Electronic signature for insurance companies

A sector with high contract volume

The insurance sector handles millions of contracts per year: underwriting, renewal, amendments, claims declarations. Digitising these flows is a strategic priority — reducing underwriting timeframes, improving customer experience, reducing administrative costs.

Commonly signed documents

• Insurance contract (underwriting)

• Membership form (mutuals, benefits)

• Amendment (guarantee modification, beneficiary)

• SEPA mandate (premium collection)

• Claims declaration

• Payment receipt (indemnification)

• Pre-contractual information sheet (DDA)

Recommended signature level

For an insurance contract, advanced signature (AES) is the standard. It provides the dual-factor identification needed to trace the subscriber's consent.

For certain high-stakes contracts (life insurance with beneficiary designation), QES or video KYC may be required depending on compliance policy.

ACPR and DDA compliance

The Insurance Distribution Directive (DDA) and ACPR expect insurers to:

• identify the subscriber strongly

• trace consent (audit trail)

• retain documents long-term (minimum 10 years)

• provide pre-contractual documents in advance

eIDAS-compliant electronic signature meets these requirements natively.

Operational benefits

• Fast online underwriting: contract signed in minutes instead of days

• Centralised claims file: declaration + attachments + signature

• Improved conversion rate: fewer drop-outs during underwriting

• IT system integration: direct feed to policy core system (Guidewire, Duck Creek, Sapiens)

Common mistakes

• Forgetting the DDA information sheet in the envelope

• Using SES for high-value life insurance

• Not enabling video KYC for anti-money laundering risk contracts

• Storing identity documents beyond necessary duration

Practical example: home insurance underwriting

A digital insurance company underwrites 200 home insurance contracts per day. Journey:

• Online entry by prospect (2 min)

• Premium pre-calculation

• Automatic generation of contract + DDA sheet + SEPA mandate

• Sending in AES (SMS OTP)

• Signature in under 5 minutes by subscriber

• Automatic feed to policy core system and first premium collection

Underwriting conversion rate: +35% vs historical paper journey.

How Certyneo helps you

Certyneo offers a dedicated solution for insurers and brokers: advanced signature by default, video KYC integration as an option, GDPR and eIDAS compliance, 100% EU hosting (Germany), 10-year archiving, bulk export for ACPR audits.

Discover Certyneo's electronic signature solution

FAQ

Does electronic signature replace DDA video advice?

No, these are two separate steps. Signature confirms consent after the information phase.

Can an amendment be signed in SES?

Depending on the stakes. For substantial guarantee modification, prefer AES.

Is video KYC mandatory?

Not systematically, but required for high AML-CFT risk contracts.

Duration of retention?

Minimum 10 years for contracts, often 30 years for life insurance.

Does the beneficiary need to sign?

No, only the subscriber. The beneficiary is designated in the contract.

Conclusion

Electronic signature is a major transformation lever for insurers: accelerated underwriting, simplified ACPR compliance, modernised customer experience.

Try Certyneo to send, sign and track your documents online simply, quickly and securely.