In 1993, the Massachusetts Commissioner of Insurance mandated all companies writing automobile insurance in Massachusetts to report specific data on closed automobile injury claims to the AIB in order to create and maintain the DCD. The data is comprised of a broad array of information on injuries, treatment, billing, payments, and special claims handling activities as well as the professional organizations and individuals involved in the claims. The DCD provides claims staff and investigators with a unique view of the injury claims experience for the entire Massachusetts automobile industry which is not available anywhere else. The individual claims and aggregate information can quickly highlight important information for claims handling as well as patterns of fraud and conspiracies. The Insurance Fraud Bureau, professional licensing organizations, criminal justice agencies, and the Division of Insurance use the DCD to monitor costs and detect 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 data on closed injury claims to the DCD. 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 data fields, 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 DCD claim detail and view summarized reports. Claim detail can be searched via numerous criteria including claimants, insureds, medical and legal providers, location, injury, dates, and special claim handing activities. The DCD also provides standard and customized summary reports on group and industry claim statistics including trends on specific providers. Also included is a link by claim to the Massachusetts Statistical Plan loss data for additional claim detail including policy VIN, liability limits and deductible, type of claimant, and a breakdown of incurred loss amounts for medical, wages, other economic loss, and indemnity and subrogation payments. 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 automated investigative tool that continuously searches open claims against the DCD and other open claims from participating companies to quickly identify prior and outstanding claims. Details on the matching claims are available daily for incorporation into company claim systems via secure internet-based file transfers. The automated query-response and superior data quality of the DCD has made the BSR a simple yet vital component to initial claim processing. For set up information and transmission specification, please contact AIBSupport.

• VIN Search The AIB offers member company staff web-based access to query Massachusetts Statistical Plan loss data on specific claims via VIN including a VIN validity check. VINSearch is also available from a direct link by the DCD claim via policy VIN. For access, please contact your company AIB Access Administrator or AIBSupport.

Comprehensive training and support are available upon request.