Technology Update

Insurance Information Institute debuts small-business Web site
Tips to help small and medium-sized businesses understand their insurance needs and prevent losses are provided on the Insurance Information Institute's new Web site, www.iii.org/smallbusiness. The site provides information on coverages business owners should consider, as well as what owners should know about risk management and loss control.

The site details information on property, liability, business auto and workers compensation insurance. Also featured are sections on coverages for specific businesses, including artisan contractors, business offices, construction, e-commerce, farm or ranch, food service businesses, home-based businesses, lodging businesses, manufacturers, non-profit organizations, professional practices, real estate and rental properties, retail stores and service businesses. AMS Services releases latest version of SETWrite
AMS Services announced that the latest version of its real-time, multiple-carrier rating product AMS SETWrite integrates with Solutions at Quote, powered by ChoicePoint. AMS signed a strategic alliance agreement with ChoicePoint to be the exclusive provider of Solutions at Quote in the comparative rating industry through 2007.
Solutions at Quote provides the user with real-time comprehensive driver and vehicle information, thus reducing data entry during the quoting process. The information is pulled directly into AMS SETWrite from ChoicePoint and can be used in creating accurate, real-time insurance quotes.
For more information, visit www.amsservices.com.
AMS Services annnounces program for commercial-lines producers
AMS Services introduced AMS Producer Plus, a stand-alone product designed to help producers sell and retain commercial accounts. This new release of AMS Producer Plus, formerly called PS4 Plus, is built on the Microsoft SQL Server and the .NET 2.0 framework to provide enhanced scalability and faster agent response time. The software also offers security enhancements, improved client search capabilities and more flexible form-editing functions.
The product allows agents to familiarize themselves with 650 different types of business for which it contains industry profiles, risk exposure questionnaires, ISO general liability classifications and coverage checklists. Agents using the new version can access more than 850 ACORD forms, send and track e-mail submission directly to underwriters, and access custom proposal templates and a library of more than 1,300 coverage definitions.
For more information, visit www.amsservices.com.
Chubb introduces online loss scenario library
Responding to feedback that stories about losses effectively illustrate the need for specific coverages, the Chubb Group of Insurance Cos. developed My Loss Scenarios, a new online sales tool. The online library enables agents and brokers to create customized liability loss scenario documents for educating prospects and clients.
The library contains more than 150 loss scenarios for private companies, not-for-profit organizations, health care organizations, financial institutions and professional service firms. New scenarios, such as for public companies and other types of businesses, will be added. The sales tool is available to Chubb-appointed agents through @chubb, the company's secure Internet site for agents, brokers and customers.
For more information, visit www.chubb.com.
National Alliance Research Academy publishes agency automation guide
The National Alliance Research Academy published a new study, “The Paperless Agency: Transformation through Innovation,” that focuses on front-end scanning and explains how to use this process to increase agency efficiency.
The study discusses the benefits and drawbacks of using imaging and explains how to increase scanning efficiency. Chapter topics include procedures, project management steps, using an agency management system and best practices.
The guide sells for $40, plus $5 shipping and handling.
For more information, call (800) 633-2165, or visit www.thenationalalliance.com/publications. For additional information, contact Tanya Deocampo at tdeocampo@scic.com or Jim Cuprisin at jcuprisin@scic.com.
RiskMeter Online releases new storm surge report
CDS Business Mapping LLC added a new storm surge report to its RiskMeter Online real-time, natural hazard risk report service. The report is available in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New York, South Carolina and Texas, with more states to be added in the near future.
The report is based upon the SLOSH (Sea, Lake, and Overland Surges from Hurricanes) storm surge model, and informs users if a property falls within an area likely to flood from a hurricane of a specific strength, as well as the maximum storm surge height for each category of storm. Although flood maps approximate storm surge levels, the vendor says its storm surge reports are more detailed and are designed to provide users with a more realistic assessment of coastal flooding.
For more information, contact Dan Munson at (617) 737-4444 or via e-mail at dmunson@cdsys.com.
Irwin Siegel Agency launches Web site
Irwin Siegel Agency Inc., a specialty program underwriter for social-service agencies, launched a Web site designed to provide information to agents and brokers, current and prospective policyholders.
The site has password-protected areas containing resources, tools and interactive training courses for current customers to receive value-added risk management and loss-control services. The agency does business in 49 states.
For more information, contact J.P. McGuirk at (800) 622-8272, Ext. 5400, at jp.mcguirk@siegelagency.com, or visit www.siegelagency.com.
Vertafore acquires ImageRight
Vertafore Inc., a provider of market-leading software and services to the insurance industry, announced the acquisition of ImageRight from Advanced Solutions Inc. ImageRight is a vendor of insurance-specific document management and workflow products. ImageRight joins Vertafore's family of providers, which currently includes AMS Services, BenefitPoint and SilverPlume.