REAL-TIME RATINGSETWrite 3.0, from AMS Services Inc., Bothell, Wash., enables agents to access rates from, and submit insurance data to, multiple carriers in real-time through single-entry transactions. With more than 30 carriers in production and 15 additional carriers in development, SETWrite provides broad real-time carrier connectivity. Agents enter information once into a single Web interface and receive rates and related information directly from participating carriers in real-time. This single-entry process is designed to allow for increased agent productivity and efficiency and a higher level of client satisfaction.
DOCUMENT SIGNING ON THE WEB
DocuSign can now be integrated directly into existing Web portals and e-commerce offerings with DocuSign In-Session Signing. Seattle-based DocuSign Inc. designed the service to enable customers to visit a Web site, complete a form and sign an application all in one visit. DocuSign is offered as an XML/SOAP Web service, which enables the customer to control all aspects of the document signing process via software.
DECISION ENGINE
Strata Enterprise, an enterprisewide, customer-based decision engine from Montreal-based CGI Group Inc., is enabling business users to create and manage business rules. The Strata Desktop is an intuitive user interface that enables business users to and modify business rules for scoring, underwriting and exception processing without engaging additional IT resources.
AGENT PORTAL
Agent Portal from Irvine, Calif.-based Portellus Inc. provides CRM, policy management and decision management tools at the point-of-sale. Agent Portal extends various decisioning functionality to the Web using its Enterprise Rules Management (ERM) system, which house carriers' unique business rules and underwriting guidelines. While on the phone with a prospective policyholder, agents can enter key data points and submit it to the ERM system to instantly return rating, eligibility and automated underwriting approvals, facilitating fast and accurate policy decisions. The site is also designed to deliver event triggers on up-sell and cross-sell opportunities and allow agents to manage renewals, policy changes, billing, claims reporting and more.
MAPPING AND HOME VALUATION TOOL
Marshall and Swift Boeckh (MSB), Los Angeles, has integrated MSB Hazard Express, an exposure look-up and mapping application, into its Web-hosted "total component" home valuation tool, MSB Express with RCT (Residential Component Technology). After an address of a property is entered into the application, the address is standardized and validated as a proper property location. Next, the Hazard Lookup system geocodes the address by latitude and longitude and displays the location on a map. After determining the property's known hazards calculating the distance to nearby hazards or features (e.g. wind pool and premium tax zones), Hazard Express displays the distances, plots the hazards on a map and provides a detailed report.
