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The growing appeal of apps as a marketing tool has been picked up by the insurance industry with the launch of an Australian iPhone application to make it easier to get an insurance quote.
A number of web services have appeared over the past three years offering online policy quotes from a range of insurers, and a Sydney company hopes having a phone app will help brokers drive business to insurers.
David King, founder of privately owned application developer Omnium, said the iPhone app’s development changed the way brokers used technology to sell policies.
At the same time, he said, consumers were already showing an interest in the free app, using it in downtime while travelling on public transport.
Omnium has released four applications that allow brokers and consumers to get real-time policy comparisons for life, total and permanent disability, income protection and comprehensive insurance quotes, with 12 more awaiting approval from Apple.
“We started as a research house with 20 years’ experience in the life insurance market,” Mr King said. “Instead of going online, we have decided to go to the phone market.”
The apps did not offer insurance advice, but were simply tools to allow brokers and consumers to compare premiums for more than 120 insurance products from 12 major insurers, including AMP, Axa, GIO and others.
“We are not selling insurance — we are a lead-generation tool,” he said.
So far, interest in the application has been spread 50-50 between brokers and consumers.
Source: The Australian
Blood testing for human growth hormone will be implemented immediately in the minor leagues, Major League Baseball announced creating a landmark stride in the anti-doping world even if the actual test has netted just one positive result.
“If you don’t do any testing, you have a license to cheat,” said Travis Tygart, CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which partners with MLB and the NFL on the Partnership for Clean Competition. “Now, there’s a risk you’ll be caught.”
The random testing of minor leaguers for the performance-enhancing substance was hailed by Commissioner Bud Selig as “a significant step in the detection of the illegal use of human growth hormone,” credited with increasing strength. Selig was allowed to install the testing on the heels of a positive result given earlier this year by a British rugby player because minor leaguers are not represented by the powerful MLB Players Assn.
“The union’s position on HGH testing remains unchanged: When a test is available that is scientifically validated and that can be administered safely and without interfering with the players’ ability to compete, it will be considered,” union Executive Director Michael Weiner said in a prepared statement. “[The commissioner's office has] not shared with us the specifics behind their decision to begin blood testing of minor leaguers. We look forward to further discussions.”
Baseball officials said the importance of Thursday’s announcement was to put “a system in place,” with the goal being to implement more effective testing as it develops. Currently, there is no certified urine test to effectively detect HGH.
Anti-doping experts such as Los Angeles scientist Don Catlin assess that the test to be first used by baseball will probably generate a positive result only if an athlete has used the substance within 24 hours of providing the blood sample.
“I wish I didn’t have to be so skeptical,” Catlin said. “I don’t have great expectations for it, but it’s all we have right now.”
Authorities in England are working to finalize developments on another HGH test that Catlin said will be able to establish use three or four weeks before the sample being taken.
“Right now, the window [between use and providing a sample] is narrow, but this is not likely to be the last test we use,” said Gary Green, Major League Baseball’s medical director.
Source: Los Angeles Times
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