ADJUSTING TO COVID-19
HOW WE ’ VE ADJUSTED TO COVID-19
The arrival of COVID-19 has
changed “ business as usual ” for millions of employers , and Atlas Insurance is no exception . Insurance is a relationship business . The success we ’ ve experienced for nearly a century would not have been possible without the strong relationships we ’ ve maintained with both our clients and employees .
With the lockdowns , recommendations against in-person meetings , and social distancing requirements we ’ ve all experienced over the past six months , we have had to reinvent many of the ways in which we do business . You may be surprised to learn that we have continued to service our clients with just about every type of service we provide — thanks to the wonders of technology .
THE ATLAS TEAM HAS BECOME A HUGE USER OF VIDEOCONFERENCING , BOTH FOR WORKING COLLABORATIVELY INTERNALLY FROM DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AND FOR CONDUCTING BUSINESS WITH CLIENTS .
Some of the services that have “ gone virtual ” for the time being include development of safety and claims management programs , safety committee meetings , claim review meetings , education and training sessions , and even safety inspections .
It may seem surprising that even a safety inspection can be done remotely . After all , keeping your employees safe in all types of situations and settings is no small matter . But when we work collaboratively with a client using tools such as video , photos , and teleconferencing , we can get the same results as if we were working side by side .
If we are reviewing employee claims , we can work with the client and carrier simultaneously to determine the stage of the claim , health status of the employee , probable return-to-work date , and mitigation steps to avoid further injuries in the future . By being highly organized and working closely with the client team , we can get all the information we need to quickly resolve open cases .
One of the great things about working with technology is that the clock doesn ’ t stop just because the workday is over . Atlas Insurance has a 24 / 7 risk management resource portal that clients can access at any time of day or night . The portal is a link to everything from templates for policies and documentation to informational bulletins on HR compliance to tools for conducting in-house training sessions . With a proactive attitude , clients can take advantage of slower periods to update their employee manuals and policies , view prerecorded informational webinars , revisit safety protocols , and work on compliance and other tasks — all using tools and resources from the online portal .
We have also expanded our fee-forservice offerings , which are available to insurance clients as well as nonclients . Our consulting teams can help with safety and claims education and training , safety inspections , OSHA compliance , risk assessments , carrier management , and other needs . We work with clients to understand their business holistically so
we have a solid grasp of their risks and how they can best protect themselves .
None of us wants to be living through COVID-19 and dealing with the heartbreak the disease has brought to millions of families . By remaining productive , however , and finding innovative ways to continue to support clients , we can maintain critical client relationships while finding novel ways to protect your business . +
BY : JOEY BARROSO , RISK CONTROL & CLAIMS MANAGEMENT
Joey Barroso originally began his career in our Commercial Insurance , Property and Casualty division . He brings Corporate Wellness experience along with professional experience in Human Resources , Operations , and Retail . Coupled with his client relationship background , Joey sees his transition to the Risk Control and Claims Management unit as a natural path . He is OSHA certified in both General Industry and Construction . Joey has earned his Bachelor of Science in Sociology and his Master of Business Administration from Boise State University . He is currently an active member of the Building Industry Association ( BIA ).
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