Category Archives: agency systems

agency management, benefits management, and document management systems

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Capture Pictures as Documents

scanR is a service that helps you capture information contained in whiteboards, documents, and business cards. You simply use your cell phone camera or digital camera to take clean photos of whiteboards, paper documents, and business cards. If you use your camera phone, you send the picture via MMS (also called Multimedia Messaging, PIX Messaging, or Picture Mail) or e-mail to scanR.

To send an MMS, take a photo, select the option to send the photo via MMS, address the message to doc@scanR.com for documents, wb@scanR.com for whiteboards, or bc@scanR.com for business cards, and send it. Most phones take less than one minute to upload the image. Larger images always give better results, so set your phone to take the largest possible image (biggest width and height) to send to scanR. If you’re using a digital camera, be sure to save it as a JPEG (.jpg or .jpeg) file and send it via e-mail to scanR.

You will receive via e-mail a PDF file of the photo with the text converted, if possible. scanR currently has a free version, scanR Trial, as well as a premium paid version, scanR Pro. The premium version permits unlimited uploads and removes all advertising from its processed images. scanR Pro offers two plans: unlimited use for $2.99 monthly or $29.90 annually, or 40 uploads for $9.99.

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Progressive Goes Paperless

Progressive Insurance stopped sending agents paper copies of policies and endorsements some time ago. They’ve now taken the next logical step: turning off paper to policyholders. This new service is an extension of a Paperless Billing service introduced in early 2007 that allowed customers to request that they receive an electronic bill versus a physical paper bill delivered by the U.S. Mail.

New or existing clients can request that all of their documents from Progressive be delivered as an attachment to an e-mail. Consumers are increasingly receiving and paying their bills electronically. This trend will continue. It is important that you began asking your clients how they want to receive information from you.

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Applied Systems Announces Industry’s First Claims Download

Applied Systems, Inc. has demonstrated in a working agency environment the industry’s first download of claims data into an agency management system. The addition of claims download will provide an agency with increased options for claim servicing.

In a pilot process that launched August 1, Frankenmuth Mutual Insurance Company has been downloading claims information daily into TAM (The Agency Manager), the Applied Systems agency management system used by Top O’Michigan Insurance Agency based in Alpena, Mich.

Claims download is available at no added cost for carriers and agencies using TAM and its interface services. Available now with the newest TAM general release, claims download allows a carrier to transmit all daily claim activities within nightly download communications to an agency.

Similar to existing policy and direct bill download processes, claims download automatically locates corresponding accounts and policies within TAM and creates new records based on the carrier’s claim activity. The claims download process complements existing real-time claims inquiry, which allows agencies on-demand views of carrier claims information and loss runs.

“Claims download is such an easy way for an agency to keep claims information up to date without the tedious tasks we used to do manually,” said Brian Bartosh, president, Top O’Michigan. “We’re saving such huge amounts of time that we can spend more time relationship-building and claim-servicing.”

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“Click-to-Call” Provides Instant Connectivity to Qualified Leads

VimoLive Click-to-Call is a new service that immediately connects insurance brokers to consumers in their area who are seeking health insurance. Millions of visitors currently access Vimo for health insurance comparison shopping information, and now have the option to click a button and talk to an insurance broker in their geographical area, free and instantaneously.

Many people prefer talking to a live human being when it’s convenient for them, rather than completing a form and waiting for a callback. The immediacy of response makes this solution incredibly strong.

Here’s how it works. When the prospect requests a live conversation, VimoLive rings the customer’s phone, and immediately starts searching for an available agent in the customer’s area. If the first agent selected by Vimo’s expert system does not pick up, the system will keep hunting until it finds an agent who does. Additionally, brokers will be able to track and annotate all of the calls they receive through VimoLive’s online lead tracking system.

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Make Bank Deposits Over the Web

Due to the federal Check 21 law, banks are beginning to allow businesses to make their daily deposits using the Web. The latest bank to begin offering this service is InsurBanc. Their new Virtual Deposit Delivery system allows you to electronically submit checks for deposit utilizing a high performance scanner and a PC with an Internet connection at your local office without having to go to the bank. The benefits include saving time and money by eliminating trips to the bank, improved cash flow because funds are available faster, and reduced credit risk due to faster returned-check notification.

The service is easy to use. You simply log onto the system, scan the checks and verify the data, and then send the images to the bank for processing.