Tower taps Sedgwick to expand claims capacity

Partnership to boost post-disaster insurance assessments

Tower taps Sedgwick to expand claims capacity

Catastrophe & Flood

By Roxanne Libatique

New Zealand-based insurer Tower has entered into an agreement with Sedgwick, a global firm specialising in loss adjusting, to increase its capacity for processing claims during periods of elevated demand caused by severe weather.

The collaboration will enable Tower to supplement its internal claims response resources with Sedgwick’s team of adjusters across New Zealand and the Pacific.

The additional support is intended to improve response times during natural disasters, particularly in locations where Tower does not have significant local resources.

Steve Wilson (pictured right), Tower’s chief claims officer, said the arrangement aligns with the insurer’s readiness plans to manage high volumes of claims while maintaining service standards.

“The Tower team will still be with you every step of the way to progress and settle your claim. This partnership means we can assess damage and start the claims process faster during claims peaks, with more loss adjusting resource ready to go, if needed,” he said.

Targeted deployment and specialist allocation

The agreement provides for external assessors to be deployed where required, allowing Tower to reassign its internal assessors to more complex cases.

The additional personnel are expected to reduce bottlenecks in areas experiencing significant claims volume due to extreme weather.

Philip van Zyl (pictured centre), chief executive of Sedgwick New Zealand, said the firm would provide additional capacity to help Tower manage its commitments across affected regions.

“Through this partnership, we will combine our strengths and expertise to drive better outcomes for all stakeholders. It is about making recovery smoother, more accessible, and more effective for everyone impacted,” he said.

Insurers respond to damage in Canterbury and Wellington**

The move comes amid ongoing cleanup efforts in Canterbury and Wellington following recent storms.

The Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) has issued guidance to residents to support early-stage recovery and assist with insurance claims.

ICNZ chief executive Kris Faafoi encouraged affected residents to begin documenting damage and carrying out emergency repairs where it is safe to do so.

Steps for policyholders in recovery

ICNZ has released a checklist to assist those impacted by weather events. Key recommendations include:

  • Photographing and listing all damaged possessions before discarding
  • Making urgent safety repairs and keeping records of expenses
  • Using licensed contractors for temporary work, such as roof tarping
  • Separating salvageable items and disposing of hazardous waste carefully
  • Consulting insurers before removing any material that may involve contamination or structural risk

For homes that are no longer safe to occupy, temporary housing may be available through existing insurance cover.

ICNZ advised homeowners and renters to speak with their insurers for further assistance.

Related Stories

Keep up with the latest news and events

Join our mailing list, it’s free!

IB+ Data Hub

The Ultimate Data Intelligence Platform for Insurance Professionals

Unlock powerful dashboards and industry insights with IB+ Data Hub—your essential subscription for data-driven decision-making.