Digital Platforms

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.

The 2011 ACORD/LOMA Systems Forum began Sunday with vendors concentrating on familiar themes, but also placing more emphasis on mobile tech than in previous years.

Insurance Networking News is proud to present its INN Newscast. This special video edition brings you exclusive coverage from day one of the 2011 ACORD LOMA Insurance Systems Forum in San Diego.Broadcast includes: • LOMA SVP Jeff Hasty discusses the life and annuity industry’s current challenges.• Monique Hesseling, head of personal lines/small commercial segment development for Zurich and the chairperson of the ACORD Standards Committee, breaks down the organizational changes at ACORD and what this means for insurers. • Attendees answer the question: Where within your own organization have you seen the most benefits from standards use? 

AEGON, Jackson, Munich Re, Nationwide and others all released their first-quarter figures.

Solution designed to more effectively manage claims and identify fraudulent activity.

Plaintiffs allege medical treatment was wrongfully denied by USAA.

More than 40% of financial services’ senior human resources professionals identified a stronger focus on pay issues over the next 12 months than on other HR changes, according to a poll conducted by global professional services company Towers Watson. The survey respondents noted risk adjustments to financials or incentive pools as the most expected shift in pay policies, and a focus on pay issues rather than other changes, such as linkage of deferred vehicles to business unit performance (16%) or longer vesting periods (15%).

Survey shows consumers becoming markedly less apprehensive about purchasing auto policies online.

Confusing wording makes auto insurance policies incomprehensible to 36% of American drivers, according to a survey.

Insurers, government message caution as warm Atlantic waters are predicted to contribute to an active hurricane season.

Of the many claims that U.S. property insurers reported in 2010, electronics, jewelry and apparel top the list.

The new group will provide those in the life insurance and annuity market with advice on risk mitigation and financial leverage.

ProspX platform designed to streamline communication with agency’s global broker and carrier partners.

Product provides coverage for data breaches affecting up to 4 million individuals.

Pending capital requirements are altering business strategies of European-owned U.S. life subsidiaries.

Cloud and mobile markets cause spike in open software, though barriers persist, a survey finds.

Both variable and fixed annuities have seen sales rise so far in 2011, according to a LIMRA report.

A recent article identifies the types of individuals who are likely to cause internal data security problems, but many such problems are caused by folks who put themselves first.

Agency-centric insurer pays $1 billion to acquire Esurance and expand its presence on the Web.

insurance, claims, losses, disaster recovery, Chubb, Japanese catastrophe

Cloud deployment, mobile devices trending upward sharply in IBM survey of 3,000 information leaders.

Of the 49 bank holding companies involved in credit insurance underwriting, reinsurance or both in 2010, 35 experienced declines, study says.

Kasina's "Social Media Index" ranked the five most successful users of social media amongst asset management firms.

The provider of insurance to small and mid-sized technology companies supports MIT’s annual competition.

Nearly 50% of global consumers believe their financial institutions don't care about them.

New report foresees double-digit growth in the use of business process outsourcing by insurers.