Verisk Analytics, a leading source of information about risk,has formed the Verisk Underwriting Solutions division in responseto customers' desire for greater support of their underwritingprocesses and to develop an underwriting platform and solutionsset.

"As the business requirements of our customers evolve, Veriskcontinues to innovate and align its considerable resources," saysScott Stephenson, Verisk Analytics president and COO. "The [new]division provides the integrated capabilities and tools ourcustomers need to better identify and manage risk."

The Verisk Underwriting Solutions division encompasses thecompany's property/casualty underwriting offerings, including:

• Automobile-Property Loss Underwriting Service (A-PLUS), aproperty and liability claims database designed for insuranceunderwriters 
•  Coverage Verifier^M, which providespersonal auto and homeowners insurers the policy-level informationto make risk selection and pricing decisions 
•  Insurance Information Exchange (iiX), the provider ofmotor vehicle records to insurance professionals andemployers 

• Quality Planning (QPC), which supplies tools and services thathelp automobile insurers identify rating errors, recover lostpremiums, and minimize future losses 

• 360Value, a replacement-cost estimation system that helpsmaintain insurance to value through the life of a policy 

• LOCATION, Verisk's comprehensive risk assessment tool to helpinsurers identify the proper public protection and hazardinformation for an individual property 

• LOCATION Analyst, Verisk's spatial risk management system tohelp insurers analyze underwriting risk's at a portfoliolevel 

• Property Characteristics Reports, which provide access topublic records information on personalproperties  

• ISO PushPin, a database of property-specific buildingcharacteristics for the insurance industry 

• FloodAssist, an online system that helps determine flood zonesand flood risk 

• FireLine, which combines recognized risk factors and satelliteimagery to pinpoint potential hazards from wildfire 

• FlightDeck, a Web-based system for managing on-site insuranceinspections of residential and commercial properties 

• QuickFill,  which provides real-time data andanalytics critical to the policy quote and applicationprocess 

• VINMASTER, a tool to identify an auto's current ISO RatingSymbol and other vehicle characteristics 

• Catastrophe information for use in underwriting 

• Weather information for use in underwriting 

The Verisk Underwriting Solutions division is headed by divisionpresident Neil Spector. Spector was formerly chief sales officer ofthe Verisk Insurance Solutions unit, where he was responsible forsales strategy and operations across Verisk's property/casualtyinsurance divisions.

"Our goal is to provide a more integrated set of services toaddress our customers' entire underwriting process," saysSpector.

In his new capacity, Spector reports toJimLoveland, senior vicepresident and group executive of Verisk Analytics.Loveland, who isalso president and CEO of Xactware Solutions, is responsible forboth Xactware and Verisk Underwriting Solutions.

"Verisk Underwriting Solutions is an alignment of insuranceexpertise, technology, data, and innovative services within ourdiverse enterprise," saysLoveland. "I'm confident the division willposition Verisk to generate new resources and more business valuefor our customers."