Level Up Your Insurance Game: How New Data is Changing the Rules

The world of commercial insurance is changing fast. Tons of new businesses are popping up every day, from YouTubers and Instagram influencers to app developers and dog walkers. This is great news for insurance companies because it means more potential customers. But there's a catch: assessing the risk of these new businesses  is more difficult than with traditional businesses.

Think about it: How do you decide how much to charge for insurance for someone who makes their living posting videos online? They don't have years of financial records, like a store or factory. This is where things can get tricky for insurance companies.

Old-School Methods Just Don't Cut It

Insurance companies used to rely on certain factors, such as credit scores and financial statements, to assess risk. But what happens when a business is brand new and doesn't have much history? It's like trying to guess someone's grade on a test when they haven't even taken it yet!

This creates some major headaches for insurers:

• Finding the right customers: It's like searching for a needle in a haystack, trying to find the businesses that are worth insuring.

• Figuring out the risk: New businesses are unpredictable, making it tough to know how likely they are to have problems.

• Working faster: With so many new businesses, insurers need to speed up the process of getting people insured.

• Stopping scammers: Some people try to trick insurance companies, and it's getting harder to spot them.

The Secret Weapon: Alternative Data

Luckily, there's a new tool in the game: alternative data. Instead of just looking at financial statements, insurance companies can now check out things like social media, online reviews, and even what their customers are buying. It's like getting a behind-the-scenes look at how a business really functions.

Why This Matters for Insurance Companies

• Better risk assessment: More information means a better understanding of who's a safe bet and who's not.

• Supercharged efficiency: Computers can do the heavy lifting, analyzing data far faster than humans.

• Happier customers: Faster decisions mean people get insured quicker.

• Saving money: Doing things faster and smarter means lower costs for everyone.

New Technology: The Ultimate Power-Up

Alternative data gets even more powerful when combined with AI. Think of it like having a super-smart detective who can analyze all the clues and predict what might happen next. These technologies are constantly learning and getting better at spotting risks.

Equifax: The Data Superhero

Equifax is a company that's leading the way in this new world of data. We provide insurance companies with the tools needed to make smarter decisions. Here's how we can help insurers:

• Risk scores with a twist: We can combine traditional credit scores with alternative data for a more accurate picture.

• Scam busters: We can verify if a business is legitimate and not trying to pull a fast one.

• Personalized policies: We can help create insurance plans that fit each business perfectly.

• Reaching more people: We can help insurers target businesses that might have been overlooked before.

The Future of Insurance is Here

The way insurance companies do business is changing big time. By using alternative data and new technology, they can handle the challenges of this new world. It's all about making things faster, smarter, and better for everyone.

Want to learn more about how this data revolution is changing the insurance game? Check out this whitepaper from Equifax: Revolutionizing commercial insurance underwriting with alternative data.