SAS® improves data quality and processes leading to better and more efficient decision making about customer claims

Zenith Insurance, a specialist in the personal insurance market, has been able to improve business performance through more efficient use of its data after investing in technology from SAS, the global leader in business analytics. The company is now able to support the reporting and analytical needs of nearly four times as many people in the business that need access to this information.

A team of eight employees previously supported the needs of 80 people using the data, such as claims handlers, salespeople and management, whereas today a team of just 12 support more than 300. Not only is the process more efficient but improvements in reporting mean the business is able to make better decisions about how it handles claims, such as whether the claim can be approved quickly to improve customer experience or whether it requires further investigation as it may be fraudulent. Users across the business quickly recognised the benefits of the new, easy-to-use system, which is now relied on as part of their day-to-day activities. The team initially used SAS to build their own reports without the help of Management Information, but now the same documents are built automatically, saving time and resource.

When Markerstudy acquired Zenith Insurance, the company was faced with the challenge of bringing together more than five disparate data systems into a single, user-friendly platform. A clear strategy and auditable structure was also necessary to prepare for upcoming Solvency II regulations. Working with Achieve Intelligence and SAS, Zenith brought all the company’s data into a SAS Enterprise Data Warehouse, a unified platform designed with IT and business collaboration in mind. Improved data quality helped streamline reporting and most importantly, offered management a clearer view of the business, giving it the confidence to make decisions knowing the information it was using was accurate.

“As we expanded our business, it was important for management to have a good overview of how the different lines of business were performing at a group level. A siloed structure with disparate data sources slowed decision-making and did not allow us to analyse data at a granular level,” said Jason Cabral, Group Head of Pricing & Management Information at Zenith Insurance. “SAS has been instrumental in helping us achieve a more accurate view of our data allowing us to move faster and be more competitive.”

Mike Pell, executive director, SAS UK & Ireland, commented: “In a sector as competitive as insurance, it’s crucial that companies have access to up-to-date and accurate customer and pricing information in order to make better and quicker decisions, and help push into new markets. It’s encouraging to see companies like Zenith nurturing a data driven culture that empowers teams, drives efficiency and supports business growth.”

SAS solutions deployed by Zenith Insurance:

•  SAS® Data Management is a unified platform designed with IT and business collaboration in mind. Improved data quality and quick access from a single point of control improves productivity.
•  SAS® Enterprise BI Server integrates the power of SAS, role-based interfaces and Microsoft Office, empowering staff to make fact-based decisions
•  SAS® Enterprise Guide® is a point-and-click, menu- and wizard-driven tool that empowers user to analyse data and publish results.