Picture of car crash

Car hire firm accelerates accident claims

Accident management system automates claims process

Written by Dave Friedlos

Hire car company Lex Vehicle Leasing has implemented a claims management system to speed up the process of accident reporting and management.

Lex, which is owned by the Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS), supplies more than 80,000 vehicles to corporate and private customers each year.

Lex spokesman Richard Harper says it manages more than 30,000 accident claims from corporate drivers each year.

‘Our main business is managing fleets and contract hire but the accident claims arena is much more complex,’ he said. ‘While we had bolted some additional functionality onto our main systems it wasn’t capable of evolving to meet our growing needs or the increased flexibility in dealing with an accident claim.

‘We would either have to cease offering accident claim management services or find a system that met all our complex requirements as well as those of our customers.’

Software company Mastek developed the system over two years to speed and refine the process involved in managing a claim. Each claim is unique because companies have their own processes for reporting accidents.

The Mastek Elixir system automates every aspect of the claims process, enabling customers to report accidents, seek authorisation and the vehicle to be repaired.

The system also enabled all parties involved to communicate, including the driver, insurer, vehicle repairer, fleet manager and Lex. Suppliers update the system on a regular basis and the driver is kept informed of progress at regular intervals.

‘If it is bad news, Elixir prompts an operator to make the appropriate phone call,’ said Harper ‘In addition a customer portal gives customers access to the system and the opportunity to view associated information.’

Harper says the system will enable the driver to get back on the road in less time than if using a standard accident management process and removes the administration burden for smaller companies.

‘Elixir provides us with the information to assess the performance of our suppliers, allowing us to recognise those that consistently provide good service,’ he said.

Lex estimates that the improved visibility of information will lead to a 20 per cent efficiency gain for its operators by the end of the first year.

What do you think? Email us at feedback@computing.co.uk

Further reading

The eco-friendly route to business meetings

Avis takes £30m hit on failed IT systems

Air Miles sues over sales installation

reader comments

related articles

 

Electric Mini snubs its home for a US launch

Despite being manufactured in the UK, a greener version of the iconic Mini will receive its first outing in LA 20 Oct 2008

UK plug-ins to rechargeable Prius

Toyota has launched a trial of plug-in hybrid technology in Britain 12 Sep 2008

Roads less congested as business travellers turn to lower carbon options

Web conferencing and rail increase in popularity due environmental concerns and rising fuel prices 28 Aug 2008

related whitepapers

today's top stories

IT's stock is soaring at the LSE

London Stock Exchange IT chief David Lester explains to Angelica Mari how the integration of Borsa Italiana is keeping his team busy, despite the worsening economy 20 Nov 2008

Keeping IT in fashion

John Bovill has been hooked on retail since his early years as a fashion market trader. His industry knowledge is now helping him build a slick IT operation, reports Charlotte Moore 20 Nov 2008

Cutting-edge IT delivers the goods

Chief technology officer Jay Bregman explains how constant innovation is part and parcel of his strategy for delivering competitive advantage at eCourier 20 Nov 2008

Computing podcast: Europol's data sharing woes; credit card protection at Cotton Traders

The pan-European fight against organised crime is undermined by lax data sharing arrangements; and Cotton Traders enhances its credit card protection 20 Nov 2008

Keeping IT on track

Catherine Doran, winner of Computing’s IT Leader of the Year award, tells Angelica Mari of her determination to drive on with technology-led transformation at Network Rail despite uncertainty over funding 19 Nov 2008

Advertisement

Newsletter signup

Sign up for our range of FREE newsletters:

Existing User

Newsletter user login:

Advertisement

Jobs

Related jobs

Job of the week

Job alerts

Sign up here

Find your next job

IT Salary Checker

Check salary here

Advertisement

White papers

Search white papers

Top categories

VPN, Extranet and Intranet Solutions

WAN/ LAN Solutions

Network Security

Interoperability-Connectivity

Grid/ Utility Computing

Latest poll

Will attempts to rebrand IT as a "cool" choice of profession increase the number of IT graduates?

Will attempts to rebrand IT as a "cool" choice of profession increase the number of IT graduates?

Can brand building reverse a decline in IT graduate numbers?

Previous poll results

Latest audio and video articles

Video

The definitive guide to converged communications

Five key trends and five best practice tips to help you improve your corporate communications 20 Nov 2008

PodcastAudio

Computing podcast: Europol's data sharing woes; credit card protection at Cotton Traders

The pan-European fight against organised crime is undermined by lax data sharing arrangements; and Cotton Traders enhances its credit card protection 20 Nov 2008

Latest in-depth articles

StarFeatures

Retaining the stars of IT

Jim Mortleman investigates the innovative techniques IT leaders are using to hang on to their star performers 20 Nov 2008

Dave BaileyComment

Clouds darken outlook for Vista's successor

Windows 7 looks like being an improvement on Vista, but economic and environmental concerns may mean few enterprises will rush to adopt it 20 Nov 2008

Advertisement

Primary Navigation