Digital Platforms

Insurers that view an MDM initiative as just another technology project risk failure.

As insurers make greater use of mobile computing, they must prepare countermeasures for the constantly evolving tactics of malware creators.

Experts say insurance fraud has grown in the current recession, but insurers seem unwilling to fund anti-fraud measures

Research and advisory firm Novarica has published a new series of Quick IT Benchmark reports for 12 different categories of U.S. insurers, based on more than 80 responses from our CIO Research Council members. The reports include information on total budgets/breakdowns, maintenance and new projects, IT staffing, breakfix and programming requests, enterprise applications, and a summary of key questions that were answered by respondents.

AIG reorganizes Chartis, creating two global groups—commercial and consumer—and appoints Peter Hancock CEO.

David Sokol resigns from Berkshire after questionable stock transactions revealed.

Perhaps the enhancements will help to improve Microsoft's market share, which is well behind Android, Apple and Blackberry.

Employees value non-medical benefits far more than employers think, according to annual report.

Association is postponing a decision on whether or not to endorse the Access to Professional Health Insurance Advisors Act of 2011 for at least a month.

Fraudsters follow companies in move toward electronic payment forms.

Another example of excellent customer service, USAA's 16-category list of the top vehicles helps guide policyholders’ purchasing decisions.

Total bank annuity sales fell to $33.2 billion in 2010—their lowest level since $31 billion in 2000, says Kehrer-LIMRA.

While USAA and TriCare are a couple of the exceptions, health and P&C insurers disappoint customers, according to new report.

Since its founding in 1970, the Association for Cooperative Research and Development (ACORD), Pearl River, N.Y., has brought members of the insurance industry together to collaborate in the development of standards to improve data exchange and communication within and across organizations.

The more than $43 billion cost to the global insurance industry was an increase of more than 60% over the previous year, according to a Swiss Re sigma study.

Bill that eliminates annual report card for quality of claims service passes house by wide margin.

While industry observers are still assessing the long-term financial impact of the events on Aflac, MetLife and The Hartford, disaster may have been averted on their balance sheets.

In this soft market, it’s no secret that carriers are openly courting their distribution network, looking to drum up new agency principals and producers. What may be an eye-opener, however, is why agents and producers choose to represent certain insurers over others.

IFM 3.2 to score claims from independent testing facilities, provide enhanced summary reports.

Report says an increasing number of insurers are outsourcing management of their general account investments to third party investment managers.

A.M. Best releases life/health financial results, showing MetLife, Prudential and Manulife with the highest value of 2010 admitted assets.

Insurers may want to keep an eye on how Google's Android-based payment system will offer payment firms and retailers more customer data and help them target ads to mobile users.

A new study shows that 86% of financial services pros use social media, up from 73% last year.

Allianz report highlights catastrophe-prone regions, climate change and the importance of preparedness.

Insurance association questions need for proposed solvency assessment tool as NAIC meets in Texas.

New reports list multi-line, life and health insurers with the lowest price to forward sales ratios.

While sales soared to a record high in 2010, they dropped sharply in Q4 thanks in part to Allstate exiting the bank market.

If perception of risk depends on how it’s described, we need to look closely at the descriptions before making risk-based insurance decisions.

A.M. Best releases P&C financial results, showing State Farm, Allstate and Liberty Mutual with the highest net premiums written in 2010.

Berkshire Chairman’s visit to India coincides with expanded insurance operations on Subcontinent, but says foreign ownership cap will limit further investment.

Economy will be seriously altered after $309 billion in losses, but may be diffused against the country’s global market position.

One year after President Obama signed the bill, the vultures are anxiously circling.

Women are now placing more value on life insurance than men, according to a LIMRA study.

A year ago today, as President Obama signed the landmark Affordable Care Act into law, members of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) probably did not envision being in the center of a firestorm over its ultimate governance. But state regulators in Texas this week and next for the NAIC’s 2011 Spring Annual Meeting are indeed finding their industry-related activities under question from a consumers’ group.

Michael McRaith weighs in on the status of the Affordable Care Act, and its impact on insurers.

Consumers are spending $363 billion, or 14.7% more, on health care than traditionally reported, finds a Deloitte report.

Consumer-focused research shows Michigan, Louisiana and Oklahoma top the list of highest average car insurance rates.

Car manufacturers and consumer electronics giants are working together on a connectivity standard, but seem to be ignoring vehicle and data security.

Survey results show that the CIO median tenure is just more than 4 years, and there is no change in sight.

MetLife names its new CEO, while Symetra Life appoints a CIO.

Former N.Y. legislator receives one to three years for pocketing $863,000 insurance check paid out by AIG.

In many Asian countries, the burgeoning of a subset of the population—the elderly--is presenting economic challenges tied to Asian pension systems. Because the systems are not providing an adequate retirement income for this subset, there are opportunities for insurers to enter the market with solutions.

Cost, frequency of downtime primary reasons for data backup adoption, survey says.

IBM has formed a consulting practice to offer navigation
 expertise for companies looking to embrace the new technologies.

Due to “underachievement” in certain areas, the head of its P&C arm receives partial payout, while AIG chief Benmosche receives complete bonus.

Insurers release claims estimates in wake of earthquake and tsunami.

KFB using PolicyCenter to streamline front and back office processes.

Although often an elusive target by SIUs, these cases prove that greed leads to sloppy actions that leave fraudsters open to being caught.

Southern Pioneer Property and Casualty Insurance Co. will use iPartners’ Insurance Scorecard business intelligence solution. iPartners, a provider of Software as a Service business analytics solutions to the P&C insurance industry, says Insurance Scorecard will support Southern Pioneer’s growth by providing improved analytics through management dashboards and timely, easy access to the company’s policy and claims data for enhanced reporting capabilities.

System designed to be rapidly deployed to Stonegate agents writing personal auto policies.

Insurers may openly welcome Obama’s pick for FIO chief, but risks remain in the rule-making process.

Without disclosing the exact scope of the breach, RSA indicated that it is a serious and far-reaching threat.