Our Review of InnovateTHIS 2024

On September 11-12, 2024, Allianz Partners proudly served as the headline sponsor for InnovateTHIS 2024 in London.

The two-day, in-person event attracted a wide ranging group of industry representatives, including insurers, underwriters, brokers, service providers and Fintechs from across the globe. Our participation reinforced our status as the UK’s largest travel insurer and industry expert, expanded our networks, and enhanced brand awareness.

As partner, we sponsored the event keynote speech The Art & Science of Customer Service, which was delivered by Alex Hunter, a Digital expert who has worked with the likes of Virgin, Facebook, Pepsi, GE, Volkswagen and IKEA.

He was introduced by Andrew Tolman, our Head of Travel Insurance. On Day 2, Sharon Solomon, Head of Medical Assistance was part of a panel discussing Evolving Medical Assistance Solutions.

Also in attendance were colleagues from Allianz Partners UK including Katharine Deag, Head of Product Management & Innovation for Travel, and Alex Marshall and Joe Hatton from the Sales team.

Our team at InnovateTHIS 2024

Alex Hunter delivered the keynote for the event, and his talk - The Art & Science of Customer Service - really set the tone for further discussion. With a background in customer experience and digital marketing from years in the travel market with Virgin Group, Alex was able to bring to life what good customer experience means and how it can be delivered.

Identifying the challenges of getting consumers to buy travel insurance, shifting the perception from ‘What am I going to do with this?’ to ‘What would I do without you?’ and how the art and science of storytelling is fundamental to building customer loyalty and equally why innovation needs to go beyond technology – recognising that behind every click is a human being. Travel is emotional, and our approach to customer experience should reflect that.

On Day 2 of the conference, Sharon Solomon, Head of Medical Assistance at Allianz Partners, joined an expert panel featuring Rodger Cook (World Travel Protection), Kim-Fredrik Schneider (Abi), and Florian Schubert (Garmin Health). The panel discussed how travel and medical assistance providers are inherently agile, adapting to rapidly changing situations in their daily operations and evolving their solutions to meet the shifting expectations of travelers and expatriates worldwide.

This insightful discussion covered the importance of meaningful medical coverage limits, explored the role of emerging technologies such as generative AI and wearables, and highlighted key innovations, including allyz, our digital travel companion.

Kicking off the conference and introducing the keynote speaker was Andrew Tolman, Head of Travel Insurance at Allianz Partners UK. Andrew framed the theme of the 2-day conference by discussing the importance of enhancing customer experience through identifying pain points and improving key user journeys, including claims, medical screening, and sales.

Touching on innovation, he highlighted how AI is streamlining claims processing and how Allianz's global platform aids faster market adaptation. Looking to future innovation, Andrew introduced allyz, a digital companion app that provides customers with access to travel and medical benefits alongside their insurance policy, delivering value before, during, and after the trip.

Inspired by InnovateTHIS 2024?

Find out more about how Travel & Health Insurance Series (THIS) events, collaborations, and partnerships bring insurers together to meet current challenges, drive business growth and shape the future of traveller protection.

Check the video to see more about this year's conference, hear feedback from attendees and get a run down of what to expect during the two day event.

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Images: Alistair Veryard Photography