PwC report encourages life insurers to adapt to survive

December 07, 2012 at 05:57 AM
Share & Print

Multinational professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has produced a report detailing the evolving forces that will shape the life insurance industry in the near-future and the opportunities that can arise from these changes.

Although conjecture, Life insurance 2020: Competing for a future makes it clear that these trends are not possibilities but rather likely scenarios that those involved in the industry should begin adapting to.

And for an industry that is in many ways dilatory when it comes to change, remaining nimble and able to adjust in an evolving marketplace is crucial.

The report encourages the industry to look "outside in." Insurers are can be quite insulated; focusing on keeping up with their peers which can leave them vulnerable to being left behind when it comes to developing trends outside of the insurance world. Jamie Yoder, PwC's U.S. insurance advisory practice co-leader, said, "Good organizations are rethinking who they define as competitors and are trying to draw from a broader set of capabilities." An important aspect of the "outside in" approach, and the report as a whole, is the cultivation of trust and integrity within the organization that will enable insurers to respond to customers' needs quicker than their competitors thus propagating their value and strengthening their market share.

Insurers will also have to harness their use of big data to remain relevant. Insurers can use data that they purchase from external sources or develop in-house to examine the behavior of customers in the marketplace. Advanced analytics should be used to design new products for the evolving household. This could present a challenge as some executives at large carriers are apprehensive to put too much credence in data. Yoder, however, feels that there is a willingness to examine the data and incorporate it into product development.

The developing world is where many businesses are turning their eyes to in order increase profits and life insurance is no different. There is a huge potential for growth within these markets most notably, companies are looking to China and India who's GDP has been growing at 9 percent and 4 percent per capita respectively. There are, however, political, regulatory, bureaucratic and cultural hurdles to overcome before a profit can be made. Yoder said, "Some companies have learned this the hard way in recent years. Those markets that from a macroeconomic standpoint look the most attractive do not necessarily fit with a companies' agenda or will give the return that you expect."

While there are substantial opportunities abroad, the overall market for life insurance is decreasing in the developed world most notably in the U.S. and Europe. However, demographic changes in the U.S. are creating opportunities. As the wave of baby boomers reach retirement age, there is a growing market for retirement planning and retirement income products.

The U.S. and Europe are also undergoing changes regarding state support for ageing populations. The Medicare age may rise as a result of fiscal cliff negotiations in the U.S. and cash-strapped European economies are looking to insurers to help fill the gap. Insurers may see challenges mingled with opportunities on this front. In order to play this potentially lucrative role insurers have to cultivate trust with the population. This may prove difficult. Yoder said, "Organizations need to build up the education awareness of the value of their products." Another challenge insurers face with this aspect of the report is that stock-owned carriers may be propelled more by short-term goals more  than establishing a trust with society that will reap benefits and create dividends beyond the next quarter.

The report also makes mention of "Big and fast" business models. With the rapid technological advancements taking place, new players are entering the market, many with business models that have a lower cost structure. "To compete against these companies, traditional insurers need to reinvent their operating models to reduce cost structure, simplify their offerings and organize around customer interactions. Companies will also need to streamline their procedures and recognize their talent to focus on high-growth markets and customized solutions."

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Related Stories

Resource Center