The Chronicle: Issue 2014-32, August 12, 2014

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

CRM: Old Technology At The Eye of the Perfect New Technology Storm
Some of you have commented that we've been harping on Customer Relationship Management (CRM) for sometime now, without a whole lot of solid reasoning. What we'd like to do now is to take a weather reporter's view of CRM. We'll look to the past for evidence of incorrect forecasts, look to the present to see how a perfect storm could be forming, and then make fearless projections about the future. In the calm eye, you might see tried and true CRM moving inexorably forward, in spite of the crazy winds around it.

Seriously, What is ‘Technology Modernization,’ and Why Should Business Managers Care?
Since the early days of this century, strategic planning documents have referenced ‘technology modernization.’ For example, “In order for us to achieve our strategic goal of profitable, sustainable growth, we will need to include technology modernization initiatives in the plan.” Now, after a decade or so of use, we are getting some different perspectives on what this actually means.

The Intersection: Insurance-Canada.ca Blog
The Intersection
an Insurance-Canada.ca Blog

Business of Insurance

Xchanging survey: U.S. insurance industry gearing up for growth and technological advancement
Xchanging plc has released results of a survey of insurance industry practitioners conducted at the Acord Loma Forum which explored insurance technology and spending trends, revealing a number of opportunities and challenges for insurance professionals.

Consumer Information

ICBC survey: Many parents admit to passing bad driving habits to teens
While the idea of having another licensed driver in the house can be exciting, this rite of passage can also be a stressful time for parents. Driving is particularly risky for new drivers because they lack experience and are more prone to crash. ICBC offers these tips to help parents teach their teens to drive safely and to pass their road tests.

Technology

IBM and USAA join forces to serve military members
IBM and USAA have announced that the cognitive capabilities of IBM Watson technology are now available to USAA members. USAA, a financial services provider for the military community, is offering IBM's Watson Engagement Advisor in a pilot to help serve military men and women as they transition from military to civilian life. USAA is the first to commercialize the use of Watson as a consumer-facing application.

Claims

Wawanesa joins CANATICS, further increasing investigative footprint in Ontario
Ben Kosic, President and CEO of CANATICS, the Canadian National Insurance Crime Services, has welcomed The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company to the fold. "We are pleased Wawanesa has joined CANATICS and our fight to combat insurance crime. Our membership now includes ten insurers representing 75% of the direct written premium market for auto insurance in Ontario."

Distribution

Assante is newest user of BlueSun's WealthServ Insurance Back Office
Simon Tomlinson, CEO of BlueSun, is pleased to announce Assante Wealth Management has become the latest financial services company to adopt BlueSun's WealthServ Insurance back office software to support its insurance operation.

Policy Management

TIRF research bulletin: computer-based cognitive training programs for older drivers
The aging driver population in Canada and the United States is a source of growing concern due to their involvement in road crashes. Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) is pleased to announce the release of the research bulletin “Computer-Based Cognitive Training Programs for Older Drivers: What Research Tells Us”

In The Community

Economical Insurance donates to Ontario families in need
With more than 375,000 Ontario adults and children turning to food banks every month for assistance, the Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB) is delighted to announce that Economical Insurance has made a timely donation to support of the association's Feeding Families program.

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