Electronic Subrogation System
Now Available Throughout the u.S.
Arbitration Forums, Inc. (AF), non-profit devel- opers of the electronic subrogation system E-Subro hub, announced that the final
link in a nationwide electronic subrogation network is now complete. The
final six states have joined the system,
which AF makes available to participants at no cost.
The company reports that the traditional, paper-driven subrogation system
has been replaced with a streamlined
electronic, paperless, document management, and communication tool that will
provide significant operational savings to
the insurance industry.
E-Subro Hub will handle more than
500,000 demands in 2011 valued at bil-
lions of dollars. It enables users to elec-
tronically send and receive subrogation
demands, attach supporting documents,
manage subrogation claims, and elec-
tronically file intercompany arbitration
where necessary.
“The traditional subrogation system
was ready to take a revolutionary step to
transform its processes, and the comple-
tion of a nationwide E-Subro Hub is the
fulfillment of that objective,” said W. Russ
Smith, president and CEO of AF.
He reported that in 2010, nearly
115,000 subrogation demands valued
at nearly $206 million were resolved by
E-Subro Hub while operating in only 23
states.
E-Subro Hub also enables insurers to
return deductibles to their policyholders
faster, which reflects positively on cus-
tomer service, he said.
Flooding Washes Away
Part of North Dakota
At the end of June, nearly 11,000 residents were forced to evacuate their homes after excessive
flooding ripped through Minot, N.D. and
surrounding areas, requiring the assistance
of nearly 500 National Guard soldiers.
“What I see right now is probably the
most devastating in terms of the number
of people directly impacted and what will
likely be the damage to homes as the water begins to overtop the levees and fill in
behind,” said National Guard Commander Dave Sprynczynatyk.
This year’s flooding and its potential impact is the worst the area has seen in nearly
four decades. In 1969, the Souris River
reached 1555.4 feet; however, this time
around, it could reach 1,563 feet. This year
has also been marked by the evacuation of
10,000 residents after heaving flooding of
the Souris River; however, they were allowed to return, remaining on high alert.
Businesses affected by the high waters
include two nuclear plants in Nebraska
along the Missouri River. The Fort Cal-
houn plant closed on April 7 for a refu-
eling outage and operators chose not to
restart it until flooding has subsided. Al-
though the plant is protected by a berm
measuring eight feet high and 16 feet
wide, two feet of water was able to make
its way into some areas of the plant. The
other affected plant is Cooper Nuclear
Station, which closed June 19 for “an un-
usual event.”
Although the flood levels are begin-
ning to fall, it has been determined that
at least three area schools will be unus-
able for the upcoming school year. Debris
removal is still occurring, as well as the
construction of mobile homes for flood
evacuees.
As of July 16, more than $20 million
worth of federal and state disaster assistance has been provided for N.D. families
and businesses. More than 8,000 local
residents have registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA). K
