Big Data Analytics – Tools and Techniques – Application in the Insurance Sector

Abstract

Introduction: The Internet has tremendously transformed the computer and networking world. Information reaches our fingertips and adds data to our repository within a second. Big data was initially defined as three Vs, where data come with greater variety, increasing volumes and extra velocity. Big data is a collection of structured, unstructured and semi-structured data gathered from different sources and applications. It has become the most powerful buzzword in almost all the business sectors. The real success of any industry can be counted based on how the big data is analysed, potential knowledge is discovered and productive business decisions are made. New technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning have added more efficiency to storing and analysing data. This big data analytics (BDA) becomes more valuable to those companies, focusing on getting insight into customer behaviour, trends and patterns. This popularity of big data has inspired insurance companies to utilise big data at their core systems and advance the financial operations, improve customer service, construct a personalised environment and take all possible measures to increase revenue and profits.

Purpose: This study aims to recognise what big data stands for in the insurance sector and how the application of BDA has opened the door for new and innovative changes in the insurance industry.

Methodology: This study describes the field of BDA in the insurance sector, discusses the benefits, outlines tools, architectural framework, the method, describes applications in general and specific and briefly discusses the opportunities and challenges.

Findings: The study concludes that BDA in insurance is evolving into a promising field for providing insight from very large data sets and improving outcomes while reducing costs. Its potential is great; however, there remain challenges to overcome.

Citation

Banu, A. (2022), "Big Data Analytics – Tools and Techniques – Application in the Insurance Sector", Sood, K., Dhanaraj, R.K., Balusamy, B., Grima, S. and Uma Maheshwari, R. (Ed.) Big Data: A Game Changer for Insurance Industry (Emerald Studies in Finance, Insurance, and Risk Management), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 191-212. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80262-605-620221013