News Briefs

AETNA ENABLES MEMBERS TO DOWNLOAD CLAIMS INFORMATIONAetna Inc., Hartford, Conn., has enhanced its suite of consumer tools and information to allow members to more easily track and manage their health care expenses. Aetna members will now be able to download their claims information to their personal computer via Aetna Navigator, Aetna's password-protected member Web site, enabling them to manage the information in a data file or spreadsheet. The option to keep claims information in a personal file is particularly relevant at tax time, when consumers often need to create a record of their medical expenses for tax deduction purposes. Other uses include:

* Maintaining and managing a permanent record of Aetna claims.

* Planning and budgeting for health care expenses.

* Sharing the information, such as a list of prescriptions, with a physician.

* Determining the total amount spent with one provider, on a specific service, or for the entire year.

INSIGHT LAUNCHES UPGRADED WEB SITE

Insight Insurance Services Inc., Geneva, Ill., has launched an upgraded and redesigned Web site designed to include more user-friendly tools and features designed to deliver downloadable forms and applications and facilitate paperless policies. The Web site, www.insightinsurance.com, is structured for easy navigation to access Insight's three specific areas of professional liability expertise: architects and engineers, accounting professionals and insurance agents. A key feature of the new Web site is a dedicated login area for producers where they can access and download applications, endorsements, certificates and policy forms by state and line of business. The secured login area is password protected to ensure confidentiality and authorized access.

PEMCO CALL CENTER RECEIVES J.D Power seal

PEMCO Mutual Insurance Co., Seattle, has been recognized by Westlake Village, Calif.-based J.D. Power and Associates for its Call Center Customer Satisfaction Excellence. To receive recognition, companies must score higher than 730 out of a possible 1,000 points. PEMCO received 911 points. J.D. Power and Associates' evaluation was conducted in two phases: 1) recruiting, training, employee incentives, management roles and responsibilities and quality assurance capabilities. 2) survey of 400 random callers that contacted PEMCO's call center during a 12-day period. The report also said PEMCO's operations demonstrate a strong commitment to the satisfaction of its customers, resulting in uniquely high levels of satisfaction among them.

SURVEY FINDS AGENTS WANT 24/7 ONLINE ACCESS TO CARRIERS

More than 90% of insurance agents want 24/7, Web-based access to the information technology (IT) systems of U.S. insurance carriers, according to a new survey of independent producers conducted by New York-based research firm Celent LLC for MajescoMastek Ltd., a Edison, N.J.-based software solutions provider to the insurance industry. Technology tools that improve efficiency, communication and customer service also are highly desired by insurance producers, said the majority of the 215 producers surveyed. MajescoMastek concludes that the results show that tools that focus on customer service, like proactive alerts and 360-degree views of existing customers, are much sought after by independent agents.

AIMS ANNOUNCES 2006 AWARD WINNERS

The American Insurance Marketing and Sales (AIMS) Society's 2006 Company Partner of the Year award was presented to St. Paul Travelers Companies Inc., St. Paul, Minn. This award is designed to honor an insurance carrier that creates revolutionary and exciting programs that provide agents with tools for success. St. Paul Travelers was nominated for their small business select accounts programs.

Recognizing the need to enhance sales through technology within the automated agency environment, the AIMS Society, based in Richmond, Va., developed a new award to recognize the carrier, vendor or agency that demonstrates a commitment to technology that enhances the insurance sales process.

Westfield Center, Ohio-based Westfield Insurance Co. was recognized by the AIMS Society as the 2006 Innovation in Sales and Technology award winner.

Chubb & Son Inc., a division of Federal Insurance Company and part of The Chubb Corp. based in Warren, N.J., was recognized as the recipient of the AIMS Society's 2006 President's Award.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM DIGITAL INSURANCE