"Don't Line Up"... KB Insurance, First in Finance Sector to Launch 'Mask Notifier' Service (Comprehensive)

Provided in webpage format since the 12th

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] KB Insurance has launched the first public mask inquiry service in the financial sector. Amid the ongoing lines for masks due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), this digital service introduced by the insurance industry rather than the IT sector is attracting attention.

According to KB Insurance on the 16th, since the 12th, it has been providing the 'KB Insurance Public Mask Notifier' service in the form of a self-developed webpage. This came just a day and a half after the government decided to provide public mask sales data to private companies and others.

The mask stock status by pharmacy is displayed as 'Out of Stock (gray)', 'Less than 30 (red)', '30 or more (yellow)', and '100 or more (green)'. The strength of this service is the faster speed of stock inquiry compared to other services. Functions other than stock inquiry are excluded so that customers can check mask stock in the shortest time possible.

Earlier, government ministries including the Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 10th at 7 p.m. that, in cooperation with the National Information Society Agency and the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, they would disclose locations selling public masks and sales volume information via an open API (Application Programming Interface). Accordingly, major portals such as Naver and Daum, as well as private web and app developers like Goodoc, WearMask, and Mask Notifier, are providing mask stock status services.

KB Insurance utilized its digital capabilities to develop the public mask notifier service for the first time in the insurance industry. This is to support overcoming COVID-19 and to provide convenience services to its customers. It is a webpage format that can be used without installing a separate application. Basically, it is disseminated to KB Insurance employees and customers, but anyone can use it by sharing the address via Band, messenger, etc.

A KB Insurance official said, "By utilizing KB Financial Group's cloud infrastructure, stable service is possible even if usage increases," and added, "We are striving to fulfill our role as a risk management partner for customers in national disaster situations by leveraging our own digital capabilities."

Since early last month, KB Insurance has been offering a six-month premium payment deferral and waiving late fees for customers affected by COVID-19. It is also extending loan periods for loans reaching maturity. Additionally, it has implemented support measures such as installing a 'Mental Stability Room' for 119 paramedics responsible for transporting suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, and is participating in the Good Landlord Movement for small business owners and SMEs. Regarding call centers, which have emerged as hotspots for cluster infections, measures have also been prepared. Call center employees are working in dispersed and remote work arrangements, and countermeasures for call center closures have been prepared.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.