PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
According to research findings released today by NTT DATA, a top 10 global business and IT services provider, 2 out of 3 U.S. homeowners insurance customers would be willing to change insurance companies to get policy discounts for using smart home devices, including smart thermostats, smoke/carbon monoxide detectors and garage door openers.
“Our study found that there is a large distinct group of homeowners insurance customers – 64% of survey respondents – who are willing to invest in smart home technology. However, these ‘Seekers’ are less loyal to their current carrier,” said Normand Lepine, Senior Practice Lead, Insurance Data and Analytics for NTT DATA. “Seekers are the most important customer segment for insurers to pay attention to as they pose both a sizable opportunity for growth and a potential risk for disruption.”
In October 2016, NTT DATA surveyed more than 1,000 U.S. consumers and over 100 U.S. insurers online to answer four key questions:
- Are consumers ready for smart home technology?
- Will consumers share data to reduce risk and save money?
- Are insurance carriers ready for the Internet of Things?
- What are the barriers, threats, and opportunities for the insurance industry?
Key Study Findings
- Non-traditional players pose a threat to traditional insurance carriers – 53% of Seekers would trust a non-traditional provider such as Google or Apple for insurance coverage.
- Top three reasons why U.S. consumers buy smart home devices are the same reasons they buy homeowners insurance – safety, security and cost savings. However, 80% of U.S. consumers are concerned about information security and 73% are concerned about privacy when it comes to sharing data from these devices.
-
Discounted pricing alleviates consumers’ privacy and security
concerns. Customers are comfortable sharing data from their smart
home devices when insurance companies agree to reduce their policy
premiums. Seekers are more willing to share data, but their comfort
level depends on how personal the data is and from which device:
- 47% of Seekers will share data from thermostats
- 41% from security systems
- 59% from CO detectors
- Only 24% will share data from cameras
- Insurance carriers have made strong progress leveraging smart home technology to improve products. Carriers realize that the Internet of Things (IoT) creates opportunities to extend services and value propositions to customers and change the way insurance is delivered. The study found 77% of carriers are ramping up IoT initiatives and 59% say they have made strong progress leveraging smart home technology to improve products.
-
Uncertainty creates an opportunity for disruption. The role
insurers will play in the IoT ecosystem and how they will gain access
to the data from customers’ smart home devices is yet to be
determined. Competitor segments that insurers believe are best
positioned to be major players in the evolving smart home ecosystem
include:
- 72% - Major technology firms (i.e. Google, Apple and Samsung)
- 50% - Home appliance manufacturers
- 36% - Telecommunication firms
- 37% - InsurTech companies
- 25% - Insurers
- 19% - Utilities/cable
“The IoT ecosystem is disrupting the insurance industry, inviting new competitors, potential partners and changing how products and services can be delivered,” said Lepine. “Accessing the data that comes from smart home devices and being ready to leverage it will be key to carrier success. NTT DATA recommends insurance companies prioritize the development of partnerships with the smart home gateway firms who will control the flow of this data. Don’t get shut out.”
View NTT DATA’s research on SlideShare: http://www.slideshare.net/NTTDConsulting/iot-disruption-and-opportunity-in-the-insurance-industry-71069160.
To request a copy of NTT DATA’s research report available in March 2017, http://americas.nttdata.com/Industries/Industries/Insurance/Insurance/smart-home-tech.aspx.
Follow us on Twitter @NTTDATAinc for updates related to this new research using the hashtag #NTTDInsurance.
About NTT DATA
NTT DATA partners with clients to navigate and simplify the modern complexities of business and technology, delivering the insights, solutions and outcomes that matter most. We deliver tangible business results by combining deep industry expertise with applied innovations in digital, cloud and automation across a comprehensive portfolio of consulting, applications, infrastructure and business process services.
NTT DATA is a top 10 global business and IT services provider with 100,000+ professionals in more than 50 countries, and is part of NTT Group, a partner to 85 percent of the Fortune 100. Visit nttdata.com/americas to learn more.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170117005445/en/
