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Press/Analyst Contacts
First Notice
Systems and Guidewire Software Form Alliance to Streamline
Claims Handling
The combination of a robust claims intake
platform and a comprehensive claims system helps P&C
insurance carriers process claims more efficiently and better
service policyholders
Boston, MA & San Mateo, CA — January
6,
2004 — First Notice Systems®, Inc.,
the leader in claim reporting solutions for the insurance
industry, and Guidewire Software, Inc., a leading provider
of claims solutions to property and casualty and workers’ compensation
insurers, today announced the formation of a strategic
alliance that gives insurance carriers an end-to-end claims
reporting and management solution. Customers of both companies
can now easily leverage First Notice’s expertise
and value-added services at first notice of loss and Guidewire’s
downstream claims processing system to enhance claims handling
procedures and improve customer service.
Efficiently transmitting first-report data into a core claims
management system for immediate use by adjusters is critical
to driving down loss adjusting expense (LAE) and shortening
claims cycle time. But this is a challenge for many insurance
carriers. Often a first-report is captured in a totally separate
environment (e.g., by an independent agent) and must be manually
inserted into the carrier’s claims management system.
Or, if a carrier uses the first notice of loss (FNOL) entry
module of its claims management system, the data gathering
process may be incomplete and critical information that could
expedite claims settlement may not be available.
“Our claims system is built to handle very detailed
loss information and provide adjusters with all the tools
and information they need to do their jobs more efficiently,” said
James Kwak, Vice President of Marketing, Guidewire Software. “Importing
loss information directly from First Notice gives our customers
rapid access to complete FNOL information, letting adjusters
start adjusting claims immediately rather than continuing
to gather loss information.”
Both Guidewire’s claim system, Guidewire ClaimCenter,
and First Notice’s claim intake application, ClaimCapture™,
are Web-based and designed to be tailored by customers to
their unique business requirements. This architecture allows
seamless integration to 3rd party systems for services such
as direct repair program referrals, ordering police reports,
flagging suspicious claims, and more, with notifications
of these activities transmitted directly into the claim file.
Both applications can also easily integrate with multiple
legacy systems, including policy administration systems.
By joining forces, First Notice and Guidewire are better
positioned to service insurers who are taking a hard look
at their claims handling systems and processes. “We’re
seeing a trend in the industry where insurance carriers—especially
the larger ones—are simultaneously putting out RFPs
for claims management systems and, separately, first notice
claim reporting systems,” said Jim Leightheiser, Vice
President of Product Marketing, First Notice Systems. “A
combined Guidewire-First Notice solution allows us to address
both needs through one, comprehensive offering.”
About First Notice Systems
Founded in 1993, First Notice Systems (www.firstnotice.com)
is a premier provider of claim reporting and customer service
solutions to the insurance and healthcare industries. First
Notice connects insurance carriers, third-party administrators
and healthcare organizations with their customers through
a combination of call center outsourcing services and rules-based
Web technology. With headquarters in Boston, MA, First Notice
Systems, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Concentra
Inc. Concentra is a leading healthcare company offering
a broad range of products and services that provide quality
patient care for work-related injuries and that manage the
rising costs of healthcare and workers’ compensation.
Concentra serves the occupational healthcare, group health
and auto/liability markets. “Concentra” and "First
Notice Systems" are registered trademarks of Concentra
Operating Corporation (www.concentra.com).
About Guidewire Software
Guidewire Software is a leading provider of claims solutions
to property and casualty and workers’ compensation
insurers. Guidewire applies modern software technology to
help insurance carriers run their claims operations and reduce
avoidable claims costs. Guidewire ClaimCenter is the industry’s
first end-to-end, 100% web-based claims system for all lines
of business. For more information, please visit www.guidewire.com.
Guidewire Software and Guidewire ClaimCenter are trademarks
of Guidewire Software, Inc. |
