The insurance industry is generally viewed through the lens of its primary function: providing a financial safety net for individuals and businesses. However, most people ignore one behind-the-scenes and growing role in insurance: information technology.
IT plays a central role in most businesses by supporting servers, managing databases, and keeping technology connected and functioning properly. Due to the nature of the insurance industry, IT and data play an important role in delivering services to internal employees and external customers daily. While the specific tasks available vary from one office to another, IT professionals can expect a wide range of opportunities.
Day-to-Day Infrastructure Support
Insurance offices require ongoing IT support to maintain day-to-day operations. Catastrophes are not scheduled, and information technology professionals need to be available at all hours to to keep servers up and running, ensuring there are no connectivity issues, and to assist employees with hardware and software support and help desk functions.
Improvements in Digital and Mobile Service
As the role of technology in the insurance industry grows, so does the demand for customer-facing resources. Rather than getting on the phone, customers often prefer to go online to get quotes, make changes to policies, pay bills, and even file claims. Insurance companies that can provide superior tools are likely to gain a competitive advantage. IT professionals working in insurance have the opportunity to take the lead in building out the code and developing the kinds of apps and deliver the latest technology that can improve the customer experience.
The Importance of Security
Cybersecurity is among the largest concerns for businesses across any industry. The stakes are even higher for insurance companies, due to the large quantities of personal information collected and housed. This creates a need for teams of professionals trained in the ever changing cybersecurity tactics to keep insurance companies prepared in the event of a cyber attack. For those who understand how to identify risks, detect signs of cyberattacks before they occur, and implement cutting-edge safety protocols, the insurance industry has a lot to offer.
Data Analytics and Modeling
Analytics and modeling are often thought of as a responsibility for financial professionals, but IT plays a significant role. With the rise in the use of big data in insurance operations, IT professionals play a key role in collecting, organizing, and utilizing available data to influence the course of business. Data can enhance efficiency from streamlined underwriting to improved risk assessment, opening the door for numerous projects for insurance IT teams. As technology continues to advance with sensor technology to evaluate and prevent risks IT professionals have the chance to build a new suite of tools and reporting dashboards from the ground up.
The right IT professional can play a critical part in keeping insurance operations of any kind on the right track. From supporting infrastructure to playing a part in developing and implementing industry-specific innovations, there are many ways to utilize information technology in the insurance industry. For IT experts looking for a new and exciting challenge, a job in insurance may be the perfect fit.
Along with the need for IT professionals within the Insurance field, there is also a need for college students and early career individuals pursuing careers in IT. Selective offers many part–time roles for students in college in order for them to gain exposure and experience in our industry as well as their related field of study. Our co-op positions allow for students to work while going to school full time- we make sure to work around their class schedule as we know that is a priority. Additionally, many of our co-op roles turn into full time opportunities for students upon their graduation. For any Part-time co-op, seasonal, or full time opportunities, be sure to check Selective.com/careers or click the links below.
