Echo Re is a a small-sized reinsurer owned outright by German mutual insurance group DEVK. The reinsurer emerged from COVID with the need to review and automate its business processes to improve efficiency and allow for scalability. A critical output for this project was a strong focus on affordability and partnerships.
To address the reduced budgeting need for this project, Echo Re sought strategic partners to develop a tool to support small-to-medium reinsurance businesses with fit-for-purpose solutions. The key provisors for the partners were that all market standards needed to be adhered to; a reduced dependence on single providers; and allowance for future expansion of the system. This symbiotic relationship would enable the development partner to create a tool with Echo Re data, and functions and will enable them to sell the solution to other entities.
In terms of lessons learnt, these were:
- better to start early with an iterative implementation solution – rather than wait for the ideal situation;
- understanding your data flows and process structure first, then look at integration;
- be increasingly flexible and independent from single vendors by using industry-standard functionality and technical aspects;
- and proactively engage all stakeholders.
HUK-Coburg first began experimenting with telematics in motor insurance in 2013. It launched its first telematics product in 2016, a black box solution that was only offered to young drivers in an attempt to lower their premiums. In 2019, it discontinued this offering, and launched a new telematics solution available to all HUK customers, which offers a potential premium discount, and also actively promotes a positive change in driving behaviour that can improve traffic safety and reduce fuel consumption.
The new integrated telematics product uses sensor technology to assess driving behaviour and a smartphone app (“Mein Auto”) to provide specific real-time feedback. Using the smartphone’s accelerometer and gyroscope capabilities, data is aggregated and transmited back to the company to build a driving profile for the member. This profile is rated and used to address the three areas of mobility importance:
- Affordability – good drivers are rewarded for safe driving practices through premium discounts (of up to 30%)
- Sustainability – sustainable driving practices are rewarded through gamification. The new “Eco Drive” feature evaluates sustainable driving behaviour based on speed, acceleration and route characteristics. A particularly environmentally friendly driving style is rewarded with points, which at the end of the year, are collated and can be exchanged into a donation to selected charitable organisations. Therefore, drivers have an additional incentive to collect as many points as possible and become more aware of the benefits of an environmentally conscious driving style.
- Safety – the telematics monitoring allows for direct feedback to the driver to adjust and improve their behaviour, as well as an automatic crash detection assistance and a customer assistance angle to assist with post-event claims. Feedback is critical: Members can constantly review their driving data and individual trips to find potential risky trips and where improvement areas can be identified. A good safety score can result in a further discount for the driver.
Session speakers
- Fabian Pütz, CEO, Echo Re (Switzerland)
- Markus Zrenner, Data Scientist, HUK-Coburg (Germany)
- Mondale Smith, President & COO, EMC Re (USA) moderator
