E-Claim.com LLC receives Claims Management Award.

E-Claim.com LLC has received the A.M. Best Co. E-Fusion Award in the category of Claims Management for its ClickClaims Management System. The Gretna, La.-based company developed its Web-based system to help improve the process for claims-handling by and between independent adjusting firms and carriers.

Designed for managing high-volume property claim operations, the system facilitates the transmission of claims, eliminates the need for on-site CAT centers and reduces claim cycle times by several days. ClickClaims can process 100,000 claims per day, including phone contact with the insured.

Since its launch two years ago, the company's user base has grown to more than 1,000 adjusters and is expected to reach 3,000 before 2007; the customer base thus far is 100% referral-based. ClickClaims has primarily been licensed to independent agent firms, but based on demand, E-Claim is launching a carrier version for the 2007 storm season.

"Because of the nature of the catastrophe business with a large number of temporary employees working high volumes of files, there's the need for a system that's easy to roll out, learn and administer, and we think we've accomplished that," said owner Thomas Brown.

Policyholder benefits include quicker contact by claims handlers; for adjusters, the system creates an easier work environment and reduces paper work and menial tasks. "Carriers can enjoy seeing that homeowners are treated fairly and that their claims are handled expeditiously," Brown said.

Finalists in the category were:

ClaimCapture, from First Notice Systems Inc. of Boston, is claims-management software designed for Internet reporting of self-service claims. It is fully integrated with all mission-critical claim systems, thus eliminating double data entries, and also was designed for self service. ClaimCapture provides callers with inquiries and loss reports, collects pertinent information and transmits the details of the call to all designated parties.

ClaimsFUSION, claims-management software from Royal & SunAlliance Canada, provides in-house, Web-based processing for personal and commercial insurance claims. It is designed to organize claim information and simplify transactions with such real-time information as financial transaction summaries and payments lists; interfacing with the underwriting system; and workload monitoring.

Merastar Insurance Co. of Chattanooga, Tenn., implemented a new, Web-based claims system, Guidewire ClaimCenter. The system provides secure, 24-hour online access to consolidated claim files; displays claimants' policy coverage at a glance; automatically assigns claims and creates diary entries; and enables claims adjusters to enter more detailed information.

Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, Iowa, selected a claims-management tool from FINEOS Corp. to upgrade its outdated COBOL-based system in light of increasing claims volume and to ease modification of its products. FINEOS Claims for Disability provided Principal Financial with electronic image storage, repetitive payments processing and automatic claims throughput.

Boston-based Safety Insurance Co. developed a claims-management tool that provides proof of loss for auto-glass claims, prevents fraudulent glass claims and helps the company comply with a 2006 state directive to increase windshield repair rates. The RadicalGlass.com Photo Upload Application allows glass shops to upload digital photos of damaged auto glass to Safety, enabling the company to determine whether glass should be repaired or replaced.