Enabling Effective Innovation in Auto Insurance: Lessons from the Auto Insurance Report National Conference

By Justin Mayfield, VP of Marketing & Business Analytics at 360 Intelligent Solutions

Innovation in insurance is no longer optional—it’s a strategic imperative. That was the clear message from the session on Enabling Effective Innovation at the Auto Insurance Report National Conference. As carriers, MGAs, and TPAs grapple with rapid technological change, evolving customer expectations, and mounting operational complexity, it’s become clear: standing still is the biggest risk of all.

Below are key takeaways from the discussion and why they matter for insurers looking to lead—not lag—into the future.

Innovation Is Difficult—But Essential

Innovation demands more than good ideas—it demands execution, alignment, and sustained willpower. It can be hindered by cultural resistance, misaligned incentives, and a lack of clear direction.

But the "juice is more than worth the squeeze." In fact, the most common regret among forward-thinking insurers isn’t that they innovated—it’s that they didn’t start sooner.

Innovation Comes from Necessity, Not Luxury

Innovation often arises not from ambition, but necessity. There’s no shortage of inefficiencies in insurance—manual data entry, slow claims decisions, fractured customer experiences. These aren’t small annoyances; they’re opportunities for reinvention.

It’s not hard to find things that need improvement. What’s needed is the will to act, the foresight to plan, and the commitment to find the “sweet spot”—where need, capability, and value converge.

Unlocking the Hidden Value of Unstructured Data

One of the biggest untapped assets in insurance? Unstructured data.

Notes, PDFs, medical reviews, demand packages, emails—these contain immense insight, but are historically labor-intensive to process.

AI unlocks that value at scale. When innovation is applied strategically, unstructured data becomes a competitive advantage—not a bottleneck. But unlocking it isn’t magic. It requires:

• A clear problem definition

• Strategic planning

• The right resources and partners

Innovation Doesn’t Live in Perfection—It Lives in Progress

Too many innovation initiatives stall out waiting for the “perfect” plan. But innovation thrives in motion.

The mindset needs to shift from flawless execution to rapid iteration. Start with small wins. Build momentum. Learn. Adjust. Move again.

This is especially true with AI. The value compounds with each use case, each feedback loop, and each integration into core operations.

Tech Infrastructure: Don't Assume New Core Systems Are Enough

Technology is a means, not the end. New policy administration systems, while useful, don’t automatically remove friction or enable innovation.

IT bottlenecks, data silos, and rigid architecture still limit what’s possible—even with shiny new software. Innovation moves faster when the path is cleared for it, and that means:

• Reducing IT dependency

• Connecting systems through APIs

• Empowering business users to experiment and iterate

AI Brings Innovation Closer to the User

AI has the potential to democratize innovation. Where once only IT teams or data scientists could experiment, now business units—claims, underwriting, operations—can directly leverage AI tools designed for their needs.

This shift is powerful: it allows innovation to happen closer to the problem. It creates faster feedback cycles, more relevant solutions, and stronger user adoption.

The Outcome? Better Processes—and Even Better Results

The true benefit of AI-driven innovation isn’t just process improvement—it’s outcome improvement.

Faster, more accurate decisions. Happier customers. Lower operational costs. More agility in navigating market shifts.

And as AI becomes more widely adopted, budgets are growing, expectations are growing, and the winners will be those who meet the moment with clarity and purpose. AI is the path forward.

How 360 Intelligent Solutions Helps Drive Effective Innovation

At 360 Intelligent Solutions, we’ve built our offerings—and our philosophy—around making innovation easier, more actionable, and more human.

Here’s how we solve for the biggest innovation challenges facing insurers today:

➤ A Consultative, Insurance-Centric Approach

We don’t drop generic tech into a legacy operation and hope for the best. Our team blends deep insurance domain expertise with AI and app development know-how, helping clients not only understand what’s possible—but how to implement it strategically.

➤ Products Built to Solve Real Problems

• 360 Extract transforms unstructured data into actionable insights.

• 360 MedReview accelerates medical document analysis in claims.

• 360 DemandReview simplifies and scores demand packages.

Each tool is custom-tailored to unique use cases, not one-size-fits-all.

➤ No-Code, No IT Bottlenecks

Our tools are no-code and plug directly into workflows through flexible APIs. This means:

• No burden on IT to support tool onboarding

• Fast time to value

• Direct usability for frontline teams

  
  

With our guidance and platform, innovation becomes less intimidating, less resource-intensive, and more impactful.

Final Thought: Innovation Is a Choice—Make It a Bold One

The insurance industry is at a pivotal point. The tools are here. The need is clear. What remains is the commitment to do the work—intelligently, iteratively, and in partnership.

With the right mindset and the right partners, innovation can stop being a buzzword and start being your edge.

At 360 Intelligent Solutions, we’re here to help you get there.

About Justin Mayfield

Justin Mayfield, Vice President of Marketing and Analytics at 360 Intelligent Solutions, brings a wealth of experience in data analytics, digital marketing, and customer insights, ensuring that every decision we make is backed by powerful, actionable intelligence. His leadership will strengthen our marketing strategies, optimize business performance, and elevate our brand to new heights. At 360 Intelligent Solutions, he is dedicated to advancing sales across the company’s entire product portfolio, including 360 MedReview, by delivering innovative, tailored solutions that address the evolving needs of clients in the insurance, legal, and medical sectors.