Horace Mann Restructuring P/C Claims Operations

Horace Mann Educators Corporation is restructuring its property and casualty claims operations.

The company expects to realize operating and cost efficiencies and also improve customer service by consolidating claims office locations throughout the United States, implementing a new claims administration system, and performing certain claims reporting and adjusting functions internally versus utilizing external service providers.

The company will concentrate claims handling in one new location, Phoenix, Ariz., and five current claims office locations, St. Louis, Mo., Raleigh, N.C., York, Pa., Columbia, S.C., and Houston, Texas. The restructuring will result in closure of claims offices in Ontario, Calif.; Denver, Colo.; Atlanta, Ga.; Springfield, Ill.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Portland, Maine; Baltimore, Md.; Boston, Mass.; Detroit, Mich.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Nashville, Tenn.; and Salt Lake City, Utah.

While the total number of employees in the new claims organization is ultimately expected to be somewhat higher than current staffing levels, reflecting a shift to more employee claims adjusters and reduced usage of independent contractors, the company estimates that a total of approximately 135 employees will be impacted by the office consolidations.

Approximately 25 of the employees are in the company’s home office location in Springfield, Ill., with the remainder located in the field claims offices.