Optimizing Underwriting Insurance Inspection Workflows

This post is part of a series sponsored by CoreLogic.

An insurance organization is composed of so many little pieces — a multitude of workflows that come together to form a cohesive operation. And it all starts with underwriting, a function that hinges on successful, thorough inspections. Therefore, streamlining an insurance organization’s processes starts with optimizing inspection workflows.

Fine tuning inspection workflows to be as efficient as possible can be overwhelming. With the evolution of digital technologies and all the options out there for inspection solutions, it’s hard to know where to start. Insurance technology is a must for optimizing any insurance workflow, but with rapid advancements in SaaS platform digital capabilities, artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML), Generative AI (Gen AI), automation, and aerial imagery, it is impossible to focus on, and invest in, everything all at once.

It is imperative to move away from the “all or nothing” mindset when it comes to digitalization. Sophisticated technology is required for delivering the elevated, personalized customer experiences that people expect. It also plays a key role in enhancing profitability in a world of skyrocketing reconstruction costs, more severe and unpredictable natural disasters, and crippling workforce challenges.

Here’s how to get the ball rolling in a manageable way with optimizing underwriting inspection workflows through sophisticated digital solutions:

Step 1: Consider the objectives of your ideal inspection workflow

In order to create an executable roadmap to optimize inspections, you must lay out exactly what you want to achieve with inspections. Generally speaking, carriers want their inspection workflows to yield:

• High actionable rates: More effective inspections will uncover additional instances of undervaluation or condition hazards, leading to more accurate policy pricing across the entire portfolio.
• Efficiency and precision: Advanced workflows will reduce underwriting expenses, improve loss ratios, and enable carriers to optimize inspection budgets. Processes will leverage automation (and AI) to fuel productivity, freeing up underwriters to focus on more high-value tasks.
• Better customer service: In delivering more personalized customer experiences, carriers can be more proactive in collaboration with their policyholders on preventative risk mitigation efforts.
• Speed: Digital tools at the foundation of these workflows should be quick to implement, cost-effective, and non-disruptive to operations.

Once you define your main objectives, you can create or select a roadmap that aligns with them. It is especially helpful if you rank these objectives in level of importance.

Step 2: Build a roadmap based on main objectives for inspection workflows.

Outline the actions required, and define the criteria, for measuring success. Assess your existing workflows honestly, understanding that transitioning from primarily manual processes to fully optimized workflows—leveraging automation and AI technology—won’t happen overnight.

Interim steps and interludes are necessary. Defining these incremental stages, from Point A to Point B, will help you set a realistic timeline for achieving each objective.

That being said, you don’t know what you don’t know. That’s why it’s incredibly helpful to work with an insurance technology expert or use a best practices framework to create your roadmap. For example, JJ Jagannathan, Vice President of Product Management at CoreLogic®, developed the Underwriting Inspection Workflow Optimization Maturity Model to outline the key desired capabilities of underwriting loss control functions. Incorporating these functionalities will help carriers strategically move toward creating an AI and digitally enabled optimal inspection program.

This framework outlines the steps organizations should take over a three-year period to optimize their underwriting inspection workflows. With a rating system for each capability dimension, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to moving through the framework; the order of improvements can vary based on organizational priorities.

Step 3: Lean into a single end-to-end platform that creates a strong digital ecosystem

A successful digital ecosystem to support optimal inspection workflows can take many forms, combining different automation, AI, aerial imagery, and other technologies. That’s why it’s crucial to implement a workflow platform that can integrate seamlessly with technologies from different providers. Your inspection workflow solutions should work together effectively, allowing you to maximize their functionality regardless of the other systems in your ecosystem.

Steady and intentional wins the race

Thoughtful modernization of the loss control workflow is a key strategic underwriting profit lever. There is no need to feel rushed, though: gradual and strategic optimization of an end-to-end platform is key to driving long-term success.

The key is to find a roadmap template that aligns with your objectives, and then identify the platforms with the capabilities to achieve your goals. With a guide, you can take measured steps to make significant strides toward your goals.

To get started in building your three-year roadmap to establishing optimized underwriting inspection workflows, learn more about the CoreLogic Underwriting Inspection Workflow Optimization Maturity Model today.

©2025 CoreLogic, Inc. All rights reserved. While all of the content and information in this blog post is believed to be accurate, the content and information is provided “as is” with no guarantee, representation, or warranty, express or implied, of any kind including but not limited to as to the merchantability, non-infringement of intellectual property rights, completeness, accuracy, applicability, or fitness, in connection with the content or information or the products referenced and assumes no responsibility or liability whatsoever for the content or information or the products referenced or any reliance thereon. CoreLogic® and the CoreLogic logo are the trademarks of CoreLogic, Inc. or its affiliates or subsidiaries. Other trade names or trademarks referenced are the property of their respective owners.

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Underwriting