Digital distribution

A bus tour brings agents and insurers together to discuss what each side can do to further the ambitions of the other.

The property/casualty industry is facing a number of potentially transformational forces, including increasing competition, consumerization, the number of communications options for both agents and customers, social networking, and an evolving regulatory environment, according to Gartner’s “Hype Cycle for P&C Insurance, 2012.”

Two new studies amplify the benefits—especially for women—of working with financial advisors, and provide insight into a changing demographic for life insurers.

To successfully deliver e-signatures and e-delivery applications, insurers should begin by implementing them in a single process or product, according to a strategic analysis released by ACORD and developed by international law firm Locke Lord LLP.

One-third of “transition boomers,” those aged 55 to 65 and who are 10 years or fewer away from retirement, are unsure how much money they will need to cover basic living expenses in retirement, according to “The Transition Boomers and Retirement Income Survey,” from Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America.

Life, annuity and pension firms are struggling to generate profits for shareholders, members and policyholders due to the global economic slowdown, increased competition and low interest rates. This confluence of factors is leading many insurers to reassess which products and markets are to be considered strategic, and how to best manage the discontinued, unprofitable and non-strategic portions of their business, according “Strategies and Options for Managing Closed Blocks: Life, Annuities, and Pensions Edition,” a new report from Celent.

Competition for the individual retirement market is heating up as the number of baby boomers heading into retirement increases, creating an opportunity for insurers to attract new customers and their assets, according to “The Big Payout: Growing Individual Retirement Income Opportunities 2012,” a report from Conning Research & Consulting.

Coverage form aims to address evolving risks, rising costs of various construction project types.

Latest version aims to enable quicker document creation and time-to-market for new products.

Insurance is labeled an early adopter of social media in a new report from the International Data Corporation (IDC), titled “2012 U.S. Social Media Trends by Vertical.” The banking industry was cited as being a late adopter.

Although overall activity in the annuity market has been down over the past 13 months, inflows in May increased by slightly more than 1% to $7.5 billion from $7.4 billion in April, according to the Depository Trust & Clearing Corp.

Through the new portal, users can access risk management tools, from Liberty Mutual’s RISKTRAC risk information management system to the insurer’s online claims reporting tool

Professional and general liability coverage now available via direct, online channels in 21 states.

The new Integral option is designed to enable Microsoft users to pursue global insurance opportunities across multiple lines, borders, languages and currencies.

To expand distribution in a static market, insurers are looking at everything from system revamps to new technologies to new partnerships.

A recent Deloitte survey attempts to answer some of the questions behind the life insurance sales gap conundrum.

Pacific Life Producer Alliance designed to enable wider range of financial professionals to sell fixed annuity products.

BOLT set to offer Hiscox's small commercial insurance products to business owners across the United States.

In a new survey, marketers agree that a better relationship with the technology department will enable them to do more and get better results with their programs.

Enterprise content management firm to partner with Volly for the integration of its Digital Mail Gateway software.