Drive Insurance From Progressive and Strategic Insurance Software Offer Enhanced Online Policy Access to Independent Agents and Brokers
MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio — May 20, 2005 —The Drive Group of Progressive Insurance Companies announced today that it is expanding its partnership with Strategic Insurance Software (SIS) to implement a real-time interface, using ACORD XML standards, that provides independent agents and brokers "one-click" access to the Drive agency-dedicated Web site, ForAgentsOnly.com (FAO).
Now, Drive Insurance agents and brokers using SEMCI PARTNER® from SIS can seamlessly and securely log in to FAO from their management system — without entering a user ID or password — to easily view policy and claims information, make payments and other policy service transactions, and quickly return to their agency management system. This means agents and brokers can process more transactions and inquiries with fewer steps, saving time and helping them meet their customers' need for fast, efficient service.
"In this competitive business environment, independent agencies can really set themselves apart from the competition by providing faster, better service," said Chris Garson, Drive Insurance IT director. "So we're committed to further automating agency workflows by providing real-time technology that makes it easier for agents and brokers to do business with us and provide more cost-efficient service to their customers. As consumer demand for real-time service grows, the technology independent agents and brokers use to meet that demand must grow as well."
The ACORD XML standard provides the common ground for SIS and Drive Insurance developers to achieve this secure and efficient industry-supported real-time interface solution. Drive Insurance has been active in the development of ACORD XML standards and has encouraged their adoption by the industry to make it easier for independent agents and brokers to do business with multiple companies.
About Drive Insurance from Progressive
The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, in business since 1937, is the nation's third largest auto insurance group. Progressive companies using the DriveSM Insurance brand comprise a group that is the largest writer of auto insurance through independent agents and brokers in the U.S., based on premiums written. Agents and brokers can log in to FAO to access customer policies, state and countrywide news, and other interactive features. The Common Shares of The Progressive Corporation, the holding company, are publicly traded at NYSE:PGR. More information can be found at driveinsurance.com.
About SIS
Strategic Insurance Software, Inc. achieves excellence in insurance technology for P & C agency and carrier insurance partners. SIS is recognized as a leader in award winning applications that fully support ACORD industry standards for forms, AL3 and XML. The SEMCI PARTNER® agency management system by SIS is marketed nationwide through direct sales and company alliances. For additional information, contact an SIS associate at 1-800-747-7005 or email Sales@sisware.com.
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