The direct channel has a major impact on the distribution landscape, as customers become the focal point for every transaction and sale. More agents consider the market shift toward online or direct sales a major constraint in the growth of their business. This concern is expressed by life insurance and property and casualty (P&C) agents across the board — whether selling commercial or personal lines
Less paperwork, better sales tools and greater simplicity in processes from carriers will enable agents to be more responsive to customer servicing, claims and product development. Emerging technologies such as digital, wearables, telematics and usage-based insurance (UBI) are providing data sources for underwriting and analytical capabilities to better manipulate and interpret data. These are improving the way insurance companies manage back-office functions and detect cyber threats and other risks. The future is tied to innovation and product simplification, which represents bold crossselling opportunities for carriers.
|