SecondLook: Pioneering Accurate Mitigation Exposure for Over a Decade

Wardlaw Claims Service is proud to celebrate over a decade of SecondLook, our Mitigation Invoice Audit service designed to uphold precision and transparency in claims management. Our service audits all emergency mitigation perils, recalibrating the mitigation expense with industry standards and practices. The outcome? Insurance carriers and policyholders receive IICRC-validated and accurate invoicing.

the origin of secondlook

The SecondLook program was organically built at the request of one of our clients in 2013. Michael Puls, one of our Field Directors at the time, played a pivotal role in its creation. With over 20 years of combined experience with a California-based mitigation contractor and as a claims adjuster during the big mold crisis, Puls was approached by a VP of Claims who sought his expertise in reviewing an invoice that seemed excessive. This request led to a few more, until we formed a dedicated team.

“SecondLook was created out of a direct need identified by one of our clients. We pioneered this service long before it became a mainstream offering to carriers. Our early adoption and continuous refinement have set us apart, establishing Wardlaw as a leader in invoice auditing,” says Michael Puls, Mitigation Audit Director.

Over a decade later, SecondLook has grown from a small group of adjusters to over a hundred mitigation specialists. Thousands of audits every month result in millions of dollars in reduced indemnity. To date, we have documented indemnity reductions of more than $250 million. Chris Wardlaw, Chief Operating Officer of Wardlaw, adds, “We are proud of the impact SecondLook has had on the industry. Our focus on individualized reviews and agreed-upon scopes reduces indemnity but also builds trust and integrity in the claims process.”

the wardlaw way

Our Mitigation Specialists conduct individualized audits of each file, ensuring that the mitigation follows IICRC and S500 standards. This personalized approach guarantees that every claim is scrutinized for accuracy and compliance. Through our detailed audit process, we identify, consult, and negotiate discrepancies in charges not validated by industry standards. This process helps reduce overpayments, saving insurance carriers significant amounts of money.

Mitigation Specialists reach an agreed scope of loss directly with the Emergency Service Vendor, ensuring fair and transparent resolutions for all parties involved. SecondLook includes robust analytics, providing carriers with valuable insights into their loss exposure and indemnity reductions. This data-driven approach helps carriers make informed decisions and improve their claims management process.

We audit invoices for all emergency services, including fire, water, smoke, pack-in/pack-out, asbestos, biohazards, and more. Our comprehensive approach ensures that no detail is overlooked. Our team of Mitigation Specialists are licensed adjusters and IICRC/WRT certified, ensuring their knowledge is unique to mitigating loss for P&C insurance. Their expertise is key to delivering accurate and reliable audits. We pride ourselves on providing exceptional customer service, ensuring that carriers remain informed and satisfied with our services. Our commitment to excellence sets us apart in the industry.

expanding our impact

As we continue to grow, SecondLook has expanded its services to meet the evolving needs of the insurance industry. We now offer specialized audits for large loss and commercial claims, recognizing the unique challenges of these complex cases. Our team has developed expertise in handling multi-million dollar claims, ensuring that even the most intricate invoices are scrutinized with the same level of detail and care.

In response to the increasing frequency of natural disasters, we've also enhanced our capacity to handle surge events. During times of widespread damage from hurricanes, floods, or wildfires, our team can rapidly scale up operations to meet the increased demand for audits, ensuring that carriers can manage the influx of claims efficiently without compromising on accuracy

looking to the future

As we reflect on over a decade of SecondLook, we're also looking ahead to the future of invoice auditing. We're actively exploring partnerships with insurtech companies to develop innovative solutions to further revolutionize claims management. Our goal is to continue providing exceptional audit services and shape the industry's future, driving standards higher and ensuring fair outcomes for all parties involved.

Wardlaw Claims Service remains committed to delivering the highest standards of service and expertise through our SecondLook program. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you maintain precision and transparency in your claims management process.