Blockchain is a disruptive technology which on par with the groundbreaking influence of the Internet, is expected to have a far-reaching effect on the insurance industry in the times to come.
Blockchain does not only have strong potential in the insurance sector but other several industries too because it is involved with emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
One may wonder, what is the future of digitization or need for technological advancement in the insurance industry and how will it benefit the policyholders? New digital technologies can change the way customers interact with insurers. Technological developments are now important components of the insurance industry that are also equally valuable to insurance companies and their clients. Although technology is used by insurers to achieve a competitive advantage, the clients use these resources online to strengthen the basic nature of workers’ compensation coverage, auto insurance coverage, general liability insurance coverage, and other business-related insurance coverage.
The promise of cost savings and productivity is not the only benefit of blockchain, but it could also enable revenue growth as insurers will be able to attract new business through higher-quality services.
Blockchain technology will help serve the role of the wholesale insurance sector by supporting the global economy more effectively. The insurance sectors are welcoming and adopting blockchain with an open mind as they realize that the potential of Blockchain can provide full accountability, transparency, and superior protection which will save insurers time and money, as well as boost their customer’s loyalty. Blockchain technology can easily help insurance companies solve the challenges of today and adapt to the current competitive market. The technology can help streamline the insurance processes and meet the demands of digitally-savvy consumers by creating and conducting transparent operations based on confidence and stability.
Insurance companies face major challenges in terms of complicated enforcement problems, restricted growth in mature markets, fraudulent claims operation, third-party payment transactions, and the processing of vast volumes of data, which Blockchain technology can take control of and address and solve these in a snap.
In these fast times, the market now demands speedy solutions to insurance-related topics like fast claim settlements, etc. and quick remedies for concerns of customers about processes to be automated and confidential information to be secured.
Although blockchain may not be able to address the entire insurance issues, it surely can provide simple technological solutions that will encourage confidence, accountability, and stability and create further convenience for its users. Blockchain will not be only able to improvise the way insurers record data of risks, but also increase the speed of every step of the insurance sector from buying the policy to its settlement.
The inherent advantages of the financial settlement come embedded in the technical characteristics of blockchain. The entire process of insurance activities like underwriting, premium collection, indemnity payment, and even reinsurance can be efficiently and securely executed with Blockchain when combined with smart contracts. To improve the insurance market, Smart contracts provide transparency, autonomy, accuracy, and other important advantages and help you manage the financial risks if something goes wrong or behaves in an unpredictable way. Owing to smart contracts and due to special tools, all the data from Iot devices can be recorded on the blockchain and automatically analyzed by the insurer and can transfer the money to concerning accounts to cover the damage of the clients.
Some of the main potential uses and applications are mentioned as under:
Claims settlement: On conditions in the policy being met, Smart contracts can enable the insured to automatically receive indemnity without any human interference and adjust the settlement without any hassles. This automation process will enhance operational efficiency at reduced costs, thereby, building higher trust in the insurance company.
Internal management systems: Smart contracts and blockchain technology can put internal management systems to automation mode which will not only improve management efficiency but also reduce labor costs which will improve the efficiency of a compliance audit.
Management of Fraud Claims: To validate the claims and the amount of adjustment, a blockchain-based platform can play a major role as insurance companies’ operating costs will reduce immensely & effectively help to reduce fraud. Critical and confidential information about the insured depending on each case like Driver’s information, vehicle registration details, and claims information, etc. can easily be stored and shared through the platform.
Premium/Claims Management: Blockchain-based technology will efficiently reduce data errors and avoid monetary losses which in turn will help insurance companies or related third parties like brokers etc. to manage the risks and improve the efficiency of claim settlement and daily tasks management.
There is no doubt that with blockchain, the efficiency of data exchange and storage can be remarkably improved. The high-tech platform is equipped to reduce human intervention in terms of many manual tasks involved in the insurance company causing a significant reduction in their operating costs. In short, operating efficiency can be increased manifold and boost utter customer satisfaction with blockchain technology embedded in the insurance sector.