Allianz: What AI Can Do To Give Underwriters a Headstart
Allianz UK has deployed a generative artificial (Gen AI) intelligence tool called BRIAN to streamline how underwriters access critical guidance documentation.
The system addresses longstanding inefficiencies in information retrieval within the underwriting process, where teams previously navigated lengthy guidance documents of up to 600 pages.
Benjamin Blackie, Transformation Business Owner at Allianz UK, developed the Gen AI tool following a successful pilot involving nearly 3,000 questions from 190 users across Property & Casualty and Specialty lines.
Significant time savings across commercial operations
Since its January rollout, GenAI BRIAN has processed more than 13,000 queries from underwriters across Allianz UK's commercial offices.
The implementation has generated an estimated time saving of 65,000 minutes, equivalent to 135 working days previously spent on information gathering activities.
Benjamin says: "What sets BRIAN apart is its dual functionality. It provides a concise answer and includes a direct link to the specific section of the guidance document used to generate the response, allowing underwriters to delve deeper if needed.
"Typically, our underwriters spend around two hours a week looking for information on internal documents. With BRIAN it takes just seconds.”
Enhanced decision-making capabilities for junior staff
BRIAN proves particularly valuable for junior underwriters who require accelerated familiarity with extensive documentation libraries.
The system ensures smoother navigation through complex regulatory and technical guidance whilst maintaining accuracy in responses sourced exclusively from uploaded documents.
Benjamin notes the tool's broader strategic purpose: "This is not about replacing decision-making, but equipping people with better tools to access information they need at the moment they need it.
"With the extra time saved, underwriters can focus on deeper risk analysis, enhancing customer relationships, refining pricing strategies, and staying updated on emerging market trends and regulatory changes.”
The additional time savings enables underwriters to concentrate on deeper risk analysis, customer relationship development and pricing strategy refinement.
Addressing modern underwriting challenges
The deployment responds to increasing complexity within the insurance sector, where regulatory pressure and emerging risks, including cyber liability and climate change, demand enhanced technical expertise.
BRIAN's name honours a knowledgeable colleague who guided Benjamin during his early Allianz career, reflecting the company's commitment to knowledge transfer and collaborative innovation.
The tool operates through collaboration between Allianz UK's business, transformation and Central AI teams within the Ops IT Data function.
Currently deployed across all Property and Liability Underwriters in Allianz UK commercial offices, BRIAN is set to expand to encompass all underwriters by the end of the year.
Strategic alignment with operational transformation
BRIAN represents Allianz UK's broader vision of operational refinement focused on intelligence, robustness and streamlined processes.
The implementation demonstrates how generative AI can transform traditionally cumbersome underwriting procedures whilst enhancing agility, accuracy and decision-making confidence.
The system's continuous adaptation ensures alignment with evolving underwriter requirements and market dynamics within an increasingly complex insurance landscape.
