The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc., Hartford, Conn., and AMS Services Inc. have teamed up to enable agents to submit applications for the four key middle market lines of business--property, general liability, auto and workers' compensation--directly to The Hartford from their AMS agency management system."As one of the industry's leading agency management vendors whose system is used by many of our top agents, we're pleased to align with AMS in the use of ACORD XML standards to make it easier for middle market agents to do business with The Hartford," says Gary Thompson, senior vice president of The Hartford's Middle Market and Specialty Practices unit.
The Hartford has made enhancements to its eSubmission capabilities--including the flexibility to accept electronic submissions of middle market applications in multiple formats--to streamline the process of placing business with The Hartford.
"Whether the information is captured in an agency management system, on an Excel spreadsheet or in another format, agents will soon be able to submit applications electronically directly to The Hartford from their AMS system with no disruption to their workflow," says Thomson. "By streamlining the application process and eliminating the need to fax or mail submissions to an underwriter, these automation capabilities improve efficiency and work quality for agents and enable our underwriters to focus on sales, placement and underwriting."
AMS is using ACORD XML standards to provide The Hartford with automated submissions for the four major middle market lines of business, including property. Since the majority of midsize business insurance is written as a package policy, the ability to submit all four lines through the AMS system ensures that The Hartford's eSubmission enhancements complement an agent's workflow.
"The Hartford was one of the earliest adopters of TransactNOW for real- time inquiries, endorsements, and Carrier Passport," says Dave Shea, president of AMS Services Inc. "They are now leading the way by being an early adopter for commercial lines new business. Aligning with The Hartford on this opportunity allows AMS to provide our TransactNOW customers with a true single entry workflow for larger commercial lines submissions."
The Hartford will begin piloting its enhanced eSubmission capabilities with a select group of AMS users in early fall to ensure maximum benefit to agents. A broader rollout is scheduled for January 2005.
Source: The Harford
