Six P&C insurance companies were named toInformationWeek's Elite 100 ranking of the most innovativeU.S.-based users of business technology. The Elite 100 succeedsInformationWeek's 500 awards program.

The invitation-only awards program honorscompanies who succeed in digital business,including in areas of data analytics, mobile computing, socialnetworking and other customer-focused technologies.

IW also polled its Elite 100 executives and found a few areasthat distinguish digital leaders from their competitors.First, the Elite 100 are interested in using IT to providea better product to customers or to cut the cost of deliveringtheir products. Supporting that theory, 48% of Elite 100execs say their companies will introduce new IT-ledproducts or services this year. 46% will use IT to make businessprocesses more efficient and 25% will create new businessmodels or  revenue streams for their companies.

Second, digital innovators are aware of tech tactics, especiallyin analytics and cloud services. Sixty-two percent of the Elite 100say that analytics use is among their top productivity drivers, and94% use cloud infrastructure or are planning to roll it out thisyear.

The top 6 P&C Elite100:

Esurance
Elite 100 ranking: 19

InformationWeek also named Esurance as its Customer Experienceaward winner for its app-based video claims service. Customers candownload Video Claim, available on both iPhoneand Android, to submit an auto claim throughvideo. Joe Laurentino, VP of material damage, conceived of the appwhile using FaceTime with his granddaugther. Read more about Esurance's award and app atInformationWeek. 

Allstate Insurance Co.
Elite 100 ranking: 29

The Progressive Group of Insurance Cos.
Elite 100 ranking: 86

Crawford & Co
Elite 100 ranking: 87

CUNA Mutual Group
Elite 100 ranking: 95

Lockton Cos.
Elite 100 ranking: 100

The complete rankings are available atInformationWeek