Electronic Signature for Insurance Companies

A sector with high contract volume

The insurance sector handles millions of contracts annually: underwriting, renewals, amendments, claims declarations. Digitizing these flows is a strategic priority — reducing underwriting delays, improving customer experience, reducing administrative costs.

Commonly signed documents

• Insurance contract (underwriting)

• Enrollment form (mutual insurance, supplementary coverage)

• Amendment (guarantee modification, beneficiary change)

• SEPA mandate (premium collection)

• Claims declaration

• Settlement 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 necessary to trace the policyholder'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:

• strongly identify the policyholder

• ensure consent traceability (audit trail)

• maintain long-term document retention (minimum 10 years)

• provide pre-contractual documents beforehand

eIDAS-compliant electronic signature meets these requirements natively.

Operational benefits

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

• Centralized claims file: declaration + attachments + signature

• Improved conversion rate: fewer drop-offs during underwriting

• IT system integration: direct feed into policy management systems (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 AML/CTF-risk contracts

• Storing identity documents beyond the necessary period

Real-world case: home insurance underwriting

A digital insurance company underwrites 200 home insurance contracts daily. Journey:

• Online entry by prospect (2 min)

• Automatic premium calculation

• Automatic generation of contract + DDA sheet + SEPA mandate

• Sending in AES (SMS OTP)

• Signature in less than 5 min by policyholder

• Automatic feed into policy management system and collection of first premium

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

How Certyneo helps you

Certyneo offers a dedicated solution for insurers and brokers: advanced signature by default, optional video KYC integration, 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 records consent after the information phase.

Can an amendment be signed in SES?

Depending on the impact. For substantial guarantee modifications, AES is preferable.

Is video KYC mandatory?

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

Retention period?

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

Must the beneficiary sign?

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

Conclusion

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

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