How low code is transforming app development in insurance

The insurance industry has long been weighed down by legacy systems, complex processes and regulatory pressure. For many insurers, innovation has meant patching old systems or outsourcing to large enterprise vendors. But that model is changing.

Low-code development platforms are now enabling insurers to build secure, modern applications faster and with less risk.

At Kiandra, we see this shift first-hand. Across the Australian insurance sector, low-code is helping organisations modernise core systems, improve customer experiences and respond faster to market demands.

Why low-code fits insurance

Insurance technology environments are traditionally complex. Core systems for policy, claims and underwriting are often decades old, tightly coupled and difficult to modify. Integrations are costly and slow, and small changes can take months to implement.

Low-code platforms such as OutSystems offer a way forward. They allow teams to build new capabilities around existing systems, extend functionality, and gradually modernise without the risk of a full system replacement. OutSystems, for example, enables insurers to create customer and agent portals that connect to legacy cores while maintaining a modern interface and workflow.

This approach is proving valuable for insurers seeking to improve speed, flexibility and cost-efficiency without compromising reliability.

Faster delivery, lower risk

Speed to market matters more than ever. Customers expect digital experiences that are quick, personal and available on any device. Regulatory requirements also change often, forcing insurers to adjust business logic and reporting at short notice.

Low-code supports that pace. With visual development, reusable components and built-in connectors, development teams can deliver in weeks what once took months. According to OutSystems, insurers using low-code can evolve user-friendly applications without replacing their core systems, dramatically shortening delivery cycles.

In our experience, low-code also reduces delivery risk. Security, authentication and compliance features are handled by the platform, allowing teams to focus on business outcomes rather than low-level code. This makes it easier to adapt and maintain applications long term.

A local example: building a smarter underwriting platform

Kiandra recently worked with a major Australian insurer to deliver a modern underwriting platform using OutSystems.

Previously, underwriting processes were largely manual and data validation required multiple handoffs between departments. By applying low-code principles, we built a configurable, rules-driven system that automates approvals and allows business users to manage product changes themselves.

The outcome was measurable: processes that once took eight hours can now be completed in around 30 minutes, and business rule changes are implemented up to sixteen times faster.

It is a clear example of how low-code can modernise critical insurance workflows without starting from scratch.

Key benefits of low-code in insurance

• Speed: Rapid visual development and reusable components reduce build time
• ‍Integration: Connects easily with legacy policy and claims systems
• ‍Scalability: Applications evolve as business needs change
• ‍Security: Enterprise-grade security and governance built in
• ‍Collaboration: Business and IT teams work from the same platform.

These advantages make low-code particularly suited to insurers balancing innovation with compliance.

What to watch out for

While low-code offers speed and agility, success still depends on governance and design discipline. Without standards, low-code environments can grow messy and inconsistent.

At Kiandra, we address this by applying established architecture patterns, security frameworks and quality assurance processes to every project. That structure ensures scalability, maintainability and compliance across all applications.

Low-code works best when combined with strong delivery practices and a clear digital strategy.

The way forward

Low-code is not about replacing core insurance systems. It is about extending and improving them, giving organisations the flexibility to modernise at their own pace.

For Australian insurers, the opportunity is clear: use low-code to deliver customer-focused, data-driven and secure digital experiences faster than ever before.

Kiandra helps insurers design and deliver those outcomes. With proven expertise in OutSystems and custom software development, we partner with organisations to build solutions that modernise operations and create long-term value.