Introduction:

The landscape of the US life insurance industry is undergoing a rapid transformation due to the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) and technology. Traditional financial advisors and agents are finding their roles disrupted as these innovations reshape the way insurance is bought, sold, and managed.

Findings from a recent survey of investors are interesting:

(source:https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/24/31percent-of-investors-are-ok-with-using-ai-as-their-financial-advisor.html):

31% of investors are fine with using artificial intelligence as their advisor vs. using a human advisor.

As artificial intelligence (AI) has been a hot topic in the headlines recently. You may be familiar with ChatGPT, a sophisticated language model created by OpenAI. It is intended to provide conversational text responses that sound like human responses. ChatGPT can comprehend and produce text in response to prompts or questions since it has been trained on a great amount of diverse data from the internet. This has forced the financial sector to consider how AI would affect financial advisors’ jobs.

Some contend that artificial intelligence (AI) has the ability to displace human financial advisors, rendering their knowledge outdated. In recent years, robo-advisors and AI-powered algorithms have grown in popularity because they provide automated investment advice and portfolio management at a cheaper cost.

This give us a compelling reasonto explore various ways in which AI and technology are disrupting the role of financial advisors and agents in the US life insurance sector:

  1. Automated Customer Insights and Personalization: AI-powered tools are enabling insurance companies to gather and analyze vast amounts of customer data to provide personalized policy recommendations. For instance, Company X utilizes machine learning algorithms to analyze customer behaviors and preferences, resulting in tailored policy options that match individual needs.
  1. Virtual Financial Advisors: Virtual financial advisors, often in the form of chatbots, are becoming increasingly popular. These AI-driven assistants can provide basic policy information, answer frequently asked questions, and guide customers through the initial stages of policy selection. LemonLife’s chatbot, for example, helps customers understand policy terms and coverage options.
  2. Data-Driven Risk Assessment: AI’s ability to analyze complex data sets is transforming risk assessment. Instead of relying solely on historical data, insurance companies are using AI to incorporate real-time data from wearable devices and health apps. John Hancock Life Insurance incorporates health data from wearables to offer personalized premiums to policyholders who maintain an active lifestyle.
  3. Enhanced Customer Engagement: Technology allows for improved customer engagement through digital platforms and apps. Policyholders can access their policy details, make claims, and seek assistance conveniently. Insurance Inc.’s mobile app empowers customers to manage their policies seamlessly and initiate claims with just a few taps.
  4. Robo-Advisors for Investment-Linked Policies: For investment-linked life insurance policies, robo-advisors are gaining prominence. These automated systems analyze market trends and provide investment recommendations aligned with policyholders’ risk profiles. RoboAdvisoroffer investment advice tailored to policyholders’ long-term financial goals.
  1. Digital Marketing and Lead Generation:AI-driven marketing tools help insurance companies target potential clients with precision. By analyzing online behaviors and demographics, companies can conduct targeted campaigns that resonate with specific customer segments. Prosperity Insurance utilizes AI to identify potential leads through social media engagement patterns.
  2. Predictive Analytics for Policy Renewals:AI-powered predictive analytics aid in identifying policyholders likely to lapse or renew their policies. This enables agents to proactively reach out to clients and help, ultimately improving customer retention rates. Guaranteed TrustLife Insurance uses predictive models to foresee potential lapses and engage with clients ahead of time.

Conclusion:

The US life insurance industry is experiencing a profound transformation as AI and technology redefine the roles of financial advisors and agents. From personalized policy recommendations to streamlined underwriting processes, the impact is far-reaching.

From virtual assistants enhancing customer engagement to predictive analytics improving policyholder retention and AI-driven investment advice, technology is enabling agents to offer more efficient and tailored services to customers.

As insurance companies continue to harness these innovations, the overall landscape will continue to evolve, expecting financial advisors in the industry to embrace the technology and adapt to the changing paradigms of risk management, customer engagement and policy management.

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This entry is part 2 of 21 in the series March 2024 - Insurance Times

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