Welcome to InsurLab Germany: Could you please give us a brief introduction to WGV?
WGV Versicherung is an insurance company that has been in existence for over 100 years and is active throughout Germany. Founded by ten Württemberg municipalities, WGV initially operated as a municipal insurer in the Württemberg region for the purpose of self-insurance. Over time, the mutual insurance association has grown into a modern insurance company that covers the insurance needs of all municipalities, municipal companies, church and social institutions and special-purpose associations in its home state of Württemberg and has also been operating nationwide as a successful private customer insurer for over 40 years. The aim of our work is to always find innovative insurance solutions that are optimally suited to the individual life situation of individuals. True to the motto: "Well insured. And good is good." WGV already offers its municipal and private customers over 100 insurance solutions and manages more than 6.1 million insurance contracts.
Dr. Klaus Brachmann, Chairman of the Executive Board of WGV Versicherung
How did you come to join InsurLab and why did you decide to become a member?
We have followed your work in the past and when you approached us at the beginning of the year, we jumped at the chance to join your network. We see membership as an opportunity to evaluate current trends, relevant technologies and innovative business models more comprehensively. We are also looking forward to contributing our insurance expertise to the diverse exchange formats. The aim is to identify potential for optimization in the areas of customer services and processes, digital communication and internal processes and to receive impetus for innovative projects.
What topics and content are important to you? What is your opinion on our 2024 focus topics "Generative AI" and "Sustainability / ESG"?
The topics of generative AI and sustainability are also highly topical for us. We are aware that the rapid pace of technological development will change our work in many areas, but above all it will also reshape the way we communicate with our customers. We are currently working flat out on the design of our instructions for use on the use of generative AI. A team of several people is now responsible for sustainability at WGV. Its work is largely based on a sustainability strategy adopted by the WGV Executive Board, which formulates our specific goals. Membership of InsurLab enables us to exchange experiences with other insurance companies and companies from outside the industry on a wide range of topics and thus benefit from each other.
Michael Hermann, Director of the Digitization department
In which of our activities do you plan to get involved?
We have already been able to take part in the Collaborator Pitch and would like to dedicate ourselves primarily to working in the topic groups. The professional exchange on innovations and digitalization as well as the view on trends and technologies offer us valuable impulses. The exchange is also important with regard to regulatory topics such as DORA. In general, we find the composition of specialist groups and insurance companies, service providers, technology partners and the InsurLab extremely exciting. We are already looking forward to working together in 2024.
Dr. Klaus Brachmann and Michael Hermann, thank you very much for the interview! We look forward to working with you.