CSR-Online Supports Web-Based Insurance Claims.

RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 12, 1999--Insurance policyholders and agents now have the ability to file insurance claims on the Internet, seven days a week, 24 hours a day, thanks to new software developed and sold by Raleigh-based CSR-Online. The new software is designed to augment and enhance the traditional policyholder/agent relationship by providing a quicker, easier way to file claims.

CSR-Online sells semi-custom software applications to insurance carriers and agents. The CSR suite of software products can be customized to the look and feel of a company's website, and enables a policyholder to:

-- file claims directly

-- update policy information

-- locate preferred local repair services and vendors

-- define insurance terms

-- request policy changes

-- automatically copy his/her sales agent with the

information, and send and receive e-mail messages

with the company.

"Some customers are still going to want to call a toll-free number to file a claim. Some are going to call their local sales agent. The Internet is just another important communication option for policyholders to file a report. We talked to dozens of insurance carriers and listened to their issues and concerns about providing the capability for Internet transactions," said Reed Phillips, President and CEO of CSR-Online.

"For insurance companies, moving forward on the Internet is like trying to boil the ocean," Phillips said. "They aren't sure what the impact on their business is going to be, how much it's going to cost or how long it's going to take to implement. There seem to be million-dollar decisions at every turn."

CSR-Online provides a clear, affordable solution to these uncertainties. Its semi-custom software plugs right into the existing insurance carrier's website. With minor graphics enhancements, the CSR product is ready to provide on-line claims service for customers.

"We've discovered some distinct advantages to the consumer who files claims on the Internet," said Phillips. "For example, you have a `paper trail' of the claim and resulting e-mail discussions with the insurance carrier, in the event of questions."

The insurance company wins, too, with the ability to reduce the time agents spend transcribing telephone conversations and filling out forms for the claims department. The system also ensures that local insurance agents are immediately notified of the claim and can respond quickly to the claimant, if necessary.

For example, if a tree limb fell on your house and damaged the roof at 11:30 p.m., you could log onto the web and file a claim directly to your insurance company, entering all of the relevant information. This information would be sent directly to your insurance company's claims department, with a copy to your local agent. The local agent can follow up with you the next morning, while the claim is processed at the insurance company's headquarters.

Reed Phillips was founder and president of Knowledge Systems Corp. (KSC), an object-oriented programming services company in Cary, N.C. While at KSC, Philips recognized the opportunity to develop specific products for industries, such as insurance. He sold the services division of KSC in March 1998 to Mission Software in Cary, and in April 1998 proceeded to spin out the product development activity to CSR-Online.

"I enjoy solving problems," said Phillips, "and the insurance industry provides a very clear niche, with a well-defined problem that our software solves. We look forward to announcing our first major deals very soon."

CSR-Online can be found on the web at www.csr-online.com