Vertafore CEO Amy Zupon focuses on the future of InsurTech
Vertafore’s Accelerate insurance technology conference gives attendees a chance to learn, network and improve business performance.
New technology is a key driver in the insurance industry.
This week in Cincinnati, Ohio, thousands of Vertafore users and insurance professionals gathered to hone their skills, network with peers and expand their InsurTech knowledge.
In her opening keynote, Vertafore CEO Amy Zupon provided an update on some of the innovations the company is introducing to expand its suite of services including a new phone app launching this summer. The company also is providing its clients with the ability to generate sales proposals in a new way, and Vertafore is expanding its commitment to an open platform interface.
During an interview with PropertyCasualty360.com, Zupon shared the top benefits she hopes attendees will realize during their time at the conference. Among other things, she wants them to meet people they can build relationships with and learn from throughout the year because that creates value beyond the conference.
The Vertafore event also provides opportunities to improve business performance and learn something attendees can take back to their companies.
“The conference is a great way to network with like-minded people about what’s coming in the future,” Zupon said. “It impacts how they think about their day-to-day activities.”
She added that there are numerous opportunities for growth in the insurance tech space.
“It’s interesting that with the new technology available for artificial intelligence and machine learning that we are just scratching the surface with regard to insurance,” Zupon said.
Insurance technology: The new normal
As carriers invest in upgrading their systems and processes, they are beginning to see how these changes will affect the way they do business.
“The art of the possible is exciting,” Zupon said. “I’ve been in the insurance industry for three years and have seen a huge willingness and desire to embrace technology. Everyone is figuring out what that means for them, and they are asking how do we engage, embrace, empower and excite the new people coming into the industry?”
Giving employees the tools to do their jobs efficiently and effectively is key to retaining them and attracting the next generation of insurance professionals. However, there is also a concern that technology will be able to replace the years of knowledge and experience many adjusters and agents have.
“Insurance is a relational business,” explained Zupon. “Technology is there to empower people in their respective channels. Evolution is the name of the game and people’s jobs will evolve as well as technology. Independent agents will have to evolve to be real risk advisors now.”
One of the innovations Zupon shared was the company’s commitment to an open platform integration. She sees this as critical to keeping their clients competitive and focused on the future.
“There is so much investment in insurance technology today,” she said. “Billions are being spent in this area. We would shortchange our customers if we didn’t allow them to see how they can differentiate themselves in this space. They can build their own platforms or personalize what they’re doing to better serve their customers. However, they wouldn’t be as successful as they could be if we didn’t work to identify the best partners possible.”
Zupon emphasized that she hopes the attendees will appreciate who Vertafore is and how the company wants to be a part of their success. “Our team is focused on today’s challenges and tomorrow’s future. It’s an exciting time to be in insurance.”
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