The 2017 World Insurance Report (WIR), released by Capgemini and Efma, finds that a wave of new digital technology is confronting most insurance sectors. While disruptive, the InsurTech movement presents more technology-related opportunities than witnessed before, highlighting the need for traditional insurers to design a balanced strategy which ensures return on their investments in innovation without a loss of focus. Despite their short history, InsurTechs have changed the face of the market. In fact, of the more than 8,000 consumers surveyed worldwide as part of the WIR, nearly one-third (31.4%) of customers said they rely on InsurTechs either exclusively or in combination with incumbent relationships to access insurance services. Respondents also said InsurTechs have earned a reputation for better value for money and timely, efficient service.
InsurTechs appeal directly to the needs and preferences of the highly-prized Gen Y and tech-savvy customer segments, who seek convenience, agility and personalization in their financial interactions. These segments are more likely to buy additional products from their insurers, making them an important source of potential incremental revenue. Yet the young and tech-savvy also tend to be less loyal, underscoring the need for insurers to build and maintain relationships with them by catering to their preference for digital touchpoints. On the whole, however, customers are not ready to walk away from the ties they have long had with incumbents, citing security and fraud protection (45.9%), brand recognition (43.7%) and personal interaction (41.6%) as areas in which incumbents performed better.. In addition, 39.8 percent of customers say they trust their insurers, compared to only 26.3 percent who trust InsurTechs.
Insurers agree that the complementary strengths of InsurTechs and incumbents form a solid case for collaboration. In fact, of the more than 100 senior executives interviewed from various insurance firms in 15 markets, a strong majority (75 percent) said that developing InsurTech capabilities would help them better meet customers’ evolving demands. And more than half (52.7 percent) agreed that having InsurTech capabilities would help them quickly design personalized products.
Jack Dugan, Executive Vice President and Head of Insurance, Capgemini, said, “Increasingly, partnerships are being viewed as a welcome development in the ongoing effort to address the InsurTech movement. InsurTechs can help incumbents overcome roadblocks such as aging systems and paper-based processes. Meanwhile, incumbents can help InsurTechs face newcomer challenges like high customer-acquisition costs and a lack of risk management experience.”
Efma Secretary General Vincent Bastid, added, “The continued reliance of consumers on digital technologies that support mobile apps, social networking, on-demand services and the like makes it clear that the mass market has entered a new phase. The insurance industry serves the masses and must adapt to the new terms of engagement. Collaborating with InsurTechs, is an optimal way of incubating and accelerating digital innovation.”
Emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain are acting as catalysts for this InsurTech revolution and driving a myriad of innovations in digitization, data and analytics, and insurance-as-a-utility. Thus, the World Insurance Report 2017 advises insurers to prioritize their innovation investments based on a synergistic technology strategy to effectively navigate the innovation conundrum. Proficiencies useful for one type of innovation are often applicable elsewhere, so a full analysis of the costs and cross-over benefits of each investment is essential. InsurTech influences will increase with time, making it imperative for insurers to formulate a comprehensive, multi-faceted response.
