Automate Insurance wins innovation prize

The Innovationspreis der Schweizer Assekuranz has been awarded for the 22nd time. The organizers state that its primary task is to offer insurers a window into their innovative capacity. According to a press release from the co-organizer, HZ Insurance, the first prize went to a new offer developed by Automate Insurance, a Zurich-based firm founded in 2016, together with the reinsurance provider Swiss Re. Their app “Zahle wie und wo du fährst” (pay by how and where you go) detects how often and how carefully customers use their vehicle. People who drive less often and with foresight can save up to 30 percent on their insurance premium.

In his laudatory speech, Alexander Braun, juror and member of the executive board at the Institute of Economics Insurance at the University of St.Gallen, stated that the new model is characterized by its close customer proximity, additionally establishing a new option for interaction. “In this respect, the innovation of this year’s award winners is bringing us closer to the digital motor vehicle insurance market of the future.”

Second place went to the digital supply chain risk management solution by Zurich Commercial Insurance Switzerland. Juror and Senior Account Executive at Aon Risk Solutions, Christian Leder, states: “The level of maturity of this solution is significant and will contribute to more effective, efficient, and also sustainable supply chains in many industry sectors in future.” Third place was won by the claims settlement app eSI-Mobile by Basler Versicherungen.

The health insurance company Sanitas received a special award for its offers of support for planning a family. Dr. Jérôme Cosandey, Director for French-speaking Switzerland and Head of Research “Sustainable Welfare State” of Avenir Suisse, stated that they represent “a bold step in a sensitive area.” 

The Innovationspreis der Schweizer Assekuranz is awarded annually by HZ Insurance, the Institute of Economics Insurance at the University of St.Gallen, the Swiss Insurance Brokers Association (SIBA), the Swiss Association of Insurance and Risk Managers (SIRM), the auditor and audit entity EY Schweiz, and Microsoft Schweiz.