ISO enhances COA claims-handling solution to include a wider range of Heads of Damages

January 1, 2011 / 3 min read

Over 18,000 medical conditions and 14,000 occupations incorporated into COA database

LONDON, Nov. 30, 2004 — Insurance Services Office (ISO) Limited, the U.K.'s leading provider of personal injury claims and antifraud insurance services and solutions, has enhanced its ISO Claims Outcome AdvisorTM (COATM) claims-handling solution to include a wider range of Heads of Damages, in addition to General Damages for settling claims.

Although it is important to control General Damages, the COA solution offers a much greater functionality in capturing data on other Heads of Damages, such as legal costs, wage loss and future care. With this capability, insurers can obtain valuable management information and are able, for the first time, to report on their average costs per solicitor versus General Damages.

The COA database now includes New Earnings Survey data for more accurate estimates of wage losses. Additional medical treatments, complications and prognoses that occur are also taken into account to further refine initial estimates.

ISO's experience shows that typically General Damages represent one-third of the cost of a third-party claim, with the remainder going toward legal costs, medical expenses, loss of earnings, any incurred material damages (car, personal possessions, etc.) and potential future costs (rehabilitation, personal care, etc).

Joe Pendle, director of client services at ISO, says: "It is important to monitor and control these other Heads of Damages. Traditional claims-handling solutions have typically considered General Damages, while more effective claims management systems like ISO Claims Outcome Advisor have a better and holistic understanding of the injury and occupational details. By tapping into a detailed database of more than 18,000 medical injuries, treatments, complications, preexisting conditions and 14,000 occupations, COA helps insurers manage claims more accurately and consistently, while helping to prevent claims leakage across various Heads of Damages."

About ISO Claims Outcome AdvisorTM (COATM)
ISO Claims Outcome AdvisorTM (COATM) is the industry's first personal injury claims management solution that manages the multiple dimensions of organizations' personal injury claims portfolios. COA understands the severity and recovery implications of over 18,000 injuries, treatments, complications and preexisting conditions and 14,000 occupations. COA helps claims handlers, managers and actuaries manage the unique and complex medical, legal and occupational issues presented by personal injury claims and helps ensure appropriate financial arrangements are agreed to and implemented. Claims handlers can manage all aspects of a case from first notice of loss to return-to-work plans, rehabilitation and damages.

About ISO
Insurance Services Office (ISO) Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Insurance Services Office, Inc., a leading provider of products and services that help measure, manage and reduce risk. ISO provides data, analytics and decision-support solutions to professionals in many fields, including insurance, finance, real estate, health services, government and human resources. Professionals use ISO's databases and services to classify and evaluate a variety of risks and detect potential fraud. Around the world, ISO's services help customers protect people, property and financial assets. ISO's customers in the U.K. include Admiral Group, AXA Insurance, Chaucer Insurance, Highway Insurance, Lloyd's, Rubicon Corporation and Zurich Financial Services.

Release: Immediate

Contacts:
Giuseppe Barone / Erica Helton
MWW Group (for ISO)
201-507-9500
gbarone@mww.com / ehelton@mww.com

Mark Strang (ISO U.K.)
01252 761055
mstrang@iso.com