Elders Insurance has launched a new in-house claims team. The group of 13 staff will be based in Adelaide and will manage the national portfolio. Another 10 staff will be recruited soon.

National Claims Manager Jon Fox says the new team will work closely with the agency network of more than 200 agents.

Elders, which concentrates on rural and regional Australia, has used a third-party claims handler since it was established in 1998.

“The decision to move the function ‘in-house’ reflects the progress we have made as a relatively young insurance company, so the timing is now right to build the capability internally,” Mr Fox said.