Plymouth Rock Assurance has improved its capabilities forindependent agents with its new online IT system that handlespolicy processing, billing, and claims.

In implementing the system, known as Matrix, the carriercontinues an aggressive, multiyear $50 million investment in ITinfrastructure, the largest such investment in the company'shistory.

Designed as a policy-processing platform, Matrix has speeded therollout of Plymouth Rock's new auto insurance product inConnecticut. Also available to Massachusetts agents, the systemsupports more than 200 agent users in both states.

The efficiencies gained by the new IT system make it easier forthe carrier's network of independent agents to do business with thecompany, Plymouth Rock explains. Matrix integrates a number offeatures and real-time paperless transaction capabilities into thecarrier's existing agent Web portal, along with plans to add otheragent-friendly features throughout 2007.

These enhancements already include:

o Transactions are processed in real time and are verifiableimmediately.

o There is immediate availability for first notice of lossinformation.

o New billing plans and more billing information are availableonline.

o Equity-based payment calculations have been introduced.

"Our agents are the best our industry has to offer, so we wantthem to have the best available tools," says Mark Sweeney, PlymouthRock's vice president of marketing.