Digital Platforms

The Consumer Federation of California (CFC), a nonprofit consumer advocacy group, has awarded Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. an A- for its privacy policy, the highest grade assigned to any property and casualty insurer doing business in California.Novato, Calif.-based Fireman's Fund, a provider of homeowner's insurance in the state and commercial insurance to middle market businesses, was among only eight companies to receive an A- or better. Following a survey of 55 financial institutions, the CFC gave two thirds of the companies low or failing grades, including many major property and casualty companies.

Worcester, MA--Kemper Auto and Home's Syracuse office and Blue Cod Technologies, Inc. of Worcester, MA announce the signing of a contract under which Blue Cod will be responsible for providing outsourced application and technical support for Kemper's New York Assigned Risk Automobile business. Blue Cod will host Allenbrook's Phoenix policy processing solution and provide it to Kemper Auto and Home over the Internet. Blue Cod will also build and maintain a number of interfaces to various external applications.

DALLAS--Docucorp International, a leading provider of enterprise information solutions, announced today the availability of Image Resource, an affordable content management and workflow solution, for the managing general agent (MGA) market.

United Farm Family Life Insurance Company, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, has selected Philibert Software Group to develop an illustration system to be used by its sales force. The system will illustrate the company's Millennium Universal Life product in presentations for new sales. It also will be used for reprojecting values and protection scenarios for existing insureds under the re-proposal or in-force portion of the system.

INDIANAPOLIS--Anthem Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Anthem Inc.'s program designed to help companies maintain an emotionally healthy workforce, has made available a new Web site that provides instant access to various online resources and interactive tools to help employees better manage their work and home lives in an effort to improve or maintain their well-being. "An organization's success is dependent upon a physically and emotionally healthy workforce," said Marty Dubin, Psy.D., vice president, Anthem EAP. "The Anthem EAP Web site is completely confidential and provides streamlined access to a wealth of content and self-service capabilities to help provide guidance when facing life's stressful challenges."

The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Co. (HSB) has launched HSB InstantQuote, an online tool that provides a quick way to quote and bind equipment breakdown coverage in as little as three minutes. A two-minute animated demo of InstantQuote can be viewed at www.hsb.com.HSB InstantQuote is designed to provide new business equipment breakdown quotes for small commercial and middle-market firms with individual location values up to $10 million for manufacturing and $20 million for non-manufacturing.

SOLCORP, a subsidiary of EDS, and Universal Conversion Technologies (UCT), Addison, Texas, will jointly host a Webinar on data migration best practices . This interactive Web-based presentation, "Policy Administration System Consolidation: Overcoming the challenges of data migration" will be presented live over the Web on March 11, 2004 at 2 p.m. EST.Reduction of operating costs is a top priority for life insurance carriers, and many are investigating consolidation of back-office systems, or migration to a new policy administration platform to address this business imperative. With either of these options, however, CIOs face a data migration project that brings with it a host of challenges. In this interactive presentation, experts from SOLCORP and UCT will present a strategy for minimizing the risks and maximizing the benefits, one that's based on a realistic understanding of the degree of complexity involved in data transformation. The presentation will include a step-by-step migration playbook--from calculating return on investment on the front end to improving data quality on the back-end.

Newark, Calif.--Risk Management Solutions (RMS), the world's leading provider of products and services for the management of catastrophe risk, has announced that it is providing funding for the first visiting research fellowship to be established at the new International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research. The Centre is based at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS) at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, and was officially inaugurated on February 20 by Wong Kan Seng, Minister of Home Affairs in Singapore.

Conshohocken, PA--eMoney Advisor, a leading provider of holistic wealth planning solutions, today announced the availability of AdvisorPlatform Version 3.5. The new version offers significant upgrades to Version 3.0, which was released in January 2003, including streamlined data entry through the Fact Finder, simulated sales of an asset, "what if" scenarios versus base facts, and additions to the Client Financial Home Page. In addition, the new version includes an updated user interface for greater ease of use.

IVANS Inc., the Greenwich, Conn.-based provider of network and real-time solutions for the insurance industry, has released a study detailing the current state of insurance agent adoption of technology in the United States. The study, which received responses from more than 435 independent agents, revealed that an overwhelming majority of insurance agents (84.3%) prefer to work with insurance carriers that they consider "aggressive" in their use of new technology."The results of this survey are important because they show that recent advances such as real-time agency/company interface and use of broadband technologies have clearly dispelled the concerns from a few years ago about disintermediation of agents when embracing new technologies," says Maggie O'Hara, divisional vice president of offering management for IVANS. "In fact, if anything, these technologies have helped convert agents into huge technology proponents that now hunger for more positive change."

Hyland Software Inc., the developer of OnBase(R) enterprise content management software, has formed a partnership with HealthTek Solutions. HealthTek focuses on providing information technology consulting services to IDNs, community and teaching hospitals, health care payers, physician groups and other healthcare providers. Frank Veale, considered to be a leading expert on document imaging technologies, leads HealthTek's document management practice and will manage the Hyland/HealthTek partnership activities.

ATLANTA--Ebix Inc., a leading international supplier of software and e-commerce solutions to the insurance industry, announced that it has completed its acquisition of LifeLink Corp. Inc., adding hundreds of brokers and approximately 35 life insurance companies as customers.

Vertis Inc., a Baltimore-based provider of targeted advertising, media and marketing services, today announced the results of its Customer Focus 2004: Insurance study, which reveals that some consumer audiences are willing to purchase dental, health and life insurance through resources other than an agent."With both life and dental insurance purchases, Generation X adults (28 - 39) were more willing than the average adult to consider utilizing the Internet, telephone or direct mail to initiate their policies," says Therese Mulvey, vice president, marketing research, at Vertis. "The results of the study show that Generation X adults are 10% more likely than the average adult to purchase life insurance and seven percent more likely to purchase dental insurance through channels other than the insurance agent."

MasterCard Advisors(TM), a subsidiary of MasterCard International, today announced the acquisition of TowerGroup from Reuters. MasterCard Advisors is a global professional services organization, offering consulting, research, outsourcing and information products and services.

Salt Lake City, Utah--Castle Data Services has signed an agreement with Allied Insurance Company, a member of Nationwide, to provide them with replacement cost data through the use of Castle's online replacement cost estimator.

Exstream Software, Inc. today announced that Richard Troksa has joined the company as vice president of business development. Mr. Troksa brings to Exstream over 19 years of experience in development, strategic planning and marketing segmentation focusing on software and service solutions for the printing market. Troksa will help Exstream expand into new channels and vertical markets by developing and managing business partnerships, strategic alliances and independent software vendor (ISV) relationships. Exstream has developed an impressive number of strategic partnerships over the past several years that include IBM, Xerox, Hewlett Packard and Böwe Bell & Howell, and plan continued growth in this area.

SAN RAMON, Calif.--ADP Claims Services Group, a leading provider of integrated business solutions for the property and casualty, collision repair and automotive recycling industries, announced today Frontier Adjusters, Inc., a national provider of independent adjustment and appraisal services, has chosen PenPro as its auto appraisal software provider.

ATLANTA, GA-- Knowlagent, the exclusive provider of software solutions that build best performers fast in customer service centers, announced today that its largest healthcare customer has rapidly and successfully deployed the Knowlagent Agent Performance Solution to thirteen call centers across the United States and offshore markets.

CONYERS, GA and SAN MATEO, CA- ImageRight, a provider of document management and workflow solutions for insurers, and Guidewire Software, Inc., a provider of claims solutions to property and casualty insurers, today announced the immediate availability of an integrated claims processing and document management solution for the insurance industry. In addition, Guidewire has joined the ImageRight Business Alliance as a Gold Partner.

Nearly 2,700 American technology workers in 12 states will receive advanced information technology job training in the coming months in programs administered by CompTIA, the Computing Technology Industry Association, Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.CompTIA has received two grants totaling $6 million from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment & Training Administration. The H-1B Technical Skills Training Grants are intended to train U.S. workers in specialty occupations such as computer science, information technology, engineering and advanced manufacturing technology.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - A report issued by the Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) on the use of credit-based insurance scoring found no basis for any conclusion that credit history is skewed toward ethnic minorities or low-income individuals.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. today announced the acquisition of R. P. O'Brien & Co., Inc. of White Plains, New York. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Although the hype surrounding offshore insurance business process outsourcing (BPO) is rising, insurers are reluctant to "go there" with their core processes. Meanwhile, the vendors have not yet proven their domain expertise. This is according to recent research conducted by Stamford, Conn.-based Gartner Inc.

The Customer Respect Group, an international research and consulting firm that focuses on how corporations treat their customers online, today released the results of its Winter 2004 Online Customer Respect Study of insurance firms that rank among the countries largest 1000 companies.

Cambridge, MD--G. Philip Feldman, CEO of technology insurance provider ISG International, announced today that the company has launched breakthrough technology on its CCBsure Web site that provides Businessowner's Property and Casualty (P&C) Liability insurance coverage to independent computer consultants, in real time, over the Internet. No insurance provider has ever offered immediate, automated P&C business insurance coverage before.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa--Fiserv, Inc. has introduced eFreedom Investment Management powered by BasisPoint, a fully integrated portfolio management and investment accounting solution that supports each step of the trading process--from order processing through trade execution, accounting, international settlement support and regulatory reporting. As trading practices become increasingly complex and global, more and more organizations need the comprehensive multi-currency, multi-basis, investment accounting capabilities found in eFreedom Investment Management to track business activity and report to regulators.

Uniondale, NY--OnlineBenefits, Inc., provider of Internet-based HR solutions, announced today that it has entered into a long-term strategic partnership with Digital Insurance to distribute Benergy as an employee communication solution for its clients.

Learn.net and InsuranceStudy.com have signed an agreement that will allow InsuranceStudy.com's online continuing education (CE) courses to be immediately available to Learn.net's online learning customers. InsuranceStudy.com, headquartered in Northbrook , IL , provides more than 60 insurance industry CE courses and is certified to provide CE training in all 50 states. Learn.net customers who must meet state-mandated CE insurance requirements can now link directly to the InsuranceStudy.com web site to learn about and take courses.

BELLEVUE, WA - SAFLINK Corporation, a leading developer, marketer and integrator of biometric security solutions, announced today that North Carolina-based A4 Health Systems has used SAFLINK's Software Development Kit (SDK) to design and deploy a solution in its efforts to meet new security requirements in Ohio that call for dual authentication of pharmaceutical orders within the hospital setting. The first phase of the solution is scheduled for deployment to more than 500 users at Mount Carmel East, West, and St. Ann's of Columbus, Ohio.

NASHUA, N.H. -- SkillSoft PLC, a leading provider of enterprise e-learning, today announced that Humana Inc., one of the nation's largest publicly traded health benefits companies, signed a two-year agreement to license a SkillSoft multi-modal learning solution. The integrated solution encompasses more than 1,000 e-learning courses spanning a variety of IT technologies and desktop applications; 24x7, online mentoring support for IT professionals; and more than 3,000 online, unabridged Referenceware titles. With multi-modal learning, professionals can access a variety of formal and informal learning resources through a single, unified search and then select the appropriate resources based on information needs, available time, and learning preferences.

ATLANTA-- Connecture, a leading provider of integrated Web-based sales and service automation solutions for the health insurance industry, announced it has signed a national agreement with Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), the association for the nation's 41 independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield health insurance Plans, which collectively insure more than 88.3 million Americans.

AMARILLO, Texas--Corporate Systems Inc. a recognized leader in Property-Casualty claims lifecycle management and reporting solutions, announced the successful implementation of CS ClaimSuite with Everest National Insurance Company. This implementation represents an expanded usage of Corporate Systems products to Everest's branch office located in Southern California.

PHILADELPHIA-- CIGNA Corporation today reported net income for the fourth quarter of 2003 of $290 million, or $2.06 per share, compared with net income of $47 million, or $0.33 per share, for the same period last year.

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. -- Zenith National Insurance Corp. announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, Zenith Insurance Company began serving summons and complaints today upon a Santa Ana medical clinic, its owner and manager, accusing them of taking part in a large-scale scheme designed to defraud the company's policyholders. Zenith becomes the first workers' compensation insurance company in the state to sue under a statute that the California Legislature passed specifically to help combat workers' compensation fraud.

CNA Financial Corp. today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its individual life insurance business to Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc. (Swiss Re) for approximately $690 million. The business sold includes term, universal and permanent life insurance policies and individual annuity products. CNA's individual long term care and structured settlement businesses are excluded from the sale. Additionally, the Nashville , Tennessee insurance servicing and administration building will be acquired by Swiss Re as part of the sale. Under terms of the agreement, CNA will stop accepting new applications for individual life and annuity products as of March 5, 2004. The transaction is expected to be completed on or before March 31, 2004, subject to certain customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Upon completion of the sale, it is anticipated that approximately 300 employees will transfer to Swiss Re.

Accenture has been selected to implement its Claim Components software application at The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., one of the nation's largest investment and insurance companies. The pilot implementation is targeted for the third quarter of calendar-year 2005.

CGI Group Inc. and Millbrook Inc. of Bethlehem, PA, announced the signing of a strategic partnership agreement under which CGI will integrate Millbrook's information management solutions suite with CGI's INSideOUT Software, Personal and Commercial Assigned Risk Processing Services, and Massachusetts Insurance Processing Services, to expand value to their customers.

WARREN, N.J.-- The Chubb Corporation today reported that net income in the fourth quarter of 2003 was $72.3 million or $0.38 per share, compared to net income of $56.6 million or $0.33 per share in the fourth quarter of 2002. Operating income, which the company defines as net income excluding after-tax realized investment gains and losses, was $73.1 million or $0.38 per share in the fourth quarter of 2003, compared to operating income of $83.7 million or $0.48 per share in the fourth quarter of 2002.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- InsWeb Corp. today announced results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2003. Revenues for the fourth quarter totaled $4.1 million, compared to $6.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2002. During the quarter, InsWeb recognized a gain of $6 million relating to the sale of its remaining investment in Finance All K.K., a Japanese corporation."

Docucorp International, a provider of enterprise information solutions, announced today that it signed a software licensing agreement with Liberty American Insurance Group, Inc. The company's subsidiary, Mobile Homeowners Insurance Agencies, Inc., will utilize Docucorp's suite of insurance publishing solutions to enhance the automation of its policy production process.

DxCG Inc., a provider of predictive modeling software for health care organizations, today announced a national agreement with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) to provide RiskSmart to independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies.

BRUNSWICK, Maine -- Allenbrook Inc., one of the top three providers of policy processing software and consulting services for the insurance industry, announces that New York Marine and General Insurance Company, a division of New York Marine Group, has signed a licensing agreement for Phoenix adding to a mounting list of insurance companies using Allenbrook's products. The speed-to-market Phoenix solution will provide NYMAGIC, Inc. with an integrated policy processing and

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Jefferson Pilot Corporation, parent of the Jefferson Pilot Financial companies and one of the nation's leading providers of universal and variable universal life insurance and annuities, today reported results for the fourth quarter of 2003. Jefferson Pilot earned $1.01 per share before realized investment losses in the quarter, up 35 percent from fourth-quarter 2002 earnings of $0.75 before realized investment losses. Net income per share for the fourth quarter of 2003 increased 78 percent to $0.82, including net realized investment losses of $0.19 per share, versus net income per share of $0.46 in the fourth quarter of 2002, which included net realized investment losses of $0.29.

Insurance fraud is an $80-billion a year industry-and the bad news is: Organized criminals know it."The word has gotten out," says Dennis Jay, executive director of the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud (CAIF), Washington, D.C. "There are huge loopholes in state legislation that have made insurance fraud at least as lucrative as drug trafficking."

In recent years, a combination of poor planning, bad execution and an inability to properly measure results have conspired to undermined customer relationship management (CRM) initiatives, casting doubt on future insurer investments in this space.Despite these missteps, a growing number of insurance companies have realized that best-practices CRM can become a reality if insurers can somehow summon up the ability to re-engineer their CRM strategies and alter their corporate focus.

The life insurance industry plans a high profile on Capitol Hill this year in an effort to focus policymakers on its agenda, which includes an optional federal charter and a broader array of retirement products.The lobbying effort will include "fly-ins" by company CEOs and other high-level executives to speak to administration officials and key members, briefings and interview opportunities, and introduction of legislation supportive of industry interests. Also to be disclosed shortly is establishment of an "insurance caucus" by members of Congress with great interest in insurance issues.

As the insurance industry continues to focus broadly on growth, cost containment and risk management, new research has identified several strategic initiatives that might provide traction to insurers as they endeavor to improve their businesses.The final segment in a series of six "2004 Perspectives" formulated by Needham, Mass.-based research and consulting firm TowerGroup examines critical business and technology issues and trends that the firm expects will impact financial services.

The Contracts Update section includes announcements of contracts insurance information technology companies have signed with customers in recent weeks. Contract news can be faxed to Insurance Networking magazine at (312) 913-1366 or by electronic mail to Stephen.Dwyer thomsonmedia.comAccenture

As a small, regional insurer, Wayne Mutual has been outsourcing its IT operations for 20 years. Formed in 1910 as a mutual protective association for local farmers, the Wooster, Ohio based carrier today provides property/casualty insurance to 30,000 policyholders in "the Buckeye state.""Wayne Mutual has never done its own IT processing," says Tim Suppes, vice president of operations at the company, which reported $16.6 million in net written premium in 2002. "We're not big enough to have an in-house staff of programmers," he says.

Feb 02, 2004-- Salmon Ltd, the IT services and consulting firm, today announced the launch of its new underwriting solution. Unlike traditional underwriting solutions, Salmon's is fully Web-based and covers all the key elements of the insurance lifecycle with an integrated solution including claims, reinsurance and management information systems (MIS).

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Travelers Property Casualty Corp. announces that it will now provide Web-based ability to create and print Ocean Cargo Certificates of Insurance to its Ocean Cargo policyholders and their agents.

NEW YORK-- Association Health Plan (AHP) legislation proposed by President Bush to level the playing field for small employers seeking health insurance may instead cause significant disruption, according to a special report published by Fitch Ratings.