Digital distribution

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.

Earlier today, Marsh announced strategic changes to its Flood Service Center (FSC) that will allow it to service standard flood insurance policies as part of the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Write Your Own (WYO) Program.

As a combined average, 42.3 percent of Europeans switching auto or household insurers, or buying for the first time, did so online last year, according to “Aggregation Metrics: Consumer Approaches to Insurance Comparison Sites in Europe,” a research paper from Finaccord. This up from 35.4 percent in 2008, making online aggregators and online comparison sites the fastest-growing distribution channel.

The P&C sector leads insurers in mobile offerings, investments; however, life/annuity insurers are investing more in quote and buy capabilities.

Eleven life insurers, including AXA Equitable, USAA and Metlife, were recognized for their efforts and successes with their online tools and/or website features.

Eleven P&C insurers, including Allstate, Liberty Mutual and State Farm, were recognized for their efforts and successes with their online tools and/or website features.

Corporate Insight's latest report evaluates the online customer experience of more than a dozen leading insurers.

New John Hancock research indicates that lower price options increase purchase interest in long-term care (LTC) insurance among 45-65 year olds, especially at younger ages.

HealthPocket analysis finds Montana tops list of states, John Alden tops list of companies for rejection rates.

A new report from Forrester provides an overview of mobile capabilities in insurance, including an array of potential functionalities and customer interest.

Brazil represents about 50 percent of the market potential to AGCS in South America, and is expected to be the hub of operations in this region.

Insurer turns to e-application business fulfillment platform in an attempt to further automate processing.

Insurer eliminates paper processing requirements for individual disability income policy administration.

Acquisition to help USI become one of the largest middle-market insurance brokerage firms in Phoenix.

Agents and carriers can work together to develop mobile applications and interfaces to enable clients to stay in contact with their agent throughout the entire policy lifecycle, not just at the time of a claim.

Gary Hardman, Mike Howell and their associates will continue to operate in their current location under the direction of John Neumaier, south central regional executive VP of Gallagher's employee benefit consulting and brokerage operations.

This compilation of the top slideshows of 2012 is based on pageviews and represents the biggest topics and trends from the past 12 months.

Security National Financial Corp. has, through its subsidiary Security National Life Insurance Co., closed on a coinsurance transaction with Mothe Life Insurance http://www.mothelifeinsurance.com and DLE Life Insurance Co.

Arthur J. Gallagher says AFR is a retail insurance broker providing retail P&C, employee benefits and risk management insurance services, as well as human resources and loss control services, for their commercial clients throughout the Midwest.