This document discusses how big data and social media can be useful for insurance companies. It provides two case studies of how insurers can use social media data: (1) to better assess health risks of applicants by checking their social media, and (2) to help with disaster damage assessments by identifying affected areas and tracking social sentiment during natural disasters. The document emphasizes that insurers need the right people, technology, data, leadership, and problems to focus on to successfully utilize big data.