The Chronicle: Issue 2013-32, August 13, 2013


What's Going Through The Intersection of Insurance and Technology?

Is Integration the Weakest Link in Systems Modernization?
Systems modernization projects continue to occupy the lion's share of IT time, resources, and budget in many insurance organizations. Two oft-cited reasons for these initiatives are (1) to respond to business needs for rapid access to more and better data, and (2) to support new, customer-facing applications. Several recent reports suggest that there is a part in the middle – integration – that is proving to be the tricky bit linking actions to results. One of these reports lays the responsibility for fixing the problem on IT's desk.

We'd like to know what you think. Are new, modern systems implementation projects taking integration into account to successfully deliver benefits?

The Intersection: Insurance-Canada.ca Blog
The Intersection

an Insurance-Canada.ca Blog


Events and Announcements

Insurance and Technology Topics: what would you like to discuss?
(Survey runs until August 14)


Technology

Alignments and Disconnects between Vendors and Carriers: A New Report from Aite Group
Now more than ever before, technology is impacting the insurance industry and forcing transformation. Vendors need to do a better job of aligning their solutions with P&C insurance carrier needs--as carriers attempt to balance multiple competing priorities, some insurance technology vendors are focused more on selling and describing what they already provide than on offering what the market really needs. Vendors must pay less lip service and more attention to delivering real innovation to their P&C insurance clients. But where do carrier needs and vendor solutions currently align, and where do they disconnect?

Marketing

IBM Smarter Commerce Webinar: Achieving Greater Marketing Performance with Improved Marketing Operations
Are you doing all you can be to improve your marketing programs – or are you just touching what's at the front of the house? See how industry leaders are achieving unprecedented performance by reshaping their behind-the-scenes marketing processes to maximize existing, omni-channel programs and preparing for the future. Join Delta Air Lines, United Healthcare, Covalent Marketing, QuarkSoftware, Inc. and IBM for a sixty minute webinar as they share advice and insight on how to move beyond typical relationships between marketing and operations to transform marketing.

Consumer Information

IBC launches VIN Verify Service to identify flood-damaged vehicles
To protect consumers, Insurance Bureau of Canada and its member insurance companies have compiled a database of flooded vehicles that have been reported and branded as non-repairable due to flooding across southern Alberta and the Greater Toronto Area.

Grey Power ranks highest for customer satisfaction among home insurers in Ontario and Atlantic Canada
Grey Power, an industry leader in providing car and home insurance to experienced drivers aged 50 or over, ranked highest in customer satisfaction among home insurance companies in Ontario and Atlantic Canada, according to a study conducted by J.D Power.

RBC Insurance rated highest in Canada for claims satisfaction by auto insurance clients
RBC Insurance was ranked highest overall in customer satisfaction for auto insurance claims experience among insurance companies in Canada, according to the inaugural J.D. Power 2013 Canadian Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.

Social Business

Grenville Mutual expands Social Media presence to improve customer experience
Grenville Mutual Insurance is becoming more social to make it easier for policyholders, agents and brokers to reach out and be heard. To serve you better, Grenville Mutual now utilizes Web 2.0 social network tools to provide new access points to company specialists through the Internet.

Policy Management

Everest Insurance Company of Canada introduces new Payment Plan
Effective as of August 9th 2013, we are pleased to introduce the Everest Payment Plan! Everest Insurance Company of Canada and Policy Bill have joined forces to provide a "Point of Sale" solution for monthly payment plans on most Everest Insurance policies. The new pay plan service saves your brokerage time and enables the flexibility to customize the terms to your office!

In The Community

Western Financial Group annual charity walk raises record amount
Western Financial Group raised a record amount through its annual Support The Cause Day walk, which this year took place on May 29. More than 1,500 Western Financial Group employees from more than 100 locations across Western Canada participated in the 5km walk. The money raised from the event supports the Western Communities Foundation which gives to community infrastructure projects, student bursaries, Habitat for Humanity, a Vision Care program and more in the communities Western Financial Group serves.


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