The life and health insurance industry has undergone dramatic and essential changes since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to support the business cycle and adapt to changing consumer needs.
RGA recently surveyed 16 of its offices worldwide to learn more about the innovations and changes taking place in different markets to facilitate remote sales, meet consumer demand for more protection products, and alleviate overwhelmed underwriting and claims processes. This report reflects seven key findings from the survey.
The pandemic drove increased consumer awareness of the need for insurance protection, which created a short-term and longer-term impact on product innovation. Demand for mortality products grew the most, with 46% of markets reporting an increase for whole life products and 67% for term life products.
New offerings catered to emerging market needs. For example, the pandemic caused an increase in consumer demand among younger demographics for insurance coverage. This included millennials, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, the U.S., and Canada. This trend coincides with increased online sales due to disrupted face-to-face sales during lockdowns. As a result, many insurers launched products distributed digitally that targeted younger cohorts.
Globally, insurers implemented solutions to improve onboarding, including acceleration of digital journeys, adoption of electronic applications and signatures, and reliance on remote sales tools, as well as the use of data analytics to target specific client needs. Accelerated Underwriting (AUW) solutions proliferated as insurers struggled to acquire traditional underwriting requirements, such as lab work and medical exams.
Varied AUW approaches included:
Lead generation adaptations varied from market to market as product sales shifted to new distribution channels. In China, for example, insurers partnered with third-party administrators (TPAs) to target clients, while South African insurers forged new distribution relationships to gain access to client databases. Canadian carriers expanded direct-to-consumer offerings and increased marketing efforts and partnerships.
Markets such as Italy saw fully digital lead generation through social media to market term life and disability products. Meanwhile, the use of data and analytics to identify the right customers for the right products accelerated globally. RGA noted that working with TPAs or new partners reflects an alignment between the most suitable products and good risk management.
Globally, the remote sales environment drove digital delivery of insurance products. The main product features were primarily developed in response to remote sales. In Asia, this digitalization was reflected in the expanded use of e-underwriting tools and collaborations with insurtechs. One such initiative intakes digital health data to triage the underwriting process and provide decisions. In the U.S., insurers invested in educating consumers online and enabling web-based applications, with the ability to switch to an agent virtually (or in-person) to complete the process.
New product development initiatives included COVID-19 coverages with hospital benefits, especially in Asia. At the same time, some insurers resorted to increasing premiums and/or suspending product sales to offset risk as COVID-19 cases rose. Insurers also introduced more affordable products to address budget concerns or loss of income.
Product innovation varied. In South Africa, for example, insurers offered some limited risk products, such as funeral expense coverage with a waived exclusion period for new policies and for temporary disability income with shorter (or no) waiting periods. In Italy, insurers developed products for bancassurance and group life channels to support consumer needs during the pandemic and to build brand awareness and brand loyalty.
Underwriting COVID-19 patients and managing-related claims posed a significant challenge globally. Meanwhile, consumers’ inability or reluctance to go to hospitals and doctors’ offices or to agree to blood testing limited access to traditional medical underwriting evidence. As a result, the use of accelerated underwriting (AUW) solutions using alternative evidence sources and e-applications increased in many markets.
Canadian insurers implemented temporary changes to age and amount limits and expanded the use of AUW frameworks, making greater use of Attending Physician Statements (APS). In the U.S., insurers gave applicants the choice to delay processing to wait for medical underwriting and a better rate. And in the U.K., some companies waived certain evidence requirements; however, those who opted to carry on as usual and asked for required evidence later fared better overall.
Insurers in markets such as South Africa, Spain, Italy, and France introduced new questionnaires and forms to filter out high-risk applicants. Other interesting approaches addressed how to handle unvaccinated lives in South Africa.
Similar to underwriting practices, claims assessment guidelines and processes had to be adjusted in some markets. Many insurers relaxed requirements as way to ease the burden of COVID-19-related claims.
Claims decisions were often delayed due to backlogs and the inability to process evidence and conduct thorough investigations. Some markets adapted by conducting basic investigations during lockdown periods and a more thorough investigation once things opened up.
Increased claims volume coupled with remote and hybrid work environments made document verification and claims investigation particularly difficult, creating delays in payment. Insurers continue to seek solutions to resolve these challenges, presenting an opportunity to innovate and leverage technology to digitalize the process.
All markets are closely monitoring data to evaluate potential pricing adjustments needed to maintain sustainable business. The ability to be open and agile with pricing rate changes is key. COVID-19 affected each market differently, so pricing needs to account for local impacts and healthcare infrastructure. For example, India’s higher COVID-19 mortality rates required inevitable premium adjustments for product sustainability. Long COVID is also playing a key role in pricing assumptions for many markets, as it directly affects hospitalizations, healthcare costs, morbidity, and mortality.
The changes to the insurance industry brought on or accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic have transformed the life and health sector, and will lead to ongoing evolution in lead generation, consumer engagement, product development, underwriting, claims, and pricing. Insurers must view lessons already learned with an eye toward continued innovation and future growth.
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