Research Center

Projects

The latest addition to our summer program, innovationRED, serves as an incubator for research, technology, and business innovation. The work crosses multiple State Farm departments, creating an inspired blend of business and technical disciplines.

From summer and academic year internships, to our Modeling and Analytics Graduate Network (MAGNet), the work we do at the Research Center holds real value for our business.

• Tablet PC application development

  State Farm is always interested in improving the effectiveness of mobile workers. The Systems (IT) Engineering area led an effort at the Research Center that looked at simple conversions of applications to tablet PC technology. That research revealed that more work was needed to identify best practices for developing our tablet PC applications. After extensive online research, and discussions with end users and software companies, a prototype was created that demonstrated some of the key points learned.

  An intern continues to research practices for making more efficient tablet PC applications, and will create a full conceptual prototype of an existing application utilized by mobile workers. Feedback on the prototype will further refine the recommendations for integration of such applications for State Farm's mobile workforce.

• Auto ratemaking analysis

  The Property and Casualty Actuarial Department sought the help of the Research Center and its actuarial interns to help analyze geographic ratemaking techniques used for auto insurance. Results of the analysis were used to help create changes incorporated into a rate filing with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. The Florida filing was approved and the new geographic structure implemented into auto insurance rates there.

• Modular housing project

  The Building Technology Research division of Strategic Resources conducted a project at the Research Center focused on better understanding the modular housing market. The purpose of the study was to expand knowledge of the modular home market and determine what drivers are involved in this housing sector. Through primary and secondary research, literature review, and other research methods, the following questions were answered:

  • Where are modular manufacturers predominantly located?
  • Where are modular homes predominantly located?
  • Where is the modular home market share coming from?
  • Who buys modular homes?
  • How much does an average modular home cost?
  • Do modular homeowners face challenges with insurance?
  • How might a State Farm agent differentiate between a stick-built home and a modular home (and does it matter)?
  • What's the future outlook for the modular housing market?