Travelers: Claims Via Smartphone have Tripled

We are constantly on the go in a modern and mobile world. So many of the largest auto insurance companies have responded by developing smartphone applications that allow customers to access their accounts at any time, as well as giving their customers a new point of contact for reporting accidents and filing claims. Some insurance carriers have even developed smartphone apps that aim to make you a better driver. Whatever you need, you can get it in seconds on your phone.

Travelers, a property-casualty insurer that sells their insurance products primarily through independent agents and brokers, offers two such applications for Apple’s iOS, Blackberry OS, and Google’s Android OS.

Travelers commissioned a study to examine each of their auto claims that were filed over the last sixteen months. They report that there has been a substantial increase in the number of claims filed on these mobile devices.

In their review, they found that the number of claims filed from their smartphone applications “Auto Accident Help” (available for both Android and iOS platforms) and “Quick Connect” (available for Blackberry OS) had more than tripled in the first four months of 2011 compared to the first four months of 2010. What does this mean for Travelers? Does it change the way customers experience insurance from Travelers?

“The faster our customers report claims to Travelers, the faster we can help them,” said Jay Gauthier, Vice President of Travelers Personal Insurance. “That’s why we continue to develop technologies that make it easy for our customers to communicate with us in the way that’s most convenient to them, whether online, over the phone, or through their mobile devices, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”

We’re bullish on the idea of applications that allow drivers to collect data and information right after an accident, and that’s part of what the applications that Travelers offer. Plus, it helps consumers get their lives back to normal by getting their car back to as it was before the damages from the crash.

“Our claims analysis reveals that at the time of an auto accident, it is convenient for individuals to report the claim through their mobile device so they can quickly begin the process of getting their car back to the condition it was in before the accident took place,” added Gauthier.

We expect this trend to continue as more consumers in the United States buy smartphones. It could mean more customers reporting accidents they would’ve otherwise ignored because the process was too complicated, which translates into increased rates.

According to the Neilsen ratings, 36 percent of U.S. mobile phone users have smartphones. They download and use applications – 68 percent of customers with iPhones, 60 percent of those with Android devices, and 45 percent of people with Blackberry smartphones reported using their mobile apps multiple times a day.

Will Mobile Apps Help You Get Better Insurance Coverage?

Obviously, customers are using their insurance more translating into more experiences, but are those better experiences? Is Travelers improving the quality of their insurance product and service by offering mobile apps? In many ways, yes, but time will tell.

Companies like Travelers offer telematics programs. If you have a good driving record, you can get extra discounts. If you have a less than clean driving record, you can get almost instant gratification with discounts based on driving behaviors now.

Customers can visit different sites and get quotes in minutes, all from the ease of their phones. It’s impossible to tell exactly how this will affect Travelers Insurance Company and other companies going forward. So far, the possibilities are strong.