ORLANDO, Fla. — May 18, 2009 — Esurance Inc., the direct-to-consumer personal auto insurance company, has turned to Microsoft Corp. to roll out a software-plus-services implementation that delivers its popular online insurance services to mobile devices.
Esurance has been offering auto insurance policies online since 1999. Today, the majority of its customers purchase policies from the company’s user-friendly Web site. Esurance needed to find a way to quickly migrate its Web-based applications to a mobile platform and to integrate third-party services that would add value. The insurer turned to Microsoft and its software-plus-services strategy — essentially, a technology approach that allows companies to run applications locally, in the cloud or through a combination of the two.
Through this implementation model, Esurance was able to utilize the Microsoft .NET Framework to migrate applications to the Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system. It also integrated two additional services: a text-messaging gateway and AutoWatch, which customers can use to view photos of their car being repaired at an auto body shop. By porting its applications to run in a mobile environment, Esurance is able to anticipate its tech-savvy customer needs, which will help boost customer acquisition and retention.
“We define ourselves in terms of the convenience of real-time, on-demand customer service; part of that is offering customers a choice about how and when they access our products,” said Deepak Srinivasan, director of systems engineering, Esurance. “The Microsoft software-plus-services approach is perfect for Esurance’s mobile platform because it allows another convenient way for customers to access our services and products.”
As part of the rollout, Esurance will make many of its critical Web applications available on mobile phones, including claims-related functionality, quoting, policy management and billing services. By embracing the software-plus-services approach, Esurance gives customers the flexibility and choice of services that span the Web, PC, phone and mobile device.
“Insurance firms want to cut costs now and innovate for the future. Microsoft’s software-plus-services approach allows companies to accomplish both. Insurers such as Esurance can save money by migrating services to the cloud and continue to innovate by choosing to deploy new applications and services via the Web, PC, mobile device or some combination of all three,” said Bill Hartnett, industry solutions director, U.S. Insurance Group, Microsoft. “This flexibility helps insurers maximize their IT investments and ultimately provide better customer service.”
About Esurance
Esurance, a subsidiary of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE: WTM), provides personal auto insurance direct to consumers online and through select online agents. Esurance is dedicated to constantly improving the way people shop for, buy and manage their auto insurance. By combining the best of technology with industry know-how, Esurance is able to offer hassle-free auto insurance coverage with 24/7 customer service and claims handling at competitive rates.
Through Esurance’s Web site, http://www.esurance.com, customers can get instant auto insurance quotes, view comparison quotes, buy an Esurance policy and print their proof of insurance card — all in minutes. Esurance also offers policyholders the ability to make policy changes and file claims instantly online, demonstrating its commitment to improving the entire insurance process from quote to claim.
About Microsoft in Financial Services
Microsoft’s Financial Services Group provides software that helps financial firms transform the customer, employee and operations experience so they can maximize opportunities for increased market share and profitability. Microsoft software helps empower people and IT staff within financial firms — and across key focus areas such as advisor platforms, channel renewal, insurance value chain, enterprise risk management and compliance, and payments. Through a combination of Microsoft- and partner-provided solutions, customers enable their employees to turn data into insight, transform ideas into action and turn change into opportunity.
More information about Microsoft’s Financial Services Group can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/financialservices.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
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