Real-Time Agency Interface and High-Bandwidth Internet Applications Credited as Making a Big Impact on Agents� Business, Helping Ease the Transition to Future Technologies
February 2004 – Greenwich, CT – IVANS Inc., the market leader in providing network and real-time solutions for the insurance industry, today released a new study detailing the current state of insurance agent adoption of technology in the United States. The study, which received responses from more than 435 independent agents, revealed that an overwhelming majority of insurance agents (84.3%) prefer to work with insurance carriers that they consider �aggressive� in their use of new technology.
�The results of this survey are important because they show that recent advances such as real-time agency/company interface and use of broadband technologies have clearly dispelled the concerns from a few years ago about disintermediation of agents when embracing new technologies,� says Maggie O�Hara, Divisional Vice President of Offering Management for IVANS. �In fact, if anything, these technologies have helped convert agents into huge technology proponents that now hunger for more positive change.�
With regards to technology adoption, the IVANS study also found that the vast majority of independent insurance agents (91.2%) are currently using some form of broadband connection to process transactions with carriers, the majority of which (86.2%) have an agency management system in place. The survey also revealed that 15% of independent insurance agencies surveyed are currently using Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology to securely connect with other offices or remote employees. In addition, almost half (47%) of agents� management systems are now linked to a Web site to process policyholder information. �What this study means for U.S. insurance carriers, especially those considering new advancements — such as real-time transactions, wireless solutions or new Internet applications — is that agents are better prepared to work in these environments than in the past,� added O�Hara.
The survey is based off a standard mail survey IVANS conducted from October 15-November 28, 2003.
Editor�s Note: For a full copy of the survey results, please contact Andy Maas of Financial Dynamics at (212) 850-5631 or [email protected].
About IVANS
IVANS, Inc. provides the insurance and healthcare industries with fully managed network, EDI and agency-company interface solutions that provide seamless integration over public or private infrastructures. Headquartered in Greenwich, CT, IVANS serves over 475 insurance and healthcare organizations, more than 30,000 independent agents and 20,000 providers. IVANS, which was formed in 1983 by 21 insurance companies, has offices in Tampa, FL., and Cincinnati, OH.
