LOS ANGELES --- Farmers Insurance Group of Companies has introduced eZsign, a new claims settlement option for customers with total loss claims. The electronic-signature system is currently approved in the states of Washington, Oklahoma and Illinois. 

"Previously, a customer who had reached settlement would have to wait for documents to arrive in the mail, and then sign and return those documents for payment to be issued," said Odom Wu, director of Farmers Strategic Initiatives. "Now Farmers, with the agreement of the Washington, Oklahoma and Illinois Departments of Motor Vehicles, can give customers the option to receive the documents via e-mail, sign them online using their mouse, and return them instantly to expedite payment." 

The new process will replace the current system in which the insured receives an overnight package, endorses the documents and sends them back by a return overnight package. "The usual turnaround time can be greater than a week," Wu said.