Colin Greenhill, CEO, SSP Worldwide
As the Chief Executive Officer of SSP, I’ve had the privilege of navigating the intricate landscape of insurance technology for many years. Reflecting on my discussions at the recent ISA conference, it’s evident that the industry is at a fascinating crossroads.
Our goal at SSP is to ensure that our technology remains invisible, seamlessly supporting the core functions of insurance while enabling innovation.
In the early days, technology was a tangible part of the insurance process. Over the years, it has evolved from being a tool used by specialists to an integral, almost invisible, component of the industry. Today’s younger generation, who are now entering the workforce, view technology not as an end but as a means to an end. They don’t necessarily want to understand the intricacies of the systems they use, they just want them to work. This shift in perspective underscores the importance of making technology seamless and unobtrusive.
At SSP, we believe that the best technology is invisible. When you purchase an insurance policy for your car, home, or loved ones, you’re not concerned with who provided the software or built the technology. You’re focused on the protection it offers. Our role is to ensure that our systems work reliably and efficiently in the background, allowing insurers and brokers to provide exceptional service to their customers. When technology fails, as we all experienced with a recent CrowdStrike outage, the disruption is starkly apparent. Our mission is to be dependable and unobtrusive, ensuring that our clients can rely on us to support their operations seamlessly.
In my tenure as CEO of SSP Worldwide, I’ve engaged in numerous conversations with clients across the globe. These interactions vary widely; some clients come to us with well-defined problems and clear goals, making it easier to collaborate on solutions. Others, however, approach us with vague issues, expecting us to solve problems they can’t fully articulate. The most successful partnerships occur when clients have a clear vision of what they want to achieve, understand their technological ecosystem, and can identify the gaps they need to fill. This clarity allows us to provide targeted support and contribute to building a robust technological infrastructure.
PIONEERING INSURTECH
THREE DECADES OF INNOVATION AND PROGRESS
Adaptability and success are our goals.
Whether you’re a global insurer, UMA, or
innovative startup, we’re here to support you.
Our clients often come up with innovative ideas, some of which push the boundaries of what technology can achieve. For instance, we had a client who wanted to use drones to assess damage in the aftermath of hurricanes in the Caribbean. While the idea was technologically exciting, the practical implementation posed significant challenges. Instead of focusing on the novelty of the technology, we encouraged them to consider the end goal: improving the claims process. Sometimes, the best solutions are not the most technologically advanced but the ones that effectively address the customer’s needs. It’s about balancing innovation with practicality and ensuring that technology serves its intended purpose.
Insurance is fundamentally about peace of mind. It’s about ensuring that when disaster strikes, there is a reliable system in place to provide the necessary support. During the devastating fires in Knysna, South Africa, insurers set up teams on location to assist affected clients directly. This hands-on approach demonstrated the value of human interaction and empathy in the claims process. While technology facilitated the rapid response, the personal touch made the real difference. Customers could speak to representatives, see the branding, and feel reassured that their claims were being handled with care.
The role of technology in insurance will continue to evolve. Our objective at SSP is to remain a reliable partner to insurers and brokers, providing the innovative systems they need to deliver outstanding service to their customers. The ultimate measure of success in insurance is not the technology itself but the quality of the customer experience it supports. Our software enables insurers to innovate and meet their customers’ needs, but it is the insurers who deliver the final, tangible benefits. In essence, the effectiveness of insurance technology lies in its invisibility. By working behind the scenes, we allow insurers to focus on what truly matters: protecting their customers and providing peace of mind.
As we continue to develop and refine our systems, our commitment remains to support our clients in delivering exceptional service, leveraging technology in ways that enhance rather than overshadow the human element of insurance.