FARMERS LAUNCHES IDENTITY SHIELD VIA IDENTITY THEFT 911
Los Angeles-based Farmers Insurance Group, in collaboration with Identity Theft 911, launched Farmers Identity Shield, a comprehensive package that addresses its policyholders’ potential identity theft. In addition to aiding policyholders who suspect they have fallen victim to identity theft, the suite of services includes assistance in replacing a family’s critical identification documents that are lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed. The services also include providing guidance at times in a family’s life when they are more vulnerable to identity theft, such as when they are traveling, moving, facing a military deployment or if there has been a death of a spouse. The services also place a special focus on a family’s minor children who, according to the companies, are becoming identity theft victims in increasing numbers.
The Farmers offering is powered by Identity Theft 911, Scottsdale, Ariz., which provides a personal advocate to assist policyholders, one-on-one, through all of the challenges of identity theft restoration. The company’s 24/7 resolution service is designed expressly to reduce the time, stress, financial impact and other costs suffered by identity theft victims.
ESURANCE USES CISCO SECURITY NETWORK
Esurance, a San Francisco direct-to-consumer personal auto insurance company, deployed security technology as part of a comprehensive network supported by Cisco Systems Inc,, San Jose, Calif., that is helping secure and support corporate initiatives, such as data protection, compliance, and online services.
One of the early pioneers in developing an online business model that creates more convenience for customers, Esurance offers instant online quotes and comparison quotes, with real-time verification of driving records and other information.
At the heart of Esurance’s network security infrastructure is the Cisco Security Monitoring, Analysis and Response System (Cisco Security MARS), which provides event correlation and a centralized view of the security landscape. With a centralized console, Esurance security staff can efficiently monitor its security system holistically and efficiently.
Using the Cisco-based network, Esurance policyholders can also make policy changes and monitor their vehicles’ repair online. Esurance has deployed a series of Cisco security products as a means to create an in-depth, multilayered defense solution, which is designed to permit enhanced coordinated security across its network.
EVEREST TAPS DUCK CREEK
Everest National Insurance Co., a subsidiary of Bermuda-based Everest Re Group, selected a commercial policy administration solution from Duck Creek Technologies Inc., a Bolivar, Mo., provider of product configuration, sales automation, rating and policy administration solutions.
Duck Creek’s Web-enabled platform is designed to manage Everest’s complete commercial lines policy life cycle. The implementation will initially focus on Everest’s general liability, as well as its excess and surplus lines with plans to support other commercial lines in the future.
As a Web-enabled solution built on service-oriented architecture, the policy administration solution proved a good fit for Everest’s technology strategy, according to Duck Creek. In addition to the need for a flexible and configurable system, Everest also desired self-sufficiency to quickly make product modifications and build new products with minimal ongoing dependence on Duck Creek resources.
HERMITAGE IMPLEMENTS ISO AUTOMATED RATING SERVICE
Hermitage Insurance Co., a White Plaines, N.Y., provider of P&C coverage to small to mid-sized accounts, has implemented the ISO Rating Service within its policy administration system, reports ISO Insurance Technology Solutions (ISO-ITS), Jersey City, N.J.
ISO Rating Service is a comprehensive, automated rate management system containing a combination of advanced technology and product management tools. The system provides insurers with advisory information loaded into a rating engine combined with rate-management decision tools and continual ISO updates.
With its initial implementation of ISO Rating Service, Hermitage will now write a habitational product offering in the state of New York. Hermitage is planning to expand this capability across its entire commercial lines business.
AXIS IN PRODUCTION WITH ADMINSERVER FOR P&C
AXIS Insurance, an operating segment of AXIS Capital Holdings Ltd., a Bermuda-based global provider of specialty lines insurance and treaty reinsurance, is in production with AdminServer Inc.’s Property & Casualty Policy Administration System. The system was configured, launched and in production in less than six months.
The AXIS implementation also includes an integrated broker portal for future online autorate and autobind business submission and tracking. The broker portal utilizes AdminServer’s Common Calculation Architecture, providing AXIS a common set of business rules leveraged for policy quotation, submission and policy processing. Each application utilizes its own unique set of business rules, but AdminServer’s common calculation architecture ensures multiple systems can access the same core set of business rules whenever possible for calculation consistency.
AdminServer, Chester, Pa., offers life, annuity, health, reinsurance and P&C administration systems designed specifically as a Web application employing Java and .NET strategies and technologies.
FCCI DEPLOYS GUIDEWIRE CLAIMCENTER IN PHASED PLAN
FCCI Insurance Group (FCCI), a Sarasota, Fla., provider of comprehensive P&C insurance for the commercial business owner, and Guidewire Software Inc., a San Mateo, Calif., global provider of solutions to P&C insurers, report that FCCI has successfully deployed Guidewire ClaimCenter as its all-in-one claims system.
FCCI elected to implement ClaimCenter using a phased approach with this initial deployment supporting commercial auto claims. Expansion to include all FCCI lines of business is currently underway, with full deployment expected in 2009. The project includes 12 key integration points between ClaimCenter and internal FCCI processes and systems, including policy administration, document management, check printing and the data warehouse, as well as between FCCI and external business partners, such as Insurance Services Office Inc., Jersey City, N.J., and select preferred vendors.
When fully deployed, ClaimCenter will support 260 FCCI users, and have the capacity to process 2,000 or more new claims per month.
ANTARES SELECTS HYLAND’S ONBASE FOR DOC MGT
Antares Management Solutions, Westlake, Ohio, selected Hyland Software as the new provider of enterprise document management for Antares’ parent company Medical Mutual of Ohio (MMO). Antares implemented Hyland’s OnBase in June 2007 initially in Medical Mutual’s claims, financial payment, recovery and provider contracting departments to streamline business processes. Additional installations in 2008 include membership enrollments and provider registration. Antares provides business processing and application hosting services for the life, health and accident insurance industries, and IT services for small to mid-size North American organizations. Procurement, installation and ongoing support of OnBase was executed and continues to be maintained by Antares.
PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL GIVES AGENTS TWO-WAY MESSAGING
Prudential Financial Inc., a Newark, N.J., financial services provider with approximately $648 billion under management, reports that its individual life insurance business is the first to introduce “two-way messaging” via the Insurance Data Exchange (IDX) service hub. Two-way messaging is a real-time messaging system that allows general agencies to communicate directly with the carrier using Skywire Software’s QuickView software and IDX.
Agencies can now manage Prudential life insurance applications in less time and respond to outstanding requirements immediately, Skywire says. Messages are sent to Prudential’s underwriting and operations departments in real time, eliminating the need to call or e-mail, resulting in time-savings and a reduced case lifecycle. If Prudential’s case managers request additional information, such as verification of the insured’s date of birth, the general agency can reply immediately with the click of a button.
“Two-way messaging will make it easier for agencies to do business with us,” says Tom Harris, SVP, Prudential Select Brokerage. “This will enable cycle time improvement and solidify our position as a life insurance carrier of choice with our Brokerage General Agency partners.”
Skywire Software’s QuickView is an independent life insurance industry processing portal used by more than 7,000 agents, designed to enable insurers and agencies to view real-time insurance data movement via the IDX hub provided by Skywire, a Frisco, Texas software company that develops products designed to help companies integrate processes, people and information.
AAA AUTO OPTS FOR SAP CLAIMS
The Auto Club Group (ACG), the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the Midwestern United States, will use SAP AG’s technology to provide the group’s new claims management system. Part of the SAP for Insurance solution portfolio, SAP’s claims technology will enable Dearborn, Mich.-based ACG to manage the automobile insurance claims processes more quickly for its 4.1 million members across eight states with one integrated core insurance platform, says the company. As each claim is handled consistently, ACG can lower loss costs while increasing claim handler productivity and providing a consistent customer experience. The integrated claims management system also can help facilitate routine tasks and assist in managing automobile insurance claims activities that occur during the adjudication process.
BT INSURANCE STREAMLINES P&C CLAIMS WITH FINEOS
Ireland-based FINEOS, a global provider of enterprise software solutions for insurance, bancassurance and government reports that BT Insurance, a subsidiary of Westpac Banking Corp. in Australia, selected FINEOS to manage claims for its P&C lines, including home and contents, specified personal valuables, personal liability and landlord’s protection. Consumer credit claims for personal loan insurance and credit card repayment protection will also be managed by FINEOS.
FINEOS manages claims across multiple lines of business, including complex long tail accident/workers’ compensation and bodily injury claims. FINEOS Claims will be used to streamline claims management operations at BT Insurance by automating processes, improving quality of customer service and enforcing best-practice rules. The vendor’s case and claim management, integrated customer management and business process management capabilities focus on the claimant and the processes involved in managing the claim from start to finish.
MOUNTAIN WEST SELECTS MSB CLAIMS SOLUTION
Laramie, Wyo.-based Mountain West Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. (Mountain West) selected New Berlin, Wis.-based MSB's comprehensive IntegriClaim suite of claims estimating and management tools to more efficiently and economically estimate and manage property claims.
Mountain West, a multi-line property/casualty company with operations in Montana and Wyoming, now provides IntegriClaim estimating technology to all of its field adjusters.
IntegriClaim is a field and desktop application that estimates structure and contents property claims quickly, accurately and consistently to help reduce adjusting expenses and control overall indemnity exposure.
IntegriClaim adds value to Mountain West and its policyholders by improving the flow of the property claims process, and delivering reliable estimates developed from locally researched building costs, the company says.
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