Welland, ON (Dec. 10, 2024) – Billyard Insurance Group (BIG) is thrilled to announce that it has won the coveted Award for Digital Innovation in a Brokerage at the 2024 Insurance Business Canada Awards (IBCAs). This prestigious recognition underscores BIG’s commitment to pioneering technology solutions that not only drive operational excellence but also redefine the insurance experience for brokers and clients alike.
Redefining Industry Standards with Precision
The Award for Digital Innovation in a Brokerage is presented to brokerages that demonstrate exceptional leadership in leveraging cutting-edge technologies to improve broker performance, streamline operations, and enhance customer satisfaction. BIG was recognized for its groundbreaking underwriting platform, Precision, which has set a new benchmark in the industry for operational efficiency, accuracy, and innovation.
Precision is a state-of-the-art platform powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and workflow automation. This platform analyzes insurance documents with remarkable accuracy, reducing human error and enhancing overall process efficiency. By automating routine tasks, Precision empowers BIG brokers to focus on what matters most—building stronger client and market relationships while driving business growth. The key benefits of Precision include:
- Reduced errors and omissions during the submission of new business, particularly in personal lines.
- Increased broker productivity, allowing brokers to allocate more time toward client engagement and business development.
- Faster turnaround times, significantly improving the client experience from initial inquiry to policy issuance.
- Underwriting-by-exception model, where routine decisions are automated, allowing brokers and underwriters to focus on complex cases that require human expertise.
These innovations have not only enhanced BIG’s operational processes but also delivered measurable results for brokers, insurance carriers and clients alike – reinforcing BIG’s leadership in the digital transformation of the insurance industry.
Leadership Celebrates Innovation and Teamwork
Stephen Billyard, CEO of BIG, shared his pride in the company’s achievement: “Winning this award is a testament to our team’s commitment to pushing the envelope in technology and innovation. Precision embodies our vision for the future of insurance, where technology amplifies our ability to deliver exceptional service to clients while empowering our brokers to perform at their best. This recognition fuels our drive to continue evolving and setting new industry standards.”
Billyard also emphasized the importance of the collaborative relationship that BIG shares with digital innovator – MyChoice Financial. BIG invested in MyChoice in 2021 and since then the firms have worked closely together, expanding digital marketing capabilities, lead generation opportunities and workflow automation. “We are very proud of our investment in MyChoice and our close partnership with Aren Mirzaian and Matthew Roberts,” said Billyard.
Cody Douma, COO of BIG, emphasized the teamwork and collaboration that were pivotal to the project’s success: “This achievement is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our entire team. The development and implementation of Precision required a collective effort, and we’re proud of the positive impact it’s had on our brokers and clients. It’s gratifying to see our shared vision of innovation come to life—and we’re deeply appreciative of the IBCAs for recognizing our efforts.”
This award comes at a pivotal moment for Billyard Insurance Group, as they continue to hold their place as one of Canada’s fastest organically growing insurance brokerages. BIG has faced unique challenges—particularly in managing an unprecedented volume of organic policy growth—while simultaneously setting a new benchmark for personal lines insurance underwriting in the Canadian marketplace. Their mission to lead the digital insurance revolution has driven them to tackle what many would consider “impossible problems” through innovation. “Balancing growth at such a great scale while maintaining the high standards we’ve set for service and underwriting effectiveness was no easy feat, but it is precisely this drive to innovate and adapt that has been a key factor in our success,” said Chief Insurance Officer, Daniel Ignoto. “This recognition affirms that our relentless pursuit of excellence, even in the face of substantial challenges, is paying off,” added Ignoto.
While this award is a tremendous milestone, BIG is far from done innovating. “We are actively working to expand the Precision platform, broadening its capabilities to support new lines of business and further streamline all brokerage workflows. Our goal is to continue to revolutionize the way insurance is delivered, making it faster, more efficient, and more customer-centric,” said BIG’s VP of Technology Anthony Guevarra. With a continued focus on leveraging cutting-edge technology, BIG is poised to take on even more complex challenges in the future.
About the Insurance Business Canada Awards
The Insurance Business Canada Awards are the premier event for celebrating excellence and innovation across Canada’s insurance sector. Held annually, the IBCAs honour the achievements of brokers, insurers, underwriters, and risk managers who are driving change and leading the way in a rapidly evolving industry. More information about the IBCAs can be found on their official website.
About the Billyard Insurance Group
Billyard Insurance Group (BIG) is a rapidly growing, award-winning insurance brokerage headquartered in Welland, Ontario, with 87 branches across four provinces. Partnering with over 30 leading insurance providers, BIG is recognized as one of Canada’s fastest-growing companies and a top employer. The company is committed to empowering brokers through innovation and technology to deliver exceptional service and solutions to clients. To learn more about BIG and the services it offers, visit www.thebig.ca.
Source: Billyard Insurance Group (BIG)
Tags: awards, Billyard Insurance Group, Digital Innovation, Innovation
