Due to a service interruption with our phone system this afternoon, hold times on phone calls to our Member Service Center may be longer than expected. We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to serving you.
As you may have read or heard, Florida’s negligence law changed effective March 24, 2023. Florida transitioned from a pure comparative negligence system to a modified comparative negligence system.
Changes to Feature Response Damage Dispute Types Coming Soon
Arbitration Forums, Inc. (AF) will be looking for opportunities to revise the number of respondent damage dispute types that are currently available for selection when disputing the recovery sought.
AF recently facilitated its latest workshop webinar for Filing and Responding parties on April 19 and 20. The purpose of these 30-minute workshops is to drive decision quality.
Arbitration decisions that require follow-up often reveal a similar performance gap—the new arbitrator has let their primary job role of adjusting claims trickle into their secondary role...
Attention Arbitrators: Don’t Fall into the 100/0 Liability Mindset!
We recently received member feedback via our Member Satisfaction Survey that Auto decisions are too often determined at 100/0 liability or comparative negligence is often not applied.
On November 7, AF released interface updates to the E-Subro Hub Worklist page, aligning it with previously updated pages and introducing a more streamlined experience.
As of December 11, 2022, members who have chosen to be represented by a personal representative at a hearing can now update and/or modify some information on the Case Overview page.
On November 5, AF introduced the ability for members to submit supplements and additional features during a deferment when at least one submitted feature exists on a case.
Filer and Responder Workshop Webinars Coming in 2023
Earlier this year, we began to facilitate bi-monthly arbitrator workshop webinars. During these 30-minute, informal workshops, we covered decision quality improvement opportunities.
If your evidence repository includes a document titled, “Damage Dispute Presentation,” its use as arbitration evidence must cease. This is not an authorized AF resource.
AF recently facilitated its most recent Arbitrator Workshop Webinar on September 21 and 22. The purpose of these quarterly 30-minute workshops is to drive decision quality.
Enhancement: Decision Workflow Reflects a Replaced Party
Adverse parties can request to be removed from a case when named improperly. The naming party can remove the adverse party and replace it with the correct party.
A deferment is typically submitted when coverage is pending and under investigation, or there is a pending companion claim or suit that could exhaust policy limits.
Reporting Suspected Illegal, Dishonest, or Fraudulent Activities
AF has contracted with a third-party service, through which arbitrators may anonymously report suspected illegal, dishonest, or fraudulent acts or violations by an AF employee.
Changes to the Filing Fee Schedule, Effective January 1, 2023
Effective January 1, 2023, filing fees will be increasing for most programs by $7. A comparison of the upcoming and current fees is available on AF’s website.
Since the E-Subro Hub user interface upgrade, AF members have provided valuable feedback that can help improve the E-Subro Hub user experience. Learn more about some of the improvements we've made.
Most cases with both liability and damages in dispute are relatively straightforward: decide liability first. But what about the occasional case that isn’t straightforward?
A common scenario that is often incorrectly argued concerns a prior payment made by a Responder to either a vendor or to the filing company’s insured for the damages sought by the filing company.
New Post-Decision Inquiry Type – Deferment Findings
A party questioning an arbitrator’s finding on a deferment challenge may now submit a Post-Decision Inquiry to have the matter reviewed if the arbitrator has made an entry error.
Concurrent Coverage Counterclaim Process Clarified – Adverse Party
TRS was designed to support the resolution of concurrent coverage disputes separately from negligence disputes. The recovering party chooses the right of recovery on which its filing is based.
Quality Reviews: Insights for Filers and Responders
AF implemented a quarterly quality assessment process, intended to measure the overall quality produced by our membership and provide AF feedback on improving quality.
E-Subro Hub Demands to TRS: New Damage Field Functionality
On July 9, 2022, AF will release a new functionality for damage fields for demands originating in E-Subro Hub that are then moved to Total Recovery Solution® (TRS®).
Need to submit an arbitrator support inquiry? In TRS, arbitrators can request assistance by using Decision Actions in the top-right corner of the decision workflow.
We have noticed instances with filers selecting the incorrect responding company. Before selecting a responding party, please confirm the selection you are making is the correct party.
E-Subro Hub Upgrade and Case Search Functionality Changes
AF has been working diligently to update our E-Subro Hub product. We are excited to announce that we will be delivering the next set of upgrades on May 31, 2022!
This article adds clarification as we continue to see issues with the itemization of damages and damage disputes in auto claims, especially concerning total loss claims.
Having trouble joining a live webinar? You’re not alone. In today’s work-from-home environment, employers are diligently working to protect against malicious emails.
The system maintenance that Arbitration Forums, Inc. (AF) was originally scheduled to perform in March has been rescheduled to May 13-16. As a result, AF’s website will be unavailable from 9:00 p.m. E
Arbitration Forums, Inc. (AF) was scheduled to perform system maintenance from March 4-7, 2022. This maintenance has been cancelled and the website will remain available during this timeframe.
Arbitration Forums, Inc. (AF) was scheduled to perform system maintenance from March 4-7, 2022. This maintenance has been cancelled and the website will remain available during this timeframe.
Having trouble joining a live webinar? You’re not alone. In today’s work-from-home environment, employers are diligently working to protect against malicious emails.
As a reminder, an automobile property damage claim within the authority of Article First of the Automobile Subrogation Arbitration Agreement includes all automobile property damage claims arising...
As part of the new website redesign that will be launching soon, we are adding features that make it easier to find articles, training, and other resources on the site.
Concurrent Coverage/Priority of Payments Coming Soon
In the spirit of continuous improvement, AF is excited to announce that we will be bringing concurrent coverage/priority of payments functionality to TRS on December 12, 2021.
Last year, AF introduced enhanced functionality to allow the filing of new PIP and Medical Payment (Med Pay) coverages within Total Recovery Solution® (TRS®). Note: Does not include NY PIP.
AF’s subrogation and arbitration applications are designed to allow parties to self-manage their filings. One of the more frequent requests we receive from filers is to withdraw their filing when the
On September 18, the Coverage Group will be combined with the new Right of Recovery drop-down menu into a section called Case Type, which will be at the top of the first page of both workflows.
AF’s subrogation and arbitration applications allow for the upload of video files. However, for member system security reasons, AF does not accept links to external websites like YouTube (evidence con
When hearing a case where damages are not disputed, do not simply select “Accept.” You still need to review the evidence to ensure the amount sought is correct.
Earlier this year, AF’s Member Council and Board of Directors approved the following updates to the arbitration rules. The changes became effective August 1, 2021.
Preserving Neutrality, Privacy, and Confidentiality
Objectivity, neutrality, and confidentiality are the foundations of a credible arbitration system. All decisions must be based solely on the arguments made in the contentions and the evidence submitte
AF continues to perform detailed reviews of published Auto decisions in TRS in order to find actionable insights to improve the quality of filings, responses, and decisions going forward.
Want a more streamlined, enhanced experience when filing PIP and Med Pay coverages? Members can take advantage of reduced cycle time and improved decision quality when filing PIP and Med Pay in TRS.
AF is scheduled to perform system maintenance. As a result, AF's website will be unavailable from 9 PM Eastern on Friday, August 20, 2021, to 5 AM Eastern on Monday, August 23, 2021.
On July 24, members will see a change to the My Arbfile menu. In preparation for the E-Subro Hub Angular upgrade, the TRS option from the My Arbfile menu will be renamed from Total Recovery Solution t
AF will be performing brief system maintenance on Thursday, September 9, 2021, at 8:00 PM ET. As a result, AF’s website will be unavailable for approximately 30 minutes.
As you likely know, AF will begin to roll out a new look to the E-Subro Hub user interface this year. We’re excited to share that the new Add Demand page will become available on August 15, 2021!
Each quarter, AF will review a random sampling of TRS cases to assess the filing, response, decision, as well as AF activity, e.g., handling of any arbitrator issue, case support, or post-decision inq
AF is scheduled to perform system maintenance. As a result, AF's website will be unavailable from 9 PM Eastern on Friday, August 20, 2021, to 5 AM Eastern on Monday, August 23, 2021.
AF is scheduled to perform system maintenance. As a result, AF's website will be unavailable from 9 PM Eastern on Friday, August 20, 2021, to 5 AM Eastern on Monday, August 23, 2021.
As you may know, AF will be releasing several upgrades to the E-Subro Hub user interface this year. We’re excited to share a screenshot that provides a glimpse of the new Add Demand page.
Reference Guide Update: Concurrent Coverage Disputes in Special Arbitration
The Reference Guide to AF’s Agreements and Rules has been updated regarding Rule 2-4 and its applicability to Special Arbitration filings involving concurrent coverage disputes [Article First (b)].
AF is scheduled to perform system maintenance. As a result, AF's website will be unavailable from 9 PM Eastern on Friday, August 20, 2021, to 5 AM Eastern on Monday, August 23, 2021.
Arbitration Forums, Inc. has received positive member feedback as we focus on decision quality. Per the various arbitration Agreements, a decision by an arbitrator is “final and binding without the ri
Reference Guide Update: Concurrent Coverage Disputes in Special Arbitration
The Reference Guide to AF’s Agreements and Rules has been updated regarding Rule 2-4 and its applicability to Special Arbitration filings involving concurrent coverage disputes [Article First (b)].
Attention Recovering Parties: Claim or Policy Number Required
Unfortunately, we continue to see a number of cases in which Recovering parties in TRS do not have a claim number or policy number, and instead, enter content that is not a claim or policy number, suc
Applying Comp Negligence in PIP and Med Pay for Passengers
In states that follow modified comparative negligence or contributory negligence laws, the recovery of a driver’s PIP or Med Pay claim would be barred.
The design of TRS supports attachment of evidence to the area that it supports, for example, evidence that supports a liability argument is attached to the Liability Arguments in the Workflow Steps.
The later half of 2020 saw significant reductions in both case cycle time and Post-Decision Inquiry (PDI) response time. This helps ensure awards are promptly paid, and our members' claims are closed
It was understood and accepted when intercompany arbitration was first created for and adopted by the insurance industry that errors would be made, either by Arbitration Forums, Inc. (AF) or an arbitr
With a new year comes a new look for E-Subro Hub! Focused on maintaining continuity among our products, the E-Subro Hub interface will be redesigned to match the look and feel of Total Recovery Soluti
For new TRS users, and as a reminder to experienced users, here are some post-decision actions that are taken within the TRS application and specific case.
As previously communicated, Arbitration Forums, Inc. (AF) will introduce PIP and Medical Payment (Med Pay) coverages in Total Recovery Solution® (TRS®) on December 14, 2020.
Effective December 14, 2020, TPAs that file and/or respond on PIP and Medical Payment (Med Pay) cases on behalf of a member company in TRS will automatically be given restricted access.
Most arbitration cases are two-party cases for damage disputes only, yet both parties are required to enter their liability arguments and attach their supporting evidence in TRS.
As previously communicated in the July 2020 E-Bulletin, AF is dedicated to providing our membership with regular updates on enhancements to our products and services. Focused on innovation, AF is dedi
In August, we delivered two Arbitrator Qwikshares on policy limits issues. Since then, we’ve received several emails asking if there would be a make-up session.
PIP and Med Pay Coming to Total Recovery Solution (TRS) Soon!
As communicated in previous E-Bulletins, the ability to file PIP and Med Pay Arbitration in TRS is coming soon, with a planned rollout in Q4 of this year. This does not include New York PIP.
Preserving Neutrality, Privacy, and Confidentiality
Objectivity, neutrality, and confidentiality are the foundations of a credible arbitration system. All decisions must be based solely on the arguments made in the contentions and the evidence submitte
REMINDER: AF Transitioning to New Member Management Application This September
AF will be transitioning to the new Member Management application in order to continue to provide optimal security and an enhanced selection of features for our users.
AF is scheduled to perform system maintenance. As a result, AF’s website will be unavailable from 9 PM Eastern on Friday, October 2, 2020, to 10 AM Eastern on Saturday, October 3, 2020.
This year, we have all faced significant disruptions to our lives. With COVID-19, how we work and live has had to evolve in a very short period of time, and change isn’t always easy. In the midst of s
AF is scheduled to perform system maintenance. As a result, AF’s website will be unavailable from 9 PM Eastern on Friday, October 2, 2020, to 10 AM Eastern on Saturday, October 3, 2020.
AF Transitioning to New Member Management Application This September
AF will be transitioning to the new Member Management application in order to continue to provide optimal security and an enhanced selection of features for our users.
Concurrent coverage disputes offer some interesting challenges for an arbitrator. There are a number of scenarios under which proof of policy limits is required for an arbitrator to make a proper deci
E-Subro Hub and Total Recovery Solution (TRS) Working Together for an Improved Member Experience
As responders, adding counterclaims is essential to a company’s bottom line. It allows the insurance industry to recoup a portion of the money paid during the claims process.
How to Create a Post-Decision Inquiry (PDI) in TRS
Parties to arbitration can file a potential clerical or jurisdictional error with AF, known as a Post-Decision Inquiry (PDI), within 30 days of the decision publication.
Reminder: Review Responding Party’s Company Name when Filing Cases
We’ve recently received feedback from members being added to cases in error due to their company name being similar to the actual responding company’s name.
AF is scheduled to perform system maintenance. As a result, AF’s website will be unavailable from 9 PM Eastern on Friday, October 2, 2020, to 10 AM Eastern on Saturday, October 3, 2020.
The ability to upload and submit video evidence has been widely applauded by our membership, as it eliminates the need to schedule a date and time for a video conference to show the video to the arbit
Arbitrator Qwikshare: Total Recovery Solution (TRS) Policy Limits Issues
During this 20-minute, instructor-led webinar, participants will learn how to complete the Policy Limits Worksheet when the following scenarios are encountered:
Tips for Arbitrators when Hearing Supplement Cases
Over the last few months, AF has continued to enhance TRS for improved member adoption. One of those enhancements relates to arbitrators hearing supplement cases.
To ensure a successful TRS experience, we encourage you to visit the TRS Resources page to view the latest demos and guides and sign up for upcoming webinars.
AF is scheduled to perform system maintenance. As a result, AF’s website will be unavailable from 9 PM Eastern on Friday, October 2, 2020, to 10 AM Eastern on Saturday, October 3, 2020.
How-To Videos on Filing and Responding to Supplement Damages
For recovery purposes, it’s important to know how to file supplement damages once a TRS case is submitted. It is equally important to know the steps in disputing damages relating to those supplements.
AF is scheduled to perform system maintenance. As a result, AF’s website will be unavailable from 9 PM Eastern on Friday, October 2, 2020, to 10 AM Eastern on Saturday, October 3, 2020.
AF is scheduled to perform system maintenance. As a result, AF's website will be unavailable from 9 PM Eastern on Friday, October 2, 2020, to 10 AM Eastern on Saturday, October 3, 2020.
As announced in May, Arbitration Forums, Inc. (AF) will be introducing a series of enhancements over the course of 2020 that better align E-Subro Hub functionality with today’s most common subrogation
AF is scheduled to perform system maintenance. As a result, AF’s website will be unavailable from 9 PM Eastern on Friday, October 2, 2020, to 10 AM Eastern on Saturday, October 3, 2020.
AF Transitioning to New Member Management Application This September
AF will be transitioning to the new Member Management application in order to continue to provide optimal security and an enhanced selection of features for our users.
AF is scheduled to perform system maintenance. As a result, AF’s website will be unavailable from 9 PM Eastern on Friday, October 2, 2020, to 10 AM Eastern on Saturday, October 3, 2020.
Due to the significant efforts by our member companies to achieve their 1:1 heard-to-filed (HTF) ratio and AF staff arbitrators hearing more cases, we are pleased to announce that the average cycle ti
As communicated in the May 2020 E-Bulletin, AF’s Member Council and Board of Directors approved updates to the Arbitration Rules. While both Rules were originally scheduled to become effective August
Arbitration filers and responders are aware of the concept of linking evidence. This is where a party directs the arbitrator to specific evidence that supports an allegation.
After 31 years of dedicated service to AF and our membership, Director of Marketing, Compliance, and Legal Geoff Engert is planning to retire at the end of this year.
Per the Member Participation Policy, which became effective June 2, 2020, any company not consistently meeting or showing progress towards a 1:1 heard-to-filed (HTF) ratio will have their filings susp
On Wednesday, June 24, the National Association of Subrogation Professionals will be celebrating its 8th annual Subro Professionals’ Day to highlight the contributions that you have made to the insura
PIP and Med Pay Arbitration Coming to Total Recovery Solution (TRS)
AF is pleased to announce that we will be introducing enhanced functionality to allow the filing of new PIP and Medical Payment coverages within Total Recovery Solution® (TRS®) in Q4 2020!
PIP and Med Pay Arbitration Coming to Total Recovery Solution (TRS)
AF is pleased to announce that we will be introducing enhanced functionality to allow the filing of new PIP and Medical Payment coverages within Total Recovery Solution® (TRS®) in Q4 2020!
Arbitration Forums, Inc. adds Travelers to Growing List of Members Participating in Settlement Exchange System (SES)
On May 19, Arbitration Forums, Inc. (AF) welcomed Travelers to its growing list of member companies to adopt Settlement Exchange System (SES), AF's automated subrogation payment processing product.
After 31 years of dedicated service to AF and our membership, Director of Marketing, Compliance, and Legal Geoff Engert is planning to retire at the end of this year.
AF Transitioning to New Member Management Application
To continue to provide optimal security and an enhanced selection of features for our users, AF will be transitioning to the new Member Management application.
Considerations Regarding the Statute of Limitations when Filing Cases in TRS
Sometimes, a filer may wish to file a case and immediately defer it (e.g., if the statute of limitations for recovery is approaching and the reason for filing is to toll the statute).
AF Transitioning to New Member Management Application
To continue to provide optimal security and an enhanced selection of features for our users, AF will be transitioning to the new Member Management application.
Missed a Revisit to Accept Policy Limits? No Problem!
In TRS, revisits are an important part of the process. They are intended to prompt the filer to action when adverse parties raise policy limits, damage disputes, or jurisdictional exclusions. While ac
Clarification of “Not Signatory to Forum” Affirmative Defense
When a responding party asserts the exclusion of “Not Signatory to Forum,” it is intended to indicate that the responding party itself is not signatory to the forum.
AF Transitioning to New Member Management Application
To continue to provide optimal security and an enhanced selection of features for our users, AF will be transitioning to the new Member Management application.
Additional arbitrator attention is needed to address the pending inventory of Online Filing cases. Along with the increased volume in TRS, the demand for arbitrators has never been greater!
The Board also recently approved the establishment of a member participation policy. This policy, along with the changes to the agreements, helps to ensure timely resolution of arbitration cases.
Preserving Neutrality, Privacy, and Confidentiality
Objectivity, neutrality, and confidentiality are the foundations of a credible arbitration system. All decisions must be based solely on the arguments made in the contentions and the evidence submitte
You might think the series of numbers and letters found within TRS Case IDs are arbitrary. To the contrary, these characters provide us with valuable information to help identify the case origin, case
In October 2019, Arbitration Forum (AF)’s Board of Directors approved a proposal to restore an arbitrator participation requirement to the agreements to convey to the signatories their commitment to e
CANCELLED - NASP 2020 Spring Conference: Grand Ole Subro
Due to increased concerns surrounding the COVID-19 virus, NASP’s Spring Conference that was scheduled for April 23 and 24 at the JW Marriott in Nashville, TN, has been cancelled.
Additional arbitrator attention is needed to address the pending inventory of Online Filing cases. Along with the increased volume in TRS, the demand for arbitrators has never been greater!
Updates to Article Fifth and Sixth of the AF Agreements have been made to include arbitrator participation. These changes will become effective March 1, 2020.
Providing arbitration services that efficiently and effectively meet our membership’s recovery and resolution needs is critical to Arbitration Forums, Inc. (AF)’s success, and we greatly appreciate th
Updates to Article Fifth and Sixth of the AF Agreements have been made to include arbitrator participation. These changes will become effective March 1, 2020.
The role of an arbitrator is to be a neutral evaluator. This includes reviewing the case thoroughly and considering whether the arguments made by each party are supported by a preponderance of the evi
Preserving Neutrality, Privacy, and Confidentiality
Objectivity, neutrality, and confidentiality are the foundations of a credible arbitration system. All decisions must be based solely on the arguments made in the contentions and the evidence submitte
The TRS platform is currently available for automobile subrogation arbitration program cases only (cases filed in our Auto program), and it will become the exclusive platform for all automobile subrog
The TRS platform is currently available for automobile subrogation arbitration program claims only (cases filed in our Auto program), and it will become the exclusive platform for all automobile subro