As innovative brands like Tesla continue to advance in technological developments, accessibility to consumers and sales, the popularity of electric cars continues to grow steadily, as well. There were close to zero electric cars on the road anywhere in the world in 2010. That may seem hard to believe now, as the global stock total topped 7.2 million in 2019 — and that’s not even including new car sales so far in 2020. 2019 recorded 2.1 million electric passenger car sales, the International Energy Agency (IEA) reports, culminating in a global stock total of 7.2 million electric and plug-in hybrid passenger cars — more than doubling the international stock total in just two years — up from 3.2 million in 2017. With this explosive growth in a new market comes a need — or opportunity — for new insurance products. There are many factors to consider in car shopping, including price, fuel costs, safety and more. In shopping for an electric car, these main considerations are much the same — but what about insurance coverage? Insurance basics for electric cars According to Allstate, auto insurance policies for electric cars aren’t much different than traditional coverage for standard fuel-run vehicles. One additional consideration drivers should consider, however, pertains to more than just your new battery-charged ride. According to Allstate, the installation of vehicle charging stations may affect homeowners’ insurance policies. The American Association of Insurance Services reports that laws in at least two states (Oregon and California) require some homeowners and condo owners to have liability coverage that protects the charging equipment. Where electric cars dominate the roadways Insurers should take note of where electric cars are most populated. Breaking down electric car ownership by region, China dominates the market. According to the IEA’s 2019 Global Outlook report, China accounted for more than half of electric car sales globally in 2019, and 3.35 million of the global total to-date. Europe takes second place with 560,000 sales, followed by the United States, with roughly 330,000 electric passenger cars sold in 2019. Despite rapid year-over-year growth, electric cars and plug-in hybrids accounted for just 2.6% of global passenger car sales in 2019, according to the IEA’s 2019 Outlook. Looking at 2020, the IEA expects electric cars to outperform the automobile industry as a whole this year. Sales of electric cars are expected to be in line with 2019’s total, while the global passenger car market is expected to decline by 15%, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, experts say. Facing the latter-half of 2020, a new report from Statista sourced data from Clean Technica to determine the estimated sales of electric vehicles from January through June 2020 and rank the best-selling models in the first half of 2020. |
Insurance-technology
Specific Technologies Driving Insurtech Investment in 2024
Understanding the Funding Decline The decrease in funding does not necessarily spell trouble for the insurance sector but instead highlights a strategic shift, the report suggests. “The insurance industry, like many sectors, is focusing on the most promising ventures with substantial insurance potential,” the report explains. “Insurers are directing their investments toward key areas and current trends such as embedded insurance, employee benefits, and cyber risk management. This strategic investment approach signals a forward-looking mindset within the industry.” Three Key Insurtech Trends for 2024 The report identifies three major trends shaping insurtech investments in 2024: Public Insurtech Companies: Financial and Growth Strategies The report also notes that public insurtech companies are prioritizing revenue growth as their main goal. These firms are restructuring their financial strategies to boost cash flow and capitalize on rising revenue streams. Their growth prospects are supported by expanding asset portfolios and strong market demand. “Public insurtech companies are focusing on revenue growth and optimizing their financial frameworks to increase cash flow,” the report states. “The growth potential for these companies is driven by increasing revenue opportunities, broadening asset bases, and a robust market for their services.” In summary, while global insurtech funding saw a decline in 2023, the industry’s focus on GenAI, digital process management, and connected insurance technologies is setting the stage for a dynamic and forward-looking 2024.