ESG in claims: Vision, strategies and decision making for better outcomes

Given the nature of their business, insurers are in a unique position to connect with a wide range of individuals and businesses and positively influence public behavior concerning today’s important social and environmental issues.

Claims teams, in particular, are well positioned to engage with clients and take on a leading role in the commitment of their businesses to environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.

While insurers, like all businesses, have a responsibility to implement sustainable practices, and to respond strategically to ongoing social changes and evolving public expectations, a focus on the climate agenda is also good business amid today’s increased risk and the destructive impacts of climate change, as the chart below indicates.

Wider reaching sustainability reporting is likely to become obligatory in the coming years, including the incorporation of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) which is now mandatory for large UK companies and financial institutions.1 Insurers will need to possess the metrics and infrastructure to reliably report progress on key areas, including but not limited to carbon footprint, gender pay gaps and inclusion practices.

Some leading global firms are already demonstrating what can be done. We are seeing more companies aligning their best practices and reporting frameworks with the UN’s SDGs and highlighting their ongoing efforts to meet the SDGs.

Insurers leading in this category, are likely to be paying closer attention to their suppliers, for example, ensuring that they are following best practices on fair treatment and equitable pay for their employees and contract workers. They may also be focusing on responsible consumption and production — ensuring that the outcome of every claim is responsible and minimizes waste as defined by the UN SDGs.

Given the nature of their services, insurers are often the first ‘port of call’ during times of hardship for clients who are dealing with a loss and need support. Insurers could consider the spirit of a policy and ensure that their clients are fully aware of any caveats and clauses within the policy wording which may impact them in the future during completely unforeseen circumstances like natural disasters. This would support the wider community and positively impact the insurer’s reputation. There is also the opportunity to feed into loss prevention services, to limit the potential claim event from occurring in the first place.

A combination of factors suggest that we are on the cusp of change. Regulators are expecting businesses to do more to support clients experiencing hardship, while the global pandemic and ESG agenda have both increased the focus on sustainable values, ethics and trust. An insurer who focuses on ‘doing the right thing’ for their clients will likely drive significant benefits and progress for both society and their business.

Once the appropriate governance structure is in place to assist in strategy execution, each process within the claims function needs to be reviewed through a sustainability lens. Market leading insurers will look at the environmental, social and governance impact of each process and identify how they can be improved. A clear set of guidelines will need to be set from the top of the organization and implemented across various functions.

ESG must be embedded in business strategies and form the overall narrative and purpose of today’s organizations. Every aspect of business operations are in the spotlight today — how employees are treated, supply-chain practices, environmental credentials, responsible use of client data and more. Being a ‘purpose-led’ organization that strives to have a positive impact on the planet and its people matters today as never before.

An effective way to embed sustainability is to encourage and listen to the views and insights of employees. Today’s employees, see employment as a partnership and want a voice in how the business is run. By giving all staff a voice in shaping strategy and policies, insurers can drive progress while ideally limiting attrition and boosting engagement and productivity.

Employees also have a role to play regarding ESG’s social aspects. Promoting diversity among the workforce should be high on every business agenda by now. Claims functions should focus on training or retraining people to provide the skills needed for future employment and advancement, as well as developing employees to contribute increasing value to the business.

Learning and development- Insurers will need to train their people to promote sustainability and work with them to ensure efforts and goals are consistent and incorporated into the workplace culture.

Internal policy- Internal procedures and policies need to ensure that sustainability is at the heart of how the business is run. Policies must be clearly communicated across all functions.

Suppliers- Ensuring that supplier values and practices align with the insurer’s is critical. For example: Motor vehicles — replacing damage with second-hand parts where feasible, waste disposal that is environmentally friendly. Property — safeguarding against future damage, energy efficient housing.

Insurers can also drive progress by working together and sharing best practices. Historically, insurers have pursued competitive advantage, but sustainability is an area in which collaboration can make a powerful difference. Market leading companies across different sectors are already sharing experiences and expertise and working together in new ways to implement smart changes for a better future.

Insurers hold huge amounts of data that can be amalgamated and leveraged to inform public policy and enhance loss prevention. They can continue to work more closely with governments and policymakers to provide new perspectives and insights on risk and modelling — for example, looking at data related to health claims, traffic accidents, weather impacts, travel issues and shipping claims. In this way, insurers can be a real force for good in the fundamental shift required for the world to be truly ESG focused.