an experienced loss adjuster and has operated from
Albany for the past 15 years. He is currently studying through
the ANZIIF and is a member of the Australasian Institute of
Chartered Loss Adjusters. He has a sound product knowledge
and astute awareness of the requirements of the area.
Albany becomes an important part of Freemans Australia infact
the 48th office in the network.The Albany office adds further
strength to our presence in WA and specifically provides an
ability to service an important and fast developing region
of the state. Recent announcements have related to the opening
of offices in Kalgoorlie and Bunbury.
The new office email is albany@freemans.com.au and phone
number is 08 9841 3515. More Freemans Albany office details
can be found here.
Zurich's panel review sees Freemans appointed
nationally
Freemans have been appointed as national providers of property
adjusting services throughout Australia to Zurich Financial
Services. Freemans was also successful in securing panel placements
with Zurich in motor, liability and project management services.
Freemans Australia CEO, Martin Hartcher announced today the
opening of another new Freemans office in Kalgoorlie WA that
will service the Eastern Region of WA including the Goldfields
from Merredin through Esperance and Norseman and north to
Wiluna. Trent Stehn formerly of Kalgoorlie Goldfields Loss
Adjusters P/L will manage the branch.
Kalgoorlie Goldfields Loss Adjusters P/L has serviced the
region since 1984 providing an all round suite of products
and services.
Trent is a Chartered Loss Adjuster and has been associated
with the area for the past 40 years. Trent has operated from
Kalgoorlie for 20 years and has a sound knowledge of the requirements
of the area.
Kalgoorlie becomes an important part of Freemans Australia
representing the 47th office in the network.
Importantly, the office strengthens our presence in WA providing
an ability to service the eastern region of the state and
the associated mining industry.
The new office email is kalgoorlie@freemans.com.au and phone
number is 08 9091 8333. More Freemans Kalgoorlie office details
can be found here.
Freemans Australia CEO, Martin Hartcher announced today the
opening of a new Freemans office in Bunbury WA (commencing
1 May 2004) that will service the South West region of WA
extending from Mandurah, Narrogin, Katanning, Pemberton and
Augusta. George Kern formerly of Forrest Loss Adjusters will
manage the branch.
Forrest Loss Adjusters has serviced the region since 1991
providing an all round suite of products and services. George
is an experienced loss adjuster and has operated from Bunbury
for the past 13 years. He has a sound product knowledge and
astute awareness of the requirements of the area.
Bunbury becomes an important part of Freemans Australia and
becomes the 46th office in the network. Importantly, the office
strengthens our presence in WA and specifically providing
an ability to service the fastest growing and developing region
of the state.
Freemans has won a place on Elders' recently reviewed Preferred
list of Property Adjusters. The result of Elders' review is
a reduced number of firms which will provide for a stronger
relationship with Freemans. This expression of confidence
further justifies Freemans expansion of services.
Freemans is delighted to announce that Gavin Northmore LLB;
DII (IISA); ANZIFF (Snr Assoc) will be joining Freemans Perth
as from Monday 15th March 2004.
Gavin is an internationally experienced adjuster specialising
in liability and major complex claims. He has worked for McLarens
International and Flinders NZ. Gavin is a Senior Associate
of ANZIFF and a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court
of NSW and High Court of NZ. He also has formal qualifications
in fire technology and fire engineering science.
Gavin's experience and expertise will add considerably to
the depth of talent in the market in WA and in particular
the suite of services we currently offer. Freemans in WA is
committed to developing a comprehensive team of qualified
and experienced adjusters with a focus on quality, efficiency
and transparency.
Continuing our program to open ten new offices in 2004, Freemans
has now opened an office in Nowra, servicing the Southern
Coast of NSW. While previously serviced from our offices in
Wollongong and Canberra, a new local presence will add to
the value Freemans can provide to its clients. We are very
pleased that Kathy Cake will manage the new office. Kathy
is well known having previously run her own adjusting business
on the south coast. Kathy brings nine years of commercial
and personal lines adjusting experience with her.
Freemans Australia is excited to announce the launching of
DriveNet: a full motor vehicle claims management and digital
assessing system. By utilising the latest in web based digital
assessing, and backed up by our extensive on site network,
Freemans Australia now delivers an even better and more cost
effective motor vehicle assessing service, nationwide.
Freemans conducted over 20,000 motor vehicle assessments
last year, and have provided motor assessing services over
many years for most major insurers. Freemans have invested
heavily in motor assessing and now has much more to offer.
Through our business partners Stelvio and the Estimage system,
Freemans Australia is able to provide a full assessing service
at any location throughout Australia for as little as $60
to $95 per assessment.
New Freemans Riverland Office - serving SA, Victoria
and NSW
Richard McDonough, Freemans South Australia Manager announced
today the opening of a new Freemans office in Berri SA that
will service the SA Riverland, Sunraysia in Victoria and up
to Broken Hill in NSW. The branch will be managed by Rob Healey
formerly of Riverland Adjusters.
Rob Healey, a Chartered Loss Adjuster and Qualified Accountant,
becomes an important part of the Freemans Network with Freemans
Riverland becoming the 44th overall in the Freemans network.
Rob and his wife Sue have operated from Berri for the past
20 years servicing the entire Riverland, Murray Mallee, Broken
Hill and Northwest of Victoria.
Freemans Riverland will service that area surrounding the
state corners of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia
and will now have additional Freemans' resources available
from Adelaide, Mount Gambier, Horsham and northern Victoria.
This is the first of ten new offices Freemans expects to
open in 2004.
In November 2003 Freemans was appointed to the Liberty International
Underwriting loss adjusting panel, in competition with other
high profile adjusting companies. Liberty, a USA based Company
has held a presence in the Australian market for a number
of years in Casualty, Specialty Casualty, Marine Energy and
Engineering risks. It also intends to take the lead on commercial
property portfolios in 2004, where previously it has retained
a co-insurance line only. Freemans' services are expected
to be required primarily in Casualty claims assessing.
Freemans Melbourne adds to its business interruption
expertise
Clint Cooper (CA, B.Bus (Accounting)), a chartered accountant
has joined the Freemans Business Interruption team. Clint
has extensive experience having served 8 years with KPMG originally
as an auditor but for the past 5 years as a manager in their
Corporate Recovery Division specialising in corporate insolvency.
Clint will work out of the Melbourne office and has hit the
ground running with appointment to a number of large local
and interstate claims.
Recently, QBEMM reviewed its property loss adjusting services.
After a thorough appraisal process, QBEMM appointed Freemans
and Crawfords to carry out its adjusting services Australia
wide.
Speaking at a Christmas reception in Sydney, Martin Hartcher,
CEO of Freemans Australia referred to plans to expand. Mr
Hartcher talked of some significant developments in new products,
particularly in major re-instatement project management ,
in satellite image analysis and in technology. These new services
were calling for new skill sets than traditional loss adjusting
services. Client interest in all these endeavours was very
pleasing.
To better serve clients, Freemans were planning to open ten
or eleven new offices in the next year in several states.
Some would be announced before Christmas.
Freemans steady move into more commercial over the last couple
of years will also continue, with some senior commercial adjusters
shortly to come on board, with more recruitment to follow
in 2004.
These expansions - services and geographically - means that
Freemans Australia is undertaking a significant recruitment
program that will embrace not only the attraction of senior
experienced adjusters, building and other professionals for
the new services but also fostering new blood into loss adjusting
ranks. There is a need for bright graduates both from within
the insurance sector and outside it to find an attractive
career path in the loss adjusting sector.
Mr Hartcher stated his belief that Freemans must invest in
our clients future. "The faith clients are putting in us must
be rewarded with quality outcomes now and joint exploration
for more value in what we can provide in the future."
Freemans has become the Australian representative for global
adjusting network vrs UNIVERSE. With over 300 offices in 65
countries around the world, vrs UNIVERSE is able to provide
expert local service with single point of contact accountability
for losses in most locations. In becoming part of vrs UNIVERSE
together with its regional partners Insight Singapore and
Flinders New Zealand, Freemans is pleased to be able to add
strength to the vrs network and also to be able to provide
its local clients with a truly global service capability.
For pictures of the recent Asian launch of vrs UNIVERSE in
Singapore, please click here.
For enquiries please
or call Terry Ryan on 02 8436 9888.
Freemans Australia Chairman Bill Hearne announced the appointment
of Martin Hartcher as the new Chief Executive Officer, based
in Sydney. Martin who has held CEO positions in media, publishing
and technology, brings a wealth of experience in management
and business development. His extensive legal background will
also fit well, according to Hearne.
Hearne said the appointment signalled a significant move
by Freemans to a strong Sydney head office presence. Freemans
is one of the largest loss adjusting firm in Australia and
with the launch of its new IT platform, will offer clients
unparalleled accountability and transparency in claims adjusting
and handling.
With market leadership for Freemans squarely in his sights,
Hartcher will focus on the company's service excellence and
client satisfaction.
Freemans Toowoomba and the University of Southern Queensland
(USQ) will develop new crop assessing techniques with the
assistance of a $100,000 grant under the Federal Government's
R&D Start program announced recently by Federal Member
for Groom and Minister for Industry, Ian Macfarlane.
"This project will be a first for Australia, with the development
of crop assessing techniques, as well as the aim to improve
the systems of managing claims using computerised geographic
information systems (GIS) technology and remote sensing images
from satellites and aircraft," Mr Macfarlane said.
"I congratulate Freemans Toowoomba and the USQ for the hard
work and research they have committed to the development of
this project. This is just another example of how Toowoomba
businesses are developing innovative projects which are major
contributors in the growth of Australia's national industry,"
he said.
The success of this project will help Freemans become the
market leaders in the field of crop assessing. Freemans Toowoomba
owner and managing director, Mr Rod Pullinger said Freemans
wanted to enhance its capabilities and competitiveness by
developing innovative methods of assessing hail damage to
large crop areas and managing this data.
"We want to make crop assessing and the historic claims management
process more efficient, cost effective and accurate. We also
see the potential to utilise the technology throughout Australia,"
he said.
For more details contact Rod Pullinger on 07 4638 4777 or
rod.pullinger@freemans.com.au
