HARTFORD, Conn.—Travelers Cos. Inc. has updated its risk management information system application for mobile telephones.

The e-CARMA platform is accessible on any mobile device with a Web browser, including iPhone and BlackBerry smartphones, the company said in a statement.

Developed by Travelers National Accounts and Risk Management Information Services, both units of Travelers Cos., the mobile platform allows risk managers and brokers to report claims instantly, access various documentation during the claim process, and review information, such as an adjuster's case notes, among other features.

“Risk management professionals are more mobile than ever, visiting manufacturing facilities, regional offices and job sites around the world,” said Matthew Carden, vp of RMIS at Travelers. “The mobile e-CARMA platform will allow risk managers to get away from their desks and laptop computers without sacrificing their access to important, mission-critical data.”

Hartford, Conn.-based Travelers, which displayed the application at last week's annual conference of the Risk & Insurance Management Society Inc., said the mobile e-CARMA application will be available this year.

For more information, contact Mr. Carden at MCARDEN@travelers.com.

HARTFORD, Conn.—The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. has developed a integrated program for employers to manage employee absences.

The Hartford Productivity Advantage program integrates short- and long-term group disability and workers compensation coverage with its leave management services to help employers cut lost productivity costs, the Hartford, Conn.-based insurer said in a statement.

“The average productivity loss due to an individual employee's disability-related leave of absence is nearly $23,000,” said Juan Andrade, president and chief operating officer of Hartford's property/casualty unit.”

Hartford said components of the program including disability, workers comp and leave management services can be integrated per the employers' objectives and timelines. Employers will also have access to analysis that shows the impact on productivity due to employee absences.

Under the program, employees have a single point of contact to report absences and will receive support from medical professionals if they experience a disability on or off the job, the company said.

For more information, contact Marjorie Savage, director of absence management for Hartford's benefits division, at 860-843-1880 or marjorie.savage@hartfordlife.com.

CHEVY CHASE, Md.—Underwriting manager Victor O. Schinnerer & Co. Inc. has developed kidnap and ransom coverage for religious organizations.

According to a statement, the program is available to churches and religious organizations of any size or denomination and provides coverage against acts of violence resulting in serious injury or death, threats of violence and extortion, damage to property, kidnapping for ransom and the disappearance of members from a church-sponsored activity.

“Houses of worship are not immune to threats of violence,” Sarah Katz, assistant vp of the Chevy Chase, Md.-based company’s kidnap and ransom program, said in a statement. “Both domestically and internationally, religious organizations are experiencing an increase in cases of kidnap and extortion—especially those that do work overseas while on world missions or attending conferences.”

Schinnerer said the insurance would cover directors, officers, mission attendees, students, chaperones and independent contractors, among others.

The policy is underwritten on behalf of Great American Insurance Co., a unit of Great American Insurance Group.

For more information, contact Ms. Katz at 301-961-9898 or Sarah.J.Katz@Schinnerer.com.