An efficient claims process

As we head out of the storm season and into the cooler months and further away from the extreme weather seen over the past summer, it is important to remember that the unexpected can occur at any time of the year.

That's the message from Brett Sutherland, an Elders Insurance agent based in Maitland, NSW.

"My clients have absolutely been affected by extreme weather conditions," said Mr Sutherland.

The Elders Insurance Maitland, NSW agent says that no one can predict what will happen, even outside of the storm season.

For Mr Sutherland, one of the biggest advantages of a farm or business insurance policy with Elders Insurance is the efficiency of the claims process.

A quickly resolved claim is always appreciated, but in certain cases it can be critical.

He gives the example of a client whose home was a total loss after storm damage and tree impact rendered it uninhabitable.

That sort of event can turn someone's life upside down - and their family's too. By processing their claim quickly, their insurance company can help them get back to normality even faster.

Mr Sutherland says that it's all about being geared up to provide an efficient service at all times, working with independent assessors as well as the national claims office in Adelaide.

After Cyclone Yasi in 2007, his office was inundated with claims and spent the months afterwards doing the best it could to process them as efficiently as possible.

They are experienced in and dedicated to making the claims process as painless as possible for their clients.

"The true value of the policy is not evident until you make a claim," he said.

"We believe we add efficiencies to the claims process."

Those efficiencies go hand in hand with the personal relationship Elders Insurance agents build with their clients, helping them manage their business and farm risks at every stage of development.