Markel has implemented a centralized litigation management system to streamline claims handling across its international marine and energy portfolios in the United States and Canada.
The re/insurer partnered with ClaimDeck and PwC to address inefficiencies caused by fragmented case data stored across emails, spreadsheets, and law firm platforms.
Tom Upton (pictured above), head of claims – marine, energy and casualty at Markel, said the company sought to eliminate data fragmentation, improve workflows, and generate structured data to support analytics and proactive claims management.
According to PwC, the implementation focused on migrating litigated claims into ClaimDeck’s platform, standardizing litigation processes, and ensuring that claims data met regulatory and audit requirements.
The company has highlighted similar data modernization efforts as key to strengthening re/insurer claims operations and governance frameworks.
In re/insurance, effective litigation management is crucial due to the high costs associated with legal proceedings. Insurers often face numerous claims that can escalate into complex litigation, making it essential to have systems in place that streamline case handling and control expenses.
Advanced data analytics tools are increasingly employed to assess attorney performance, monitor legal fees, and predict case outcomes, enabling insurers to make informed decisions and allocate resources efficiently.
Reinsurance adds another layer of complexity to litigation management. Reinsurers must navigate disputes that may arise from the underlying insurance claims, requiring a clear understanding of contractual obligations and effective communication with cedents.
The management of legacy liabilities, such as long-tail claims, demands meticulous documentation and strategic planning to resolve disputes and minimize financial exposure.
With this partnership, Markel now has real-time oversight of litigated claims, with centralized access to case files, deadlines, budgets, and valuations. The new system reduces reliance on emails and spreadsheets, offering a single source of truth across its re/insurance litigation portfolio.
Structured claims data – comprising over 500 data categories and approximately 1,300 data points per claim – positions the company to apply advanced analytics and explore artificial intelligence-based process enhancements.
Rebecca Side, director of business development at ClaimDeck, said Markel’s transformation ensures its claims data is more structured and actionable, enabling future advancements in automation and analytics.
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