RIMS To Offer Interactive Survey

The survey is now being offered interactively to "improve its usefulness," said New York-based RIMS President Christopher Mandel. "We're really going into the 21^st century with this."

Mr. Mandel said the new method of collecting data will allow the base of survey information to be expanded, adding to information that has been collected in the past.

The survey tracks costs and attributes of risk management, comparing organizations of the same size and industry in the United States and Canada, RIMS said.

Industries surveyed include agriculture, banking, chemical, communications, food processing, government, machinery and equipment manufacturers, metals, publishing, real estate, retail trade, and software and technology.

RIMS said participants who contribute data to the survey will receive immediate access to a complimentary contributor service. This service charts and schedules insurance programs and interactively compares contributor's data with prior years' survey data.

Starting in January 2003, a subscriber benchmarking service will allow subscribers to use interactive benchmarking tools to compare costs and programs against continuously updated marketplace data.

The new benchmarking service is produced by Advisen, a developer of online interactive software and information sourcing tools exclusively for insurance professionals.

"Advisen has modernized basic interaction with the survey and how participants both record and represent their risk-financing program," said Thomas Ruggieri, chief executive officer of Advisen. "This year's survey offers risk management professionals entirely new tools for managing risk."

RIMs said the Benchmark Survey will be managed by James Blinn, an Advisen Principal, who has more than 15 years experience in leading surveys.

To participate, RIMS members and other risk management and financial professionals can visit http://www.rims.org/benchmarksurvey. Participant support is available by calling 1-800-655-6590.