8 obstacles to digital transformation in insurance and how to overcome them

Digital transformation is a process of change that all businesses must go through in order to remain competitive in the digital age. But for insurance companies, this process can be especially difficult.

Data shows that the insurance sector is one of the least digitized industries in the world. This is likely because insurers are faced with a unique set of challenges regarding digital transformation.

In this article, we will discuss eight of the biggest obstacles to digital transformation in insurance and how companies can overcome them.

1. Lack of data standardization
2. Fragmented customer journeys
3. Lack of data and analytics capabilities
4. Lack of agility
5. Regulatory and compliance challenges
6. Lack of customer-centricity
7. Siloed data
8. High cost of digital transformation

1. Lack of data standardization

One of the biggest obstacles to digital transformation in insurance is the lack of data standardization across the industry. This lack of standardization makes it difficult for insurers to collect and use data consistently.

To overcome this obstacle, insurers need to invest in data management solutions that can help them standardize their data. Additionally, insurers should work with other companies in the industry to develop standards for data collection and usage.

2. Fragmented customer journeys

Another obstacle to digital transformation in insurance is the fragmented customer journey. Insurance customers often have to interact with multiple touchpoints, such as agents, brokers, and call centers, before purchasing a policy.

This fragmentation makes it difficult for insurers to provide a seamless customer experience. To overcome this obstacle, insurers need to invest in technologies that can help them integrate their various customer touchpoints. Additionally, insurers should focus on simplifying their customer journeys.

3. Lack of agility

Insurance companies are often slow to adapt to new technologies and processes. Unlike other industries, insurers are not able to quickly iterate and experiment with new ideas. This lack of agility can be a major obstacle to digital transformation.

To overcome this obstacle, insurers need to invest in agile solutions that can help them quickly adapt to changes. Additionally, insurers should create internal structures and processes that encourage agility.

5. Regulatory and compliance challenges

A final obstacle to digital transformation in insurance is the regulatory and compliance landscape. The insurance industry is highly regulated, and companies must comply with a myriad of rules and regulations.

In order to comply with regulations, insurance companies must maintain a large amount of data and paperwork. This can make it difficult to digitize processes and is a major obstacle to digital transformation.

Many insurance companies are still using legacy systems and manual processes that are not designed for digital data collection. This can make it difficult to accurately collect and track customer data, which is essential for providing personalized service and products.

6. Lack of customer centricity

In order to be successful, digital transformation must start with the customer. Too often, however, insurance companies focus on their own needs and processes first, rather than those of their customers. As a result, they may end up implementing solutions that are not user-friendly or that do not meet customer needs.

It is essential for insurance companies to put themselves in their customers’ shoes and design solutions that will make their lives easier. Only then will digital transformation be successful.

7. Siloed data

Siloed data is a big obstacle for many companies, not just in insurance. In order to create a single customer view, data needs to be gathered from across the organization and combined into a single data set. However, this can be difficult to do if data is spread out across silos.

In many organizations, different departments work in silos, with little communication or collaboration. This can make it difficult to implement digital solutions that require cooperation between departments.

To overcome this, insurance companies need to break down silos and encourage communication and collaboration between departments. They also need to create incentives for employees to work together towards common goals.

8. High cost of digital transformation

Another obstacle is the high cost of digital transformation. Insurance companies are risk-averse and may be reluctant to invest in new technology. The cost of implementing new systems can also be high.

Many insurance companies have small IT departments and limited resources. This can make it difficult to invest in new technology and digital solutions.

To overcome this, insurance companies need to find ways to optimize their IT budget. To overcome this, insurance companies need to develop a clear business case for digital transformation. They also need to find ways to reduce the cost of implementation, such as by using cloud-based solutions. No-code and low-code platforms can be a good option, as they are often more cost-effective than traditional development approaches.

The bottom line

Despite these obstacles, there are ways to overcome them and succeed with digital transformation in insurance. One way is to partner with a trusted technology provider with experience helping insurance companies with their digital transformation journey.

Another way is to invest in agile solutions that can help you quickly adapt to changes. No-code and low-code platforms are a good option for insurance companies, as they allow you to rapidly develop and deploy applications with little risk.

Whatever approach you take, it’s important to keep the customer at the center of everything you do. By putting your customers first, you can create solutions that meet their needs and help you succeed with digital transformation.

In conclusion, there are many obstacles to digital transformation in insurance. However, by partnering with a trusted technology provider, investing in agile solutions, and keeping the customer at the center of everything you do, you can overcome these challenges.