Suncorp has a new panel of builders following a “competitive” tender process to provide quality repairs across all home insurance claims for the next five years, the insurer announced today.

The 38-strong builder panel is made up of 30 existing partners and eight new repairers.

Suncorp says to keep premiums affordable, the tender process included extensive independent industry benchmarking to establish best-in-class rates for individual work types, repairer mark-ups and supervision rates.

The revamp of the critical property supply chain is part of the insurer’s Best in Class Claims program that is aimed at improving customer service and efficiency for around 160,000 home claims every year

“Our panel of builders is vital to delivering high-quality and timely repairs for our customers,” Suncorp Group Insurance Chief Operating Officer Paul Smeaton said.

“The new panel gives us a stronger national footprint across metro, regional and remote locations. increased capacity allows us to scale up to respond to significant natural disasters.

“The longer-term agreements with our builders will allow closer supplier relationships and foster innovation and mutual continuous improvement.”

Suncorp has also enhanced its building materials bulk buying program, a move that will support the new panel with access to lower material rates and prioritised inventory availability.

“This comes as Australia faces a surge in new builds and renovations, combined with disruptions to global supply chains and a shortage of materials,” the insurer said.

Suncorp says the business is stepping up its technology focus to improve the property supply chain. This includes implementing a specialised claims management platform, called In4mo, to support end-to-end workflow for assessments and repairs.

“We are now using performance data on customer satisfaction, quality and costs, to allocate work among relevant repairers in a geographic region,” Mr Smeaton said. “Top performers will be rewarded with additional work.”

He says the new repairer panel, technology investments, bulk buying program and claims team place Suncorp in a strong position during its busiest time of the year.

“This is supported by our ongoing focus on the digital claims experience that contributed to more than half of all home and motor claims from recent storms being lodged online,” Mr Smeaton said.