Arnie

For many companies, adequately handling car insurance claims can be a tricky procedure if you don't have the proper tools in place to streamline the process and make it more efficient for both your company and your clients.

Yarris software such as Arnie (a cloud-based e-procurement solution) can help to improve the insurance reinstatement process for insurance providers.

Companies such as SunCorp and the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania use the Arnie system to help improve their management of services.

Here are just some of the ways Arnie can help to improve the insurance reinstatement process:

Greater efficiency

Perhaps most importantly, cloud-based services procurement software such as Arnie ensures that the overall process of handling auto insurance claims and insurance reinstatement is streamlined and made more efficient.

By linking together all of the relevant parties in the process (such as insurers, repairers and policy holders) into a central network or hub, the Arnie system helps to see interactions between these parties moving more quickly, seamlessly and efficiently.

The Arnie system is able to 'smart' select auto repairers based on a range of decision criteria, while managing communications with policy holders for a more effective process overall.

Cost reduction

When the insurance reinstatement process is improved in this way, your company is spared the costs associated with delays or other obstacles that may arise from using a traditional paper-based system.

Instead of manually shuffling through paper-based records to find the relevant information, Arnie makes the process move more quickly, as all of the necessary data is housed in a central hub - saving insurance providers time and money.

Competitive advantage

With a quick, efficient and seamless insurance reinstatement process at your disposal, your organisation can benefit from increased productivity and greater business advantages as a result.

Global cloud computing services market revenue will grow to reach $35.6 billion by the end of this year, driven by the increasing adoption of cloud computing by organisations.

The results come from a new Visiongain report entitled 'World Cloud Computing Market 2013 - 2018', which contains a comprehensive analysis of the global cloud computing market's prospects for the years ahead.

The report was created in consultation with industry experts and leading companies, and the results show that for many companies, cloud computing appears to be a "very lucrative and commercially interesting solution" to existing issues with IT infrastructure.

According to the report's abstract, companies need a flexible and more complex IT solution that will accommodate the evolving needs of businesses today.

Cloud computing is seen by many as the solution to the problems with slow deployment of applications, limited resources and unpredictable system integration that can occur in existing IT infrastructure.

"Undeniably, cloud computing is already transforming the business landscape, and will continue to do so as it matures," the report reads.

"Cloud computing will play an increasingly important role in the business segment as future systems will further exploit the capabilities offered by this technology."

According to the report, companies who adopt cloud computing need to consider it as part of the overall move towards more efficient IT management, in order to get the maximum benefits from the technology.

Yarris offers several systems which operate in the cloud, which means upfront costs can be reduced and companies can also experience a range of other benefits that are associated with cloud computing technology.

These systems include ConSol, a service management software for telecommunications contractors, Arnie, a services procurement solution for automotive repair companies, and YarrisLegal, which deals with the management of services for governments and large corporations.

Efforts to improve road safety in Australia are always ongoing, whether it's by introducing new legislation, improving the design of vehicles and highways, or raising public awareness.

But in spite of this, accidents are still a commonplace occurrence - making automotive insurance a necessity as more and more people hit the country's roads.

The sheer volume of insurance claims being generated each day creates a complex problem for organisations that need to assess, monitor and repair damaged automobiles.

However, Yarris' executive director Ian Goddard says insurers can streamline their claims handling processes through Arnie - a cloud-based service management software that links all the relevant parties.

Arnie provides a platform for insurers, repairers and salvage agents to interact in one space - facilitating the quick, seamless and efficient handling of the claims process.


And Ian says Arnie helped insurers halve the cost of the repairs process when its crash repair system was installed ten years ago.


"Once upon a time, an assessor could assess seven cars a day by going from garage to garage," he explains.

"Now they can do over four times that - around 32 a day - and it's all done through their computer."



Whether it is panel beaters, parts suppliers or disposal experts, Arnie offers an end-to-end solution for all those involved, Ian adds, while also helping with compliance management.

"Arnie connects with various assessment packages and where the car is assessed as a write-off - our system organises a tow truck, to take it to an auction house to be disposed as a wreck," he says.

The software also offers 'smart' selection capabilities, with auto repairers selected based on a number of factors, including past performance, geographic location, job size, vehicle type and price.

"It is very effective," Ian states. "Our system facilitates all the many nodes of interactions with other services."

Auto insurers must address a number of processes during the lifecycle of a job, which will include communication with various parties such as policy holders, salvage agents and repairers.

Being able to reduce the amount of time spent on each claim helps drive efficiency, lower costs and improve satisfaction for all those involved.

By using Arnie, an e-procurement and claims handling system for the auto industry, organisations can benefit from having a central cloud-based communications hub that ensures all interactions are managed seamlessly.

The system helps facilitate better management of the entire auto-repairs timeline, whether it's selecting the best repairer, controlling service fulfilment needs, guiding the quoting process or a variety of other requirements.

This single-view approach means insurers and repairers have access to all the information and documentation they need to create an audit trail for fast-tracking repairs.

Real-time benefits

Arnie is a system that offers real-time visibility, meaning the status of a job is always up to date and available for claims handlers to view its progress.

This provides greater knowledge and control over auto repairs, with insurers able to assess any issues that could affect the completion of a claim.

This level of engagement and communication can also help policy holders remain involved in the process - with insurer-operators able to view Arnie and then inform customers of the status of a claim. 

All of these features help Arnie to provide an all-in-one solution for parties involved in the claims-handling process - ensuring the best possible outcomes through the lifecycle of a job.

Auto insurers have to deal with a wealth of processes when it comes to the repairs process - not only do they need to enlist the services of salvage agents and repairers, but also many other parties.

Being able to make use of a smart selection process is therefore essential to ensure all these systems run smoothly - which is where a facility such as Arnie can prove useful.

Selecting an auto insurer that is able to procure repair services effectively can prove invaluable to the customer, which is why smart selection is so integral to both sides of the operation.

Arnie, for example, enables auto repairers to be selected based on past performance, vehicle type, location and job size, meaning that insurers can make sure they are getting the best possible service.

In turn, this gives customers of these auto insurers the peace of mind they need that any claim they put forward will be dealt with swiftly and competently.

Not only this, but Arnie is able to assess parts pricing and vehicle valuation data, giving assurance that any jobs being carried out are done so at a fair cost.

A number of third-party data providers are used throughout this process, including Glass's Guide, so it can be established whether repairers are in fact charging market rates.

Auto insurers who use the Arnie system are able to make sure the repair process is speeded up as much as possible, which can only be of benefit to customers.

Choosing an insurance company that can have a vehicle back on the road in no time at all is advantageous, especially for those who rely on being mobile to make a living.

Knowing an auto insurer that uses Arnie can therefore be a smart move, as the vehicle should be back on the road as quickly as possible.

 

Cutting down on the cost of claims is a top priority for most auto insurers - and an easy-to-use automated solution is a simple and effective alternative to manual processes.

Eliminating redundant work, including duplicate data entry, telephone calls and faxes - and linking every stage in the claims process into a single network can help to save considerable costs. By switching to a web-based auto claims handling and service procurement system, car insurers can not only simplify administration processes, but keep better tabs on operations staff and boost customer service too.

Arnie can help insurers reduce claims costs in a number of ways. In addition to connecting all parts of the auto repairs process for greater efficiency, the system also provides real-time visibility, which can be monitored at any time by the claims management team.

By applying a systems approach to the auto repairs and claims handling process, Arnie can cut down on instances of lost information, paper processes and manual data entry - saving time and money.

And with the ability to cross reference the prices of parts, as well as vehicle valuation data, Arnie ensures that auto insurers are offering competitive quotes - and can help insurers to better manage whether damage should be considered as a total loss or can be repaired.

Arnie not only allows for the "smart" selection of auto repairers - based on the specific job at hand, as well as the location and other decision criteria - but can also benchmark prices including labour, materials and parts to make quote assessment an easier and more accurate process. It even supports the management of contractors to ensure a cost-effective approach throughout the process.

Opting for a streamlined solution can help insurers make considerable savings on claims - and can boost their customer service.

It's no surprise that there are many challenges that insurers face - from managing different types of products to organising cashflow and creating customised cover for commercial clients.

Without a system in place to address these challenges and centralising the way in which operations are organised and managed, a large insurer - which may be responsible for providing a vast rage of personal and commercial cover - can easily find themselves caught in an inefficient trap.

This is where technology solutions can come in and help - but in order to achieve this, insurers first need to identify areas where they could be more organised or efficient.

Being aware of the pitfalls

Simply being aware of the areas where your business does not operate as efficiently as it could can help you to make the long-term changes you need to succeed.

In the case of one major insurer, one key goal was to reduce not only claim timeframes for the customer, but to also reduce the amount of time staff spent carrying out manual tasks, including data entry and checking the price of parts for motor vehicle claims.

This particular insurer was also aware that a more streamlined system was needed to manage repairs, invoicing, quoting and parts pricing. The firm was also keen to lower the costs associated with motor vehicle repairs claims.

But the insurer also knew that if it were to adopt any technology solution, it needed to be flexible and easy to use - this would ensure that third-party repairers, assessors, and even the customers were onboard with the new system.

A technology solution for automated support

In the case of this particular insurer, the technology solution seemed simple - something that would integrate with other claims management solutions, shorten delivery timeframes, encourage higher-quality work and improve customer satisfaction.

The fully-automated ARNIE solution proved to be exactly what the insurer needed. With the implementation of Yarris supplier performance modules, price tension was introduced for contractors. Online quotations were fully automated, while repair work orders were automatically allocated based on supplier cost and performance, rather than manual handling.

Best of all, the ARNIE solution reduced the number of hours staff were spending to manually fill out paperwork or enter in duplicate data. Not only does this improve efficiency and reduce the risk of human error, but it also was able to reduce administration costs for the insurer and its related contractors - including vehicle repairers.

Real-life results

Since deploying the ARNIE solution, the insurer has noted a number of benefits, including much higher staff productivity and efficiency - in fact, fewer people were required to manage claims than during the previous manual system.

The fully-automated solution helped the insurer save an average of 21 per cent on repair costs through its first year thanks to the ARNIE automated smart supplier selection - which links insurers to repairers based on a number of criteria, including risk star ratings, quality, performance and price.

Furthermore, a three per cent sustainable saving on repair costs each year was brought about by the automated price validation of car parts.

Customers benefited from the facilitation of additional service guarantees and shorter wait times - in fact, most saw their cars returned within seven days. The streamlined, automated system also contributed to higher customer satisfaction and fewer instances of customer frustration.

From a business perspective, the real-time approach had many benefits - from automated staff reporting to efficient expenditure reporting and analysis. And with payment time to repairers reduced too, all parties benefited from greater transparency and improved cashflow.