Do you have electronic documents (eDocs) and messages constantly flowing into your system? Are you unsure of what to do with them? In this 2021 Applied Net Session recap, speaker Deb Alt goes over the benefits of eDocs. She also gives tips on how to integrate eDocs and messages into your workflows so that your agency or brokerage can eliminate duplicate processes, maximize staff efficiency and provide a better overall customer experience.

The Benefits of eDocs

A major benefit to eDocs is that they save time and provide users with the power to no longer scan policies, endorsements and claims. “[eDocs] directly come in through the download process, are attached to that client and an activity is created for us,” Alt said. Another benefit of eDocs within Applied Epic is the ability to post the documents directly to the client portal. “The agency or brokerage can determine that in configuration – –you don’t have to have it automatically post to a client portal,” Alt explained.

It is Important to Utilize Efficiencies

Data from IVANS has indicated that using eDocs saves about 64 minutes per employee, per day. This converts to a little over five hours per employee within a week's time. Alt highlighted that using efficiency tools, like eDocs, is important in the insurance industry. For instance, IVANS has a tool called the “download savings calculator” that allows you to enter information about your transactions and the number of employees to obtain true numbers for your agency or brokerage. “Once you have turned those efficiencies on, the impact it can have is pretty significant,” she shared. “By doing eDocs alone, on average, an agency or brokerage will save six to 10 hours per day.” 

What to do with the Extra Time

Alt recommended evaluating your entire staffing model and improving customer service with the extra time. If you are reducing a lot of numbers per week, based on your staffing size, is it possible that you might be able to reduce roles as well as elevate existing roles. Additionally, the service team could have more time in their weekly process to do account reviews as well as cross-selling and upselling. 

Resources Going Forward

Alt encouraged users to get involved if they are interested in learning more. “Join the interface sprint reviews, share your viewpoints to improve the interface process and participate in focus groups with IVANS,” she said. Having conversations about efficiencies and workflows will not only benefit your business but other businesses as well.

If you’re looking for more ideas on how to automate processes at your agency or brokerage, click here.