EDIFACT message guide · Insurance

ICSOLI Insurance claim solicitor's instruction

The UN/EDIFACT message insurers and their solicitors use to exchange claim details and instructions during claim dispute resolution.

Sent by
Insurer or solicitor
Received by
Solicitor or insurer
Standard
UN/EDIFACT · Batch message
X12 equivalent
No direct equivalent

What is the EDIFACT ICSOLI message?

ICSOLI is the UN/EDIFACT insurance claim solicitor's instruction. The directory defines it as a message exchanged between insurers and solicitors acting for the insurer during claim dispute resolution. It lets the insurer provide claim details and instructions, and lets the solicitor report back.

When a claim is disputed or litigated, the insurer appoints a solicitor and must share the claim file and its instructions, then follow progress and costs. Structured messages make that exchange traceable for both parties. It covers costs as well.

How the EDIFACT ICSOLI message worksDiagram of the UN/EDIFACT ICSOLI Insurance claim solicitor's instruction message. Insurer or solicitor sends it to solicitor or insurer. It usually starts the exchange. Inside the UNB and UNH envelopes, the directory D.21A requires, in the start of message: BGM (Beginning of message) and body and segment groups: the required SG1 loop with ICD (Insurance cover description), the required SG2 loop with PNA (Party identification) and UNS (Section control). 6 conditional segment groups are listed by their trigger segment.How the EDIFACT ICSOLI message worksInsurance claim solicitor's instruction: who sends it, where it fits and what the directory marks mandatory1 WHERE IT FITSUSUALLY FOLLOWSStarts the exchangeICSOLISENDERInsurer or solicitorRECEIVERSolicitor or insurerCONTRL syntax report back, if agreedUSUALLY FOLLOWED BYNo business reply expected2 WHAT DIRECTORY D.21A REQUIRESInterchange: sender and recipient IDsUNB … UNZMessage ICSOLIUNH … UNTSTART OF MESSAGEBGMBeginning of messageBODY AND SEGMENT GROUPSMandatory group SG1 · repeats up to 1ICDInsurance cover descriptionMandatory group SG2 · repeats up to 9PNAParty identificationUNSSection control+ 6 conditional groups, starting with:ADRRODCODEVEPYTBlue box: mandatory segment group. Conditional groups are listed by the trigger segment that starts them; a group is sent only when its data applies.Conditional segments outside groups are not drawn.Structure: mandatory segments and groups in the UN/EDIFACT directory D.21A listing for ICSOLI. Your trading partner's implementation guide adds itsown requirements.
How the EDIFACT ICSOLI message worksDiagram of the UN/EDIFACT ICSOLI Insurance claim solicitor's instruction message. Insurer or solicitor sends it to solicitor or insurer. It usually starts the exchange. Inside the UNB and UNH envelopes, the directory D.21A requires, in the start of message: BGM (Beginning of message) and body and segment groups: the required SG1 loop with ICD (Insurance cover description), the required SG2 loop with PNA (Party identification) and UNS (Section control). 6 conditional segment groups are listed by their trigger segment.How the EDIFACT ICSOLImessage worksInsurance claim solicitor's instruction: whosends it, where it fits and what the directorymarks mandatory1 WHERE IT FITSUSUALLY FOLLOWSStarts the exchangeICSOLISENDERInsurer orsolicitorRECEIVERSolicitor orinsurerCONTRL syntax report back, if agreedUSUALLY FOLLOWED BYNo business reply expected2 WHAT DIRECTORY D.21A REQUIRESInterchange: sender and recipient IDs(UNB … UNZ)Message ICSOLI (UNH … UNT)START OF MESSAGEBGMBeginning of messageBODY AND SEGMENT GROUPSMandatory group SG1 · repeats upto 1ICDInsurance cover descriptionMandatory group SG2 · repeats upto 9PNAParty identificationUNSSection control+ 6 conditional groups, starting with:ADRRODCODEVEPYTBlue box: mandatory segment group. Conditionalgroups are listed by the trigger segment thatstarts them; a group is sent only when its dataapplies. Conditional segments outside groups arenot drawn.Structure: mandatory segments and groups in theUN/EDIFACT directory D.21A listing for ICSOLI.Your trading partner's implementation guide adds itsown requirements.

How to read this diagram: the top row shows who sends ICSOLI, to whom, and which messages usually come before and after it. The lower part shows what the directory D.21A itself requires: the envelopes around ICSOLI and the segments and segment groups it marks mandatory. Conditional groups are listed by their trigger segment rather than drawn in full. This is the directory's minimum, not a trading partner's requirement: a message implementation guide, such as an industry subset or a partner’s own guide, usually makes some conditional groups mandatory, restricts the codes and may use an older directory.

Expand diagram Download SVG

When it is used

  • Instructing a solicitor on a disputed claim
  • Receiving progress reports from solicitors
  • Exchanging cost and settlement information

Where it fits in the message flow

This message ICSOLI Insurance claim solicitor's instruction

No other message routinely comes directly before or after ICSOLI; it is exchanged when the business event occurs. If the partners agree, the receiver confirms each interchange with a CONTRL syntax and service report.

Structure

Mandatory segments in ICSOLI (directory D.21A)

In UN/EDIFACT directory D.21A, the ICSOLI message has 64 segment positions arranged in 10 segment groups. These are the segments and segment groups marked mandatory at message level, in order; a mandatory group is shown with the segment that starts it. Segments inside conditional groups are needed only when the group is used. This is the directory’s requirement, not your trading partner’s: each partner’s message implementation guide names the directory it uses, often an older one such as D.96A or D.01B where the structure can differ, makes some conditional segments mandatory and restricts the codes.

  • UNH
  • BGM
  • SG1 (ICD)
  • SG2 (PNA)
  • UNS
  • UNT

Practical example

ICSOLI in practice

A motor insurer contests a personal injury claim. It sends its panel solicitor an ICSOLI with the claim details, the policy, the accident circumstances and instructions to negotiate a settlement within a reserve. The solicitor reports progress and the final settlement through the same message.

Implementation

Implementation considerations for ICSOLI

  • Protect confidential and personal data in claim files.
  • Reference the claim consistently across insurer and solicitor systems.
  • Track legal costs against agreed budgets.
  • Record instructions and responses for audit.

Need help with ICSOLI?

ECOM maps, tests and monitors EDIFACT messages for your trading partners and integrates them with your ERP.