A system and method for managing and processing insurance claims is provided that implements an object oriented graphic user interface. The system includes at least one remote computer for entering and viewing insurance claim information. A wide area network capable of communicating with the remote computer and a computer in communication with said wide area network are also included. An insurance datafile, generated at said remote computer, is transferrable over the network. The method includes the steps of transmitting a claim assignment from an insurance office computer to a mailbox in a communications server, retrieving the assignment at a remote computer and generating an insurance claim datafile containing all data pertinent to an insurance claim and allowing for bidirectional transmission of the datafile over a wide area network. A graphic user interface for use in managing an insurance claim from an initial claim to final settlement is also included. The interface has common workflow objects such as an in box, an in process box, and an out box, for managing and manipulating one or more workfiles.