Fueled by fast technological developments, demographic adjustments and shifting shopper expectations, the Life & Annuity trade is about for a number of transformative adjustments in 2025. Swiss Re forecasts common international actual premium progress of two.6% in 2025 and 2026, with life insurance coverage projected to broaden globally by 3% yearly— greater than twice the tempo of the previous decade.  On this evolving panorama, staying forward of the curve isn’t just a aggressive benefit; it’s a necessity for survival.
The mixing of generative AI (gen AI) and the rising reliance on digital information are key for a future the place underwriting processes are extra environment friendly. Moreover, insurers’ elevated use of know-how to boost shopper engagement will intention to foster stronger relationships and enhance buyer satisfaction.
These underwriting predictions spotlight the developments that life insurers should embrace to thrive within the coming years.
1. Generative AI can be pivotal within the underwriting course of
The scaling of AI and machine studying is about to revolutionize the accuracy of threat evaluation and the pace of underwriting. It’s telling that trade analyst Gartner notes life insurers modernizing their underwriting processes have shifted their focus from automation and rule engines to predictive analytics, AI, and third-party information for threat scoring. Incorporating generative AI in automation choices permits for clever ingestion and the extraction of data from all forms of structured and unstructured information feeds, whereas additionally augmenting decision-making processes. This additional streamlines underwriting and claims procedures. Main platform suppliers just like the Accenture Life Insurance coverage & Annuity Platform (ALIP) are already providing embedded generative AI underwriting options, clearly positioning 2025 because the yr of implementation.
2. Buyer and agent interactions can be boosted by generative AI
The expansion of digital-native shoppers is compelling insurers to put money into superior digital platforms that supply real-time suggestions, customized suggestions, and academic info. In final yr’s predictions, I highlighted how gen AI-empowered buyer centricity will shut the hole even additional between carriers, brokers, and clients, resulting in extra customized product choices and providers. We foresee the elevated use of gen AI-powered digital assistants to simplify buyer interactions, in the end boosting satisfaction and loyalty. Whereas these options have primarily been targeted on contact heart operations, we at the moment are seeing related know-how being utilized to enhance, for instance, inside communication between field-level brokers and back-office underwriters. Moreover, this shift opens new paths for underwriters to handle necessities orders and take actions extra effectively.
3. Seamless integration of vendor information will turn into the norm
The evolution of underwriting will necessitate a complete vendor technique, encompassing a spectrum of applied sciences corresponding to AI, predictive fashions, and automation all through the underwriting course of. With greater than 80 distributors contributing to the shift in the direction of predictive and comparative fashions, insurers should think about bolstering these capabilities. The following couple of years will witness substantial strides in course of automation, but the crucial hurdles of automating intricate choices, mitigating AI bias, and integrating with current programs will persist. CIOs can be pivotal in supporting underwriters, measuring the affect of automation, documenting know-how, and enhancing consumer proficiency.
These predictions replicate the dynamic shifts throughout the Life & Annuity trade, fueled by technological innovation, evolving shopper expectations, and the pursuit of enhanced operational effectivity. Insurers who embrace these underwriting capabilities are more likely to discover themselves well-placed for achievement within the ever-changing market milieu.
This isn’t a long-term forecast—the capabilities can be found right now. Please don’t hesitate to achieve out, and let’s focus on implementing initiatives tailor-made to your reinvention journey and enterprise wants.
