Essential Due Diligence for Embedded Insurance Partnerships
Selecting the right embedded insurance provider is crucial for successful implementation and long-term partnership success. These ten critical questions will help you evaluate potential partners and make an informed decision.
Q1: What is your regulatory compliance status?
Why this matters: Insurance regulations vary by jurisdiction, and working with improperly licensed providers can result in legal issues and customer protection problems.
What to look for: Valid insurance licenses, regulatory oversight documentation, and compliance with local insurance laws in your target markets.
Q2: How robust is your API infrastructure?
Key considerations:
- API uptime and reliability statistics (aim for 99.9%+)
- Response time performance metrics
- Rate limiting and scalability capabilities
- Sandbox environment availability for testing
- Documentation quality and developer resources
Q3: What is your claims processing timeline and success rate?
Critical metrics to evaluate:
- Average claim processing time
- Claim approval rate by coverage type
- Customer satisfaction scores for claims experience
- Digital vs. manual claim processing capabilities
- Appeals process and resolution procedures
Q4: How do you handle data security and privacy?
Essential security requirements:
- SOC 2 Type II compliance certification
- GDPR and CCPA compliance for applicable jurisdictions
- Data encryption standards (at rest and in transit)
- Regular security audits and penetration testing
- Incident response procedures and notification protocols
Q5: What customization options are available?
Customization scope assessment:
- User interface and branding flexibility
- Coverage terms and pricing adjustments
- Underwriting criteria modifications
- Integration with existing business logic
- Custom reporting and analytics capabilities
Q6: What is your pricing structure and commission model?
Financial considerations:
- Commission rates by product type
- Implementation and integration fees
- Ongoing platform or subscription costs
- Transaction-based pricing models
- Revenue sharing arrangements
Q7: How do you support implementation and ongoing operations?
Support evaluation criteria:
- Dedicated technical integration support
- Implementation timeline and milestones
- Training programs for your team
- 24/7 technical support availability
- Account management and relationship support
Q8: What analytics and reporting capabilities do you provide?
Data and insights requirements:
- Real-time performance dashboards
- Conversion rate and uptake analytics
- Claims ratio and profitability reporting
- Customer behavior and journey insights
- Custom report generation capabilities
Q9: How do you handle scaling and geographic expansion?
Growth support assessment:
- Multi-market licensing and compliance
- Currency and localization support
- Volume-based pricing adjustments
- International claims processing capabilities
- Regional regulatory expertise
Q10: What is your track record and reference customers?
Validation requirements:
- Case studies from similar industry implementations
- Reference customer contacts and testimonials
- Performance metrics from existing partnerships
- Company financial stability and backing
- Industry certifications and awards
Evaluating Responses
Create a scoring matrix for each provider based on their responses to these questions. Weight the factors according to your business priorities - technical capabilities might be more important for API integrations, while support quality could be crucial for white-label solutions.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Vague answers about regulatory compliance
- Unwillingness to provide reference customers
- Lack of transparent pricing information
- Poor API documentation or sandbox access
- No clear data security certifications