 COVER STORY: Insurers Improve Claims Process Through IT Alliance Achieving optimal claims performance requires a high level of IT/business alignment to deliver high-tech, high-touch service. Sidebars: Technology Plays Critical Role In Fighting Fraud Liberty Mutual Agency Market (LMAM) special investigative unit manager Joe Zuromsky says anti-fraud technology is key to identifying certain types of fraud. 5 Claims Service Standards Gartner principal research analyst Stephen Forte offers as a baseline service standard for claims adjusters a five-part prescription. FEATURE: Mobile Sales Force Automation Growing In Demand Many insurers are looking to bring mobility to their sales forces, as younger agents and consumers demand more functionality via their handheld devices. SPECIAL REPORT Data Leakage Still Prime Concern Financial institutions will need to concentrate on protecting data at many levels. CASE STUDY: Lombardi Powers Aflac Service-Related BPM Effort Aflac achieves greater customer service efficiency through using Lombardi Software's Teamworks to automate manual business processes. GuideOne Insurance Chooses Infogix Assure Audit System GuideOne's search for an audit control reporting tool leads back to a familiar partner -- Infogix. HEMIC Streamlines Enterprise Data Protection with Data Domain Appliances Data Domain's enterprise storage technology brought Hawaii Employers' Mutual enterprise-class greater productivity and data security, and previously unaffordable business continuity capabilities. VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE: Real-Time Information Crucial To Informed Healthcare Decisions Facing increased pressure to control costs, the health insurance industry must empower consumers to make informed healthcare decisions by providing them with access to real-time information. |
FROM THE EDITOR What Could Prevent the Property/Casualty Industry from Continuing Its Strong Performance? Thanks to a relatively mild year, catastrophe-wise, as well efficient operations and astute underwriting practices, the property/casualty insurance industry posted a healthy combined ratio and an underwriting profit in 2007. Does the industry have the discipline to continue this kind of performance? UPDATE: Diamond Digital IQ Study: Insurers Yet To Establish True Partnership Between Business and IT While many insurers identify IT/business alignment as priority, few involve CIOs in the business startegy development process. Accenture Sues Guidewire for Alleged Patent Infringement Accenture alleges claims software rival Guidewire deliberately used intellectual property associated with Accenture Claim Components. Pacific Northwest Storm Challenges Insurers The geographical breadth of December 2007's Pacific Northwest storm challenged insurers catastrophe management teams to anticipate claimants' needs and effectively deploy. Annuities Carriers Cooperate On NAVA STP Initiative To Improve Service Levels Under the NAVA STP initiative, carriers such as Jackson National Life are looking to improve service levels and processing times, which could eventually change the way they view competitive differentiation. HCL Helps Montana State Fund Deploy Guidewire ClaimCenter Public workers' comp carrier Montana State Fund got more than it bargained for when it engaged HCL Technologies to help replace a legacy claims system with Guidewire Software's Web-based ClaimCenter. NAMES IN THE NEWS CTO Michael Kim Plays to Win at The Hartford The competitive spirit that drives Michael Kim as an amateur triathlete informs his efforts as eBusiness & Technology CTO to help The Hartford's P&C company to distance itself from the competition. New Unum CIO Kathy Owen Builds Upon Success A series of challenging technology and business experiences, culminating in the rollout of the Simply Unum product and service platform, have prepared newly appointed Unum CIO Kathy Owen for future accomplishments. ONE ON ONE: Main Street America CIO Joel Gelb Manages Transition Since joining The Main Street America Group as CIO in 2001, Joel Gelb has focused on transitioning the Jacksonville, Fla.-based insurer from a legacy mainframe technology infrastructure to one that includes a mix of Web-based front ends and brand-new claims and commercial systems. |