The Lloyd’s ‘Principles of Doing Business’, launched in 2022, is a comprehensive 156-page framework designed to guide managing agents on the standards of excellence across different facets of insurance – from pricing and underwriting to governance and culture. Yet, with its length and detail, it isn’t light reading.
To assist those seeking clarity, InsurTech hyperexponential have delved into Lloyd’s Principle 1 which is centred on Underwriting Profitability. From this principle, 13 best practices spanning six crucial themes have been identified, all aimed at achieving pricing excellence.
The Importance of the Principles of Doing Business by Lloyd’s
Also known as Project Rio, Lloyd’s ‘Principles of Doing Business’ has been crafted to support top-notch speciality insurers while aiding those underperforming to elevate their standards. The 13 principles encompass performance, solvency, and operational tasks, with grading from ‘unacceptable’ to ‘outperforming’.
High-performing syndicates are rewarded with benefits such as milder business reviews and endorsement by Lloyd’s as a ‘preferred partner’. Meanwhile, those lagging might face limitations on their business strategies, mandatory rectifications in certain business areas, or even enforced personnel changes.
Achieving perfection on all principles at the first go might be challenging, but striving for excellence is undoubtedly beneficial.
Best Practices for Pricing in Lloyd’s Syndicates
Underwriting profitability stands as a cornerstone for insurers’ success, rightfully encapsulated in Principle 1. Lloyd’s has segmented it into eight outcome-based sub-principles, touching on aspects like robust portfolio management and underwriting controls.
Sub-Principle 6, referred to as the Pricing Maturity Matrix, lays out the expected criteria for pricing frameworks utilised by leading syndicates. For those targeting superiority, the detailed criteria for pricing frameworks have been analysed by experts, providing a distilled list of best practices.
Details on Pricing Coverage
Lloyd’s promotes technical pricing for the vast majority of business lines. Achieving 100% coverage may not always be feasible, which is acknowledged by Lloyd’s. The goal should be:
- Strive for feasible coverage without compromising quality.
- Continually test and refine pricing models, especially in new operational territories.
- Ensure a consistent technical price definition throughout the organisation.
Methodology for Claims Pricing
The link between planning loss ratio and the implied ratio from the pricing tool should be clear. Advanced syndicates should:
- Implement a feedback mechanism and involve underwriters from the start.
- Utilise apt pricing methods and technologies, including machine learning.
- Validate models and ensure they are user-friendly for underwriters.
Non-claims Cost Model Techniques
For Lloyd’s, the ideal technical price definition should account for various expenses. Mature syndicates must:
- Apply multifaceted and thoroughly verified loadings.
Approach to Price Adequacy and Rate Monitoring
Lloyd’s requires senior leaders to have clear visibility of pricing. When developing a tool, it’s essential to:
- Generate comprehensive and easily understandable reports.
- Provide timely data to underwriters.
Focus on Technology and Systems Architecture
Syndicates need to:
- Leverage technology to enhance pricing capabilities.
- Ensure the technology has the necessary security controls.
Data Collection and Maintenance
Syndicates should:
- Collaborate with underwriters to understand data requirements.
- Utilise technology capable of processing unstructured data.
The Dynamic Nature of Maturity Standards
Excellence in pricing practices naturally boosts business. However, achieving this isn’t a static process. Lloyd’s expects continuous evolution and enhancements in their frameworks. The Pricing Maturity Matrix, although less mature than other parts of the ‘Principles for Doing Business’, is anticipated to evolve, offering clearer standards of excellence in the future.
hx Renew – The Gateway to Pricing Excellence
For those searching for tools to achieve these standards, the hx Renew platform is tailored for exceptional pricing and underwriting. This platform promises a pricing framework that surpasses market standards, from delivering technical pricing across business lines to assimilating unstructured data using machine learning.
Read the full report here.
Keep up with all the latest FinTech news here
Copyright © 2023 FinTech Global
