Nine in 10 Insurance Leaders in Europe Say Customer Experience is the Top Driver of Digital Transformation
ISG's Pulse of the Insurance Industry survey reveals that 42% of European insurers report rising security vulnerabilities amid increasing digitalization. The survey indicates that 87% prioritize customer experience in digital transformations, with a focus on mobile solutions. Key drivers include competitive pressure (77%) and rapid market response (75%). Over 40% of insurers plan to invest more in IT security, with a notable emphasis on hiring skilled professionals in data analytics and cybersecurity. The report highlights shifting market dynamics and the need for insurers to adopt agile, digital-first strategies.
- 87% of respondents prioritize improving customer experience in digital initiatives.
- 42% plan to enhance their online presence for direct sales.
- Over 40% expected to increase IT security investments, indicating focus on cybersecurity.
- 42% of insurers report increasing security vulnerabilities due to digitalization.
- Democratization of IT and remote work models are increasing risk exposure.
ISG Pulse of the Insurance Industry survey finds
Eighty-seven percent of survey respondents cited improving customer experience as the top priority in designing digital transformation initiatives, with a focus on “mobile-first” and platform-based solutions for customer acquisition and management, product and offer personalization, and simplification of customer touchpoints such as claims and document management.
The survey results also showed increasing security vulnerabilties are accompanying the move to internet-based business processes, with 42 percent of respondents reporting rapidly growing security risks originating from porous customer and workplace technology touchpoints. Democratization of IT and remote work models have further increased risk exposure.
The ISG Pulse of the Insurance Industry survey, sponsored by Hexaware Technologies, surveyed 210 business and IT leaders at European insurance companies during the third quarter of 2021.
Other drivers of digital transformation are competitive pressure, cited by 77 percent of respondents, and faster response to new market requirements, mentioned by 75 percent of respondents.
“The path to all-encompassing customer centricity is irreversible,” said
“This trend will increase pressure on IT departments to replace legacy systems, modernize the application landscape and free up resources to develop new capabilities, better manage risk and transition to the platform economy,” she added.
With Insurtechs and other born-ditigal competitors poised to make market inroads, Europe’s insurers say expanding their platform businesses is a top priority. Of those surveyed, 43 percent say they would expand their online presence into a direct sales channel, with similar interest in mobile apps (42 percent), marketing via themed platforms (37 percent), and digital payment (34 percent).
Forty-five percent saw expanding their platform businesses as an efficient way to gain a more comprehensive understanding of customers' needs and using that market knowledge to tap into new opportunities to create value.
With a growing digital landscape leading to more cyber risk, insurers plan to spend more on cybersecurity in the future,
To expand their digital capabilities, 46 percent of survey respondents expressed a desire to hire more qualified staff, particularly in data analytics (42 percent) and cybersecurity (40 percent), and 34 percent of respondents said they are seeking suitable IT service providers.
“Most respondents see the benefits of digitalization, such as cost reductions and increased speed, as far outweighing the risks,”
The ISG Pulse Check – State of European Insurance Industry 2021 report is available on this website.
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