Internet use and insurance growth: evidence from a panel of OECD countries

Abstract

This empirical study aimed to investigate the effect of internet use on the demand for insurance using a sample of OECD countries during the period from 2007 to 2017. We employed a battery of panel data models, taking into account various unusual patterns, such as heterogeneity. This study contributes to the technological innovations and communication literature at different stages of the provision and development of life and non-life insurance activities. The empirical results show that internet use positively affects non-life insurance activities. This finding is well recognised by several estimated static and dynamic panel models. Conversely, the empirical investigation revealed no global impact of internet use on the demand for life insurance. Lastly, an assessment of traditional life insurance models demonstrated significant impacts of several socio-economic variables on the life insurance line of business.