How Do Consumers Inform Themselves About Insurance Products in the Digital Age? Analysing the Results of a Consumer Survey
摘要
Modern technologies, including digitisation processes, are increasingly and permanently changing the insurance market. In this context, the process of using services offered in the insurance sector should be redefined. This chapter draws attention to a critical factor when concluding an insurance contract: obtaining information about insurance products by insurance consumers. The authors present the results of their study conducted on a representative sample of 2136 respondents from Poland. The study analysed the question of what sources of information about the insurance offer to be purchased consumers most frequently use. The study considered the respondents’ characteristics (e.g., age, gender, level of education, or income). Further, the study analysed whether respondents read the content of insurance contract documents and whether they understood these documents. Moreover, the respondents’ experience in using insurance comparison websites was examined. Finally, the study analysed consumers’ attitudes towards digital technologies, as well as their recognition and use. The results suggest that the relevance of digital technologies in insurance has increased, which is reflected, among other factors, in how consumers seek information about insurance products or use online tools to compare offers. Nonetheless, depending on various factors considered in the analysis, the use of consumer opportunities related to digitalisation varies significantly in practice. The study concludes by recommending the continual development of a tailored and predictable legal framework to ensure the protection of digitally vulnerable insurance consumers.