Business Insurance Update from CNC Insurance Associates. “ Artificial Intelligence Missing Human Advocacy in Insurance”. 10-22-17

It seems more and more calls are answered by robots. Call your credit card company, bank, even your electric utility and you are met with a voice activated robot that talks and acts like a human being. This is an example of artificial intelligence (AI) servicing our world of commerce. The insurance industry is now adopting this same approach. Call the 800 number and the insurance company robot is there to  process your premium payment, take your claim, and even make changes to your policy. The insurance industry looks at this as a major opportunity for cost savings as AI is replacing the need for humans. This also affects your local insurance agent or broker. If you can easily have your insurance transactions serviced by robots then what will you need your agents for? The answer to this question is advocacy. Your agent is your only hope to advocate against the very large and powerful insurance industry. Your local agent has relationships with company underwriters and upper management that can override the robots and help customers. Insurance is a confusing and complicated industry. As a consumer you have no hope of getting advocacy or having someone fight in your corner if you have to depend solely on the robots with programmed AI. This is becoming more and more evident as policyholders find themselves trying to find people to help deal with their service questions and problems. Don’t give up on human beings. Even more, don’t give up on your local insurance agent or broker. They are the only friend you will have in the tough game of insurance. Until next time be careful out there and know your risks.

G. Kevin Nemith,
 Area President & Managing Director CNC Insurance Associates & The Hilb Group
www.cncinsurance.com

Popular posts from this blog

Delaware Business Insurance Update from CNC Insurance Associates, " Personalization of Auto Insurance Could Reduce Rates !" 12-25-18

Insurance rates may go down in the future because of "auto personalization". What is this you ask? Imagine being charged insurance rates based on your personalized use of your auto. If you drive very little next week, then your rates go down. If you drive the speed limit most of the time, your rates go down. If you avoid hard braking and tailgating, your rates go down. Get the picture?  The use of telematics has given the insurance industry a chance to personalize insurance costs directly to the users' driving habits. Gone may be the days of surcharging a male driver under the age of 24 just because they are young. If the telematics show that he can drive as safe and responsible as a 40 year old, then his insurance premiums should be comparable. If you go on vacation and park the car for two weeks, telematics will inform the insurance company that there has been no risk, and your insurance premiums will reflect that. Now as good as this sounds it will work the other wa
Read more

Get employees back to work quickly to keep work comp costs down

Image
In the past I have spoken to clients regarding a particular workers compensation claim affecting them and have asked if they have brought the employee back to work yet. Too many times the answer is no, they have nothing for that employee to do since said employee is not 100% and unable to perform their specific job prior to their workers compensation injury/claim. The problem with this is that too often employers miss the point that even though an employee can't perform in the position they were in prior to their injury, it behooves the employer to create some type of alternative task/job the employee can do until such time they are able to resume their normal duties. Bringing that employee back to work means that work comp benefits /payments in that particular claim are being curtailed, thereby saving the employer potentially more being paid out, while adding to their experience mod and driving their overall work comp expenses up.
Read more

Delaware Business Insurance Update from CNC Insurance Associates. " Mental Health Issues in the Workplace Needs Risk Management" 12-2-18

Employees with depression and severe anxiety are very common in the work place today. Studies have shown that close to 50% of all who suffer mental health issues at work are not being treated effectively. Mental health disorders do not discriminate, as it affects all employees even in the C Suite. So what is the employers' responsibility for dealing with this issue? It definitely requires risk management.  Employers can begin by making sure the health insurance that is offered to employees has mental health coverage. Many plans do not carry this coverage even though the ACA requires it. More importantly employers should create a culture of conversation which can allow employees to openly discuss their mental issues. Employee Assistant Programs set up by employers can offer education and services to help employees improve their wellness and sleep. Also employees abuse of prescription medications , need employers attention to make sure doctors and counselors are part of the assistant
Read more