Franklin Mutual Insurance has entered into a new partnership to offer its homeowners insurance customers a faster way to access their claims.

The Branchville, N.J.-based insurer teamed with Bancorp Bank Payment Solutions Group and InsurCard to offer a Visa Prepaid Card distributed immediately following a claim so policyholders do not have to wait for a check. The debit-style InsurCards can be used to make purchases wherever Visa debit cards are accepted and enable access to thousands of ATMs nationwide.

Franklin Mutual Insurance is the first insurance carrier to introduce InsurCard in New Jersey, according to the company.

“We believe an insurance carrier should always try to find new and innovative ways to provide better, quicker and more efficient claims service to their policyholders,” said Dale Martin, co-vice president of claims for the insurer, in a statement. “Franklin Mutual Insurance is convinced that InsurCard will be a big improvement over the current payment method in catastrophe situations.”

Field adjusters will carry a supply of inactive cards with them as they assess damage. Once an initial claim evaluation is complete, the cards are loaded with the appropriate value by phone or the Internet. Once activated, policyholders can access anything from food and shelter to emergency repairs immediately.

As the recovery process continues, the card can be reloaded to pay for additional living expenses and permanent repairs, according to Franklin Mutual.

J. Robert Mendte of Lansdale, Pa., who has more than 30 years experience as an insurance operations executive and management consultant, developed InsurCard.

Mendte said after seeing challenges facing policyholders after emergencies, “it was clear that there had to be a better way.

“By using InsurCard, insurers can provide immediate relief to their customers and continue to load payments as necessary with the press of a button,” he said.