Carrier�s Guidewire Project Earns a Spot in Finals to Select Most Innovative Use of Technology in Claims Management Category
SAN MATEO, CA, September 27, 2006 – Guidewire Software®, a leading provider of solutions to property and casualty and workers� compensation insurers, today announced that its client, Merastar Insurance Company, has been selected as a finalist for a 2006 A.M. Best E-Fusion Technology Award in the Claims Management category. The selection is based on Merastar�s Guidewire ClaimCenter® implementation project. ClaimCenter supports the end-to-end claims process for Merastar�s personal lines of business.
Merastar Insurance Company, a specialist in group-sponsored personal automobile and homeowner�s insurance, sought a new claims system to enable the company to stay competitive, better manage costs, improve accuracy and customer service. Merastar selected Guidewire�s ClaimCenter web-based system to handle claims for its personal lines of business, from first notice of loss through investigation, evaluation, settlement, and recovery. The nine-month project to replace the legacy claims system deployed in July 2005.
Jeff Simpson, chairman and chief executive officer, Guidewire Software, said, �We congratulate Merastar on being named a finalist and look forward to the winners being announced in October. It is especially gratifying to Guidewire to see Merastar receive industry acknowledgement for its ClaimCenter deployment.� Finalists will vie for an award in one of six categories during live presentations to judges and attendees at the E-Fusion Conference (produced by A.M. Best Company), Boston, October 23-24, 2006.
Lee McDonald, Program Chairman, E-Fusion Conference, commented, “We’re looking forward to an exciting E-Fusion conference in Boston. Each year we see some surprising and vigorous uses of technology. The most interesting part of the conference is when those who have made the finals present their projects before our panels of independent judges.”
About Merastar Insurance Company
Merastar Insurance Company has specialized in providing auto and home insurance to employee groups, associations and customers of financial institutions for over 30 years. Headquartered in Chattanooga, Tenn., Merastar is licensed to conduct business in 47 states and is one of the country’s oldest group auto and home insurers. Merastar’s financial strength is rated “Excellent” by the insurance rating organization A.M. Best. In addition to auto and home insurance, Merastar also offers renters, condo, boat and personal excess liability (umbrella) coverage.
About the E-Fusion Awards:
The E-Fusion Awards are designed to highlight outstanding, resourceful uses of information technology by an insurance organization. The project, product or service must have been introduced or redeveloped recently and be directly related to the business of insurance. Details are online at www.efusionaward.com, or at www.efusion2006.com.
About the E-Fusion Conference:
The E-Fusion Conference is A.M. Best’s annual fall event dedicated to highlighting new developments in insurance through innovative uses of technology. The conference and the E-Fusion Awards program have become premier events for insurance technologists, managers and those breaking new ground. Details are online at www.efusion2006.com.
About the A.M. Best Company:
A.M. Best Co., established in 1899, is the world’s oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source.
