The research and analysis firm Celent names its 2012 Model Insurers. Insurers are identified for their best practices in the use of technology across various area of the enterprise. The report also names Nationwide Insurance the Model Insurer of the Year.

Best practices in the use of technology span key areas of the product and policyholder life cycle, including product definition, distribution, underwriting, policy administration, service, claims, and infrastructure. The report also reviews IT best practices and measurable business results used in evaluating the Model Insurer Components.

"Innovation is a common theme for many of the projects profiled in this year's report. The Model Insurer Components highlight several innovative uses of technology in insurance," says Karen Monks, analyst with Celent's Insurance group and author of the report. "Insurers have stepped up their use of emerging technologies and have had successes in doing so."