Ohio Casualty Group Installs Mitchell's Web-Based Claims Workflow Solution; OCG Validates eMitchell Workflow Effectiveness

    SAN DIEGO--March 31, 2003--The member companies of Ohio Casualty Group (OCG) are installing Mitchell International, Inc.'s Web-based claims workflow solution for auto physical damage claims, representatives from OCG and Mitchell jointly announced today.
    OCG's choice, part of the eMitchell solutions family, is a real-time data networking solution, which increases productivity and reduces turnaround by streamlining the workflow process. The eMitchell business line includes Internet-based applications that enable insurance carriers and claims professionals to dispatch, receive and process collision repair claims electronically via the eMitchell portal.
    "We are pleased to be partnered with Ohio Casualty Group," said Tony Aquila, Mitchell's President and Chief Operating Officer. "They recognize that eMitchell offers insurers truly significant efficiencies by speeding up the entire claims process through its claims-centric workflow design."
    OCG piloted Mitchell's solution and found that it significantly reduces claims cycle times, said Phil Horst, manager of OCG's auto physical damage offices nationwide. "Once the system is fully in use, we anticipate we'll be able to reduce turnaround times -- from loss reporting to estimate completion -- by 50 percent. That will be good news for customers who like their repaired vehicles back as quickly as possible."
    Horst said Mitchell's solution, to be fully deployed by May, is another example of OCG's efforts to use technology to improve processes and service. "Ohio Casualty is tapping into the power of the latest technologies to continually improve our service to customers," he said. "We wanted the industry's most innovative and reliable online claims processing solution and we found it in Mitchell."
    OCG will further speed claims handling by also implementing Mitchell's eClaim Manager electronic claim folder with wireless connectivity. eClaim Manager enables staff adjusters to send or receive estimates, digital images and other data wirelessly in the field, eliminating the need to travel to and from their office to get assignments. "Before it would have taken a day or two just to get the assignment to the field appraiser and it would have been by fax," Horst said. "With eClaim, they can literally turn an estimate around in a matter of hours."

    About Ohio Casualty Group

    Ohio Casualty Group (OCG) is ranked 40th among U.S. property/casualty insurance groups, based on net premiums written (Best's Review, July 2002). The Group's flagship company, The Ohio Casualty Insurance Company, was founded in 1919 and is licensed in 49 states. The Group's member companies write auto, home and business insurance. For more information about Ohio Casualty Group, contact Cindy Denney, Assistant Vice President of Corporate Communications, at 513/603-2074. Visit our web site at www.ocas.com.

    About Mitchell

    Mitchell International, Inc., founded in 1946 and headquartered in San Diego, California, is a leading information technology provider to the insurance and collision repair industries. With its software and Web-based solutions, Mitchell facilitates millions of electronic transactions between more than 16,000 business partners each month. For more information on Mitchell, contact Bonnie Ward, Public Relations Manager, at 858/530-8990 or bonnie.ward@mitchell.com. Visit our web site at www.mitchell.com.