Insight Report: Maximizing Direct-to-Consumer Opportunities in Insurance

Summary

Timetric’s 'Insight Report: Maximizing Direct-to-Consumer Opportunities in Insurance' analyzes the state of the emerging online direct-to-consumer (D2C) channel in the global insurance industry.

The insurance industry is going through a phase of digital transformation. This process has impacted the entire business function, from underwriting to claims management.

The advance of technology has encouraged insurers to explore and establish D2C channels. According to the Global Insurance Industry Survey conducted by Timetric in May 2016, D2C emerged as a channel with growth prospects over the next 12 months.

The report also discusses the trends and drivers in the the adoption of D2C among insurers. The growing relevance of digital technology in insurance business models, and the need to strengthen digital capability are motivating insurers to develop D2C channels.

Insurers are also being forced to explore new and more effective channels to enable customer interaction following a decline in sales through brokers and agents, particularly in mature economies.

The ability to create a hybrid distribution model, combining agent-based capabilities with D2C platforms, is expected to become a particularly effective distribution strategy.

Synopsis

Timetric’s 'Insight Report: Maximizing Direct-to-Consumer Opportunities in Insurance' analyzes the emerging importance of the direct-to-consumer (D2C) channel in the insurance industry.

It provides:  

• An overview of the D2C channel in the insurance industry by analyzing the rise in adoption of D2C among insurers.
 
• Analysis of growth opportunities and challenges with respect to D2C channels.

• Insights into the growing popularity of D2C, and the market trends and drivers.
 
• An understanding of D2C trends in other industries which are acting as catalysts in digital expectation among insurance customers.

Scope

This report:

• Analyzes the opportunities provided by D2C in terms of new products and business segments.

• Discusses the evolution of distribution channels in the insurance industry, and also analyzes technological innovation in distribution.  

• Analyzes how insurers can enhance their offerings by integrating digital technology into business models.   

• Discusses the growth of current distribution channels in key emerging and mature economies, and analyzes the premiums earned through each distribution channel by insurance segment.

Reasons To Buy

• Gain an insight into how next-generation insurers are using D2C platforms to create new products and services.

• Build an understanding of insurers' digital investments.

• Develop an insight into how insurers can capitalize on opportunities provided by D2C across the insurance process, from product development to customer service.

• Gain an understanding of changes in consumer behavior in the digital environment, which is forcing insurers to adopt D2C strategies.

Key Highlights

• The advance of technology and the realization of opportunities in the digitization of insurance processes have encouraged providers to explore and establish D2C channels. Timetric found that the majority of startups aim to enable insurers to work with them on technology and consumer engagement, as opposed to disrupting and competing. Some are displacing agents by creating digital channels and addressing problems with current models.

• Insurers foresee extensive use of direct online channels as an alternative distribution method. D2C can not only help insurers maximize sales, but also provide a range of services through an online platform. It lowers distribution costs and provides an opportunity for insurers to capitalize on direct interactions. Insurers which postpone their online presence will lose market share to competitors.

• The D2C platform provides an opportunity for insurers to automate and execute underwriting in real time. It also reduces operating costs and expedites the process of risk assessment. As customers submit information online, it can be extracted and used by a rule-based underwriting engine to assess risks and provide quotes. The underwriting 
result is based on the data submitted.

• Increasing internet penetration, and availability and transparency of information are causing a shift of power from insurers to consumers. Customers are placing importance on the ease of service provided, and expecting delivery to be rapid. Digital trends developed by online retailers such as eBay and Amazon make consumers demand the same level of digital convenience from insurers.