The number of insurance agents using claims download technology grew 165% over the last year, especially for commercial lines and online auto liability insurance verification, according to IVANS.

As property-casualty carriers compete in a lackluster economy with increased regulatory oversight, claims download technology is providing a welcome avenue for quickly affecting the bottom line through improved customer service and operational efficiency, according to IVANS officials. IVANS provides property-casualty insurers with download technology.

Carriers are sending more than 41,000 claims download transactions per month using IVANS’ communications platform. This volume reinforces the 80% growth rate that IVANS has seen over the last year in the number of carriers implementing claims download technology, the Stamford, Conn.-based company said in a statement.

A claims download transaction can be triggered by notification of new claims, assignment of a claims adjuster, and updates made to claims status or information. By automating the distribution of property-casualty claims information between insurance carriers and agents, both are able to respond more quickly to claims, increasing customer satisfaction, the company said.

Claims download is also delivering operational benefits, reducing agent calls to carriers’ claims departments and making claims information more accessible for other uses, according to IVANS,

“Despite the economic slowdown, insurance carriers have continued to invest in technologies that improve customer service and enhance efficiency,” said Maggie O’Hara, group vice president of product management at IVANS, in a statement. “We have been seeing similar growth in the use of commercial lines download and online auto liability insurance verification. Companies that can respond to customer and market needs more quickly are better-positioned to excel in the current economic climate.”