This report reviews and ranks the new business and underwriting vendor systems actively being used by life insurers in North America. It uses Celent's ABCD Vendor View to rank vendors in four dimensions: Advanced technology, Breadth of Functionality, Customer base, and Depth of client services. Companion reports will be written in EMEA, LATAM, and APAC.

Updating an antiquated application and underwriting process is one way life insurers can help their top and bottom lines. Implementing technology that automates the new business and underwriting functions can help an insurer achieve a level of straight-through processing (STP) for new business and underwriting and reduce unit costs and improve margins. Celent believes that these initiatives are necessary to help the insurers address growth, service, and distribution mandates and reduce the cost per policy issued.