Kyle Winston, President and CEO of CRU GROUP, confirmed today that the company has already deployed key personnel to Anchorage, Alaska to assist two carriers with Earthquake adjusting services. “After years of Earthquake Response Planning for Canadian P&C companies, we have now been engaged by two US carriers to assist after the 7.0 earthquake that affected Anchorage and the surrounding areas. CRU was asked to assist in the rapid and accurate assessment of commercial structural damage.”
Skip McHardy, SVP Catastrophe Response Unit explained, “After the implementation of the OSFI B-9 requirement in Canada, we decided to develop our expertise with earthquakes. With both adjusters and management that had earthquake experience, our AIA Division created a complete Earthquake Adjusters Training program, and we have actively been involved in the planning and upkeep of compliant Response Plans for several insurer partners.”
Mr. McHardy continued, “Recognizing the exposure Canadian companies have to a possible earthquake in either the West Coast area or the Ottawa valley, being prepared requires continuous updating of information, support services and government emergency management. We know an earthquake has the potential to create destruction that would far exceed any disaster we’ve seen, and the approach to managing the response, which is far different than other natural events, will be the key to serving the industry and public effectively.”
“Canada has been blessed for many years now with a relatively benign earthquake environment.” said Mr. Winston, “But when the day eventually comes, live tests like our Anchorage response will go a long way in helping us to prepare and respond when the earth really moves here in Canada!”