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News & Commentary
Content posted in December 2009
Transparency, Technology And Uniform Industry Standard Key To Rebuild Trust
News  |  12/24/2009  | 
Reputation and customer security is at stake, so it's especially important for insurance agencies to be organized and efficient in 2010, says NIPR.
DTRIC Insurance Goes Live On Decision Research DecisionMaker for Commercial GL
News  |  12/24/2009  | 
The implementation follow's the carrier's earlier deployment of DecisionMaker for Workers' Compensation.
Progressive Launches Pay As You Drive Program in South Carolina
News  |  12/22/2009  | 
The My Rate program postpones the customer costs associated with telemetry devices and gives drivers a way to monitor their driving behavior in order to modify their habits in a way that will secure them a better rate upon renewal.
Aditya Birla Financial Services Group Signs Teradata
News  |  12/22/2009  | 
ABFSG will use the Teradata product to enable the gathering of insights for all of the company's sales, marketing and customer service-related business units.
Consolidating Rating and Underwriting to Compete in the Modern Insurance Market
News  |  12/21/2009  | 
Consolidating onto a single rating engine enables the agility and efficiency that insurers require to effectively compete in the modern insurance market. With a streamlined rating approach, insurers can rapidly adapt to market changes and capitalize on new business opportunities, while reducing IT costs to optimize profits.
Midnight Vote Speeds end of Healthcare Reform Debate
News  |  12/21/2009  | 
The haste with which this morning's vote was forced, and with which the dominant party is seeking to end debate about healthcare reform legislation could result in popular backlash of a kind not seen in a long time, suggests Jay Cost in an essay titled "Democrats Risk Another Jacksonian Moment," published at RealClearPolitics' HorseRace Blog today. "
CHT Releases HealthMall Version 3.0
News  |  12/21/2009  | 
Consumer Health Technologies' HealthMall portal gives health insurers' customers access to various healthcare products and services from online pharmacies and vendors, such as Walgreens, drugstore.com and CoastalContacts.com.
Jackson Names Mark Clark CIO
News  |  12/21/2009  | 
The Lansing, Mich.-based insurer also announced the promotion of Laura Prieskorn to senior vice president and chief administrative officer.
Farmers Introduces Electronic Signature Service to Expedite Total Loss Settlements
News  |  12/18/2009  | 
The carrier's eZsign settlement option allows customers to receive documents via e-mail rather than a mailing process that can take longer than a week.
Honor Roll: This Week's Top Insurance Blogs (Dec. 13-19)
News  |  12/18/2009  | 
Our favorite insurance technology-related blog posts from around the Web (December 13-19, 2009):
Intel Sued by FTC for Stifling Competition
News  |  12/17/2009  | 
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is alleging that Santa Clara, Calif.-based chipmaker Intel has stifled competition in the microprocessor market, in a new lawsuit filed on Wednesday.
ACORD Names Krochta VP and Chief Administrative Officer
News  |  12/17/2009  | 
Tanya Krochta will focus on improving support to the standards body's membership through improved service.
State Farm's Deal With Florida: Reality Bites
News  |  12/16/2009  | 
The Florida Office's statement admits that it had been asking the unreasonable by saying that the deal will allow "State Farm Florida to remain a viable insurer in the Florida market."
Nationwide Launches New iPhone App
News  |  12/16/2009  | 
Nationwide Insurance has launched Cartopia, a new application for the Apple iPhone that provides users with car shopping information.
IBM to Acquire Lombardi
News  |  12/16/2009  | 
IBM has entered a definitive agreement to acquire business process management (BPM) software and services firm Lombardi.
Forecast 2010: Genworth Financial Expecting Volatility in 2010
Commentary  |  12/15/2009  | 
Genworth will prepare for a complex financial environment, and look to increase velocity of informed business decision making.
Chubb Extends Imaginatik Contract
News  |  12/15/2009  | 
The carrier uses Imaginatik's Idea Central collaboration software for idea management, new product development and cost-reduction initiatives, according to an Imaginatik press release.
Frazee Joins Aviva USA as CIO
News  |  12/15/2009  | 
The former West Bend Mutual CIO will be responsible for all IT functions supporting Aviva's U.S. life and annuity business.
Challenging Climate Forces Insurers to Break New Ground
News  |  12/14/2009  | 
If there is a positive to the challenges faced by the insurance industry in 2009, it's that new technology approaches have enjoyed some validation. Members of I&T's Reader Advisory Board offer insight into their organizations' IT strategies for 2010.
IT Investment to the Rescue
News  |  12/14/2009  | 
Continuing economic uncertainty has spurred rather than hobbled technology investment, as insurance IT organizations seek to support competitive distinction through superior underwriting, pricing and customer-facing capabilities.
4 Technology Solutions That Sizzle
News  |  12/14/2009  | 
While insurers often are cautious in their adoption of emerging technologies, carriers are investing in four solutions -- cloud computing, mobile, analytics and social networking -- that are just too transformative to ignore.
FirstCare Health Plans Deploys Interactive Intelligence IP Communications Software
News  |  12/14/2009  | 
Interactive Intelligence's Customer Interaction Center currently supports FirstCare's 50 contact center employees located in Lubbock, Texas; the health insurer plans to deploy a redundant CIC configuration as part of its disaster recovery strategy.
QBE Europe Selects Guidewire ClaimCenter
News  |  12/14/2009  | 
Guidewire describes the contract a milestone in its European and U.K. growth strategy.
Honor Roll: This Week's Top Insurance Blogs (Dec. 6-12)
News  |  12/11/2009  | 
Our favorite insurance technology-related blog posts from around the Web (December 6-12, 2009):
Milliman Acquires Life Strategies Actuarial Consultancy
News  |  12/11/2009  | 
The leading Irish actuarial firm's management and staff will remain intact under its new name of Milliman Ireland.
New York Alliance Against Insurance Fraud Elects 2010 Officers and Board of Directors
News  |  12/10/2009  | 
New York Alliance Against Insurance Fraud Elects 2010 officers and board of directors; John Sargent, Director SIU, MetLife Auto & Home, to assume role of NYAAIF Chair.
Insurers Leverage Data Mining and Predictive Analytics to Mitigate Increasingly Complex Fraud Schemes
News  |  12/10/2009  | 
In the area of fraud mitigation technology, insurers are employing data mining and predictive analytics technologies in increasingly innovative ways to identify obscured data patterns and establish effective benchmarks for claims investigations.
Connecture Debuts New Technology Package for the Online Individual Market
News  |  12/10/2009  | 
The ConsumerEdge offering includes reporting and analytics tools, as well as a dynamic plan selection tool that educates consumers about different health insurance plan options and makes plan suggestions based on their preferences.
Charles Cornelio Named President of Defined Contribution at Lincoln Financial Group
News  |  12/10/2009  | 
Charles Cornelio named President of Defined Contribution at Lincoln Financial Group; former Chief Administration Officer charged with driving growth in defined contributions business.
DTCC Launches Online Access to Insurance Transaction Processing Services
News  |  12/10/2009  | 
The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) has launched IFT Access for online transaction processing services.
10 in 2010: What to Watch in The Year Ahead
News  |  12/9/2009  | 
The I&T editorial team offers some predictions for the coming year's insurance technology newsmakers.
Forecast 2010: CUNA Mutual CIO Rick Roy Discusses IT Strategy
Commentary  |  12/9/2009  | 
As uncertain economic conditions prevail, CUNA Mutual's IT organization focuses on agility, execution and value creation.
ISO Launches Israel-Based Underwriting Information Resource
News  |  12/9/2009  | 
The underwriting system is aimed at enabling insurers and agents to comply with the requirement to verify applicant information that was established by the Ministry of Finance in Israel to encourage more effective underwriting and fraud prevention.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Taps ATTUS for Compliance
News  |  12/9/2009  | 
ATTUS will offer BCBS companies either WatchDOG Pro, its web-based watch list checking solution, or its desktop counterpart, WatchDOG WinPro for OFAC, OIG and EPLS, and USA PATRIOT Act compliance.
Four things to know before launching a systems integration project
News  |  12/8/2009  | 
Remember that leading a successful systems integration is not a science; it is an art form. Develop a team of "artists" and ask them early and often for guidance. Team members are valuable resources and need to be treated as such.
Patni Strengthens Actuarial BPO Offerings
News  |  12/8/2009  | 
Expanded onshore consulting, risk management and back office actuarial services answer an industry trend toward scarcity of actuarial expertise.
AEGON UK Names Mark Laidlaw Chief Risk Officer and Bill Robertson to Finance Director
News  |  12/8/2009  | 
AEGON UK names Mark Laidlaw Chief Risk Officer and Bill Robertson to Finance Director; new management structure strengthens focus on risk and capital management.
CNA's CIO Ray Oral Drives Reinvestment in the Business
News  |  12/7/2009  | 
CNA CIO Ray Oral is directing increased IT spending to areas such as systems consolidation and analytics for distribution and underwriting decision support.
Sun Life Makes Senior Executive Appointments
News  |  12/7/2009  | 
New appointments for several senior executives will expand the influence of executive talent over the enterprise, says Sun Life CEO Donald Stewart.
Duck Creek Releases EXAMPLE Platform 4.1
News  |  12/7/2009  | 
The new release will provide enhanced performance capabilities, owing to new efficiencies designed into EXAMPLE Platform 4.1's core infrastructure, according to the vendor.
Meeting Regulatory and Compliance Requirements Top 2010 Priority in Insurance: DTCC Study
News  |  12/4/2009  | 
Meeting regulatory and compliance requirements top 2010 Priority in Insurance: DTCC; studyrespondents say compliance depends on operational standardization and automation.
Pre-Launch Practices to Accelerate Your Insurance IT Initiative
News  |  12/4/2009  | 
By Chad Sands, manager, P&C systems, State Farm Insurance Cos. Large initiatives often fail to live up to expectations not only due to their size and complexity, but also due to the number of interested parties and competing priorities they tend to attract. Leadership decisions prior to the launch of a large initiative do more to establish its ultimate trajectory than perhaps any other factor. The following are three practices which can help ensure your initiative launches with the best chanc
Honor Roll: This Week's Top Insurance Blogs (Nov. 29-Dec. 5)
News  |  12/4/2009  | 
Our favorite insurance technology-related blog posts from around the Web (November 29 - December 5, 2009):
FirstBest and Overland Solutions Partner to Simplify Underwriting Process
News  |  12/4/2009  | 
They will streamline the underwriting process by electronically incorporating premium audit, loss control and inspection reports and delivering them in real-time directly to the underwriter's desktop.
RSA Canada Selects Duck Creek
News  |  12/3/2009  | 
RSA Canada has selected Duck Creek Technologies' policy administration system for its commercial Insurance operations.
Herve Glaize Appointed SVP of AXA Tech
News  |  12/2/2009  | 
Herve Glaize appointed SVP of AXA Tech; leads North America Service Delivery Client Office and will manage AXA Tech expansion of IT service delivery to Canada and Mexico.
1207 - Key Trends in Multi-Channel Distribution
1207 - Key Trends in Multi-Channel Distribution
Insurance & Technology Videos  |  12/2/2009  | 
In this video clip, Matt Josefowicz, Director of the Insurance Practice at Novarica, talks about how the multi-channel distribution model in insurance is evolving.
Partners Mutual Selects IP Communications Software Suite
News  |  12/2/2009  | 
Partners Mutual Insurance has purchased Interactive Intelligence's Customer Interaction Center (CIC) IP communications software suite.
Society Insurance Implements Predictive Analytics Solution
News  |  12/1/2009  | 
Society Insurance has implemented Valen Technologies' UnderRight predictive analytics solution.
Banner Life Selects iPipeline's iGO e-App Drop Ticket for Life Business
News  |  12/1/2009  | 
After agents enter information via wizard screens into the Drop Ticket, it is emailed to the distributor for approval and then e-submitted to Banner Life's call center for completion.


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