SIVI Foundation develops and manages standards for digital business within the insurance industry. SIVI analyzes trends, examines the impact of new technologies and inspires chain partners to take new steps together. Managing consultant Herman Lenferink focuses within SIVI on chain optimization and integration, including within the proxy chain.
Through his years of experience, Herman Lenferink had previously noticed that cooperation between insurers and Managing General Agents regarding data quality was not always flawless. "Finding common ground was quite difficult. At the request of Jaap de Louw(page 4 in the magazine) - in his role as chairman of the Managing General Agents Data Quality Working Group - I started discussions with insurers, Managing General Agents and suppliers. From the start, I involved all parties as an integral part of this plan. I was able to incorporate my findings into the Uniform Inrichting Volmachtketen plan, which was therefore acceptable to everyone," Herman starts.
An AFD definition is similar to game rules on how the various proxy product specifications should be delivered. Herman: "The standard is a kind of programming language. Insurers work out their product specifications for each product based on this standard. For example, the fuel in a car insurance policy can be petrol, diesel, electric and hybrid. And if there is comprehensive coverage, there must always be third-party coverage as well. Each AFD definition is certified by SIVI, after which software vendors and Managing General Agents can use the AFD definition. From SIVI, we offer the possibility to compose AFD definitions online on our website. This applies not only to insurers, but also to Managing General Agents with, for example, self-developed pool products. The use of AFD-definites provides a structural and sustainable solution within the proxy chain!"
For the 800 product definitions initially targeted, at the time of writing (early May) some 300 AFD definitions are in development and some 60 formally certified. Herman observes that the added value applies to all ANVA customers: "Due to the great diversity in the set-up of power of attorney administrations, each customer has to invent its own path, as it were, for example, when linking to other software or using an acceptance module. It is precisely because of the uniformity that ANVA customers will soon be able to enjoy all the wonderful ANVA solutions that are or will be available. The knife really cuts three ways. Insurers get more unambiguous data, the set-up costs for underwriters become substantially lower and software suppliers like ANVA can better respond to the wishes and needs of insurers and Managing General Agents."
He continued: "I am proud that Managing General Agents are picking it up well across the board and see the value in it. To have everyone moving after the summer, we still have a big challenge, but at the same time this is very important to reach our goal. To reach the final goal together, you have to start taking steps now".
