Charter Opts for ADP Estimating Product

Charter Insurance Companies has announced they have chosen Automatic Data Processing Inc. (ADP) Claims Solutions Group's Claimsflo(TM) estimating platform and will be implementing ADP CSG's Shoplink(TM) and Photolink(TM) to enhance their direct repair program (DRP).

Charter says the ADP system will allow it to integrate its current field estimating system, PenPro(TM), with the Shoplink/Photolink combination. This integration is expected to improve communication for the property & casualty carrier's collision repair program.

"By implementing ADP CSG's Shoplink/Photolink, we have immediately enhanced the electronic communication avenues between our organization and our repair shops," said Richard Cantrell, vice president of claims for Charter Insurance Companies. The Shoplink/Photolink process allows Charter's DRP shops to receive an assignment, write an estimate, search certain ADP databases for new and salvaged parts, complete the estimate, attach photos of the loss and then electronically transmit it back to Charter.

This process allows each shop to prepare its estimate, graphically document any hidden damage-as well as the original impact areas of the vehicle-and transmit all estimate information back to the carrier within a few seconds of the estimate being written.

According to Susan Raifman, an ADP vice president, "This relationship between ADP CSG and Charter is an illustration of how the industry views the importance of managing growing claims costs by improving their own efficiencies. By increasing the level of electronic communication between their DRP shops and their field adjusters with Shoplink/Photolink, Charter will be able to enhance their claims handling efforts while raising their level of service to policyholders."

San Ramon, California-based ADP CSG provides the property and casualty industry and their business partners with integrated, neutral and independent information services for automotive, medical and property claims management. Charter Insurance Cos., with headquarters in Dallas, is a specialty automobile insurance carrier, writing business in Texas and Oklahoma.