2018 was a good year for insurers and many are on track to end 2019 on a high note. However, the outlook for 2020 may not be as rosy; according to Deloitte, challenges like the potential for economic slowdown and trade uncertainty may cast a shadow on insurance market projections. As we head into the new decade, insurance companies need to invest in data and technologies in order to maximize their market share and stay ahead in a competitive industry.
Here are 8 ways the insurance industry can improve performance and increase productivity using data:
New sales are the lifeblood of all growing businesses and a necessity for any insurance company. The insurance industry’s high customer retention rates make winning new business even more crucial – because once a new customer comes on board, they are likely to stick around and provide a higher customer lifetime value.
Data gives insurance brands the insights they need to identify their true demographic, find their most valuable leads and allow agents to hone-in on a prospect’s specific needs before pitching them – lowering acquisition costs and improving the likelihood of converting a lead to a customer.
The cost of gaining a new customer in the insurance industry is high, which means retaining customers is particularly important. Data is the key to providing exceptional customer experience. For example, knowing which products (and when) to cross-sell and up-sell to current customers and making sure they have the coverage they need helps to keep customers loyal.
Data sets can also give insurers accurate profiles of which customers decide to leave. This can push an organization to understand why their products aren’t working for that demographic and either change their messaging or change course to focus on the demographic that is working. In addition, intent data allows agents to find their most profitable customers, so they know which accounts to prioritize.
The underwriting process – properly calculating the risks and coverage of clients – is time-consuming. However, access to real-time data can help make the underwriting process more automated and intuitive for actuaries. In addition, in-depth data analysis helps insurers perform more accurate risk assessment, potentially decreasing costs and avoiding large payouts.
Knowing who your ideal customers are and knowing how to communicate with them are two different things. Marketers and agents need data in order to provide personalized, relevant messaging to their target demographic. Luckily, consumers are willing to share their information; in fact, a recent survey revealed that 80 percent of consumers will share personal data in exchange for benefits such as competitive prices, faster or priority service, and more relevant content. Insurance companies can use this information to create more compelling messages, improving conversions and engagement.
Good data is a solid investment for organizations looking to find and retain top talent. A quality employee is hard to find, but with the right data, organizations can identify top performers and reach out to them effectively. Also, since data provides more well-vetted and qualified leads to agents, they are more likely to be motivated and successful. Thriving agents are less likely to jump ship to a new company, where lead quality might be lower.
Insurance companies are subject to increasing regulatory mandates at the local, state, federal and international level. The ability to collect, report and use data makes regulatory reporting easier and more consistent – and protects against compliance headaches down the road.
The FBI estimates that the total cost of insurance fraud (non-health insurance) is $40 billion per year. So it’s no surprise that insurers spend a significant amount of time and resources trying to track down potential perpetrators of insurance fraud. Big data analytics tools allow insurers to collect and use data from multiple sources simultaneously to identify patterns and detect fraud more accurately and resolve cases faster.
Data means nothing if it doesn’t translate into action. Analyzing data helps insurance companies see the big picture, choose a strategy, and set goals for the business. Whether it’s estimating an achievable revenue goal by analyzing the total addressable market, using data to improve risk assessment and set premium levels, or using intent data to prioritize the most profitable prospects and customers, complex profiling, modeling, and analytics gives the data-driven insurance brand an edge over the competition.
Data is transforming the way insurance companies are doing business. However, simply buying data and dumping it into a CRM isn’t going to cut it. Turning this data into valuable insights requires technologies that can easily capture, store, analyze, display and report on information from myriad sources. These insights provide business leaders with the information needed in real-time in order to make better decisions.
Want to learn which Data Axle technologies will help give your insurance organization a data-driven competitive advantage, contact us.
As Content Marketing Manager, Natasia is responsible for helping strategize, produce and execute Data Axle's content. With a passion for writing and an enthusiasm for data management and technology, Natasia creates content that is designed to deliver nuggets of wisdom to help brands and individuals elevate their data governance policies. A native New Yorker, when Natasia is not at work she can be found enjoying New York’s food scene, at one of NYC’s many museums, or at one of the city’s many parks with her two teacup yorkies.