Allstate Named a Top User of Technology

Northbrook, Ill. — Personal lines insurance giant Allstate reports that it was ranked among the top 100 innovative users of technology in the 2008 InformationWeek 500 annual listing. Recognized for its leadership initiatives in the areas of corporate governance and customer experience, the ranking demonstrates how Allstate is leveraging the use of technology to improve the way the company does business.

At the forefront of Allstate's prominent ranking were the company's Next Generation Claim Systems (Next Gen) program, a successful re-engineering of how Allstate manages claims, and Consumer 2.0 initiative, enhancements to Allstate.com that makes it easier and faster for consumers to get an auto quote, purchase a policy or service an existing policy online.

"As Allstate takes great strides to reinvent protection and retirement for the consumer, our technology and business operations are working together to find unique technology solutions that supports the company's business goals," says Catherine Brune, Allstate SVP and CIO. "We are thrilled to be recognized for our contributions in these areas. Our Next Gen program and Consumer 2.0 initiative are direct results of this strategic alliance and will help improve how we serve and satisfy our customers."

In 2005, Allstate launched the multi-year Next Generation Claim Systems program, which involved developing a completely new claim-processing system—the foundation of Allstate's business. Leaders within Allstate's technology and business organizations formed a partnership with joint accountability and decision-making, and adopted a new business model that ensured all teams were following the same processes. As a testament to the effectiveness of this technology/business partnership, Allstate received Pink Elephant's 2008 ITIL Project of the Year award, and successfully reengineered how the company's 17,000 employee claims operation manages claims.

Allstate's Consumer 2.0 initiative has delivered a series of enhancements designed to better meet the changing needs and demands of consumers. New tools and capabilities were added to Allstate.com, making the site more appealing, informative and easier to navigate. An interactive auto insurance guide is now available, where consumers can choose from six video hosts to walk them through and explain the complexity of auto insurance. Consumer 2.0 also strengthened the links between Allstate's access points, to better integrate the multi-channel business model and provide a superior and seamless customer experience.

InformationWeek identifies the nation's most innovative users of information technology with its annual listing, now in its 20th year, and tracks the technology, strategies, investments and administrative practices of America's best-known companies. The list is unique among corporate rankings because it spotlights the power of innovation in information technology, rather than simply identifying the biggest IT spenders.

Source: La Société