AF Says Paperless, Voiceless Arbitration Up 300 Pct.

AF Says Paperless, Voiceless Arbitration Up 300 Pct.

By Daniel Hays

NU Online News Service, Oct. 15, 12:33 p.m. EDT?Arbitration Forums Inc. said the use of its electronic filing system to arbitrate small-dollar auto physical damage claims and liability increased 300 percent this year.

The Tampa, Fla.-based company's inter-company insurance dispute resolution method, titled E-Speed Filing, requires no oral presentation. Participants use software which they access through the AF Web site.

Jill Newcomer, an AF spokesperson, said that there is a "contention" section on the electronic filing form where a company can describe the evidence it has in the case.

Ms. Newcomer said AF has a strict audit procedure in place to ensure that the information is accurate.

The company introduced the system in 2001. From 4,000 cases in 2002 it has increased to 15,000 this year and AF "expects in excess of 25,000 cases next year- growth is truly taking off," said Sean Rickert, product manager for E-Speed.

AF said, despite the increase in caseload, the E-Speed Filing Program, for automobile liability and damage issues is still turning around cases in less than 20 days

According to the company, AF is the nation's largest not-for-profit provider of inter-company insurance dispute resolution services.

The E-Speed program is designed for simple two-car accidents with damages not to exceed $2,000 for the applicant. More than 40 percent of the current 400,000 auto physical damage arbitration cases handled by AF each year qualify for the new program, the company said.

D. Kay Smith, chief executive officer of AF said the paperless filing fills insurers need for a quick and easy inter-company arbitration. She said the quicker time cycle "speeds the recovery of company dollars and their insured's deductibles, reduces overall recovery cost and helps a company's bottom line."

Ms. Smith also noted the speedier process allows claims representatives to resolve more subrogation disputes in less time, resulting in greater overall recovery.

The cases are decided, AF said, by on-staff arbitrators with extensive claims experience, problem-solving and analytical skills hear the cases. A customer support program ensures customers understand how to use the product, the company said.

AF counts a membership of more than 3,500 insurers and self-insureds nationwide.