Chris McMahon

Network technology and application/database security top the list, according to a survey from Novarica.

Reforms, supported by Obama administration, would increase premiums.

Customer service rises in importance as a business driver and cost containment declines, according to Strategy Meets Action.

New business unit consolidates recently acquired Extend Health, Liazon and others to help employers deliver health benefits to employees, company says.

Upgrade Studio is designed to accelerate the planning and execution of large data migrations and offer customized metrics and reports, company says.

Application helps U.S. P&C insurers model their business, enabling improved management of risk and capital, company says.

Shifting mobile strategies and two other trends will change the industry in 2014 and beyond, according to an Aite Group report.

Insurers are shifting their outsourcing dollars to adding new capabilities and infrastructure, and away from application development and maintenance.

Insurer and tech giant have made separate announcements that should be of interest to the insurance industry, especially those pursuing insurance telematics programs.

While only three insurers make the list, their ranks improve from last year.

Nearly all insurers also expect Congress will reauthorize the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, according to I.I.I. survey, which revealed deeply divided economic outlooks.

Many will stop selling universal life with secondary guarantees and half expect to make major design and pricing changes; CFOs to make only moderate changes to staffing levels despite lack of in-house talent.

Through its acquisition of Nest, Google soon will have access to even more personal data, positioning it to potentially enter the homeowners’ insurance market.

In newly created position, Denise Garth will be responsible for launching the firm’s innovation practice.

Business interruption and natural catastrophes pose the biggest threats, according to the Allianz Risk Barometer; for the first time, cybercrime and reputational loss enter the top 10 risks in United States.

SNL Insurance will offer clients the option of adding the iPartners reporting solution to their current subscription at a preferred rate.

In a recovering economy and armed with strong capital positions, life insurers and annuity providers should take the opportunity to become more customer centric through technology innovation, industry experts say.

In a stabilizing economy and armed with strong capital positions, P&C insurers should increase their focus on establishing competitive advantage through innovation, according to Deloitte.

New organizational structure intended to strengthen client services, better align resources to that goal and drive growth.

Despite higher administrative costs and uncertainty associated with HIX rollouts, A.M. Best forecasts top-line growth of as much as 5 percent.