The commercial insurance industry is at a crossroads. Legacy systems, the once-trusted workhorses that underpinned core operations, are now proving to be a hindrance to innovation and efficiency.

Legacy Burden: A Painful Reality

Insurance companies rely heavily on insurance underwriting systems, often built on outdated technology. These are dragging down progress and innovation.

• Inefficiency and Bottlenecks: Legacy systems are often clunky and complex. Manual data entry and outdated interfaces slow down the entire underwriting process.

• Limited Data Capabilities: Many legacy systems struggle to handle the vast amounts of data generated today. This puts a limit on the insurers’ ability to leverage Big Data analytics for a more holistic risk assessment, potentially leading to inaccurate pricing or missed opportunities.

• Innovation Roadblocks: Integrating new technologies with legacy systems can be a nightmare. The rigid architecture and outdated coding languages make it difficult to implement cutting-edge tools.

• Security Vulnerabilities: Legacy systems are often riddled with outdated security protocols, making them prime targets for cyberattacks.

• Talent Acquisition Struggles: Younger generations of workers are less interested in working with outdated systems.

Reliance on legacy systems can make it difficult for insurers to attract and retain top talent, putting them at a disadvantage.

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced analytics equips insurers with a strategic advantage leading to a new era of underwriting:

• Machine Learning (ML) allows analytics of historical data at lightning speed, uncovering hidden patterns and relationships that predict future risks with incredible accuracy.

• Big Data Analytics: New technology enables the ability to analyze massive datasets from a wide range of sources for a more comprehensive risk assessment. This leads to Data-Driven Decisions moving beyond intuition and making policy issuance choices backed by robust data a reality.

• Risk-Profit Balance: Technology facilitates a more nuanced approach to risk, allowing insurers to optimize profitability without compromising coverage.

• Streamlined Underwriting: Faster, more efficient underwriting improves the experience for both insurers and policyholders.

Fueled by these advancements, the insurance industry is evolving, and with it, creating a unique set of challenges and opportunities for hiring managers.

Building a Future-Proof Team

It is essential that hiring managers make assembling a team equipped not just to handle the immediate challenges of legacy systems but to unlock the full potential of modern technology a priority. This future-proof team will drive innovation, streamline operations, and help the commercial insurance industry evolve.

The Right Hire: A Modern-Thinking Change Manager

To navigate this digital shift successfully, hiring managers need to look beyond traditional insurance experience and prioritize candidates with the following abilities:

• Adaptable & Tech-Savvy: The ideal candidate thrives in a dynamic environment and readily embraces new technologies like cloud platforms, data analytics tools, and potentially even AI applications.

• Data Fluent: With data becoming the lifeblood of modern insurance, understanding how to leverage it for informed decision-making is crucial. Look for individuals comfortable with data analysis and visualization tools.

• Integration Expertise: The ability to bridge the gap between legacy systems and modern solutions is a key asset. Experience with integration tools and methodologies like APIs is a significant plus.

• Change Management: The right person can effectively communicate the benefits of the new system, address concerns, and guide colleagues through the transition.

The insurance industry doesn’t lose its human element with modernization and the implementation of AI. Look for candidates who:

• Prioritize Customer Experience: Modern systems empower insurers to personalize offerings and interactions, leading to a more customer-centric approach.

• Embrace Collaboration: Modern systems foster teamwork and knowledge sharing by breaking down information silos. Look for individuals who thrive in collaborative environments.

Conclusion

The commercial insurance industry is in the midst of a digital revolution. By embracing modern technologies and hiring the right talent, insurance companies can not only overcome the challenges of legacy systems but also unlock the full potential of a data-driven future. This will lead to a more efficient, innovative, and ultimately customer-centric industry.

Sources:

[1] The Many Benefits of Insurance Legacy System Transformation: https://www.openlegacy.com/solutions/industry/insurance-industry

[2] Evaluating legacy systems for Modernization in the insurance industry: https://agsft.com/blog/evaluating-legacy-systems-for-modernization-in-the-insurance-industry/

[3] Legacy systems and modernization Core systems strategy for policy administration systems: https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/us/Documents/financial-services/us-fsi-legacy-systems-and-modernization.pdf

[4] Cloud Adoption in Insurance: Trends & Benefits: https://research.aimultiple.com/insurance-cloud-computing/

[5] Data Analytics in Insurance: A Comprehensive Guide: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/978-1-80262-637-720221018/full/html

[6] How Technology is Transforming the Insurance Industry: https://www.forbes.com/sites/quility/2022/10/06/how-this-insurtech-startup-is-disrupting-the-industry-for-agents/

[7] The Future of Insurance: Collaboration is Key: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/financial-services/our-insights/mckinsey-insurance-leadership-on-2024-trends-and-innovations