CDS is pleased to announce that we have made some improvements to the RiskMeter Online’s Crime Report. First, we have updated the scores, which are based on the latest crime data and demographics. Second, we have enhanced the report presentation by changing the colors and tweaking the ranges (example below).

Score Ranges	% of Population
0-100 (below the natl avg)	66%
100-200 (1-2x the natl avg)	20%
200-300 (2-3x the natl avg)	8%
300-400 (3-4x the natl avg)	4%
400-500 (4-5x the natl avg)	1%
Over 500 (More than 5x the natl avg)	1%
Total	100%

In order to make the score ranges more meaningful, we decided to show more variation in the middle ranges, where most users would probably be concerned. For example, in the past, there were separate ranges for 0-49 and 50-100. However, since they’re both under the national average, it really doesn’t matter. Also, on the other end of the spectrum, any score over 500 means that you are in the top 1% of the country. This means whether a location has a score of 650 or 1,100, it’s still a very high risk.

Also, we changed the names of the two aggregate sub-scores to match the titles used by the FBI in the Uniform Crime Reporting Statistics (UCR). Crimes Against People is now called Violent Crimes and Crimes Against Property is now called Property Crimes. The categories in each sub-score (robbery, assault, vehicle theft, etc..) are exactly the same. Again, these changes were made to make the data more valuable to our users. Many of our customers have found these reports invaluable for writing commercial property, habitational dwellings and commercial liability policies by identifying high-risk areas prior to instituting coverage.

If you have any questions, please contact Daniel Munson at 617.737.4444 or dmunson@cdsys.com

In order to determine the replacement value for a home or commercial property, it’s imperative have crucial building characteristic information. CDS is proud to announce that it will soon be adding building characteristic information to the RiskMeter Online.

How Does it Work?

Once a user types in an address, they will be prompted to select the reports they want to run. On this page there will be two additional selections: year built/square footage and building characteristics. The latter will not only return year built and square footage, but it will also return: number of stories, roof type, construction type, sales price, etc.

Advantage of Using the RiskMeter Online’s Building Characteristics

In many cases, the year built and square footage are required to accurately calculate the replacement cost of a building. If the agent or insured doesn’t know the correct figures, finding out can be a time consuming process. By simply typing in an address on the RiskMeter Online, users can get this crucial underwriting information from one source!

Testers Needed!

Before the building characteristic information goes live, we will need users to test it out. If anyone is interested in testing the building characteristic report, please contact Daniel Munson at 617.737.4444 or dmunson@cdsys.com

CDS is proud to announce that 112 sinkholes have been added to the RiskMeter Online’s sinkhole database! In an effort to provide the most comprehensive sinkhole report for Florida, CDS is coordinating a sinkhole clearing house for carriers. By sharing sinkhole information, CDS believes this will allow carriers to have the most accurate picture of sinkhole activity in FL. CDS has added roughly 1,000 sinkholes not available from public sources to its database from carriers. Missing just one of these could lead to a very costly claim! Get involved today!

For people who aren’t familiar with this program, here’s how it works. Insurers’ who submit reported sinkholes will have access to an exclusive database, that is comprised of our data and other carriers’ data. Taking part in this program is a win-win situation, because it will give users a better picture of their sinkhole risk. To find out more about this program, contact Jamie Munson at 860.854.6125 or jmunson@cdsys.com

CDS has just updated the RiskMeter Online’s CO Wildfire Report. The new data used in this report is more up-to-date than the data used in previous reports. Furthermore, the data is also much more detailed (25 meter grids), unlike the older data, which was somewhat granular. To add this report or to receive a trial, please contact Dan Munson at 617.737.4444 or dmunson@cdsys.com. This will be available within the next few weeks.

In 2004 HB 0251 was introduced. This bill was designed to “to create and maintain a database for use by insurers that report and remit an excise tax on property insurance premiums; providing incentives to insurers for using the database and penalties for failure to use the database.” There has been a great deal of buzz on this, not because it is a new idea, but because Carriers are unclear of when they would need to use it.

To begin with, the bill states Insurance companies “that do not exercise due diligence in applying the electronic database for tax years on or after January 1, 2006 are subject to a 0.5 percent penalty on the portion of the premium pertaining to any insured risk that is improperly assigned”. As most people are aware, tax year 2006 is due by March 1, 2007. So in a nutshell, carriers need to apply their due diligence on policies written this year.

For more than 5 years CDS Business Mapping, through the RiskMeter, has been providing Premium Tax as a report within our product. Like all of our tests, the RiskMeter uses the Geographic boundaries of the participating municipalities and fire districts defined on the DR 908 form from the FL DOR. We have spoken with many of our clients and are now incorporating the Premium Tax Database provided by the DOR into the Premium Tax report in the RiskMeter. This should bring piece of mind that your due diligence has now been fulfilled.

So what about 2005? If you are responsible for year end reporting of Premium Tax, due by March 1, 2006 and have not completed it, we can help. Many of the carriers we work with throughout the country use our batch services for a variety of reports. We can take your entire book of business and append the applicable tax code for both the Fire and Police in just days. If you are interested in running a batch for year end compliance or to receive a copy of the HB0251 article, please contact Jamie Munson at 860.854.6125 or jmunson@cdsys.com

CDS has just added AL, GA, NV, WA, WI to its Distance to Fire Station report. This brings the total number of states to 33! Within the next few weeks New Mexico and Minnesota will be added as well.

The distance between a property and the primary fire station directly affects your loss ratio. Regardless of the training, personnel or equipment at a station, if an insured location is greater than 5 miles from a station the chance of a large loss is inevitable. By simply typing in an address, you will get: driving distance to local responding fire stations, names of the stations and staffing (career or volunteer).

We will continue to add more states until we meet our goal of providing nationwide coverage. We want your feedback to see which states we should add next. If there is a state you would like to see us add, please contact Jamie Munson at 860.854.6125 or jmunson@cdsys.com. In addition, we also have responding fire district boundaries for the following states: CA, FL, HI, IL, KS, MS, ND and VA.

CDS will be exhibiting at the following upcoming conferences. Whether you're a customer or prospect, we'd love to meet with you onsite at these exceptional events! Feel free to stop by our booth or if you wish to schedule an appointment, please contact Dan Munson at 617.737.4444 (dmunson@cdsys.com) or Bradley Sherwin at 617.737.4444 (bsherwin@cdsys.com)

Napslo Mid-Year Educational Workshop
February 16 - 18, 2006 *Phoenix, AZ

AAMGA Automation
March 11 - 14, 2006 *San Antonio, TX

PCI Joint Marketing & Underwriting Seminar
March 26 - 28, 2006 *Las Vegas, NV

RIMS Annual Conference
April 23 - 27, 2006 *Honolulu, HI

AAMGA Annual Meeting
May 7 - 11, 2006 *Maui, HI

IASA Annual Conference and Business Show
June 4 - 7, 2006 *Boston, MA

FAIA Convention & Expo
June 15 - 17, 2006 *Orlando, FL

American Agents Alliance Conference
September 28 - October 2, 2006 *Indian Wells, CA

In order to help you utilize the RiskMeter Online more effectively, we are now offering FREE Online training. This is a great way for your organization to have its most pressing questions answered, learn about reading various risk reports and how to utilize cutting-edge features, such as: Birdseye Geocoding, One Click Ruler and Manual Placement. To register for an upcoming Webcast, click on one of the links below or for more information, contact Maria Francis at 617.737.4444 or mfrancis@cdsys.com

National
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
1:00 pm- 2:00 pm (EDT)
https://cdsys.webex.com

National
Thursday, February 9, 2006
1:00 pm- 2:00 pm (EDT)
https://cdsys.webex.com

Western
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
1:00 pm- 2:00 pm (EDT)
https://cdsys.webex.com

Would you like the opportunity to evaluate any one of our risk reports without obligation? You can now! For a limited time you will be able to test-drive any RiskMeter Online report for FREE! Take advantage of this exceptional opportunity to see how a particular risk report can benefit your organization. To add a FREE, one-month risk report to your account, please call 617.737.4444.

Carriers

• American Traditions

• Cal Fed Agency
• Housing Authority Property Insurance
• NIP Group
• XN Financial

• Brunswick Companies
• Charles Mudd Co
• Condon Meek
• Countrywide Brokerage Services
• Everts Insurance Agency
• Golden Valley
• HallMark Insurance Assoc
• Harmon Dennis
• Michael MacDonald Financial Management
• Miller Associates Insurance Group
• Olivera and Arnold
• Saavedra Ins Agency
• Welsh Agency

Having a hard time managing your inbox? You can now receive the RiskMeter eNewsletter via regular mail. To get the latest issue of the RiskMeter newsletter delivered to your office (when it becomes available), please email Paul Ptashnick at: pptashnick@cdsys.com

Dan Munson, VP of Marketing & Sales
Tel: 617.737.4444
Email: dmunson@cdsys.com

Jamie Munson, Director of Consulting Services
Tel: 860.854.6125
Email: jmunson@cdsys.com

Bradley Sherwin, Account Executive
Tel: 617.737.4444
Email: bsherwin@cdsys.com

Dave Poitras, Account Executive
Tel: 617.737.4444
Email: dpoitras@cdsys.com

Maria Francis, Customer Support Consultant
Tel: 617.737.4444
Email: mfrancis@cdsys.com

If you would like more information on any of the topics discussed in this newsletter, please contact Dan Munson, VP of Marketing & Sales at: 617.737.4444 or dmunson@cdsys.com

Please forward this free newsletter to a friend or colleague who might benefit from it. We only ask that you send the entire newsletter. Thanks!

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