What a difference a year makes. The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic fallout radically shifted consumer and employee needs, habits, and expectations while compelling the virtualization of insurer operations practically overnight. The mobile year lasts, and nothing promises that something will change in the next few years. The development of mobile interfaces and the mobile-first trend has been accelerated for good. There is no need to convince anyone that it is worth considering mobile when designing digital solutions in the insurance industry. And so, what is worth paying attention to in 2023?
Where do insurance companies stand for 2023?
The name Insurtech is a combination of the words insurance and technology. This segment already successfully uses big data, artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), or blockchain solutions. Consumers and the market have already learned examples of several startups belonging to the new category of companies, thanks to which the potential of Insurtech begins to come out of the shadow of the more popular Fintech.
IoT – Internet of Things
IoT is successfully used in Insurtech. The integration of applications with smart sensors (e.g., Neos – smart home solutions, home security instead of insurance) or smartwatches (insurance based on health monitoring) is already available. The insurer Aetna uses Apple Watch in its wellness program to collect behavioral data (health and physical activity), pointing out pro-health behaviors and ultimately personalizing the insurance offers according to the “quality” of life. On the Polish market (where we are based), the PZU GO application stands out. Thanks to beacons installed in cars, it contacts the service office remotely in an accident, and this can send appropriate help on-site.
AI – Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence already automates many processes invisible to the eye, such as saving on the stock exchange (FirstStep) or retirement (Vault). Quite a futuristic example of an AI application is an insurance product developed by Lapetus, which offers the purchase of insurance based on the selfie (face scan verifying the user’s health and socio-demographic profile). Quantee is developing a platform that will enable artificial intelligence for risk assessment in the insurance sector. The solution is designed to revolutionize the insurance industry and actuarial work. The main problem with the lack of trust in risk assessment by Artificial Intelligence is the inability to trace its decision-making process and investigate what basis it made a recommendation and whether it made a mistake. Such a sensitive area requires full transparency and understanding of all stages of decision-making. Quantee is dedicated to the insurance and reinsurance industry. Algorithms will allow, among other things, for the valuation of insurance products and damage prediction or resistance factor analysis.
Blockchain
Insurtech, with its blockchain infrastructure, rediscovers social insurance. This possibility has already been offered in the P2P (peer-to-peer) model, but this solution has gained significantly in security thanks to blockchain technology. For example, with the blockchain-based Teambrella solution, users have sole control over every insurance aspect: policies, premiums, claims, and refunds. Insurance funds are collected on a personal cryptographic wallet co-controlled by the community. Blockchain-based solutions are already transforming the industry — helping insurers onboard clients more reliably, automating claims submission, easing reinsurance processes, and designing smart insurance contracts, among other features. Still, we can be sure of more blockchain expansion in the insurance market.
Dedicated web applications
Quality products and services reflect the customer’s need for speed of resolution, transparency, and cost. Leading Insurtechs like Lemonade and Hippo are taking this one step further by putting customers at the center of their design, giving them the power to purchase bespoke insurance and specialized for their needs. ‘Off the peg’ insurance could soon be a remnant of the past as digital technology makes giving people what they want, how they want, and when they want more effortless than ever. Undeniably, we will see an increase in the usability of software dedicated to the self-management of finances in the coming months. Thus, it will translate into increased demand for dedicated web applications.
Dedicated web applications are tools to support your business. These applications are developed following the needs of customers and based on their precisely defined requirements. The individual approach is one of the most critical advantages of dedicated web applications over box solutions. And it is the web applications tailored directly to the customer are the most significant trend in the Insurtech market.
Best insurance apps worth following in 2023
Steppie
One of the mobile apps ideally suited for the client is Steppie, recognized as one of the top fintech start-ups by Business Insider. It is an insurance start-up based in Warsaw, founded in 2018 – Steppie focuses on users’ attention to a healthy lifestyle by engaging them in different activities. Users are rewarded for their daily activities and healthy lifestyle with points, and the more points they receive, the better health insurance offers they can get. It’s all about a healthy lifestyle, so to keep the discounts, users must keep their good habits and daily routines like walking, running, or riding a bike each month. Users can also participate in diverse challenges organized by companies promoting a healthy lifestyle by themselves or with their team and getting extra points or prizes. More details about the app development process can be found here.
At the first stage of the project, we knew many solutions related to physical activity and medical parameters. Still, none was related to prevention in the insurance and private health care sector. Well, now there is our app - Steppie! It is an innovation in the Insurtech industry because users can gain more and more - extra prizes or discounts for their life insurance thanks to healthy lifestyle choices. By introducing elements of gamification, we reward users for their lifestyle activities, which encourage them to be just more active and healthier.
Quantee
It is an insurance and reinsurance start-up residing in Warsaw and formed in 2018. Quantee provides actuarial data science solutions in the insurance and reinsurance sector. The company is developing a platform that will enable artificial intelligence for risk assessment in the insurance sector. Algorithms will allow the valuation of insurance products and damage prediction or resistance factor analysis. The solution is designed to revolutionize the insurance industry and actuarial work.
Hippo
Created in 2015, Hippo strives to simplify getting coverage and implementing a new insurance approach. London-based Hippo sets a new standard for a proactive Insurtech product serving several industries, from home to auto insurance, thanks to the evolving technologies. The insurer uses IoT devices to identify the most minor issues within a home to have them taken care of before becoming a big claim.
Neos
The insurance start-up, residing in London, was formed in 2016. It works with smart-home insurance policies utilizing cutting-edge tech such as the Internet of Things. Neos’ infrastructure assumes installing cameras, smoke detectors, and various sensors, integrating them with IoT devices at home. This tech alerts homeowners about a potential fire, leak, break-in, or any other accident that may cause a home insurance claim. Neos has attracted a multinational insurance business to acquire a majority stake.
Lemonade
Headquartered in New York City, Lemonade is an insurtech company providing homeowners and renters policies since 2015. As insurance tech, Lemonade leverages behavioral economics and Artificial Intelligence, chatbots, in particular, to process claims and underwrite policies. Lemonade’s model’s unique feature is that it takes a maximum fixed fee to run its business, and any excess premiums get distributed to various charities throughout the year. These extra premiums are calculated per person and distributed based on the policyholder’s charity when they sign-up. This may lower its profit margin, but it could benefit the business in the long run by increasing the value customers place on getting insured by Lemonade.
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The digital transformation of insurance companies
Insurtech and Fintech are specific industries where security and user data come in the first place. Most of the solutions used there will not always work on a large scale in other sectors of the market but can be an exciting inspiration for developing new functionalities. However, examples of solutions from the world show that adapting new business models and implementing more advanced technologies are not only the domain of Insurtech. At Applover, we love to realize ideas for implementing new applications, and the more innovations in them, the more fun it gives us! So, if you want to realize a unique vision for an application, contact us!
