New SMA Blog by Heather Turner, Lead Research Analyst, Strategy Meets Action —
The distribution landscape is evolving, and retail agencies and brokers are rethinking their channel partner strategies just as carriers and others across the distribution landscape do the same. Although carriers will always remain underwriting partners, more agencies are exploring new channel partners in the distribution ecosystem to ultimately reach customers and connect with carriers. New research from SMA finds that as options for channel relationships continue to expand, distributors across the personal and commercial lines segments are divided on the best approach for their businesses.
In 2022, agencies and brokers are not only turning to traditional partnerships, such as aggregators and banks or financial institutions, but they are also exploring up-and-coming channels, such as InsurTechs and digital agencies. The recent SMA research report, Channel Strategies and Plans for P&C Agencies: A View of Commercial and Personal Lines Segments in 2022, shows that very few agencies expect InsurTechs to have a limited impact on their business. It follows that 52% of agents in the small commercial segment and 48% of agencies in personal lines fear the possibility of InsurTechs encroaching on their business spaces. Thirty-two percent of agencies in mid/large commercial lines feel similarly.
While many agencies partner with InsurTechs as solution providers, very few are currently planning to use digital agencies as channel partners within the next three years. Rather, most see them as competitors. However, SMA advises that InsurTech will increasingly become a force, especially in mid/large commercial lines, as technology advancements make these risks more viable targets while also improving the systems and processes within this segment. This year and beyond, agencies will fiercely focus on channel expansion and assess their current partnerships. At the same time, insurers should also take a step back to review their agency partners and prioritize key relationships by understanding their growth plans and vital industry segments. In today’s quickly changing distribution landscape, insurers must stay abreast of new agency channel partnership opportunities and the benefits they offer.
For more information on agency channel strategies, see our recent research report, Channel Strategies and Plans for P&C Agencies: A View of Commercial and Personal Lines Segments in 2022, which includes findings from a survey of agency and broker executives on their current and future channel expansion strategies. This report is part of SMA’s new research series designed to provide actionable insights for carriers on distributor plans and expectations. A regular series of research reports is being published based on surveys and interviews of agencies, brokers, MGAs, and others in the distribution channel, including insights from ReSource Pro’s large footprint of distribution clients. Contact the author for more information on this new research and advisory services offerings for distribution.
About The Author
As the Lead Research Analyst at SMA, Heather Turner supports SMA’s advisory and consulting engagements through rich written content, quantitative and qualitative primary research, market and technology trend analysis, and the management of SMA IP materials. Prior to SMA, Heather was managing editor of the NU Property & Casualty Group at ALM, which includes the insurance industry publications PropertyCasualty360.com and NU P&C and Claims magazines. She started her career as a journalist reporting on the property & casualty insurance industry at Insurance Business America and its sister publications in Canada and the UK.
Heather is a graduate of Florida State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Editing, Writing, and Media.
About SMA, a ReSource Pro company
Strategy Meets Action is an industry-leading strategic advisory firm delivering strategic insights, consulting services, and published research to carriers, solution providers, and InsurTech startups. The firm provides insights and guidance on business strategy, digital transformation, core systems and customer experience. Learn more about SMA at www.strategymeetsaction.com.
SOURCE: Strategy Meets Action (SMA)
