South Africa’s insurance sector has been slower than other financial services to adopt artificial intelligence. A report by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority and the Prudential Authority found that banking institutions lead in AI adoption with approximately 52%, while insurance sectors remain significantly more cautious. The reasons are not surprising. Insurance businesses and Insurance related […]
South Africa’s insurance sector has been slower than other financial services to adopt artificial intelligence. A report by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority and the Prudential Authority found that banking institutions lead in AI adoption with approximately 52%, while insurance sectors remain significantly more cautious.
The reasons are not surprising. Insurance businesses and Insurance related businesses face some of the highest expectations for security, trust, accuracy and governance in the financial services industry. Regulatory requirements around data protection, model risk management, and compliance create a natural reluctance to move quickly on technology that feels untested in their environment. Legacy systems, fragmented data, and uncertainty about which use cases will deliver real value add to the hesitation.
A Simple Way to Accelerate AI Adoption in Insurance. Image supplied by PR company.
Yet the pressure to move is building. Operational costs are rising, customer expectations are increasing, and competitors – both traditional and new entrants – are finding ways to use AI to improve efficiency and service. The question for many insurance industry players is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how to do so responsibly, effectively and without wasting time on initiatives that fail to deliver.
A Structured Approach Designed for Insurance
JustSolve has developed a practical solution to this challenge: the AI Solved programme, a series of structured workshops designed specifically for insurance industry companies. Unlike off-the-shelf AI training or technology-first consulting engagements, AI Solved begins by understanding each organisation’s operating environment, strategic objectives and constraints before identifying where AI can realistically drive measurable improvement.
Botha van der Vyver, JustSolve. Image supplied by PR company.
“Many organisations are presented with AI solutions before they have clearly defined the business problem, data readiness or governance model needed for successful implementation,” says Botha van der Vyver, CEO of JustSolve. “A structured, governance-led assessment before selecting technology significantly increases the likelihood of achieving meaningful results.”
How QSURE Turned Caution Into a Clear AI Roadmap
A recent case in point is QSURE, the premium handling agency that manages short-term insurance debit order collections and payment services. Like many insurance businesses, QSURE recognised the potential of AI but needed clarity on where to start, what to prioritise, and how to proceed without introducing unnecessary risk.
QSURE participated in the AI Solved programme, working through a structured process that examined their operating environment, strategic objectives, and the practical barriers to AI adoption. The programme resulted in a clear roadmap identifying where AI can add value across operational workflows, including reporting automation, knowledge management, compliance support and decision-making.
Ian du Toit, QSure. Image supplied by PR company.
“AI has moved beyond experimentation. It is becoming a practical business capability that can improve efficiency, decision support and service delivery,” says Ian du Toit, Chief Operating Officer of QSURE. “In the insurance landscape, operational pressure, compliance expectations and customer demands are all increasing at the same time. That creates a clear need to examine how technology can help us work smarter, faster and with greater consistency.”
The programme also clarified the data, governance and process requirements needed for successful adoption. Du Toit anticipates the first benefits will come from reducing manual effort and improving information access. “The real value of AI is its ability to support our people rather than replace them,” he says. “By reducing low-value manual work, we can enable teams to focus on judgement, client service, exception management, risk oversight and higher-value operational improvements.”
A Template for the Industry
For insurance leaders considering AI, the message is clear: begin with readiness, governance and business outcomes before focusing on technology. A structured assessment creates clarity, reduces risk and provides a clear path from opportunity to execution.
JustSolve – AI Solved. Image supplied by PR company.
“Insurance businesses face some of the highest expectations for trust, accuracy and governance, which is why many are very cautious when it comes to new technology,” says van der Vyver. “A structured, governance-led approach means that insurance industry leaders can move forward with AI – not recklessly, but with confidence.”
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