Policy adminstration

“Innovate or die” is a phrase often bandied about these days, and for insurance companies, it’s advice to take to heart.

Japanese companies are selling “one-time” policies for risks that are interesting and surprising, thanks to wireless technology.

To compete for skilled IT pros in this reviving economy, insurers will to market themselves as great places to work, and offer open, flexible working arrangements, likely with compensation tied to performance.

Treasury begins to lessen ownership stake as it unloads 200 million shares of the insurer’s common stock.

Functionality to provide agents, financial advisers and policyholders access to application status, account balances and commission payments.

iCRM to provide dashboard with widget interface, personalization, customer experience management and insurance analytics.

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.

Starting in September, insurers will have to publicly post proposed rate increases for the small group and individual markets.

Adopting social media for business purposes is all the rage among journalists and analysts, but on the ground, it has yet to achieve traction in insurance.