Ashworth Mairs Group (AMG) launched an alternative accommodation service this week in a bid to differentiate itself from its rivals.

The loss adjuster has secured reduced rates on accommodation and can negotiate rental periods of less than six months for claimants forced to temporarily relocate.

AMG said it hoped the move would give it an advantage over competitors Crawford, GAB Robins and Cunningham Lindsey.

Kevin Wood, partner and group chief technical officer at AMG, said: "We are already starting to see the benefits of the service at the flash floods in North Yorkshire."

AMG charges a fixed fee of £300 per case within the M25 and £250 elsewhere for the service. Its clients include Legal & General and Groupama.

Wood said: "We offer a complete service for insurers, unlike some of our competitors. This is helping us pick up business and really increase our presence in the market."