GIO has moved quickly to deal with its controversial removal from the Victorian workers’ compensation insurers panel, appointing Gallagher Bassett to take over its Victorian accounts.

Statutory Portfolio EGM Chris McHugh says GIO, as Australia’s largest personal injury insurer, believes it’s important to provide its key accounts and brokers with certainty as quickly as possible.

“We will continue to provide national workers’ compensation coverage and we’re very pleased to have a partner of the quality of Gallagher Bassett to perform claims management in Victoria,” he said.

Since the decision last month to remove GIO from the Victorian panel of insurers for workcover claims, the company has been in negotiations with Gallagher Bassett. The two companies have now signed a memorandum of understanding which outlines clear performance expectations.

The agreement includes employing a significant number of GIO’s Melbourne-based staff, which Mr McHugh believes will have positive implications for service continuity.

“We’re confident our brokers, employers and injured workers will continue to enjoy the market-leading claims service they’re accustomed to through this new arrangement,” he said.