Digital Platforms

New study from Oracle and INN finds that aged IT systems remain operational impediment for insurers.

Borders of the office are being redefined forever by collaboration and engagement on Web platforms

2011 IT spend projected at $125 billion for small and midsized businesses, insurers included.

Survey reveals that online applications now initiate a majority of new policy sales.

Insurers contemplating integrating mobile platforms into their enterprises must take heed of this disturbing trend and make tough calls.

Australia’s largest insurer looks to expands into U.S. forced-placed insurance market.

Fixed annuity sales month-to-month rose 6% in the first quarter, and Western National and New York Life contributed the most sales.

As FEMA’s Direct Servicing Agent, the property/casualty software and services provider will expand services to insurance agents, policyholders, lenders and other stakeholders.

After profiling 10 document automation systems for its recent report, Celent suggests five factors to consider before investing in the systems.

Perr&Knight, a provider of insurance support services, will launch an insurance technology services arm next week, the company reports.

Health insurance exchanges under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act may pose a threat to COBRA.

Risks rise as employees increasingly use personal mobile devices for enterprise purposes.

As rule makers finalize the Dodd-Frank Act behind closed doors, insurers fear they will suffer collateral damage.

With the dollar falling and global capital markets still uncertain, dealing with financial risk is becoming tougher for life insurers.

Insurance business process outsourcing market blossoms; driving costs out of the claims process.

FCCI chooses Sword Insurance Portal; Physicians Mutual selects InsPro Enterprise.

The recently released white paper from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners on the role of producers in state exchanges, while helpful, leaves many crucial questions unanswered.

Through May, State Farm provided more than $2.5 billion in catastrophe claim payments to its customers across North America.

Witnesses tell House committee that cross-state sales would reduce the number of uninsured.

As the insurance industry continues to recover from an ailing economy, the focus on life insurers’ overall financial health has been largely a “wait-and-see” one. Unlike property/casualty carriers, whose cash flow is relatively fluid, life insurers’ success is tied largely to superior, sustained financial management.

June 8, 2011 is the last day nominations for Women in Insurance Leadership awards will be accepted.

As the Asian insurance market continues to grow, it faces constraints and opportunities not unlike their North American competitors. A recent report by Boston-based research and consulting firm Celent notes insurers' top three drivers for IT investment in 2011: growing the business, ease of doing business with agents and other distribution channels, and ease of doing business with customers. The report reviews in detail the current business trends facing the market for 2011, and how they are impacting IT investment.

Survey results reveal increase in real-time upload and commercial lines download.

Suite to enable managing general underwriter to deliver agent service, support for multiple carriers.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says, in a turnaround from prior rankings, six of 13 small—rather than large—cars earn safety awards.

Survey targeting several sectors reveals that insurance and mobile telecom rank lowest in respondent satisfaction with communication levels; banks ranked highest.

Treasury begins to lessen ownership stake as it unloads 200 million shares of the insurer’s common stock.

The Hartford, which acquired Federal Trust in early 2009 to get a $3.4 billion investment from the TARP program, says it considers the bank a non-core business.

LIMRA says guaranteed living benefits were adopted 86% of the time in Q1 when they were offered with variable annuities.

Annuity sales through banks topped $4 billion in March to reach their highest level in two years, research says.

The annual insurance technology conference saw shifting trends, but issues from the past remain a challenge.

National Association of Insurance Commissioners affirms the need for producers in state health insurance exchanges, and the appropriateness of compensating them in several ways for their services.

Survey finds P&C insurers are focusing their underwriters on high value tasks, such as those that improve relationships with producers.

Former American Council of Life Insurers head discusses his new life as chief of the American Bankers Association.

Joint technology product development and launches highlight “partnership” theme at latest insurance conference.

Tablets—especially the iPad—have been an “agent of change” for the London insurance market.

Despite improvements in economy, insurers’ software buys reflect long decision times, slowdown in closed deals.

Accenture survey finds younger consumers still prefer to purchase insurance through agent networks.

Last week, HHS issued proposed regs requiring health insurers seeking to increase their premium rates by 10% or more will have to notify the state and government.

Forrester report outlines impending tools and techniques for processing unstructured data.

Starting in September, insurers will have to publicly post proposed rate increases for the small group and individual markets.

Biz Stone emphasized the value of creativity in all business ventures, and the need to allow such creative ideas to flow freely.

Biz Stone implored insurers during his keynote at the ACORD LOMA Insurance Systems Forum to sit down with all new employees and tell them to make certain assumptions that could benefit their careers.

Insurers may want to keep an eye on Google's new 'Advisor' portal, which connects consumers to all of the company's financial search engines.

AIG is counting on Chartis CEO Peter Hancock's experience managing financial risk to make up for his lack of an insurance background.

On day two of the INN Newscast covering the 2011 ACORD LOMA Insurance Systems Forum, Shane McCullough, ACORD’s chief enterprise architect in charge of ACORD’s Framework initiative, shares how standards users can benefit from the Framework’s latest advancements.The INN Newscast team also takes a peek inside a couple of sessions that take a realistic look at the upside—and the downside—of emerging technologies.Finally, insurance carrier attendees identify their top technology initiatives for 2011.

Solution intended to assist with administration, management of Aon’s life, health portfolio.

The government and a group of private investors plan to spin off the insurer's subprime lending and servicing division by selling $500 million of stock to the public.

Platform to connect agents with consumers, deliver speed-to-market advantages.

Vertafore, BOLT Insurance Agency among companies recognized in annual ranking.

Guidewire solution designed to reduce manual billing processes, provide weekly enhancements.

Relationship designed to bring BPO and business continuity services to small- to mid-sized P&C insurance carriers.