Location: UK

Issued at 15:00 on Wednesday 23 December 2015

Claims for flood-damaged properties continued to come in, as some areas in Cumbria were flooded for the third time in a month yesterday. The worst affected areas in this latest incident were Appleby, Kendal and Glenridding. The Met Office has issued yellow, ‘be aware’ warnings as  Storm Eva threatens to become the fifth storm of the season.  The warnings are for wet and windy weather in parts of Scotland, effective today, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Similarly for the North West, when rain is forecast for Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

We continue to operate extended hours until Christmas Eve, when our emergency HelpLine will be available, around the clock, over the festive break.

Adjuster Field Force

We’ll have a team of adjusters working in the field and on call throughout Christmas, including colleagues who have travelled over from New Zealand and Canada, specifically to lend support over the holidays.

Emergency HelpLine

Staffing of our emergency HelpLine is currently at surge levels. This will be increased by a further 20% on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, to cope with any new claims and urgent requests for assistance from customers. We also have additional staff on standby and will step-up the capacity of the service further, if the forecasted rainfall should lead to more flooding.

Care of Vulnerable Customers Over Christmas

Through our care of vulnerable customers programme, we’ve identified a significant number of residents who are in need of special support. These claims are being carefully managed to make sure that we meet each of those customers’ immediate needs, before, during and after the Christmas break.

Next Update

We will issue another update after Christmas. May we take this opportunity to wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas.

24 Hour Emergency HelpLine: 0345 604 8580

 

 

LONDON, 20 MAY 2015 – Cunningham Lindsey’s specialist forensic accounting division, Forensic Advisory Services (FAS) has appointed Daniel Djanogly as a Director in Litigation and Dispute Services. Daniel will be based in FAS’ Fenchurch Street office.

Daniel is an accredited forensic accountant Expert Witness, a Chartered Arbitrator, a Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a Qualified Expert Determiner and a Chartered Accountant. He specialises exclusively in the resolution of accounting, financial and valuation issues in complex business related disputes and significant financial crime matters.

Before joining FAS, Daniel was Principal of his own forensic accounting firm for nearly five years and prior to that was a forensic accounting partner at Kingston Smith and at Horwath Clark Whitehill (now Crowe Clark Whitehill).

Matthew Griffin, Head of Forensic Advisory Services in the UK said: “We are delighted to welcome Daniel to the team. His exceptional skills and expertise provide perfect synergies for our existing clients and allows us to target new markets. We’re widening the scope of our services by recruiting technical experts within specific disciplines, and Daniel offers valuable experience in litigation and dispute resolution for lawyers and insurers, a key area of growth for our business.”

Daniel Djanogly, said: “What attracted me to FAS in particular is the extensive technical expertise, industry experience and resources of a reputed global forensic accounting practice. The team has a strong and established background in the independent assessment of commercial losses and financial claims.

“My areas of expertise and experience in delivering forensic accounting services in the UK for many years are a good fit with FAS’ growth plans. This combination makes for a robust expert offering for business-related dispute resolution, whether in litigation, arbitration or other ADR procedures. I’m delighted to join FAS and look forward to developing the practice with my new colleagues.”

Cunningham Lindsey has appointed Matthew Griffin as Head of Forensic Advisory Services within its Major & Complex Loss team.

Matthew, who was originally on secondment to the business from Cunningham Lindsey Australia, accepted a permanent role in the UK, effective 1 October 2014.

Alister Jupp, Head of Major Loss for Cunningham Lindsey, said: “Matt has already played a key role in securing some notable successes for Forensic Advisory Services, both in the UK and across Europe. His fresh thinking and expertise will strengthen our well established team of accountants and major loss investigators – we’re extremely pleased to have him on board.”

Matthew Griffin has specialised in Forensic Accounting for over ten years and was pivotal in establishing Cunningham Lindsey’s Forensic Advisory Services in Australia. His experience spans a wide range of major losses, including $100m loss at an Australian salt mine, €50m loss at a UAE edible oil refinery and a €3m mobile phone theft from a distribution warehouse in Spain.

Issued at 16:00 on Friday 11 December 2015

Current Status

Our client directors will be in the North West this weekend, supporting our adjusters on the ground and visiting customers in some of the worst affected areas, specifically:
• Carlisle – Warwick Road and surrounding streets
• Keswick – Crossthwaite Road & Gardens
• Cockermouth – Main Street and surrounding area, and Derwentside Gardens

Power Issues

Around 2,500 homes are still without electricity in some areas in the North West. Re-connection is happening on a street-by-street basis, as the electricity board have to install new cabling and metres for each property. As of yesterday, they were two days into what is at least a five day exercise.

Access & Communications

Power and telephone infrastructure issues have caused communications problems. Where we haven’t been able to
contact customers, our adjusters have been knocking on their doors in an effort to organise visits.

Our mobile ‘phone text programme has proved very helpful for arranging visits and updating claims progress, particularly where we’ve experienced problems in reaching customers via landlines.

HelpLine

We’re increasing the staffing of our out-of-hours service this weekend to make sure that we have the additional capacity to manage any emergency calls that come in on Saturday on Sunday.

Claims Centres

We will also have additional staff working in our Claims Centres in Cardiff and Glasgow over the weekend, to process any new instructions and service existing customers in progressing their claims.

Adjuster Field Force

Every one of our 14 branch offices will be open this weekend. Staff will be manning the ‘phones and supporting our adjusters who are out visiting and
helping customers.

We will continue to operate a 7-day week service until further notice.

In the midst of what must be a stressful situation, a number of customers have taken the time to email and tweet their appreciation for the help and guidance that our adjusters have provided.

WeatherNet Forecast

The latest forecast for tomorrow suggests that we can expect heavy rain from midday through to 3pm, particularly in the Midlands and the North West. The Environment Agency has 3 flood warnings in the North West and 9 in the North East. Further rain may lead to more flooding in thealready flood stricken areas.

Any questions? 

Please contact: Mark Baird on:

TEL: 07880 780150 or EMAIL: [email protected]

Issued at 16:30 on Thursday 10 December 2015

Current Status

Glenridding was flooded again last night, as further heavy rain caused the river to burst its banks. Incoming claims numbers are slowing, but continue to run at approximately 30% above business as usual levels. Of the flood claims we’ve received so far: 35% commercial – of which 20% are major losses – and 65% domestic.

As well as Cumbria, we are also dealing with significant numbers of claims in Lancashire, Northumberland and the Scottish Borders, but Carlisle still represents 60% of the total claims we’ve received to date.

We are currently operating a 7-day week service for customers, which will continue until further notice.

Access & Communications

We have now established adjuster workstation centres in Kendall and Penrith, as well as Carlisle and Cockermouth, to provide additional communications support facilities for our field teams.

HelpLine

The volume of out of hours calls has decreased over the last 24 hours, but we will continue to have additional staff manning these phone lines over the next few days – certainly until after the coming weekend.

Claims Centres

Our Claims Centres are working closely with our adjusting teams to make sure the flow of service to customers is seamless. Clear and regular communications with every customer is a key priority, and we’re seeing an increased use of miClaim, our ‘self-service’ customer claims update system.

Adjuster Field Force

Our visit programme is well underway and 50% of our initial assessment appointments will be completed by close of business today. Our specialist property adjusters are working closely with Surveying Services and Oriel to prioritise assistance for all urgent cases.

Alternative Accommodation

We’re working with our suppliers across the North West to make sure that we have adequate and appropriate temporary accommodation reserved for customers who have been displaced by the floods. We have secured priority agreements with agents within the flood affected areas and, as further adjuster visits take place, we will gain a clearer picture of the overall requirements. Many agents are also converting vacant sale properties into lets as an additional source of rental accommodation.

WeatherNet Forecast

Dr Richard Wild at WeatherNet warns that there is “a moderate risk” of further heavy rain hitting the North West on Saturday afternoon. Falling on already saturated ground and feeding into swollen rivers, it’s highly possible that further rain could cause localised flooding. We will continue to monitor the weather forecast for Saturday over the next 24 hours.

Click here to see our aerial footage of the Desmond flooding

Any questions?

Please contact: Mark Baird on:

TEL: 07880 780150 or EMAIL: [email protected]

Issued at 15:30 on Wednesday 9 December 2015

Current Status

There was a slight slow down in incoming flood claims yesterday, however volumes are still running at over 30% above business as usual levels.

We’re seeing a high proportion of vulnerable customers in Carlisle, Keswick and Cockermouth and we’re taking extra care to ensure that their needs are prioritised at every stage as we progress through their claims.

Today, Phil McNeilage, our CEO, is in Carlisle visiting customers – joining Neil Gibson, Loss Adjusting Services Director, Roy Shevlin, Building Consultancy Services Director and Mark Baird, Client Relationship Director, who have all been in the North West, supporting and advising flood victims since first thing Monday morning.

Access & Communications Issues

All the flood stricken areas are now accessible and any local power issues are almost resolved. With most customers able to gain access to their homes today, any initial restoration efforts are being affected by rain and strong, to gale force winds.

Generally, poor mobile phone reception locally continues to be an issue, but our temporary office accommodation in both Carlisle and Cockermouth is providing excellent communications support for our teams of adjusters on the ground.

HelpLine

The volume of out of hours calls from customers slowed down last night and early into this morning, but continues to run well above business as usual levels.

Claims Centres

Incident managers and support staff at our Claims Centres in Cardiff and Glasgow are working extended hours, and the volumes of incoming claims are currently manageable. We’re working hard to make sure that customers are contacted, if they can be reached, as soon as possible after receiving their claims – when visit appointments can be arranged, as necessary.

Adjuster Field Force

Our full team of specialist property adjusters from around the UK are responding to this event, and we have generated the capacity within the business to complete the majority of initial customer visits by Sunday. We will update you on our progress with this programme over the next few days.

Additional Adjuster Support

We already have a team of over 20 adjusters on standby, who will travel in from Group offices in South Africa, Canada and New Zealand, to provide additional assistance if we should need to expand our UK teams.

Forensic Advisory Services (FAS)

FAS has a team of qualified accountants and valuation specialists in the North West, and will be working closely with flood stricken business customers, providing advice and guidance on their business interruption claims.

WeatherNet Forecast

Rain will be heaviest in the North West this afternoon and through this evening, accompanied by strong winds. Another bout of heavy rain is forecast to hit this area again on Saturday and Sunday. We will continue to monitor this situation carefully over the next few days.

Please contact: Mark Baird on: TEL: 07880 780150 or EMAIL: [email protected]

 

 

Issued at 16:30 on Tuesday 8 December 2015

Current Status

We’ve received storm and flood claims from over 83 postcode areas in the UK, illustrating the wide spread damage that’s been caused by Storm Desmond. Cumbria & Northumberland – represent 60% of claims received. Carlisle (CA postcodes) – specifically Warwick Road – is worst affected, where an estimated 3,000 homes have been hit by the floods. Updated claims figures show that the majority are flood damage claims.

Access & Communications Issues

The flood waters have receded and so access in and around Carlisle has improved today. But communications continue to be a problem – both for customers and our adjusters – as thousands of homes and businesses are still without power, and mobile phone reception in the worst affected areas is generally very poor.

However, we have established temporary offices in both Cockermouth and Carlisle – this gives our adjusters a base to work from, with access to landlines and fast Internet connections, which will help to ease the problem significantly.

Helpline – calls yesterday were up 22% on business as usual figures and from 8am this morning, call volumes were up by 55%. We have increased staffing this evening in readiness for further emergency calls from customers in need of our help.

Claims Centres – right up until late last night, large numbers of claims were still coming into our Claims Centres in Glasgow and Cardiff. It’s been a little quieter today, but we’re fully prepared for another influx of claims once customers, particularly in Carlisle, gain access to their homes. Although making contact with some customers has been challenging, we are providing help and support, and arranging visits to all those we’ve managed to reach.

Some lower value storm claims have already been settled and, where appropriate, we will continue to work with customers to progress these claims to an early conclusion – this will help keep outstanding claims numbers to the absolute minimum.

Adjuster Field Force – Our teams of specialist property adjusters are in all the worst affected areas, visiting customers where properties are accessible. We will increase the resources in these teams over the coming days, to meet the technical and individual customer requirements in each of the postcode areas.

Surveying Services & Oriel – We’ve got teams of local surveyors in Cumbria and Northumberland. We have an additional 50 surveyors organised to work in shifts to make sure we have the capacity to service all customers’ claims. Oriel has local contractors on the ground, providing emergency support – making safe, securing buildings, providing temporary power and some initial cleaning. Additional thermo dynamic dryers have also been sourced in readiness for the drying out phase.

WeatherNet Forecast

More rain – in excess of 32mm in places – is forecast for the North West tomorrow. We will continue to monitor this situation carefully as further rain could impact on progress of the clean-up operation.

Our aerial footage on the flooding in Cumbria can be viewed here.

Please contact: Mark Baird on: TEL: 07880 780150 or EMAIL: [email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

Issued at 17:00 on Monday 7 December 2015

Current Status

In the aftermath of Storm Desmond, our adjusters have been out visiting customers in the worst affected areas –over the weekend and today. In Carlisle, initial reports suggest that the damage is worse than in the 2005 floods. In Cockermouth, the flood water levels are 4 feet lower than they were in 2009, but the damage is still quite significant.

Access Issues

Corbridge in Northumberland – some areas are still inaccessible, as are large parts of Carlisle, where people are still being rescued. Main Street in Cockermouth was today closed to traffic for the clean up operation and, despite the water having receded, there are still problems getting into Penrith, due to bridge closures. This makes visiting customers difficult, many of whom have still not been able to see the condition of their properties for themselves.

Help Line

Customer calls handled were up by 75% on Saturday and 140% on Sunday, compared to business as usual figures. Our home emergency telephone lines were also very busy.

Claims Centres

Our claims centres are fully staffed and working hard to make sure that every customer reporting a claim gets the important initial support and advice they need. The volume of new claims we’ve received is approximately 8 times our business as usual figures. Of the new storm and flood claims, currently 80% of these are flood claims. From past experience, we expect to see further claims coming in from this event over the next two to three days, as people manage to re-gain access into their homes.

Adjuster Field Force

We have mobilised our surge response plans and our specialist property teams based in the North East and West are being supported by staff from other areas. Our first priority is to make sure that the right skills and expertise is available to every customer at the very outset.

Any questions?

Please contact: Mark Baird on: TEL: 07880 780150 or EMAIL: [email protected]

 

STORM DESMOND BRINGS RECORD RAINFALL AND CAUSES WIDESPREAD FLOODING

Issued at 8:45pm Sunday, 6 December 2015

RECORD RAINFALL

It has been widely reported that this weekend has seen record rainfall across parts of the country, particularly affecting the Cumbrian towns of Carlisle, Cockermouth, Keswick, Kendal, Appleby and Penrith.

The impact of the rain on river levels can be seen by visiting www.gaugemap.co.uk which plots current water levels against normal as well as previous high levels.

Our adjusters on the ground today have observed that the flooding in Carlisle and Cockermouth is similar though not quite as bad as the flood events in 2005 and 2009.

A further bout of unsettled weather is due this coming week, but at much reduced intensity than we have had this weekend.

OUR RESPONSE

We have moved to SurgeWatch Level 2 as we implement our surge response ahead of an expected increase in flood claims tomorrow morning, and over the following days.

We deployed our mobile Surge Response Team to Cumbria today and they will be joined by other loss adjusters from unaffected areas of the UK in the early part of this week.

As access is currently restricted in some of the worst affected areas, we have also lined up additional visit resource for later in the week, with more than 200 visit slots available for next weekend should they be needed.

We have also re-scheduled some visits that were originally booked for this Monday and Tuesday. By bringing these forward and completing the visits yesterday and today we have further increased our capacity for urgent visits over the next few days.

We have secured temporary office space in Cockermouth and Carlisle to provide drop-in facilities for adjusters to work from, and meet customers where required.

Many of the properties affected will be in conservation areas, which bring additional considerations around building regulations. First thing tomorrow, our Surveying Services team will be liaising with the local council authorities with a view to agreeing protocols aimed at expediting this complex area.

Further updates will follow this week as the situation becomes clearer.

Any questions?

Please contact: Mark Baird on:

TEL: 07880 780150 or EMAIL: [email protected]