6 New Tech-Related Roles in the Evolving Insurance Industry

Technology is rapidly transforming the insurance industry. This means that while traditional job roles like sales agents, underwriters, and customer service reps are still needed, advances in technology have created several new roles in the industry. Below are some of the most in-demand new jobs in insurance.

1. Privacy Experts

Privacy is a hot topic with smart car data collecting. Today’s smart cars have dozens of sensors that record data while you drive, which is valuable to both automakers and insurers. Laws and regulations will need to be further established to keep drivers' information safe, and insurance companies will likely rely on experts in this area to help protect their customers. If you love happy customers and consumer advocacy, this could be the job for you.

2. Legal Experts

As cars continue to get smarter, we’ll eventually see the rollout of fully autonomous vehicles. While we’re still at least several years away from that reality, self-driving cars promise to reduce accidents by removing human error. That will result in the question: Who’s responsible if there's an accident? The driver who is … not driving? The manufacturer who built the car? The car itself? There are still many details to figure out, but autonomous technology is certainly here to stay.

Navigating the murky waters of who's at fault will be challenging for both insurance companies and lawmakers. If you enjoy nitty-gritty details and the challenge of forging a path through complexity, this could be a great fit.

3. Drone Pilots

From Hurricane Harvey in Texas to the California wildfires, severe weather has rocked the country—and the insurance industry. But drones are making it easier than ever to assess a situation in real time and settle claims quickly for customers. Having your drone pilot’s license makes it easy and safe to evaluate risky situations, like inspecting roof damage. If you’re a gadget guy or girl and like solving problems quickly, this could be a no-brainer.

4. Sharing Specialists

Experts predict the sharing economy will reach $335 billion by 2025, with ridesharing and carsharing leading the way. Insurance companies will need to understand consumer trends in the sharing economy to provide adequate insurance coverage to drivers. If you enjoy solving for the challenges of cutting-edge trends, this could be right up your alley.

5. Cyber Investigators

Before the internet, insurance adjusters had to physically assess damage to a home or vehicle after an incident, which meant major costs, travel, and time. Now, insurance companies offer tools that give customers the ability to file a claim with their smartphones by simply taking a picture of the damage and answering a few questions.

However, it’s still up to an investigator to make sure those claims check out. Everything from security camera footage to cell phone tower pings can be used to help settle a claim. If you’re a modern-world Sherlock Holmes, what could be better?

6. Mobile Experts

Know your way around an iPhone or Android? You’re in luck. With the explosion of smartphone usage, insurance companies are increasingly putting mobile first. With just a few taps, you can get coverage, manage your policy, pay bills, and more. If mobile is your area of expertise, you can help to ensure the customer experience is seamless (especially on a tiny screen).

Haden Kirkpatrick is the head of marketing strategy and innovation at Esurance, where he is responsible for all initiatives related to marketing strategy, product and service innovation, and strategic partnerships. Haden is an innovator who is constantly thinking about how IoT, blockchain and machine learning will impact the insurance industry. He is also a mobile guru, aspiring yogi and mixed martial artist.