Data and information management

Viewed from afar, the claims process has not changed markedly in many decades. Despite new technologies being leveraged in many aspects of claims, for too many insurers, the claims process as a whole remains a manually intensive, inefficient business process-one in which even experienced adjusters find themselves mired in paperwork.

Analytics isn't a new concept, but considering the way insurers now use it, it may as well be. Where once fraud was the issue to enter insurers' minds when they heard the term analytics, they have now found more ways to use this technology. One approach is to employ text analytics, which often uses natural language processing (NLP), a subfield of artificial intelligence and computational linguistics, to convert unstructured data into valuable, structured data.

Dayton, Ohio — Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. has been recognized for its innovative use of technology across and beyond the business to create and sustain highly significant and quantifiable business value, according to DM Review magazine and the Teradata Corp., division of NCR, a Dayton, Ohio, data warehousing and business intelligence technology provider.

Fairfax, Va. — The National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA) announced the appointment of Thomas A. Kirke to the 2008 Executive Committee. Effective Jan. 1, 2008, the NAILBA Executive Committee will be filled as follows:

Philadelphia — CIGNA Corp. is expanding into the small-group healthcare market with the announcement of its intention to pay $1.5 billion in cash for Great-West Healthcare, a deal that is expected to close during the first half of 2008, subject to regulatory approval. The Philadelphia-based carrier, whose CIGNA HealthCare business is based in Bloomfield, Conn., said it plans to fund the deal through cash and debt, and that it will also inject approximately $400 million of capital into its subsidiaries to support the acquired business.

Philadelphia — CIGNA Corp. is expanding into the small-group healthcare market with the announcement of its intention to pay $1.5 billion in cash for Great-West Healthcare, a deal that is expected to close during the first half of 2008, subject to regulatory approval. The Philadelphia-based carrier, whose CIGNA HealthCare business is based in Bloomfield, Conn., said it plans to fund the deal through cash and debt, and that it will also inject approximately $400 million of capital into its subsidiaries to support the acquired business.

Needham, Mass — While the insurance industry has not typically been known for leading in technological innovation, new TowerGroup Inc. research finds that rapid advancements in technology are poised to reshape the insurance landscape over the next five to 10 years.

London – As recently as a decade ago, most carriers did not consider the potential ramifications of emerging nanotechnologies. Now, even Lloyd’s of London is acknowledging the risks and opportunities that nanotechnology presents. The London-based firm, in collaboration the London-based Lighthill Risk Network, not-for-profit science organization, is hosting a half-day seminar in the Old Library on December 10 to discuss the topic.

Worcester, Mass. — The Premier Insurance Company of Massachusetts, an independent personal auto insurance subsidiary of The Travelers Companies Inc., will change its brand name to Travelers of Massachusetts.

Montreal, Quebec — Silanis Technology Inc., St. Laurent, Quebec, has joined the IBM ECM ValueNet Business Partner Program. The partnership was initiated to enable customers of both companies to combine ApproveIt, an electronic signature solution, with IBM's Enterprise Content Management solutions, to accelerate operations, improve service and reduce costs by keeping business processes electronic, Silanis says.

New York — New York Life Insurance Co. announced that Gary Wendlandt has been elected a director of New York Life with the title of vice chairman of the board. He was formerly senior executive VP – Finance and Investments, and chief investment officer. Wendlandt’s election brings the current number of New York Life board members to 13.

New York — Integro Insurance Brokers, a global insurance brokerage, announced the appointments of three national specialty practice leaders, effective immediately: Nicholas Conca (Private Equity), Anne Anderson (Real Estate) and William Goett (Financial Institutions).

New York — New York Life Insurance Co. announced that Patricia L. Barbari has been elected a senior VP in the Individual Policy Services (IPS) department reporting to Executive VP and Chief Administrative Officer Frank Boccio.

Washington – An extension to the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) has passed the U.S. Senate. The measure was approved on Friday by unanimous consent. The original TRIA was passed in wake of 9/11 and is set to expire on December 31.

Mayfield Village, Ohio - In early September, The Progressive Group of Insurance Cos., based in Mayfield Village, Ohio, announced a reorganization designed to increase the company's ability to execute on key strategies, lower its non-claims expense ratio and foster growth through more competitive pricing, improved customer retention and an increased focus on brand development. The reorganization included combining its agency and direct businesses into a single personal lines organization.

Mayfield, Ohio - With an overarching goal to create a safer driving experience for its customers, The Progressive Group of Insurance Cos. is offering a virtual driving experience to existing and potential customers across America. The carrier is teaming with Metro City Group, a Laguna Niguel, Calif., owner of a 68-foot multimedia-equipped tractor-trailer, to provide drivers with the chance to test their skills in practical behind-the-wheel driving situations in a safe, virtual environment. With their eyes on the road and their hands securely placed at the “nine” and “three” positions on the steering wheel, people who experience the Progressive Driving Skills Simulator will increase their knowledge of the rules of the road and be better equipped to handle any driving situation. The driving course curriculum includes real-life situations--such as driving in high traffic, congested areas, through foggy or rainy weather or simply passing and yielding to other drivers--and the virtual technology system measures drivers' responses, reaction times, crash reduction techniques and general driving knowledge. "The interactive experience of the Progressive Driving Skills Simulator gives people the chance to 'test drive' their skills in all types of driving situations, which we hope will prepare them for driving on the real--not virtual--road," said Progressive product manager Mike Storbeck from the company's headquarters in Mayfield, Ohio. "Our objective has always been to redefine drivers education and provide a practical training program that gives people a chance to test, and practice, their skills in a safe, simulated environment," said Tim Albright, president of Metro City Group, owner of The Simulator. "We are looking forward to working with Progressive, and are sure that, together, we can make our roads safer and more enjoyable for everyone." Over the next several months, the Progressive Driving Skills Simulator will travel to many local events in the Western United States, including Motor Trend Auto Shows, state fairs and other automotive industry-related events. More information is available at www.progressive.com or www.streetsimulator.com. Source: Progressive Group of Insurance Cos.

Washington - A notice published in the Federal Register seeking comments for a broad Treasury Department review of financial regulation is biased in favor of federal regulation of insurance and foreign business entities, according to the Alexandria, Va.-based National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA).The specifics of the Nov. 11, 2007 published notice "raise critical concerns about the direction, purpose and intent of the review process itself, concerns we are compelled to address directly to you at this time," states PIA in a letter to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.

Stamford, Conn.—A recent release from Pitney Bowes Inc. announced its Pitney Bowes Group 1 Software and Pitney Bowes MapInfo business units, acquired separately, will combine into a single software company. The move is effective immediately, and the businesses will merge operations over the next several months.

State College, Pa. — Optical Image Technology Inc. (OIT), developer of DocFinity workflow and document management software, announced its strategic alliance with compliance content management solution provider Conexxus.

Hopkinton, Mass. - EMC Corp., a Hopkinton, Mass.-based information infrastructure solutions provider, announced that it has acquired American Fork, Utah-based Berkeley Data Systems Inc., a privately held provider of online information backup and recovery services. Berkeley Data Systems provides Mozy, an online subscription service for the protection of data that resides on desktops, laptops and remote office servers.