Mobile Claims Applications

The typical mobile phone today is a combination of phone, camera, video camera, voice recorder, and notepad.

All of the tools necessary to properly document a business insurance claim!
Insurers have been quick to recognize the potential of the iPhone, Blackberry, Palm, or any number of other cellular phones as a claims tool. Many insurers offer their insureds free applications or mobile software to assist in that process. This is a list of some of the insurers that offer such applications to customers and a brief description of the application. I also note a few third-party software tools.
As a disclaimer, I am not receiving any compensation from any of these insurers nor is this list an endorsement of any particular insurer or application. Also, while the application may be free to install, your carrier may charge for data transmission and your contracted carrier charges apply. Finally, the list will lean heavily on iPhone applications, not because of any bias, but because the iPhone apps are the ones the insurers are focusing on developing.

State Farm Pocket Agent - State Farm launched the Pocket Agent application in June 2009. It is an iPhone application with support for the iPod Touch as well. It is primarily focused towards the residential auto market, but I think it could be used in a smaller commercial fleet. It allows you to submit a claim, locate agents, and locate authorized repair shops. So, if your driver is in an accident they can create an immediate photo details and damage questions. Online reviewers like the application with the one complaint being that billing information is not available through the app.


GEICO GloveBox - Geico's application does provide policy access, insurance ID access, and billing access for Geico customers. It also has an accident helper and roadside assistance.


Nationwide Mobile - Nationwide's mobile application is for the iPhone (although the website setup leads me to believe support for other platforms may be coming). It is also focused on the residential auto market, but can be used as a tool for a small business fleet. It includes claims processing, photo and accident organizer, repair locations. It also includes a flashlight!


Farmers iClaim - Farmers gets it right. First, the application has both iPhone and Blackberry support. Second, it is not limited to just auto claims. With a shake of the phone the insured is put in touch with Farmers HelpPoint to report the claim. Property owners can record an inventory and submit claims as well. This application seems more focused on all Farmers insureds rather than just the auto customers.


American Family My AmFam - American Family's application is for the iPhone, Blackberry, and the insurer offers a .mobi site (AmFam.com) expanding mobile capability beyond iPhone and Blackberry. Nice. The other insurers may offer similar capability, but AmFam makes it easy. This application has all of the typical features and states you can seek a "quote for all of our products." I do not know if that includes business insurance.

My list here is not exclusive and if you know of, develop or use other insurer apps, I would be glad to consider adding them.

Business owners have unique claims needs that may not fit into the more mass-market residential mobile applications. Here is a third-party application that may be better suited for a commercial customer.

iWrecked - There is only one downside to this application, it is only available for the iPhone. This application can be used by drivers to put together immediate and professional looking accident reports for submission to insurers. It could be a great fit for a fleet of sales people or drivers. And it is a free application.

If you know of any other good applications suited for business insurance purposes such as inventory lists, accident or property claims reporting, let me know.
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