In today’s hyperconnected world, pricing pressure has become a major concern for insurers. Consumers are increasingly price-sensitive, and the competitive landscape is more crowded than ever before.
WaterStreet Company empowers insurers to leverage next-generation technology for rapid growth and greater market share.
What is Insurance Pricing Pressure?
Insurers are facing significant challenges in keeping premiums low while maintaining profitability. This can be a difficult task, particularly in an industry that is heavily regulated and has complex underwriting processes.
With increasing pricing pressure, insurers may be tempted to take on riskier policies to maintain profitability. This method of taking higher risks can lead to underwriting losses if those policies result in claims. Insurers must find a balance between taking on enough risk to maintain profitability, maintaining underwriting standards and avoiding excessive losses.
However, today’s biggest risk is adjusting pricing to meet competition; a move that will surely end in a race to the bottom. Insurers would be forced to continually lower premiums to remain competitive, leading to premiums that are so low they’re unable to cover the cost of claims, which can be disastrous.
6 Ways to Combat Pricing Pressure
There are several strategies insurers can use to combat pricing pressure and maintain profitability.
1. Leverage Insurance Pricing Software
Insurers today can leverage technology to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Insurers can use technology to streamline underwriting processes, automate policy issuance and claims handling, and reduce administrative costs. WaterStreet Company’s Policy Administration Suite is integrated with billing, claims, and document management, allowing insurers to manage the full lifecycle of all their product lines from a single platform. The platform’s RESTful API also enables connection to 3rd-party solutions and provides access to customize and extend the functionality of the WaterStreet PAS to meet unique business needs.
2. Innovate and Differentiate
Insurers that offer unique products and services can differentiate themselves from their competitors andpotentially command higher premiums. For example, an insurer that offers a usage-based insurance product may be able to charge higher premiums to customers who value the ability to customize their coverage based on their driving habits. WaterStreet’s Insured Portal is a fully branded and white-labeled policyholder portal included with their Policy Administration Suite, creating a seamless experience for agents and customers.
3. Focus on Customer Experience
Insurers that provide a better customer experience than their competitors may be able to command higher premiums. For example, an insurer that offers a mobile app for customers to manage their policies and file claims may be able to charge higher premiums to customers who value convenience and ease of use. WaterStreet’s platform includes a suite of solutions, including the white labeled insured portal, claims management, and billing & accounting, that can streamline processes and improve the customer experience.
4. Build Strong Relationships with Reinsurers
Reinsurers can help insurers manage risk and maintain profitability by sharing risk and providing financial support. By building strong relationships with reinsurers, insurers can access additional capacity and diversify their risk, which can help them navigate pricing pressure. WaterStreet’s platform includes a data-driven business intelligence tool powered by transactional data, enabling insurers to discover insights that can inform their decisions and strengthen their relationships with reinsurers.
5. Communicate Value to Customers
Effective communication of the benefits of your products and services is crucial to justify higher prices. WaterStreet’s Policy Administration Suite provides insurers with the tools they need to communicate the value of their products and services to customers.
6. Develop Pricing Strategies
By understanding the unique needs and preferences of their customer base, insurers can develop pricing strategies that reflect the value their products and services provide. This can involve segmenting the market and developing customized products and pricing for different customer segments. Insurers need to stay nimble and adjust prices based on market conditions and customer feedback. Monitoring market trends, tracking competitors’ pricing strategies, and staying up-to-date with regulatory changes can all inform pricing decisions. In addition, gathering and analyzing customer feedback can help insurers understand how their pricing is perceived in the market, and can provide valuable insights into what customers are willing to pay and where insurers can make adjustments to improve profitability.
WaterStreet Company & Insurance Pricing
Pricing pressure is a significant challenge for insurers today, but with the right strategies and tools, insurers can combat this pressure and maintain profitability while keeping premiums low.
WaterStreet Company provides a comprehensive policy administration platform that can help insurers reduce costs, increase efficiency, and differentiate themselves from competitors. With integrated features such as billing, claims, and document management, along with powerful tools such as business intelligence and the insured portal, WaterStreet helps insurers navigate the complex regulatory environment and maintain profitability in the face of pricing pressure. By leveraging technology and innovation, insurers can stay ahead of the competition and continue to provide excellent customer experiences while also achieving financial success.
Reach out to WaterStreet Company today to request a consultation and demo.
