Across Australia, businesses of all shapes and sizes are turning to information communication technology to automate repetitive tasks, reduce overheads and increase sales and profits.

So is the insurance sector. Eighty percent of local insurers are using Insurtech – tools and technologies designed to make the insurance industry more efficient – according to the results of APRA’s 2020 InsurTech survey.

And they’re finding a wealth of applications for artificial intelligence (AI) in insurance – computer systems that can mimic the way humans perform tasks and, over time, use the data they collect to improve the way they operate.

AI in insurance becomes eyes in the sky

AI is being used in conjunction with satellite imagery to amass data about everything from the health of livestock and crops to the characteristics and condition of real estate assets. Having this  detailed information on hand can make it quicker and easier for insurance companies to generate quotes and policies for customers.

The same technology can be used to gather intelligence about flood risks and assess the damage caused by natural disasters, such as bushfires and cyclones.

The information can also then be used to help insurers provide policies and settlements that more accurately reflect the risk and the level of damage sustained.

Meanwhile, the incidence of fraudulent claiming can also be reduced with the ability of  assessors to have the facility to compare highly detailed ‘before and after’ images.

Smarter and safer workplaces

AI is also being used to improve workplace health and safety. In the US, for example, insurers have captured video footage of workers in manufacturing facilities and have subsequently used AI to help analyse the risks associated with specific postures and positions.

Armed with this data, the businesses in question have been able to modify their ergonomics, thereby reducing the likelihood of workers’ compensation claims and, ultimately, the premiums they pay for their cover.

Robotic process automation

And, back at the office, the claims handling process is being sped up considerably through the use of robotic process automation – software that can perform a wide range of defined actions faster and more accurately than humans are able to do.

Smarter insurance for small businesses

Being able to reduce costs and become more efficient using AI isn’t just good for insurers. It can also have benefits for customers, Director of AI and Emerging Technology Steven Tuften says.

“Over time, AI may enable insurers to replace fairly generic policies with tailored ones, courtesy of the fact that individual risk will be able to be analysed in far greater depth.

“That may result in savings for businesses that have demonstrably low risks or are prepared to invest in measures to reduce them.”

Understanding your business insurance policies

If you haven’t reviewed your insurance for a while, it may be a good time to consider whether you’re adequately covered. Contact your broker or advisor today to discuss your policies and how they are calculated.