Description: 1992 SOA Regional Meeting, Chicago. This discussion is about direct marketing growth in the 1980s, sustaining the growth in the 1990s, regulatory constraints in the 1990s, impact of continuing production cost increases, new product designs, and declining response rate.

Description: In today’s marketplace, consumers are driven by research, reviews and ease-of-use more than before. They want to be empowered in their buying decisions and are turning their backs on insurance agents as the source of information for their buying decisions. The direct-to-consumer (D2C) platform addresses the expectations of the modern consumer and provides an opportunity for insurers to automate and execute underwriting in real time with better results than has been seen with traditional processes—and at significantly lower costs. D2C not only helps insurers by improving processes, reducing costs and maximize sales; it can also be used to provide a range of services through an online platform to increase customer engagement. Driven by the need to remain competitive and against the threat of new entrants, insurers foresee extensive use of direct-to-consumer channels as an alternative distribution method. However, to remain competitive they must throw away their outdated thinking and become future-oriented in the acquisition of customers. This starts with understanding D2C models in the insurance industry.

Description: As technology continues to advance and consumers' preferences constantly change, the need for insurance to be sold at more competitive prices has become apparent, forcing the Broker channel to adjust its business model and also creating a new opportunity for the Direct-to-Consumer channel. The presenter will examine how various channels have co-existed in the past, and evaluate how they will evolve and co-exist in the future. The discussion will also include an analysis of a channel strategy to optimize results for the growth of a company. Presenters will include representative from the following distribution channels

Description: 1999 SOA Annual Meeting, San Francisco. Presenters examined alternative marketing methods that bridge buyers and sellers. Subjects discussed: 1. Work-site marketing. 2. Nontraditional marketing survey presentation. 3. Marketing through property and casualty agents.

Description: From a session at the annual meeting of the Society of Actuaries held in Chicago, Illinois, October 15-18, 2000 Discussion of how products and services are tailored for in-bank insurance sales. Particular emphasis is placed on the middle-income market. Particular issues include product design, underwriting, policy issue, sales support, and field and customer access to the home office for service.

Description: This research report sponsored by the SOA's Marketing and Distribution Section gives valuable insights from leaders in the middle income life insurance market.

Description: This Request For Proposal seeks a researcher to develop an assessment of middle market consumers across three areas: 1. Current attitudes, demographics, geographic region life stages, lifestyle habits, health status and financial circumstances; 2. Perceptions of insurance and the insurance industry with focus on alternative distribution channels, trust, buying habits, impact of fundraising sites and other characteristics by defined market segments such as age, income level, etc.) 3. Feelings toward specific Life, Health, Annuity and Retirement products. Results of study will be used to provide the industry with a deeper understanding of how to reach middle market customers and develop products that better meet their needs.

Description: 1993 SOA Spring Meeting, Boston. This session is about the marketing front, including demographic trends, impact on products, market research, market segments and distribution.

Description: 1998 SOA Spring Meeting, Maui. Panelists discussed some of the issues involved with marketing insurance products to military personnel. Questions addressed included: 1. Can a war exclusion apply in this market? 2. What are the underwriting requirements? 3. What products are successful? 4. How should you approach market segmentation?

Description: 1999 SOA Annual Meeting, San Francisco. This is Table 1 Product/Channel Directory that is associated with Building Bridges with Session 136IF: Building Bridges with Alternative Marketing Methods