Customer experience

The auto insurer adds new apps and enhances its mobile quoting.

Insurance companies worldwide have suffered less than banks since the collapse of the subprime market in the United States in late 2007, Celent says. However, they have been impacted by the volatility of international markets and the uncertainty linked to the slow recovery of economies in industrialized countries. European insurers, in particular, have reacted to the changing environment successfully, implementing actions to adapt to the current changes and gain operational efficiency, according to the analyst/consulting firm.

Advancements in mobile deposit technologies in the coming year may be of interest to insurers.

New York-based ACE Ltd. completed its acquisition of Rain and Hail Insurance Service Inc. for approximately $1.1 billion in cash. Prior to the acquisition ACE had owned approximately 20% of the outstanding common stock of Rain and Hail. The purchase price reflects a dollar-for-dollar adjustment as required under the merger agreement to account for an increase to Rain and Hail’s book value that occurred between December 31, 2009, and the closing of the transaction.

One thing is certain: Technology will play the most prominent role in all efforts.

Insurers may learn something from banks' successes in the social media realm.

Survey finds misgivings about annuities rampant in wake of financial crisis.

SSA & Co. predicts 2011 will feature more complexity in the insurance industry and less customer service outsourcing.

Insurer revamps website with research and tools to help employers manage the issue of absence administration.

GloveBox mobile app to provide customers access to account information, roadside help and a variety of resources on the go.