The Puzzle Pieces To Efficiency

Puzzle Pieces

In the dynamic world of life insurance, staying ahead of the curve is paramount. Life insurance distribution processing has evolved significantly in recent years, thanks to the fusion of agency management systems, human capital, and data. This harmonious blend of technological innovation and human expertise has unlocked new avenues for efficiency and customer-centricity in the insurance industry.

Agency management systems are the linchpin of modern life insurance distribution. They provide BGAs with a centralized hub to manage their operations, streamline processes, and optimize agent interactions. These systems not only reduce administrative overhead but also empower agents with real-time information, enabling them to make informed decisions and offer better service.

The integration of agency management systems into the distribution process has revolutionized policy issuance, underwriting, and claims processing. BGAs can efficiently track policy applications, generate quotes, and manage compliance. This streamlining of operations is a win-win, as it saves time for both agents and clients, ensuring a smoother and faster customer experience.

While technology is essential, the human touch remains irreplaceable in the insurance industry. Human capital, in the form of skilled agents and underwriters, plays a pivotal role in life insurance distribution processing. Agents build trust, guide customers through complex policies, and provide personalized solutions to meet individual needs.

Investing in human capital development, training, and retention is crucial. BGAs need to adapt to the evolving landscape of insurance products and regulations continually. Equipped with agency management systems and data analytics tools, agencies become more efficient and capable of delivering a seamless experience, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Data is the lifeblood of the modern insurance industry. The fusion of data analytics and agency management systems empowers insurers with actionable insights. Advanced analytics can identify trends, assess risk, and tailor policies to meet specific customer needs. It can also predict future market conditions and customer preferences, enabling proactive adjustments to product offerings and distribution strategies.

Moreover, data-driven underwriting allows carriers to assess risk more accurately and make quicker decisions. This not only benefits the insurer by mitigating risks but also benefits the customer by potentially lowering premiums for those who pose lower risks.

The synergy between agency management systems, human capital, and data creates a dynamic ecosystem that is greater than the sum of its parts. When these puzzle pieces come together, BGAs can deliver a seamless, customer-centric experience. Agents armed with cutting-edge technology and data insights can provide tailored solutions, improving client relationships and driving business growth. These tools are provided by the BGAs to their agents through their website agent portals.

Life insurance distribution processing has been transformed through the fusion of agency management systems, human capital, and data. This synergy empowers carriers to enhance efficiency, engage customers on a deeper level, and make informed decisions. As the insurance
landscape continues to evolve, embracing this fusion is not just an option but a necessity for staying competitive and meeting the evolving needs of insurance advisors.

Supporting BGAs with Technology and Outsourcing Staff
We all wondered what the new norm was going to be post pandemic. There are organizations who went back to office, others have taken a hybrid approach, and some have gone completely remote. This newfound freedom of choice has more and more individuals looking for new opportunities in search of the company culture that best matches their needs. Staffing shortages have hit many and attracting new staff or supporting the great people you have has been a challenge. How do you continue to maintain let alone elevate the level of service that attracts new and maintains your current customers? I have been working with eNoah iSolutions for several years. What makes them different is that they are not just a business processing outsourcing service, but infusing technology to automate the distribution process for life insurance. I reached out to Stacey Paulson, director of Insurance Services at eNoah. “At eNoah, we understand the uniqueness from firm to firm and do not take a ‘this is how we do business’ approach, but rather learn what your culture is and how we can best support you. Your dedicated eNoah team member becomes an extension to your team to help support and allow them to spend time on what matters most for your organization. There is no one size fits all. That is the beauty of the brokerage world. Each organization has their own culture they developed to support their customer base.”

They are seeing new firms/agencies rise and as they grow are working on how to create internal efficiencies. Whether you are starting new or have an experienced agency, it’s hard to focus on the change that is needed and still handle the day to day. eNoah helps during these times of growth or restructure. Whether it be simplistic data entry into your AMS system to commission reconciliation on the backend and everything in the middle. They are there to support you as you grow.

IT resources are in short supply, especially those that understand the needs of the insurance industry. If you are fortunate to find a resource, it’s costly. You don’t have to wait to bring your website or tools to the next level. eNoah has over 550 IT engineers who can help with Application Development, Cloud Services, Testing and Database Support. Visit eNoah iSolutions.

Data Drives the Process
Carriers and distributors face many of the same challenges today. How to streamline and simplify the insurance buying process to create a better customer experience. If successful, this will lead to better placement rates, reduced acquisition costs, and more smiles on more faces. How can this be accomplished? To begin, understand that data drives the process. By knowing the prospective customer as early as possible in the process, we can better understand what is the best solution for that individual. It starts with their goals and then it is up to the agents, advisors, and carriers to help determine what is best suited for them. Analyzing that data and moving it forward in a seamless fashion not only helps the process move more efficiently, but ultimately leads to the right product and the right carrier being chosen for the prospective client. It also may lead to a separate conversation about additional products or services that could be of value. At Paperless Solutions Group (PSG), an MIB business, they realize that purchasers of products, those who distribute them, and those that manufacture them all need to work together. That is why PSG looks at the process from a holistic perspective and makes sure that their solutions are customized for each specific situation. If the suit doesn’t fit, you probably should not buy it. While an “out of the box” solution may be an easy decision, is it the right decision for you and your client?

All this being said, obtaining accurate data and moving it along the sales cycle will lead to a more efficient process for all organizations involved in the process. Reduction in cost and greater efficiency is what we all aim for. API’s are a must in order to do this as you may need to “bolt” solutions into an existing architecture if it will allow. To protect more families, we must play nice in the sandbox with each other to meet that ultimate goal. See the end-to-end life insurance process at Paperless Solutions Group.

Ken Leibow is founder and CEO of InsurTech Express. He brings more than 36 years of insurance industry experience with an extensive background in insurance technology for distribution and back office systems.

Prior to founding InsurTech Express, Leibow worked for Genworth Financial, Mutual of Omaha, and as vice president of operations at Diversified Underwriters Services, Inc. As COO of Integrated Insurance Technologies, he built the largest life insurance data exchange hub in the industry, processing over one million policies per year and $30 billion of annuities (now owned by Oracle, Inc.). Some of the key initiatives he implemented include innovation in quoting and illustration tools, CRM’s, agency management systems, eApp platforms and ePolicy Delivery for long term care, life insurance and annuities.

Leibow is a leader for industry technology standards, working with ACORD, LDTC, LIDMA, NAILBA, LIMRA, LOMA and IRI. In 2019, he was appointed to sit on the ACLI Innovation Committee. He is on the ACORD Life & Annuity Program Advisory Council and won the ACORD Leadership Award in 2022 and ACORD Community 50th Anniversary Award in 2020. He is a past winner of the NAILBA Chairman’s Award and NAILBA’s ID20 Award. In 2022, he was the winner of the LIDMA Innovation Award.

Leibow can be reached by telephone at 402-740-7356. Email: ken@insurtechexpress.com.