StateFarm

To find out more, Claims'magazine editor-in-chief Eric Gilkey spoke with State Farm's PattyGaumond, assistant vice president of enterprise internet solutions,and Susan Hood, claims vice president, for details on how thewidget works, if it will be offered for iPhone users, and what'snext from the tech labs at State Farm. (Claims is a sisterpublication of Tech Decisions.)

Briefly describe the technology and how itworks.

Patty Gaumond: "On the Move" is an Androidwidget aimed at combating the problem of distracted driving. Itallows Android smartphone users to compose and preload customizedmessages that can be sent as automated responses to incoming textmessages. Android owners can create their own responses and savethem to a library for future use. The service works with allincoming texts, or can be limited to senders listed in the user'ssmartphone address book. Activating the service prior to driving isjust one way to use the widget. Smartphone users also can use theservice while in class, at the gym, or in a movie.

"On the Move" users simply activate the auto-response functionby turning on the widget and composing or selecting auto-responsemessages. Incoming text messages are still received and can beaccessed in the user's inbox at any time.

This widget joins an array of other automated text-responseapplications available to manage how people respond to textmessages when they are otherwise occupied. However, this is thefirst offered from an insurance company, and it is free.

Is it only being offered for Android users? Or willan app for iPhone users be offered? Is the app limited to StateFarm policyholders only? Why or why not?

Patty Gaumond: Currently, "On the Move" isavailable on Android smartphones, but the State Farm developmentteam is evaluating options beyond this platform.

We chose to create an Android widget because, of the phones weprovide services for, Android is the only operating system thatcurrently allows for widgets, and we wanted to make this safetyfeature as easy and as quickly accessible as possible.

State Farm's "Pocket Agent" app and "On the Move" widget arefree for both policyholders and non-customers. As a policyholder,however, you are privy to features such as viewing your insurancecard, policy details, and submitting an auto claim. With the risein cell phone-related accidents, limiting distractions such astexting benefits everyone on the road. Therefore, offering "On theMove" as a free feature seemed like the right thing to do.

Is State Farm able to use its claim data to supportthe notion that texting while driving increases the risk of anaccident? How big of a problem is texting while driving forinsurers?

Susan Hood: The National Safety Councilestimates that 200,000 crashes each year are caused by drivers whoare texting. As the nation's largest insurer of automobiles, StateFarm knows this is an important issue. We have a long history ofcommitment to auto safety, dating back to the 1920s. State Farm isa leader in research and programs aimed at preventing distracteddriving and other forms of dangerous driving. Our goal is to helpmake our roadways safer for all who share them.

State Farm has demonstrated that it is on thecutting edge of technology. Do you have future plans for additionalapps?

Patty Gaumond: In addition to "Pocket Agent,"we have developed the "Steer Clear" mobile application for iPhoneand iPod Touch, and we continue to enhance our mobile web with newfeatures such as the FastEstimate for auto insurance. We continueto enhance and expand our capabilities to meet the needs ofconsumers.