www.ifc.org/thoughtleadership NOTE 70 • AUG 2019 How Insurtech Can Close the Protection Gap in Emerging Markets By Susan Holliday Insurance technology, better known as Insurtech, is a rapidly growing industry that is beginning to disrupt traditional insurance provision in advanced and emerging economies alike, and is creating opportunities and challenges for incumbents, start-ups, and investors. The opportunity offered by insurtech is particularly significant in emerging markets, where a large “protection gap” exists due to low insurance penetration. This has major development implications due to the fact that economic growth and insurance penetration are closely intertwined. Technology and new business models are necessary to close the protection gap in these markets, and companies will need to be able to innovate—either internally, by partnerships, or by investing—to seize the opportunity. The level of global interest and investment in insurance FT Partners also reports $8.3 billion in mergers and technologies, or insurtech, continues to grow. While some acquisitions, although some of that activity is only loosely of the valuations and the proliferation of conferences on connected to insurtech. 2 Investment is coming from a the topic suggest an element of hype, the real increase in mixture of accelerator or incubator structures (for early targeted investments and the number of ideas moving from stage investments), venture capital and private equity firms, pilot to implementation are concrete evidence of the impact corporates, and some asset managers and hedge funds. Corporate involvement overall continues to increase, of insurtech on the insurance industry. although this offers both opportunities and challenges to Total investments in insurtech were $4.4 billion in 2018, insurtech start-ups. according to FT Partners, an investment banking firm Corporates are business minded and know the pain points focused on the fintech sector.1 That’s up from $3.2 billion in the industry, but they can be slow to make decisions the previous year, and over 200 transactions were made in and may have strategic priorities that differ from both the 2018. While the level of investment in insurtech reached start-up and the other investors, such as wanting exclusive record highs, there were slightly fewer transactions last arrangements. In addition, there are many companies that year, which likely reflects the fact that the market is are embracing aspects of insurtech without investing, either maturing in developed countries. Although North America by partnering with established tech companies or start-ups, remains the largest area for investment, there have been or by building in-house capabilities. In many cases, insurers increases in investments both from and into Asia. are doing all of the above. About the Author Susan Holliday, Principal Insurance Specialist, Insurance and Financial Guarantees, Financial Institutions Group, IFC. Her email is sholliday@ifc.org. 1 This publication may be reused for noncommercial purposes if the source is cited as IFC, a member of the World Bank Group. Mobile FIGURE 1 Insurance Technology—Industry Landscape and Selected Category Descriptions 61 Source: FT Partners. “Prepare for the InsurTech Wave—Overview of Key Insurance Technology Trends.” Dec 2016. Types of Insurtech fair price. However, there are many different types of business While there are many and varied technologies that can be models within these categories. In this respect, buyers, applied to the insurance industry, here we focus on a few partners, and investors need to beware. Some companies buckets that are close to the core business and are expected offer a true choice of products, with an element of education to continue to have a significant impact on the industry. or advice and a fast and seamless buying experience. At the These initiatives tend to focus on certain pain points either other end of the spectrum are those companies that appear to for the insurance buyer or for the insurance company. offer price comparisons but in actuality are merely devices to For example, a price comparison site or online broker may generate leads and collect phone numbers, which can lead to make it easier for a customer to find and buy insurance at a nuisance calling or mis-selling. Fully digital Online brokers/ Aggregators Process Data and insurance Other advisers and platforms improvers analytics company • Regulated • Likely to be • Provide price comparison, • Use technology • Includes telematics for • Includes technology risk carriers regulated lower prices, and to improve parts driving, wearables, and important to insurers convenience for of the insurance interactive mobile health (e.g. satellites, • Full end-to- • Convenient for consumers value chain (e.g. drones, agri- and end digital customers • Work with insurers to claims) weather-tech) insurer • Successful in UK obtain and analyze data, • Provide some • Lead to lower leading to (potentially) • Can make insurance • Provide form of advice • Usually need to be able to costs and better better pricing and a more more affordable in cheaper and education integrate their technology customer service useful, interactive cusomer remote areas prices as well as price with companies experience, and behavior FIGURE 2 Areas of Insurtech Innovations Source: Author 2 This publication may be reused for noncommercial purposes if the source is cited as IFC, a member of the World Bank Group. By increasing efficiencies in the insurance industry, who need to drive a lot or drive in certain areas, activities technology is bringing benefits to both insurance companies that may cause them to pay more for insurance. Discovery, and their customers. An example is the sale of “bite sized” an insurance provider in South Africa, has built on its well- insurance or “insurance on demand.” By using digital known model in the health and wellness space to offer a interaction, artificial intelligence (AI), and in some cases a rewards system based on loyalty and driver performance. wider range of data sources, companies have been able to Telematics, or long distance transmission of computerized offer insurance for shorter periods, such as a month rather data, has other uses outside of pricing motor insurance, than six months or a year. This has helped make insurance including encouraging safe driving, monitoring commercial more affordable, especially in markets where it is difficult vehicles and their cargo, and logistics and supply chain or impossible to set up periodic payments. management, to name just a few. Another aspect of this is insurance that can effectively be Another IoT-related trend is insurers partnering with fitness switched on and off, for example insuring a bicycle when apps and wellness platforms. This can encourage healthy the owner lends it to a friend, or a laptop when the owner is traveling with it. Short-term policies have always existed and risk-reducing behavior and also gather data. And it for policies such as travel insurance, but the use of digital can drive customer engagement, as consumers tend to technologies has made this application more practical and interact with an app or the platform more frequently than cheaper to administer. they would with the insurance company itself. Examples of this include Discovery in South Africa and Goqii in India, A related development—one often associated with the which has partnered with Max BUPA and also with Axis Internet of Things (IoT)—is the evolution of usage- Bank. These are examples of companies adding services based insurance. The best-known example of this is in and rewards for customers to promote a healthier lifestyle, the auto insurance industry, with per-mile policies and but also to increase the number and quality of interactions dynamic pricing based on driving behavior. Usage-based with the financial services provider. insurance allows insurance to be much more granular and personalized. While usage-based insurance can incentivize Clearly, insurtech is impacting the entire insurance value better driving behavior and cut costs for some drivers, it chain, from product development all the way to policy doesn’t always work perfectly, as there may be safe drivers claims and management (Figure 3). PHYSICAL Product Pricing/ Policy/Claims VALUE Marketing Distribution CHAIN Development Underwriting Management Robotics/telematics/ Use of Big Data/ Position insurance Less face-to-face Use of Big Data to IoT/wearables analytics to identify as more customer Customers prefer reduce fraud and offer usage- new claims drivers centric improve claims DIGITALIZATION multi-touch, omni- based insurance Predictive/ Increase frequency channel interaction processes opportunities prescriptive of interaction Self-service apps to Smart devices Emerging risks such underwriting Use Big Data/ engagement improve customer as cyber techniques analytics for post-sales experience Scope for gains in Social-network Use of Artificial micro-market efficiency in offline Blockchain insurance groups Intelligence (AI) segmentation and channels applications for smart to hone risk personalization contracts and claims assessment AI-driven robo- administration VIRTUAL advisors VALUE CHAIN INFORMATION CAPTURE AND ANALYSIS FIGURE 3 How Technology is Affecting the Insurance Value Chain Source: Swiss Re Institute. 2017. “Introduction and Focus”, p. 13. 3 This publication may be reused for noncommercial purposes if the source is cited as IFC, a member of the World Bank Group. How Insurtech is Impacting the Industry operational challenges, generally improve customer service When fintech first emerged, the primary focus was on and make the production process cheaper and more payments and lending, and later on digital banking. Many efficient. Increasingly we are seeing new players that at early fintech companies attempted to compete directly with first glance have little or nothing to do with insurance. incumbents by using technology to disrupt the business For example, in Asia, ride sharing company Grab is model and, in many cases, take advantage of loopholes or partnering with Chubb to offer insurance to drivers and gray areas to remain outside of the regulatory environment. customers as part of a strategy to become the go-to app This is analogous to Uber challenging traditional taxi cabs for consumers, while also offering payments, car lending, or limousine booking services. As time went on, it became and other services. Some “new economy” companies may more difficult to avoid regulation, so many start-ups be frustrated with the pace of change in the industry, decided to become regulated entities. and so are partnering with new insurtechs. An example Banks and payment companies started cooperating with is Amazon, which is partnering with and has invested in start- ups and even buying them, as well as developing Acko, a new digital insurance company in India. their own digital services in order to remain competitive. It remains to be seen which of these matches will last, In due course, earlier and larger disruptive start-ups began which are marriages of convenience, and which will making acquisitions of their own. PayPal buying Venmo is end in divorce. The experience of insurers and banks an example of this. partnering, an arrangement known as bancassurance, Insurance largely skipped this first phase for a number has often resulted in unforeseen problems, including the of reasons. First, in some areas such as underwriting it is misalignment of interests. almost impossible to avoid being a regulated entity. Even The Opportunity in Developing Countries where we have seen new insurance companies being set up, they usually rely on support from traditional insurers The penetration of insurance (measured by the ratio of or reinsurers, particularly in the early years. This may premiums to GDP) in developing countries is generally lead to starting as a Managing General Agent (MGA) much lower than in advanced economies. Typically, the and becoming a full stack insurer later, as we have seen insurance industry takes off when GDP per capita reaches with Next Insurance in the United States, which focuses $5,000 (Figure 4). on small businesses. The MGA model is likely to prove A 1 percentage point increase in insurance penetration helpful in emerging markets, with the caveat that in many is typically correlated with a 2 percentage point increase countries, current legislation doesn’t properly cover this in GDP.3 Insurance supports economic growth and more business model. Second, many insurtech start-ups are prosperous societies have more goods and services to insure. focused on working with the industry to make it more efficient, often by focusing on the claims process, providing telematics solutions, or adding AI and data analytics. Relationships between insurance providers and insurtech start-ups are developing in a number of different ways, and it is becoming clear that no insurer or broker can afford to ignore insurtech. Consequently, there are several choices about how to engage: partner, invest, buy, or develop in- house proprietary solutions. We are seeing most companies developing both partnerships and in-house solutions, while some have also made investments (usually in addition to partnering) or have acquired start-ups as an alternative to developing solutions in house. In the wider sector, we are seeing various types of players combine forces, and some of these are more likely to be disruptive than others. FIGURE 4 S-Curve for 2016, Selected Emerging Markets Partnerships between insurance companies and insurtech Source: Swiss Re Institute. 2019. “Emerging Markets: The Silver Lining and fintech firms, while not without cultural and Amid a Challenging outlook.” Sigma 1/2019, see Figure 14. 4 This publication may be reused for noncommercial purposes if the source is cited as IFC, a member of the World Bank Group. There are two other important facets to consider when a. Out-of-pocket health expenditure by country groups, current international $, 2016 looking at the role of the insurance industry in emerging economies. These relate to the protection gap for natural $800 56.34% 60% disaster risks and healthcare. There is a large protection $728.58 gap in these areas in many countries of the world, but it is $700 50% particularly noteworthy that 58 percent of 2018 natural per capita expenditure, PPP, in current int. $ disasters occurred in developing countries but only 26 $600 40.11% percent of them were insured (Table 1). 39.60% 40% % of health expenditure $500 36.15% TABLE 1 Natural Catastrophes in 2018: Number of Events $400 30% Economic and Insured Losses by Region, in billion US$ $341.51 $300 INSURED LOSS ECONOMIC LOSS 20% $239.2 NUMBER OF EVENTS IN BN$ IN % IN BN$ IN % $200 13.87% $152.39 North America 68 52.9 62.5 80.5 48.8 10% $100 Asia 104 20.4 24.1 54.7 33.1 $39.05 Europe 44 7.7 9.1 20.7 12.5 $0 0% Low Lower- Middle Upper- OECD Oceania/Australia 9 1.6 1.9 2.3 1.4 Income Middle Income Middle Income Income LAC 20 1.3 1.5 4.9 3.0 Seas/Space 6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.4 b. Out-of-pocket health expenditure in selected countries, current international $, 2016 Africa 53 0.2 0.2 1.3 0.8 $900 70% TOTAL 304 84.7 100 165.1 100 64.58% $800 $774.27 Source: Swiss Re Institute. 60% per capita expenditure, PPP, in current int. $ $700 Also, many emerging market countries lack a 50% $600 comprehensive healthcare system and a developed health 43.56% % of health expenditure 40.38% insurance market, which results in high out-of-pocket 37.42% 37.34% 40% $500 35.91% spend by those who can least afford it (Figure 5a). Out-of- pocket health expenditure as a percentage of total health $400 $392.40 30% spending is particularly high in lower-middle income countries (Figure 5b). $300 $273.42 20% How Insurtech Can Help Close the Protection Gap $200 $155.94 $135.42 Although the majority of insurtechs currently operate in 10% $100 North America, Western Europe, and developed Asia, $26.02 an increasing number are gaining traction in developing $0 0% countries. We believe there are some areas where insurtech Ethiopia Indonesia India China Mexico Brazil will be particularly powerful as many emerging markets make the leap to digital. FIGURE 5 Out-of-pocket health expenditures In countries such as Kenya and China, mobile banking Source: World Development Indicators (WDI). and payments are already advanced and widely adopted. Note: left axis, blue bar, per capita expenditure, PPP, in current international $; right axis, gray dots, percentage of current health In other countries, digital financial services are only just expenditure. Country level data available on WDI. 5 This publication may be reused for noncommercial purposes if the source is cited as IFC, a member of the World Bank Group. starting to take off, yet watching YouTube on mobile Enabling Factors for Insurtech in Emerging phones or online shopping is already common. This Markets suggests that the market will not just be digital first but There is clearly great potential for insurance to grow digital only. However, there are some caveats. Insurance is in emerging markets and insurtech and tech-enabled less well known and understood in many emerging markets business models will be integral to this growth. However, than it is in Western Europe, North America, and Japan. insurtech is not a silver bullet. Unlike in mature markets In some cases, there are legitimate trust issues associated with where people tend to start with auto, renters, and property insurance. This is because in the past some insurers did not insurance, in developing countries the entry point is more pay legitimate claims and brokers failed to pass on premiums, likely to be life insurance (often linked to a loan) or health leaving both the customer and the insurer in the lurch. In this insurance, especially for lower-income individuals. context a level of personal trust is required, and consumers Some of the important enabling factors for insurtech to and small business owners may need help before they feel make a difference are: confident enough to buy insurance on their tablet or mobile phone. In this context we see an increasing importance Compulsory Motor Third Party (MTPL) Liability (perhaps surprisingly) of call centers and tech-enabled agents. Insurance. This is important for auto (motor) insurance, In these cases, the agent or call center worker can be aided by and for pedestrians injured in motor accidents. In addition, digital technology and even artificial intelligence to answer it begins to build some knowledge of insurance and gives questions and help customers buy policies quickly and easily. insurance companies a base from which to introduce other Historically, insurance purchases often required multiple products. Ideally the market should not be tariffed so that visits to an office, long turnaround times, reams of paper, and good driving can be rewarded. the costs and errors that resulted from these. Financial literacy. This is an issue in many countries, not Shorter-term and on-demand policies are also likely to just emerging markets. Many people and small business offer benefits in emerging economies where there is a lot of owners don’t understand the risks they face and may end up informal work and it may be difficult to pay for an annual losing all their savings due to events such as illness or loss policy. These types of products may also be more attractive of their business to flood or fire. Insurtech can play a role to younger people, informal workers, and gig economy in this, with advice and education on the web, gamification, participants. call centers, and chatbots, etc. But literacy ideally should start in school so that pupils at an early stage understand Fraud has always been an issue in the insurance industry, saving and borrowing and the options that exist to build which relies heavily on trust. Insurtech is delivering and protect wealth. Banks and microfinance institutions clear value here and it will be even greater in emerging also have a role to play here. markets. This includes using digital technology to settle claims faster, improving customer service, and reducing Biometric ID. This can play a big role in preventing fraud, the risk of extra costs being accumulated. Customers can which otherwise drives up the costs of insurance for now take photos or videos on their phones, if necessary honest customers, particularly in health insurance. While in conjunction with a remote loss adjuster, to assess the not essential, the experience in India and some African damage and quickly begin the repair process. countries has indicated this type of identification removes a significant barrier to developing better insurance solutions Digitalization also makes it easier for both the insured and the insurer to track the claim, which further boosts Access to mobile networks and WIFI. While some apps customer satisfaction. The claims area is one of the most can record data and upload it later, access to a strong fruitful for applying AI, and this has already taken off in network or WIFI at some point in the day is critical. For developed markets. AI can be used to identify potential example, ACRE Africa is a parametric program for farmers fraud or cases where something is awry. Insurance to allow for replanting when there is no rain for 21 days companies in the United States and Europe are already after planting. It relies on mobile access to activate the seeing major cost savings in this area, which in turn can program by using the unique code on the packet of seed, make these companies more sustainable and keep insurance and on M-PESA mobile banking to compensate the farmer prices affordable. for replacement seed. 6 This publication may be reused for noncommercial purposes if the source is cited as IFC, a member of the World Bank Group. Payment mechanisms. Mobile payment opportunities for both premiums and claims speed up the processes, cut costs, and reduce opportunities for fraud. BOX 1 About IFC and Investing in Insurtech Digital signature. This is also not essential, though the IFC—a sister organization of the World Bank and requirement for wet signatures slows down the process member of the World Bank Group—is the largest and introduces frictional costs. As a society becomes more global development institution focused on the digital and mobile-based, we recommend that regulators private sector in emerging markets. We work accept digital signatures. This can be done by leveraging with more than 2,000 businesses worldwide, Know-Your-Customer (KYC) from other sources such as using our capital, expertise, and influence Mobile Telephone Networks (MTN) or banks. to create markets and opportunities in the Regulation for different models. As discussed earlier, many toughest areas of the world. In fiscal year 2018, insurtechs start off as managing general agents before they we delivered more than $23 billion in long-term financing for developing countries, leveraging become full stack insurers. In many developing countries the power of the private sector to end extreme the MGA concept is not officially recognized. We believe poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more that acknowledging different business models—including information, visit www.ifc.org. insurance companies, MGAs, brokers, agents, and price IFC’s investments in insurtech include equity comparison sites—and regulating them appropriately is participation in Hellas Direct, a technology- important. Even though the consumer is often not aware driven direct insurer writing motor and of the differences, this is important for adequate protection property insurance in Greece and Cyprus. The without stifling innovation. The United Kingdom, with company’s innovations include offering short- its long history of insurance regulation, provides a good term policies and 48-hour claims settlements. example of a comprehensive approach. In 2018, IFC provided a €3.5 million investment in Hellas Direct, part of a $7 million equity What Obstacles Remain? offering by the company to help expand its Insurance companies in mature and emerging markets offerings within the Greek insurance market. need to understand the challenges and opportunities of The investment will help diversify Greece’s new technologies. In some countries there are few strong financial sector and make car insurance incumbents. There, for the market to develop, either accessible and affordable to more Greeks and regional or global champions will need to see insurtech as improve customer service. justifying the economics of entering the market, or new IFC also invested in Indian insurtech start-up companies that employ new business models will need Coverfox, an online licensed insurance broker, to be supported. There is no one-size-fits-all solution as through its holding company, Glitterbug. different markets are at different stages of development. Based in Mumbai, Coverfox provides motor, In-house innovations, partnering with insurtechs, and health, life, and investment products, offering corporate VC-type investments are all valid ways to do policies directly and through its network of technology-enabled point-of-sales people. this, but execution is critical. Its proprietary technology allows users to Conclusion compare and purchase coverage from leading insurance companies. IFC provided a $10 The increase in the availability of data and the opportunity million equity investment in a funding round to personalise coverage also have downside risks. Using that included corporate venture capital firm wider sources of data can help people or companies that Transamerica and other existing investors. lack a traditional credit history, but without some form of IFC’s investment will enable Coverfox to build social security it is unlikely that the insurance industry can its portfolio, expand geographical coverage, cover the poorest and sickest individuals. and deliver insurance products to underserved Governments, regulators, institutions like the World Bank, customers, including women, unemployed youth, students, and rural customers. and the private sector need to work together to create a framework where insurtech can be developed to increase resilience and financial inclusion. 7 This publication may be reused for noncommercial purposes if the source is cited as IFC, a member of the World Bank Group. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Please see the following additional EM Compass Notes The author would like to thank the following colleagues about financial services in emerging markets: Basic for their review and suggestions: Paulo de Bolle, Senior Business Models for Banks Providing Digital Financial Services in Director, Financial Institutions Group, IFC; Manuela Adl, Africa (Note 68); The Case for Responsible Investing in Digital Senior Manager, Financial Institutions Group, IFC; Harish Financial Services (Note 67); How a Know-Your-Customer Utility Natarajan, Lead Financial Sector Specialist, Financial Inclusion Could Increase Access to Financial Services in Emerging Markets and Infrastructure, Global Practice Finance, Competition (Note 59); Modelo Peru: A Mobile Money Platform Offering & Innovation, World Bank; Levan Shalamberidze, Senior Interoperability Towards Financial Inclusion (Note 54); Blockchain Investment Officer, FinTech, Financial Institutions Group, in Financial Services in Emerging Markets—Part II: Selected IFC; Beniamino Savonitto, Results Measurement Specialist, Regional Developments (Note 44); Blockchain in Financial Services Financial Institutions - Sector Economics and Development in Emerging Markets—Part I: Current Trends (Note 43); Digital Impact, Economics and Private Sector Development, IFC; Financial Services: Challenges and Opportunities for Emerging Kevin Matthees, Research Assistant, Thought Leadership, Market Banks (Note 42); Can Blockchain Technology Address De- Economics and Private Sector Development, IFC; and Risking in Emerging Markets? (Note 38); How Fintech is Reaching Thomas Rehermann, Senior Economist, Thought Leadership, the Poor in Africa and Asia: A Start-Up Perspective (Note 34). Economics and Private Sector Development, IFC. 1 FT Partners FinTech Industry Research. “2018 InsurTech Almanac.” FT Partners, January 2019. 2 Ibid. 3 Lloyds. 2015. “City Risk Index 2015–2025.” Executive Summary. Additional Selected EM Compass Notes Previously Published by IFC Thought Leadership JUNE 2019 Note 60: Blended Concessional Finance: Scaling Up Note 68: Basic Business Models for Banks Providing Private Investment in Lower-Income Countries Digital Financial Services in Africa OCTOBER 2018 APRIL 2019 Note 59: How a Know-Your-Customer Utility Could Note 67: The Case for Responsible Investing in Digital Increase Access to Financial Services in Emerging Markets Financial Services Note 58: Competition Works: Driving Microfinance Institutions to Reach Lower-Income People and the MARCH 2019 Unbanked in Peru Note 66: Blended Concessional Finance: Governance Matters for Impact SEPTEMBER 2018 Note 65: Natural Gas and the Clean Energy Transition Note 57: Blockchain Governance and Regulation as an Enabler for Market Creation in Emerging Markets FEBRUARY 2019 Note 64: Institutional Investing: A New Investor Forum JULY 2018 and Growing Interest in Sustainable Emerging Markets Note 56: A Practical Tool to Create Economic Opportunity Investments for Low-Income Communities JANUARY 2019 JUNE 2018 Note 63: Blockchain and Associated Legal Issues for Note 55: Peru’s Works for Taxes Scheme: An Innovative Emerging Markets Solution to Accelerate Private Provision of Infrastructure Note 62: Service Performance Guarantees for Public Investment Utilities and Beyond—An Innovation with Potential to MAY 2018 Attract Investors to Emerging Markets Note 54: Modelo Peru: A Mobile Money Platform Offering NOVEMBER 2018 Interoperability Towards Financial Inclusion Note 61: Using Blockchain to Enable Cleaner, Modern Energy Systems in Emerging Markets 8 This publication may be reused for noncommercial purposes if the source is cited as IFC, a member of the World Bank Group.