Distribution

Cyber coverage levels also increased according to the report. Across industries, limits purchased in 2012 averaged $16.8 million, a 20-percent increase over 2011. Communication, media and technology companies led other industries in terms of average limits purchased, at $33.4 million, and the rate of increase, which was nearly 36 percent.

With persistently low interest rates continuing to dampen profitability, group life/annuity/voluntary benefit insurers are investing in benefit and policy administration systems, customer and agent portals, and easy enrollment capabilities to increase profits, according to “Business and Technology Trends: Group Life/Annuities/Voluntary Benefits,” a report from Novarica.

Armed with analytics, insurers should be able to make better business decisions more quickly and mobilize teams to connect better with customers, leading to success and growth, according to PwC.

While connectivity improves, conflicting financial priorities and rekeying data is still a problem for many insurers and agents, SMA finds.

Critical illness insurance covers more diseases than in the past and is increasingly marketed as a financial protection product.

Building IT/business alignment into business operations and a sense of urgency are two keys to success, according to panelists at Celent’s recent Innovation & Insight Day in Boston. Making legacy systems a thing of the past also helps.

CEO Robert Benmosche says the insurer will put a concerted effort toward re-establishing AIG throughout the world with its life-insurance product.

If you’re only watching social media chatter, there are big customer support and marketing opportunities passing your business by.

More than one-third (36 percent) of 18-to-29-year olds reported one or more traffic tickets in the past five years, the highest percentage of any age group surveyed, according to a survey from InsuranceQuotes.com.

Of those insurers participating in the survey, most (57 percent) said UBI is predominantly a rating accuracy play, which SMA acknowledged as a logical assumption, as the auto insurance value proposition is primarily about price. However, 43 percent said UBI’s value is in reducing loss costs by improving driver behavior and increasing retention (43 percent). Attracting new customers and claims control followed distantly, with 14 percent each.