Practice management

New York Life and MetLife are two insurers making changes to their Web sites to satisfy and educate customers.

By 2013, enterprise spending on Web 2.0 technologies will reach $4.6 billion globally, according to a new report from Forrester Research Inc.

Farmers Insurance Group acknowledged 17 agents and district managers as ‘BIG Hitters’ in promoting its commercial insurance policies.

Zurich North America Commercial will capture efficiencies in targeted areas and reduce approximately 4% of the staff that supports the business division, primarily in non-market-facing roles.

Product commoditization and decreasing customer loyalty is forcing insurers to improve their customer relationship management (CRM) strategies.

Consumers look to insurers for identity theft information, which could ultimately lead to identity theft insurance purchases.

Shifts in customer behavior, distribution patterns and preferences could provide significant growth opportunities for insurers prepared to embrace and leverage these emerging changes.

A new study indicates that investments in a customer-centric approach are paying dividends.

The company released tools designed to simplify the insurance decision-making process for consumers, as well as demystify how insurance works in its short film.

In addition to offering quote and coverage information, the newly launched site houses safety tips from the pros and gives users the ability to create their own virtual motorcycle from scratch.

Insurers perceive quality of service as key to gaining competitive edge, and will make IT management software investments accordingly.

The Los Angeles P&C carrier adds ID theft resolution services to its offerings.

Saint Paul, Minn. – The aviation unit of Travelers Cos. Inc. is using a technology-based approach to introduce a new workers’ compensation insurance program for corporate flight departments.

Insurers competing for boomer business will need business and technology platforms flexible enough to accommodate different boomer market segments, new types of transactions, new federal and state regulations and competition from multiple fronts.

Because the invoice is an opportunity to renew contact with a policyholder and demonstrate excellence in customer service, new attention is being paid to the technology behind the opportunity.

San Jose, Calif. — ISCS Inc., a Web-based policy administration solutions provider, opened a new office in Missoula, Mont. in January 2008.

Mashup applications, which enable divergent data sources, business processes and applications to be combined and streamlined, are on the rise and poised to change the insurance IT landscape.

Cleveland — Cleveland Clinic is collaborating with Google to pilot features and services of a new health offering. The recently announced Google Health electronic system, not yet publicly available, will assist providers by helping patients gain control of their medical records, which stands to benefit health insurers. Customers will have access their own health records online, enabling them to schedule appointments and refill prescriptions as well as interact with multiple physicians and health care service providers on their own—reducing reliance on an insurers’ customer service departments.

Hartford, Conn. – The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) is urging Connecticut lawmakers to reject legislation (SB 288) that would prevent consumers from learning about the full range of their auto body repair options, increase repair costs and, ultimately, force motorists to pay higher premiums.

After years of insurers pushing ePrescribing adoption, recent survey results show physicians may be more amenable to the idea.