Claims People: Crawford & Co, ICW Group and Great American

Crawford & Co. Appoints Senior VP for Technical Services

Crawford & Co has promoted Jeff Van Fleet to the position of senior vice president, claims operations in its Global Technical Services unit.

Van Fleet rejoined Crawford this year, the Atlanta-based claims administrator said in a press release. He previously was western regional manager at BrightClaim in Sacramento.

The Global Technical Services Unit is staffed by forensic accountants who assess business interruption claims, analyze mitigation options and develop objective loss-measurement methodologies, according to Crawford’s website.

“In his new role, Van Fleet will be responsible for shaping the strategic direction of GTS claims operations,” Crawford said. “He will play a pivotal role on a team of dynamic professionals responsible for efficiently managing and resolving claims.”

ICW Group Hires VP for Risk Management

ICW Group Insurance Cos. appointed Sandy Smith as vice president of risk management.

Smith will lead the San Diego-based company’s loss control services, focusing on workplace injury prevention for workers’ compensation policyholders nationwide, ICW Group said in a press release.

Prior to joining ICW Group, Smith led the policyholder services team for EMC Insurance Cos. as assistant vice president and served in other risk improvement positions at Continental Western Group and Liberty Mutual, ICW said.

Smith has a bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering from the University of Iowa and an Master’s degree in business administration from Iowa State University.

Great American Hires Assistant VP for Fidelity/Crime Division

Great American Insurance Group has appointed Nicholas T. Moraites as assistant vice president of claims in its Fidelity/Crime division.

Moraites brings 17 years of legal experience to the position, Great American said in a press release. Most recently he was senior claim counsel for Travelers in Pittsburgh, according to his LinkedIn page.

Before joining the insurance industry as claim counsel for Travelers in 2020, Moraites was a vice president for litigation and contracts with PLS Logistics Services anda litigator for the Eckert Seamans law firm in Washington, D.C., according to LinkedIn.

Moraites has a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of Pittsburgh and a juris doctor from George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia. He will be based in Pittsburgh.