New Study Reveals Most US Insurance Carriers Are Unprepared to Leverage IoT Data for Strategic Business Needs

Opportunities Exist for Fast-Moving Insurers to Carve Out a Significant Competitive Advantage

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Mar 20, 2018, 09:00 ET

ATLANTA, March 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- LexisNexis Risk Solutions today released findings from the first comprehensive research study to examine the insurance industry's perspective on collecting, analyzing and using data created by the Internet of Things (IoT). The study found that while insurance carriers recognize the impact this data will have on the Insurance industry, few carriers currently have an IoT strategy, are collecting IoT data or have dedicated resources in place. This creates a unique opportunity for forward-thinking insurers to create a competitive advantage.

Insurance and the Data Explosion: Insurers recognize IoT’s importance for the industry’s future. Historically the insurance industry has made great strides in using data and analytics to drive decisions ... however, a recent LexisNexis® Risk Solutions survey of nearly 500 U.S. insurance professionals, revealed that there is a big opportunity when it comes to connected data sources. Most insurers are not using data from IoT sources, but a large majority agree that it is important.

The 2018 LexisNexis IoT and the State of the Insurance Industry Study surveyed 500 US insurance professionals from auto, home, life and commercial lines of business to gauge how IoT data fits into their current and future business strategies, and the extent to which this data is being collected and used today. The research uncovered that while 70 percent of respondents agree that gathering IoT data is important to their organization's current insurance strategy, only 21 percent have an IoT strategy and just 7 percent have the human and technology resources required to use it in decision making. Of those that said they currently collect data from telematics, wearables, connected home and properties, just 5 percent use it in their day-to-day analytics.

"Carriers already use data to make better decisions. But given the looming tsunami of data from the Internet of Things, we were surprised to learn how few are prepared to leverage it into their business strategies and customer offerings," said Bill Madison, CEO of Insurance for LexisNexis Risks Solutions. "The good news is that the IoT playing field is currently relatively even. Partnering with an experienced organization to cleanse, normalize and analyze IoT data can help carriers gain a first-mover advantage in enhancing their existing portfolio and developing new products."

Key Findings: Carrier Opportunities, Strategies and Resources
Data from connected devices can put real-time insights in the hands of insurers, which can create new business opportunities, help tailor product offerings, promote more proactive underwriting and claim resolution and personalize consumer interactions.

Yet, one reason the insurance industry is lagging could be that most carriers think of IoT at a tactical rather than a strategic level. When asked to define IoT, most did so in tactical terms like "a network of connected devices." Few respondents discussed IoT in terms of strategic uses for underwriting, claims and other analytics.

48 percent of those surveyed believe the ability to collect and use IoT data will define industry leaders. However, while few are leveraging IoT today, most carriers believe their counterparts are ahead. This suggests that many are taking a wait-and-see approach and will use existing in-house systems until the Return on Investment (ROI) of IoT is proven in the competitive landscape.

IoT Trend Spotters vs. IoT Skeptics
While the study didn't find any clear-cut segmentation among lines of business or by job function, it identified two main groups – deemed Trend Spotters and Skeptics – based on the question "How important is gathering IoT data to your business in the next five years?"

Trend Spotters are 100 percent in agreement that IoT is extremely important to their future strategy, as opposed to 0% of Skeptics. Across the segments, Trend Spotters tend to work in commercial and auto insurance lines while Skeptics tend to work in home and life.

Nearly half (48 percent) of Trend Spotters believe investing in IoT will give them a competitive advantage in the future, while only 22 percent of Skeptics think the same. Similarly, more Trend Spotters tend to believe that operational issues like security, storage and analysis are difficult challenges to tackle, but understand that they are all part of the process. Skeptics, on the other hand, tend to view those issues as much more challenging.

For complete findings, download the 2018 LexisNexis IoT and State of the Insurance Industry Study whitepaper, or the infographic detailing findings by line of business.

About LexisNexis Risk Solutions
At LexisNexis Risk Solutions, we believe in the power of data and advanced analytics for better risk management. With over 40 years of expertise, we are the trusted data analytics provider for organizations seeking actionable insights to manage risks and improve results while upholding the highest standards for security and privacy. Headquartered in metro Atlanta USA, LexisNexis Risk Solutions serves customers in more than 100 countries and is part of RELX Group, a global provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries. For more information, please visit https://risk.lexisnexis.com/.

Media Contacts:
Rocio Rivera
LexisNexis Risk Solutions
Phone: +1.678.694.2338
[email protected]

Mollie Holman
Brodeur Partners for LexisNexis Risk Solutions
Phone: +1.646.746.5611
[email protected]

Fast Facts for 2018 LexisNexis IoT and State of the Insurance Industry Study

Nearly three-quarters agree that collecting IoT data is important to their carriers' strategies TODAY. And even more believe it will be important in 5 years.
But a minority currently have a defined strategy in place. And without this strategy in place, even fewer have resources dedicated to IoT.
Though just over 6 in 10 predict they will have a defined strategy in 3 to 5 years, only half as many expect to have resources in place by then.
Carriers believe that IoT data collection and usage will define industry leaders, offer a competitive advantage, and will shape the direction of the industry.
BUT, perceived barriers regarding difficulties in data governance, security concerns, and proprietary attributes about the data are holding many back.