Adversity breeds innovation

Steve Jobs gets a lot of credit for re-imagining computing, for making us mobile, and for putting technology in our hands that has changed the way we communicate, do business, purchase products, and so much more. While in this instance it was the availability of increasingly powerful data storage options and more widespread internet connectivity that made Jobs’ leaps and bounds possible, adversity is more often the catalyst for dramatic change.

Prior to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the insurance industry was working hard to overcome the perception of being antiquated and out of touch. Notably, part of this work involves simply being quicker and more willing to evaluate, purchase, and implement new technologies. Today, the challenges presented by a global health and economic crisis have insurance organizations scrambling to fully support a monumental shift in customer risk needs, demands, and expectations.

But remember, out of adversity comes innovation and invention. For insurers willing to adopt a new mindset and leverage the latest technologies as a way of adapting to market changes, the personal, commercial, economic, and social recovery that is underway is an opportunity. Insurers can come out of the pandemic stronger and more able to meet new customer expectations and global demands, and ultimately, to accelerate growth. Unfortunately, change is rarely easy.

There are operational and technology changes necessary at a foundational level which will enable insurers to match the pace of future business and succeed in this new era of insurance. And, as the insurance industry continues to evolve, it is important to empower leaders with the courage to embrace the opportunity that comes with disruption in terms of product innovation, distribution redefinition, and new technology foundation.

Product innovation

The last decade has seen shifts in lifestyles, workplace trends, entrepreneurship, and new businesses driven by technology, such as online grocery, drone-based businesses, and new services business underpinned by IoT. At the same time, we have seen new economies emerge, such as the gig and sharing economies.

Today, there are more small businesses than ever before, more women starting businesses, and more people working from home. Expectations are also different. Policyholders demand more transparency into premium calculation or risk assessment, self-service options for bill payment, policy documents, and claim status, and an ability to proactively affect premiums through behavior modifications. These changes mean individuals and businesses alike are carrying new risk or carrying existing risk in different ways, and subsequently, product innovation, true product innovation, can no longer wait. The move toward more personalized, on-demand, usage-based insurance (UBI) products is on across all lines of business, but especially in property and casualty (P&C), as a way of accommodating and supporting the evolving business landscape.

Distribution redefinition

While many commercial policyholders will still purchase coverage from an insurance agent or broker, the next generation of policyholders expects channel options. In addition to the agent/broker option, insurers today must offer viable online or direct functionality via a dedicated portal, partnerships with managing general agencies (MGAs) that can cover new geographies quickly, and point-of-purchase, embedded, or ecosystem plays through integration opportunities. It’s no longer just about convenience, it’s about awareness and matching the right coverage to the right policyholder, through the right channel, at the right time. Finding the mix of distribution channels which allows for speed-to-market, producer profitability, and a greater degree of self-service is key for insurance executives redefining the distribution diagram.

New technology foundation

Investments in cloud and next-generation core systems, as well as emerging technologies (such as artificial intelligence (AI) including machine learning (ML), robotic process automation (RPA), and natural language processing (NLP) solutions) will support new greenfield business models and insurance products and accelerate innovation and growth in weeks versus months or years. New commercial coverages, such as those for cyber, cannabis, and on-demand or UBI commercial auto today are born digital and are inherently flexible thanks to the nimble technology platforms on which they are built. As confidence in emerging technologies grows, enthusiasm for immediate adoption must be tempered by industry expertise that does not compromise regulatory compliance, privacy, or security of personally-identifiable information (PII).

Throughout history, there has been a strong relationship between disruption and opportunity – driven by innovation in business and technology. COVID-19, among other cultural, demographic and global pressures, is changing customer behaviors and business models and creating demand for product innovation, distribution redefinition, and new technology foundation. It follows that these demands create opportunities to make insurance better and more relevant through the innovative application of technology. But just as Steve Jobs reimagined the world of personal computing, insurance leaders and organizations must be willing to think differently in order to make the most of this open window.

To hear more about the opportunities, view the recent on-demand roundtable with industry leaders on the opportunities.

Co-authors:

Seth Rachlin, Global Insurance Industry Leader, Capgemini Financial Services

Denise Garth, Chief Strategy Officer, Majesco

Seth Rachlin

Seth Rachlin has over twenty years experience building and advising companies in the insurance, technology and business services sectors.
He has founded, built and negotiated the sale of two companies to publicly traded entities. He has extensive experience as a consultant to over 50 Fortune 500 and middle market insurance companies in both the Life and Annuity and Property and Casualty businesses.
He has also advised numerous software, service, and hardware providers in the business application; data management; security, network and data center infrastructure; and information integration spaces.