Emerging Disruptors: What’s the Alternative? Clearly, It’s Distribution Channel Innovation

It is often said that “the more things change, the more things stay the same.” This has been especially true in the insurance industry which sat still for decades, stubbornly neglecting to change products, processes, technology, and even distribution channels in the face of radical societal and economic change. And, while today even the most traditional insurers are finally using technology to extend core functionality to distribution channel partners, increase new business, and improve customer experience, customer acquisition is still time-consuming, expensive, and often ineffective. Instead of trying to funnel potential customers into existing distribution channels, insurance can be more effectively sold and bought when embedded into ecosystems where potential customers are already invested. Digital transformation initiatives that don’t include distribution channel innovation and mechanisms for empowering alternative distribution will fall short in the modern insurance marketplace.