In today's world, everywhere you look there is new technology inthe form of smart phones, handhelds, notebooks, and tablets.

With an ever increasing and rising number of smart phone users,many companies have seen the need to develop and offer mobile appsfor BlackBerry, Apple, and Android smart phones. The carinsurance industry is joining in with the rest of the world toprovide apps that make a policyholder's insurance needs easier toobtain. Allstate, Geico, State Farm, Progressive, and many morehave offerings for the tech-savvy customer.

Each app differs slightly from another. For instance, some allowpolicyholders to gain access to policy information, file a claim,locate an insurance agent, contact customer service, and take andupload photos of damage at the scene, all from their mobilephones.

Some company apps feature step-by-step instructions in case apolicyholder is in an accident. It is provided in the form of achecklist of the proper procedures for filing a police report and aclaim. Check out HelpI Crashed My Car, which provides similar information, forfree. Most insurer apps are free, too.

Another app that I found to be of a tremendous benefit isiWrecked foriPhone. This app isn't provider specific, meaning it is applicablein general and not by the company with which a policyholder isinsured. It is designed to help policyholders record the details ofan accident accurately.

iWrecked gives policyholders the advantage of dating and viewingtheir accident history with a timeline. They can also take photosand put together an accident report including details, dates,locations, names, etc. They can then send it to their insurancecarrier in PDF format.

The app also allows policyholders to search for information,such a taxi company for a ride, a towing company if their vehicleis not drivable, and other information that may be needed in thetime of an accident. The best part, this app is free, too.

Not to be left out, there are apps for homeowners' insurers.These apps provide features that include, but are not limited to, ahome inventory tool, which offers a great way for policyholders tokeep track of personal belongings, categorize items by price andpurchase date and organize them by room, and attach photographs andreceipts. As a former claims adjuster, I can only imagine thepossibilities presented with this phenomenal advancement.

Thinking all of this is great? With the good sometimes comes thebad. For instance, there are some companies that provide apps thatallow drunk drivers to locate DUI checkpoints and therefore avoidthem. On March 28, 2011, Senators Harry Reid, Charles Schumer,Frank Lautenberg, and Tom Udall presented a letter they sent tosmart phone companies calling upon them to immediately stop sellingthese apps.

“These applications enable drunk drivers to circumvent lawenforcement checkpoints which are in place for the sole purpose ofkeeping our roads safe,” says Melissa Shelk, AIA vice president offederal affairs. “As drunk driving is one of the leading causes ofautomobile fatalities, these applications not only endangerintoxicated drivers, but all drivers on the road. Unfortunately,these companies are encouraging behavior that can provedeadly. Automobile safety has been and will continue to beone of the insurance industry's top priorities due to theunnecessary costs to society.”

There are some great uses for apps that provide access to apolicyholder's insurance company and claim, with information attheir fingertips regarding what to do when they have an accident.It has made documenting a loss a doable task. If your company doesnot have an app now, chances are promotion and use of some of theaforementioned apps will occur in the near future. Customersatisfaction and retention is a priority, especially in theproperty and casualty industry.