Asian Prefers To Buy Direct From Insurer

Technology is becoming a vital aspect of the financial services industry and clients in the Asia Pacific region are looking to be part of the digital age in the life insurance sector. 14,900 adults across Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand - were surveyed - to find out about how consumers are looking to technology. 

The survey found 63% of Indians are considering switching to digital-only life insurers within the next two years. Some 51% of Indonesians felt the same as did 46% of people in Thailand. However, countries in APAC with old wealth are looking to stick with traditional providers. Australians (48%), Hong Kongese (41%) and Singaporeans (38%) were not going to change, but 42% and 39% of people in the latter two, respectively, were not sure. 

Aggressive  The report said: “Like the retail banking scene, insurers are aggressively launching new digital-only life insurance distribution models.

“The new entrants surf on the trend that sees customers using digital channels to interact with their life insurance provider. “Customers also expect agents to be digitally savvy and believe it is important that they are equipped to engage them through digital channels.

Agents - Also, in the report, Singaporeans (46%) were the most likely to want an agent to provide life insurance policies, with Malaysians (41%) and Hong Kongese (32%) making up the top three. 

Only 16% of Indians and Chinese want an intermediary, whereas as small as 9% of Australians want an agent. Chinese (59%), Thailanders (55%) Indians (50%), Indonesians (44%) and Australians (44%) would rather a digital intermediary.

The report added: “For life insurance customers, the situation is more heterogeneous across Asia Pacific countries, with digital channels being preferred in markets such as China, Thailand, India, and Australia.

“In Singapore and Malaysia, agents are still the preferred way for customers to interact with their life insurance provider.”