In 1993, the Massachusetts Commissioner of Insurance mandated all companies writing automobile insurance in Massachusetts to report specific claim data to the AIB in order create and maintain the DCD. The DCD is a progressive and unique collection of key information from closed automobile claims on Massachusetts policies since 1994. The DCD provides the industry with a broad array of information and statistics on injury, treatment, and payment patterns, claim handling activity, as well as the professional organizations and individuals involved in automobile insurance claims. Company claims staff and investigators have the experience of the entire industry available for use when reviewing individual claims, in addition to information that can quickly highlight patterns of fraud and conspiracies. The Insurance Fraud Bureau, professional licensing and criminal justice agencies, and the Division of Insurance use the DCD in monitoring costs and detecting fraudulent practices. The DCD is unparalleled in its level of detail, accuracy, and overall participation and it is viewed as a cornerstone in the battle against insurance fraud in Massachusetts.

DCD Reporting Requirements: All companies writing automobile insurance in Massachusetts must report claim data to the DCD. Claim data must be submitted electronically to the AIB within 45 days of the end of the month in which the claim was closed. For details on reporting requirements including required data fields and edit checks, record specifications, data transmission formats, and all reporting guidelines, please contact Edith Wendell.

• DCD Web Application: The AIB offers member company staff web-based access to query the claim detail and view summarized data in the DCD. Claim detail can be searched via numerous criteria including claimants, insureds, medical and legal providers, location, injury, dates, and special claim handling. The DCD also provides standard and customized summary reports on group and industry claim statistics including trends on specific providers. For access, please contact your company AIB Access Administrator or AIBSupport.

• Batch Search Request: Developed for member companies reporting to the DCD, the BSR is a valuable investigative tool that provides an automated and continuous search of open claims against DCD closed claims as well as other open claims from participating companies. Searches from open claims are run in batch from company data and the results are scored for relevance. Details on the matching closed and open claims are available daily for incorporation into company claim systems via secure internet-based file transfers. Currently, the companies benefiting from the BSR comprise over 70% of the market share for automobile insurance claims in Massachusetts. The automated query-response and superior data quality of DCD has made the BSR a simple yet vital component to initial claim processing. For set up information and transmission specifications, please contact AIBSupport.

• VIN Search The AIB offers member company staff web-based access to query Massachusetts statistical data for claims via vehicle identification number (VIN) including a VIN validity check. For access, please contact your company AIB Access Administrator or AIBSupport.

Comprehensive training and support are available for these AIB services.