CILA - The Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters

Specialist Interest Group:International

International SIG Update June 2009

The International SIG members include adjusters -

  • working overseas
  • based in the UK handling claims outwith the UK on a home/foreign basis, and
  • in the UK who are interested in the international markets

As a minimum, ISIG members appear to view the CILA as necessary to retain their professional qualifications and as a useful technical forum, whilst the more CILA “engaged” members are prepared to make some form of contribution, such as providing life style stories and technical papers, holding training sessions and assisting with examination preparation.

We work in a part of the adjusting profession that is still a people business, where soft skills are hugely important and where relationships are valued. However, increasingly we are called upon to demonstrate and evidence where we add value to the claims process – value to the Insurer and value to the claimant.

As professional practitioners we can all benefit from sharing knowledge and exchanging information of a non commercial nature. The CILA works closely with other professional bodies representing the adjusting profession - Fuedi and the IFAA to name two - and the combined force of these organisations can only help to raise the adjusting profession’s profile and influence in the international insurance markets.

The CILA is looking at ways to strategically develop its international awareness, to actively assist the ISIG members and indeed to attract new members working outwith the UK. We would be interested to hear if you think there is a market for exporting our core adjusting professional skills and qualifications, for example SCT type training days, or large loss scenario workshops. Alternatively, is there a need to have internationally recognised and accepted report formats that have a consistent style and content? If so, we could develop such a product. Or should we (CILA, Fuedi and the IFAA) focus on influencing Regulators in different countries in view of the recent regulatory activity witnessed in the UK?

Please be assured that by providing feedback you will not immediately be regarded as a candidate to take on an active role (unless of course you wish to) so please take a few minutes to give me your views. Many thanks.

Alastair Whiteside
Chairman, International SIG