The era of robotic process automation (RPA) coupled with deep learning is here and boy, is it creating waves across industries! From back-office functions to customer solutions, it has effectively turned processes around on their heads. Leading banks, hedge funds and asset managers have successfully leveraged RPA tools not only to streamline standard processes but also to save money significantly.

In insurance, especially for auto, property and casualty sectors, RPA can be used to automate a wide range of repetitive functions like document screening, claims processing and even internal underwriting processes. In fact, robotic process automation can be invaluable when it comes to functions that are prone to human mistakes, reducing duplication and error rates.

Juniper Research on automation in the insurance industry says that almost half of all insurers will invest in RPA by 2024. Another study from McKinsey on digital disruption in the insurance industry, found that AI automation can cut the cost of insurance claims processing by up to 30%.

RPA Spend by Insurance Companies by 2024

Also Read: 6 Ways Machine Learning and AI are Transforming the Insurance Industry

Implementing cost-savings through RPA
Nearly every function in the insurance operation can be supplemented with intelligent process automation. RPA tools can be used to drive strategic decision making, underwriting processes, fraud detection and prevention, claims processing and handling, and even customer-servicing functions. When automation takes over repetitive tasks, key employees will have more time to handle higher-impact requirements. This can drive higher revenues, spilling over to a robust bottom-line improvement.

Top use cases of RPA in insurance

Let’s consider how you can implement Intelligent process automation through a hypothetical new product:

An idea is born
John Wallace, an executive in the automobile division of ABC Insurance Company, is processing a large amount of client data. Using Natural Language Generation (NLG) AI technology, he finds that 30% of the insurer’s existing customers have children on the brink of legal driving age. Wallace immediately recognizes the potential cross-selling opportunity here.

Yet, there is the looming concern of insuring new, high-risk drivers that could increase costs. Wallace makes use of an actuary function that relies on RPA tools to create what-if scenarios that outline a risk-benefit model. The endeavor leads to a Usage-Based Insurance product option called the “New Driver Program”, wherein newly-licensed drivers could have a risk-monitoring device installed in their cars that would track their driving behavior.

A Product is created
Wallace intimates the product creation and IT departments of this new idea. Using NLG, advanced business intelligence functions and AI automation, the team quickly begins its production. Since ABC Insurance Company has a system that is highly-configurable with microservices architecture that allows quick integration of new features with external devices like Alexa, and Google Home, the product speed to market is accelerated.

Marketing is completely automated, with triggered messages sent to customers with children. ABC Insurance Company also times the messages to a month before the potential new driver’s birthdays. Copies of the offer are also marked to the client’s agents to make it easy for follow-up, avoiding duplication and human errors. For a foolproof plan, the marketing message for the New Driver Program is also flashed on their consumer portal for all visitors.

Testing the new product
To service its clients efficiently, ABC Insurance automates manual work processes through real-time claims coverage verification, auto-renew, auto-cancel and workflow. Even eligibility, pricing and coverage options are automated using RPA tools that integrate with third-party data sources. This improves pricing efficiency and also helps with process consistency.

The company offers customers and prospective agents to access the product through their website and mobile application. A two-way integrated bot steps in to help both agents and internal users navigate the product features and functionality. For instance, one of the things ABC Insurance’s bot does for the New Driver Program is to notify users about the risk concentration limits on a quote.

Once a user begins the process to purchase the new product, AI automation features like intuitive context-based navigation, elastic search, and voice-to-text functionalities reduce average handling time. Billing and checkout processes are automated online while smart payment processing supports quick checkout for customers while reducing internal loads.

For the claims process itself, ABC Insurance uses an intelligent system for the first notice of loss (FNOL) function, one of the most important touch points in insurance. AI tools here enable real-time coverage verification, automatic claims base reserves are set and claims processing is also auto-assigned.

Monitoring performance
After all requisite approvals, Wallace launches a pilot of the New Driver Program and monitors its progress. Using intelligent business software, he tracks agency and internal performance, hit-ratios, profitability, claims frequency and severity illustrating results. AI indicators show promising results for the pilot program and a possibility for profits of up to 20% in case of adoption. Satisfied with the outcome, ABC Insurance rolls out the product in its key geographical market.

Also read: The 4 Disruptive Technologies Reshaping Insurance Operations

From the hypothetical to real-world transformation
Take the case of Switzerland’s largest insurer, Zurich Insurance. In 2014, the insurer saw the potential benefits of RPA and set out to achieve cost improvements. Through a complete redesign of its claims processing, armed with digital RPA tools and a re-haul of its legacy systems, the insurer was able to achieve over 70% efficiency and 51% cost reductions in areas where it used automation.

Through the transformation, Zurich Insurance Group also freed up employees to work in other important segments, improved claims payments because of correct estimations and completely recalibrated its operations.

Also Read: P&C System TCO – What Are All the Factors in Figuring This Metric?

Takeaway
From the above illustration, you can clearly see how RPA tools and intelligent process automation can completely transform insurance processes. From idea generation and risk analysis to claims processing and policy management, the use of AI automation tools in insurance are multifold. With the industry in the throes of a digital revolution, now is the time to pull the automation lever and transform your operations for good.

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