Showcasing Zurich's Commitment to Digital: Matt Howell, Head of Member Engagement and Digital shares his vision

As the insurance industry evolves at pace, Zurich Insurance remains committed to digital innovation, continuously improving products and services to meet shifting expectations. We asked our Head of Member Engagement and Digital, Matt Howell, how he and the broader team leverage digital solutions to enhance member engagement, streamline processes, and ensure both members and partners receive real value. Enjoy!

The Journey and Inspiration 

My journey into digital insurance began twenty years ago with one of the first online insurance applications backed by a rules engine, which was a big step forward at the time. This early success, ignited my passion for leveraging technology to enhance member engagement and streamline insurance processes. This experience laid the foundation for many future digital enhancements for members and partners, I am excited to continue to innovate and build a better insurance world in my role at Zurich. 

Balancing Engagement and Value 

One of the key challenges in this space is balancing member engagement with delivering value to partners. I believe that engaging with members will inherently add value to partners. By focusing on clarity and simplicity we can ensure that members can easily understand and manage their insurance needs. The goal is not to engage members for the sake of it, but to make the digital insurance proposition as straight forward and intuitive as possible.  

Transformative Digital Initiatives

One of the standout examples of Zurich's digital transformation is the digital claims lodgement and tracking system. This initiative has removed delays associated with paper forms and allows members and employees to track the progress of a claim in real time online This significantly reduces the uncertainty and anxiety associated with the claims process, providing a more transparent and efficient experience for members.

Evolving Member and Customer Needs

Needs and expectations are constantly changing, and we have been able to leverage research and notice significant trends in how members are interacting with their insurance. There is a noticeable shift towards members engaging and transacting on all aspects of the insurance journey through digital channels alone. This shift is particularly evident in claims, which have traditionally required high human touch. In a short amount of time, Zurich has been able to accommodate this need to offer members end-to-end automated digital claims management through lodgement, assessment, and payment where it makes sense to do so. Combining this with an expert claim team, creates a smoother journey for our claimants when they need help the most.

Aligning with Partner Goals

From our partner's perspective, we are always collaborating as we continue to build out our digital proposition to ensure aligns with their goals.. The importance of communication and a unified digital strategy at all levels of each organisation is crucial. This  approach ensures that both partners and their members enjoy a seamless experience, with digital solutions that align with partners' goals and adds real value to the fund’s objectives.  

Future Innovations 

Looking to the future, I am excited about the potential of data platforms and AI to further enhance member engagement. Innovations such as automated document reading, automated decisions, and real-time sentiment analysis are just a few examples of how technology can drive better member insights and experiences. These advancements have the potential to improve the speed and clarity of insurance journeys for members, providing a more efficient and personalised experience. 

Driving Passion and Advice 

On a personal level, my passion for digital transformation is driven by the pace of change. I am motivated by the rapid advancements in technology and the collaborative nature of digital work. My advice to anyone looking to make a meaningful impact in member engagement and digital transformation is to embrace the pace of change, stay collaborative, and always keep the end user in mind.  

Final thoughts 

Zurich’s commitment to digital innovation in the group insurance space is exemplified by the digital vision of the entire organisation. Through a focus on simplicity, clarity, and collaboration, Zurich aspires to set the standard for digital engagement, ensuring that both members and partners benefit from a seamless and transformative insurance experience.