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MEENAL JAIN
(19IN623)
INSURTECH TRENDS
WHAT IS INSURTECH?
Insurtech refers to the use of technology innovations designed to squeeze out savings and efficiency from
the current insurance industry model. Insurtech is a combination of the words “insurance” and
“technology,” inspired by the term fintech.
The belief driving insurtech companies and investments by venture capitalists in the space is that the
insurance industry is ripe for innovation and disruption. Insurtech is exploring avenues that large insurance
firms have less incentive to exploit, such as offering ultra-customized policies, social insurance, and using
new streams of data from Internet-enabled devices to dynamically price premiums according to observed
behavior.
INSURTECH TRENDS:
Human intellectual capital
Personalization & data
Digitization
AI
Blockchain
As with every other industry, insurance is becoming more technologically advanced (and some may say,
disrupted) by the day. Though the transformation is much too slow.
There are several reasons for this, but one that may or may not surprise you is that insurers are struggling
to attract and retain top-talent despite insurance being a multi-trillion dollar, high-growth industry.
In the last three years, insurtech funding has increased by 60% in the US (from US$1.46 billion to $2.44
billion according to CB Insights), while it’s more than tripled in Asia (from $140 million to $506 million).
This may seem impressive, but it’s also necessary.
Insurance infrastructures are established in developed economies, which is a double-edged
sword. Companies are struggling to modernize complicated legacy systems and develop new ways of
working (with a strong focus on the customer) without sacrificing the old approaches that got them where
they are today.
In this area, new players and companies in developing economies are at an advantage – they are able to
develop digital-first infrastructures that incorporate the latest technologies from the outset, without
concerning themselves with making old, analog ways of working function in a new world. It’s up to
established insurance heavy-hitters to ensure they don’t get left behind.
So it’s no wonder that a vital area for improvement has emerged – advancing human intellectual capital.
In the US, only 2% of university alumni plan to work in insurance. Young prodigies are choosing
consulting, finance, or technology companies instead. This means that many insurers lack the skilled staff
required to follow, apply, and develop new insurance innovations.
Human intellectual capital.
It’s one thing to be aware of the innovations shaping the future of your industry, but implementing them is
quite another. And without talented, skilled staff, you have little hope. This is the barrier faced by many
insurers, which is why human intellectual capital needs to be a key focus if they don’t want to be left behind.
Why is human intellectual capital particularly a pain point for insurers? Employing and retaining talented,
technically skilled staff is difficult and costly for any company, let alone one in an industry that’s come to
be considered ‘uncool’ – which, let’s face it, insurance has.
Younger candidates, in particular, are showing little desire to venture into insurance over other, more
‘exciting’ industries, such as those in the tech space.
Additionally, retaining experienced staff is a key concern. Especially when it comes to achieving the levels
of customer satisfaction that insurers are striving for. After all, happy, experienced employees lead to
happy, loyal consumers, and in turn, brighter long-term prospects for businesses.
Which is where insurtech might provide added value. Insurtech partnerships could enable insurance
companies to position themselves as dynamic, connected, and potentially disruptive – helping them rise
above their old and stuffy image.
What’s more, the prospect of being part of the adoption, enhancement, and development of innovative
technologies may assist with employee attraction and retention. Employees are more satisfied when they
have opportunities to upskill and learn at their own pace. And the innovation that’s closely associated with
insurtech is all about constant learning and growth.
INNOVATIVE STARTUPS IN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY
Digitization.
Insurance companies are adopting digital strategies. Not just for savings and efficiency, but for increased
customer satisfaction with a whopping 61% of customers confirming they prefer to check their applications
online.
Of course, transitioning from paper trails to online-only isn’t easy. According to McKinsey, nine out of 10
insurance companies say they’re struggling to develop the technology infrastructure they need, blaming
legacy software and the sheer magnitude of their IT systems.
What’s more, internal processes across the industry are unnecessarily complicated, and many companies
are duplicating their efforts, with TechCrunch suggesting that insurance brokers are becoming obsolete in
this mobile-first world. This means that some 1 million jobs in the US alone could be automated, which
would cut costs by up to 40%.
But digitization (tacking digital processes onto existing ways of working) is not always enough.
Digitalization (involving a complete transformation of existing business models) is also required.
So, how are companies doing it? To overcome the complex-legacy-system problem and enable new
offerings, companies are adopting API or microservices architecture. But keeping the customer at the center
of these developments is key.
Some companies have struck the right balance using robotic process automation (RPA) – software that
supports human staff by performing complicated back-end tasks for them in the blink of an eye. Not only
is RPA benefitting customer interactions, it’s also boosting their data-harvesting capabilities.
AI.
AI and machine learning have the potential to impact every aspect of the way insurance businesses are
run, making almost every process more efficient.
Specialized functions such as fraud prevention, anti-money laundering, underwriting, and pricing are set to
be overhauled using this transversal tech. Meanwhile, the data collection opportunities AI provides will
help companies achieve automation (robo-advisors are incoming) and enhanced personalization.
Of course, AI isn’t mature yet, and a human touch is still needed to help it do its work. But companies that
fail to adopt AI now may find themselves left behind by the time autonomous versions appear.
Examples of AI in insurance
CARPE DATA
This company gathers and refines emerging and alternative data sources using AI. With the information
they collect, Cape Data can help clients enhance every area in the insurance lifecycle.
SHIFT TECHNOLOGY
Shift Technology offers AI-based anti-claims-fraud detection software. The company developed their
automation solutions specifically for the insurance industry and the unique challenges insurers face.
Blockchain.
Blockchain enables the creation of a digital ledger that can’t be altered. Using this technology, insurers can
reduce the admin costs that come with reviewing claims and checking payments made by third parties –
blockchain ensures all of this information is shared, fraud-protected, and easy to verify.
According to PWC, block chain could particularly benefit reinsurers – reducing the steps involved in the
process and leading to potential savings of USD $5-10 billion worldwide. For example, reinsurers in
healthcare could cut costs and save time using smart blockchain contracts to quickly verify consumer data
and insurance history, reducing the back and forth that’s commonly involved.
Additionally, blockchain can be distributed widely without the risk of duplication, enabling increased
transparency and improved workflow governance.
Examples of blockchain in insurance
TEAMBRELLA
Teambrella is a peer-to-peer insurance platform that enables its users to cover each other and vote on
premiums and reimbursements. They use blockchain to handle payments securely and ease the burden and
worry exchanging money between peers may cause.
LEMONADE
This innovative insurance startup offers homeowners and renters insurance powered by AI, blockchain, and
behavioral economics. Lemonade also donates excess profits from premiums to worthy causes, but we
digress.