What makes an insurance carrier stand out among its peers when it comes to dealing with independent insurance agents? The time-worn explanation “ease of doing business” remains applicable, but the way carriers interpret the term is changing as quickly as the needs of agencies.

Over the last few weeks we have presented a variety of articles on the subject—all of which will appear in the September Tech Decisions—ranging from old standbys such as agency portals to the latest battlefield for agency business, mobile applications.

It doesn't take a genius to see that mobile devices—smartphones in particular—are the preferred computing system for younger policyholders and no one believes these consumers will someday settle into the world of PCs like their parents. This method of computing will only increase as smartphones become even smarter.

That means agencies have to make their services available—and easy to use—on mobile devices if they are to stave off the continuing surge of direct writers operating strictly online. And yes, ease of business is a term that agencies have to think about from their end if they are to continue to serve as trusted advisors to clients.

In the article, “Mobile Apps Open the Door for Agents,” writer Gerald Shields, an IT practice director for The Nolan Co. and a former CIO of Aflac, points out some amazing statistics:

“In March, ABI research reported downloads of applications for mobile smartphones will be in the range of 56 billion for 2013. Additionally, mobile users will download around 14 billion applications for their tablets. Given 365 days a year, 24 hours in a day, this equates to close to 8 million applications downloaded per hour or more than 133,000 downloads per minute. There are currently more than 800 applications in the Apps store under the category of insurance.”

The speed in which mobile technology has taken such prominence in insurance is stunning, when you consider that five years ago there was little if any mobility within the industry. But that just exposes the need for carriers, agents, and policyholders to continue to demand more from themselves and each other.

If mobility can happen so quickly in insurance, what could possibly be next? Check back in another couple of years.

Special Reports /

The Stunning Rise of Mobility in Insurance

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