Driving Distribution: What Sets Carriers Apart and Ahead of the Competition

By Robert Regis Hyle

Insurers and independent agents may not like the direction distribution channels have taken of late—particularly the direct-to-consumer model—but both carriers and agents need to realize the push toward the direct channel is coming from consumers.

"Every carrier must realize there is a balance between servicing the agent channel and the opportunities [carriers] need to afford the direct channel," says Karen Furtado, partner with SMA: Strategy Meets Action.

Furtado spoke with Bob Hyle, editor-in-chief of Tech Decisions magazine to lead off the Tech Decisions summer analyst podcast series. You can hear their full conversation by clicking on this link.

Furtado believes the direct channel is becoming inevitable for insurers. "Consumers are assuming they can electronically interface with any type of financial institution from any kind of device," she says. "They assume they can pay their bills online, have access to information, and interact with an agent or a company—not just one or the other."

Register for upcoming Web Seminar

State of the Market—2nd Annual Forum: Where We Are, Where We're Going

Date: July 29, 2010 | Time: 2:00 PM EST

A roundtable of top industry observers will discuss the key trends, critical challenges, and winning strategies that are determining current and future success in insurance technology.

You'll learn:

Presented by: