PHOENIX – When a crash damages the state highway system, the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Insurance Recovery Unit makes sure taxpayers don’t get stuck with the bill unnecessarily.

This operation recovered more than $5 million during the fiscal year that ended June 30, accounting for 98% of crash-related maintenance costs. In all, the Insurance Recovery Unit processed 2,701 claims during fiscal 2020, the most it’s ever handled in a year.

The Insurance Recovery Unit, comprised of professionals with insurance industry backgrounds, reaches out to the responsible parties and their insurance carriers to recover repair costs. The money received goes into the State Highway Fund.

Since its inception in 2012, the unit has recovered around $45 million for damage to the state highway system.

Thanks to process improvements developed using the Arizona Management System championed by Governor Doug Ducey, the Insurance Recovery Unit has dramatically increased the speed with which it resolves claims. Since fiscal 2015, when the unit processed 1,152 claims, its total has increased each year.

The Insurance Recovery Unit reorganized operations to have separate teams tasked with researching responsible parties, sending requests and negotiating the final amounts recovered. Before that, each adjuster in the unit handled all aspects of a claim.

“Another improvement that’s paying big dividends is going totally paperless, which saves time and money,” said Jim Cupp, who leads the Insurance Recovery Unit. “We get our demands out faster and thus are able to handle more claims.”

The recovery process begins when law enforcement responds to an incident in which guardrail, a bridge or some other component of the highway system has been damaged. The officer will mark the damaged item with a sticker that has the incident report number on it. When ADOT is notified of the damage and makes the repair, a member of the Insurance Recovery Unit will contact the responsible party or their insurer to file a claim.

To learn more about how the Arizona Management System helps ADOT deliver value every day for Arizonans, please visit azdot.gov/AMS.

PHOENIX – Governor Doug Ducey has honored Arizona Highways and Arizona State Parks and Trails with his Good Government Award for a collaboration that includes a one-year subscription to the magazine when someone purchases an annual parks pass.

The award celebrates innovations stemming from the Arizona Management System, which empowers all state employees to continually improve processes and value to customers.

Arizona Highways, published by the Arizona Department of Transportation, has added 12,500 subscribers since the promotion launched in July 2018, while the magazine promotes standard and premium annual passes available from Arizona State Parks and Trails. Additionally, Arizona State Parks and Trails has seen a nearly 11% increase in pass sales and promotes Arizona Highways magazine on its website, via social media channels, in parks and on vehicles throughout the state.

The partnership has helped both the magazine and Arizona State Parks and Trails better promote travel and tourism around Arizona.

“Governor Ducey has set a goal of making Arizona the No. 1 place to visit and recreate,” said Kelly Mero, publisher of Arizona Highways. “This innovative partnership developed using tools from the Arizona Management System has helped increase awareness of our state’s hidden gems and encourage visitors and residents alike to get out and explore Arizona.”

Using structured problem-solving under the Arizona Management System championed by Governor Ducey, representatives of Arizona Highways and Arizona State Parks and Trails identified needs and goals as well as responsibilities and roles. One key to this effective collaboration was Arizona Highways developing a strong understanding of Arizona State Parks and Trails’ membership model and customers.

“This partnership showcases what two agencies can do when they work together toward a common goal,” said Bob Broscheid, executive director of Arizona State Parks and Trails. “Combining the 35 state parks with the gorgeous photography and amazing storytelling found in Arizona Highways Magazine is a natural fit and a great collaboration.”

For more information on annual passes available from Arizona State Parks and Trails, or on any of the 35 state parks, please visit azstateparks.com.

Arizona Highways, known internationally for showcasing state’s landscapes, wildlife and history through stunning photography and compelling stories, has subscribers in all 50 states and more than 100 countries. It also publishes a variety of books and calendars. To learn more or to subscribe, please visit ArizonaHighways.com.

To learn more about how the Arizona Management System helps ADOT deliver value every day for Arizonans, please visit azdot.gov/AMS.