Nov. 11, 2011 — In 2009, we launched the Fireman’s Fund Policy Administration System platform for personal lines (known as EPAS) in 11 states: AZ, CO, CT, IL, KS, MD, MO, OH, OR, TN, and TX. Our goal was to increase efficiency and make us easier to do business with, but after two years of real-world testing and feedback from our agents, we have concluded that EPAS will not be able to deliver the necessary benefits and customer experience. As a result, we have made the decision to discontinue further development of the EPAS platform.
Our commitment to high net worth and affluent personal insurance customers is unwavering. Going forward, we will focus on delivering more value in the high net worth and affluent segments, and we will aggressively target profitable growth areas in these segments.
Part of a Larger Technology Review
Under the leadership of CEO Lori Fouché and our new Chief Information Officer Alexander Bockelmann, we have begun a full review of our technology portfolio in order to gain efficiencies and ensure the delivery of tools to enhance our agent and policyholder experience.
When we launched EPAS, our intention was to eventually move all of our personal lines business to the platform. While we still intend to consolidate all personal lines business onto one system, we have decided with your input to perform a thorough search for proven alternatives that better meet agent and policyholder needs. As we conduct this search, we will leverage the experience and resources of our parent company, Allianz.
Minimal Business Disruption
Because we want to weigh alternatives carefully, we do not yet have a timeline for implementation of a new policy administration platform for our personal lines business. The selection process will be deliberate and based heavily on agent and policyholder needs, including time to implement.
We also understand the importance of avoiding business disruption to our agents, and we have worked to keep any disruption to an absolute minimum. When we move to a new platform in the future, we will let you know well ahead of time and work with you to move policies as part of a smooth transition.
What It Means for You
Here is what the decision means to agents depending on their location.
- In most states we have not launched the EPAS platform. This decision means that we no longer plan to launch EPAS in these states.
- In 11 states (AZ, CO, CT, IL, KS, MD, MO, OH, OR, TN, and TX), the EPAS platform has been launched and is currently in use for personal auto business. To minimize business disruption, we will keep EPAS in place for new and renewal personal auto business in these states until a replacement platform is chosen.
- In the 11 states where EPAS remains in place for administering automobile business, we will also continue to write new business with the Allianz Personal Auto Policy*, in addition to the Prestige® Portfolio of personal lines products that Fireman’s Fund is known for.
We look forward to continuing to work with you on new business opportunities.
Please contact your Fireman’s Fund sales representative or underwriter if you have any questions.
*Underwritten by National Surety Corporation.
