Insurance

Workflow deep dive

Claims exception handling / evidence packet assembly

A governed workflow for assembling the claim exception packet, detecting missing evidence, preparing follow-up, and keeping claims decisions human-owned and traceable.

high confidencehigh governanceScore 84

Field brief

Claims exception handling / evidence packet assembly

Start with claims exception handling / evidence packet assembly. The subflow is viable because the work is evidence-heavy, customer-impacting, and measurable, while AI can be bounded to file summarization, missing-evidence detection, guideline comparison, and draft preparation.

Exception cycle timeTouch countMissing evidence rateClaim file completeness
First viable score84directional
Sensitivityconfidential
Governancehigh
DecisionClaims adjuster

Why this is a first viable workflow

  • Exception claims concentrate visible pain without requiring automation of the entire claims lifecycle.
  • The workflow depends on assembling evidence from known sources: claim file, policy, communications, vendor reports, and handling guidelines.
  • AI can prepare summaries, missing-evidence checks, and follow-up drafts while the adjuster owns coverage, settlement, denial, and escalation decisions.
  • Success can be measured through exception cycle time, touch count, missing-evidence rate, communication quality, and evidence completeness.

Value leakage map

Leakage

Fragmented claim file evidence

Leakage

Manual exception triage

Leakage

Repeated claimant, broker, vendor, or provider follow-up

Leakage

Slow coverage or liability routing

Leakage

Inconsistent handling guideline comparison

Leakage

Weak communication traceability

Leakage

Incomplete regulatory or audit evidence

Workflow anatomy

  • Claim is flagged as an exception because information is missing, coverage is unclear, liability is disputed, severity is unusual, or escalation is required.
  • Adjuster assembles claim evidence across policy data, claim notes, communications, vendor reports, and prior related activity.
  • Exception is routed for coverage, authority, vendor, SIU, legal, or supervisor review when thresholds are met.
  • Adjuster requests missing evidence, drafts customer or broker updates, and documents the rationale for next action.
  • Decision, approval, communication, and supporting evidence are retained in the claim file.

Required context

Claim notice

Policy and coverage details

Adjuster notes

Photos, estimates, invoices, or medical records

Vendor reports

Claimant and broker communications

Coverage position history

Claims handling guidelines

Authority rules

Prior related claims

Regulatory correspondence

AI-fit matrix

AI roleFitHuman controlModel guidance
Summarize claim fileHighAdjuster verifieseconomical
Detect missing evidenceHighAdjuster confirmseconomical
Compare to handling guidelinesMedium/HighAdjuster decidesreasoning
Draft claimant, broker, or vendor follow-upHighAdjuster approvesreasoning
Recommend settlement amountLow/MediumHuman-owned
Coverage denial or SIU referral decisionNot appropriateHuman-owned

Governance profile

Data sensitivity

confidential

Sensitive business data. Confirm data handling and access controls are in place before running the pilot.

AI is permitted to
  • Summarize claim file and exception context into a structured packet
  • Detect missing evidence items against the required claim file list
  • Compare claim details to handling guidelines and flag exceptions
  • Draft claimant, broker, or vendor follow-up for adjuster review and approval
  • Prepare exception escalation packet for authority review
Audit requirements
  • Claim file evidence referenced in each AI summary
  • Communication drafts and adjuster approval record
  • Handling guideline comparison output and exceptions noted
  • Coverage and authority escalation decisions
  • Final decision and communication evidence for market conduct review

Pilot KPIs

Establish baselines before the pilot starts. These metrics determine whether the workflow actually improved.

MetricBaseline methodUnit
Exception cycle timeAverage days from exception flag to resolution, last 30 exceptionsdays
Touch countAverage number of adjuster actions per exception casetouches
Missing evidence ratePercentage of exceptions with incomplete claim file on intake%
Claim file completenessPercentage of closed exceptions with required evidence on file%

Human authority and governance

  • AI does not decide coverage, liability, settlement, denial, SIU referral, or regulatory response.
  • Claims adjuster verifies summaries, evidence gaps, guideline comparisons, and communication drafts.
  • Authority rules determine which human owns escalation, approval, settlement, or denial.
  • The workflow should retain source evidence, drafts, approvals, communications, and decision rationale for audit or market conduct review.

Evidence to inspect

  • Recent exception claims with timestamps
  • Claim notes and activity history
  • Policy, coverage, and endorsement references
  • Photos, estimates, invoices, medical records, or vendor reports
  • Customer, broker, vendor, or provider communications
  • Coverage escalation and authority approvals
  • Complaint or regulatory correspondence tied to claim handling

Field calibration questions

  • Which claim exception types create the most cycle-time drag today?
  • Where do adjusters leave the claim system to assemble evidence?
  • Which missing evidence patterns trigger repeated follow-up?
  • Who owns escalation when coverage, liability, severity, or authority is unclear?
  • Which communications need review before they go to the claimant, broker, provider, or vendor?
  • What claim file evidence would compliance, legal, or market conduct review need later?

Measurable outcomes

Outcome

Exception cycle time

Outcome

Touch count

Outcome

Missing evidence rate

Outcome

Customer update quality

Outcome

Escalation accuracy

Outcome

Claim file evidence completeness

30/60/90 adoption path

30 days
  • Select one exception type
  • Inspect recent exception claim files
  • Map evidence and communication sources
  • Benchmark touch count and cycle time
  • Prototype exception packet assembly
60 days
  • Pilot with one claims team
  • Add missing evidence detection
  • Add follow-up draft preparation
  • Define review and authority controls
  • Measure cycle-time and rework impact
90 days
  • Expand to adjacent exception types
  • Integrate with claims workflow system
  • Formalize communication and audit evidence
  • Reuse the pattern for complaint handling or subrogation review

After 90 days

After claims exception is proven, the pattern extends to the full claims lifecycle, complaint handling, subrogation review, and regulatory correspondence — each shares the evidence-assembly and communication-drafting core.

Source-backed signals

Deloitteconsulting2024-09-29
2025 global insurance outlook

Industry outlook framing AI, data quality, governance, operating model change, and measurable value levers for insurers.

NAICregulator2026-04-03
Artificial Intelligence insurance topic and Model Bulletin context

Regulatory context for AI use in underwriting, pricing, claims, fraud, governance, consumer impact, and examination evidence.

NAICregulator2023-12-04
Model Bulletin: Use of Artificial Intelligence Systems by Insurers

Adopted model bulletin emphasizing AI governance, risk management, compliance with insurance laws, and documentation available for regulatory review.

NAICregulator
Model Laws: Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act and related claims regulations

Regulatory source lens for claims handling standards, unfair claims settlement practices, record retention, and market conduct evidence expectations.

Accentureconsulting
AI and Generative AI Help Meet Customer Needs When It Matters

Claims-specific perspective on using AI and generative AI to improve claim handling, customer communication, and adjuster productivity.

Deloitteconsulting
Generative AI in Insurance

Insurance GenAI source noting claims processing, private data, regulatory compliance, and source traceability as important design constraints.