InsTech - insurance & innovation with Matthew Grant & Robin Merttens

Neil Eckert is a serial entrepreneur and pioneer in many areas of insurance and beyond. He was an early advocate for the benefits of digital innovation and had the vision to predict the need for companies to manage their exposure to carbon almost 20 years ago. Neil joins Robin to discuss how the insurance industry has changed throughout his career, how to recognise and respond to new opportunities in the climate space and his current work as Chairman of IncubEx and Conduit Re. Talking points include: Why the insurance industry is so reluctant to be truly digital Why he believes insurance is inextricably linked with climate change The genesis of IncubEx as an iteration of a carbon trading platform The role of carbon credits for insurers Where the next big opportunity in insurance lies Matthew's article, 'Data Disasters and Career Limiting Catastrophes' is available to read on LinkedIn. If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning. Continuing Professional Development - Learning Objectives InsTech is accredited by The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening to any InsTech podcast or reading the accompanying transcript, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards the CII member CPD scheme. The Learning Objectives for this podcast are: Summarise the benefits and barriers to implementing digital operations within insurance practices Explain the relevance of carbon emissions and carbon trading to the insurance industry List some of the potential opportunities available for insurers within the climate space If your organisation is a member of InsTech and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 191 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.london to let us know you have listened to this podcast. To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.

Zesty.ai uses aerial imagery and artificial intelligence to assess the potential impacts of wildfires and other climate-related events on individual properties. Kumar Dhuvur, Co-founder and Head of Product, joined Matthew to discuss how the company helps insurers to understand climate risks and how personal experiences of wildfires in California led to the creation of Zesty.ai’s wildfire risk insights. Talking points include: The data sources being used to build risk models The benefits of assessing risk on the property level Using visual tools to help underwriters investigate property risks How Zesty.ai keeps up to date with structural changes to properties Making claims processing less wasteful You can get more information on the InsTech member profile page for Zesty.ai. If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. More information on our next event, Making Payments Pay: Making the Most of Payments Technologies, is available from our Events section. Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning. Continuing Professional Development - Learning Objectives InsTech is accredited by The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening to any InsTech podcast or reading the accompanying transcript, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards the CII member CPD scheme. The Learning Objectives for this podcast are: Describe how data and models are being implemented within the insurance industry to help mitigate climate risks  List some of the visual tools available for underwriters to assess property risk, explaining their benefits Summarise the ways in which insurers can allocate resources more efficiently when processing claims If your organisation is a member of InsTech and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 190 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.london to let us know you have listened to this podcast. To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.

Garrett Koehn is President at CRC Brokerage, and he is also an active investor, mentor and forward thinker on topics such as crypto, cyber and parametric. He joins Matthew to discuss the emerging trends in risk, investment and insurance. We find out about wholesale broking and the appetite of traditional markets for new risks. Companies discussed include Ensuro, AgentSync, Zenefits, Evertas, Stere.io, Beazley, and Lloyd's. CRC Group is one of the largest wholesale insurance distributors in the US. Its insurance offerings and practice groups include commercial property, casualty, professional lines, construction, energy, healthcare and hospitality. Talking points include:  How companies are valued and the problems of overvaluation The role of cryptocurrencies in investment and insurance Finding new asset classes to insure The impact of climate change regulation, reporting requirements and opportunities arising from the changes You can get more information on the InsTech member profile page for CRC Group. If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. More information on the InsTech event, Making Payments Pay: Making the Most of Payments Technologies, is available on our website.  Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning. Continuing Professional Development - Learning Objectives InsTech is accredited by The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening to any InsTech podcast or reading the accompanying transcript, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards the CII member CPD scheme. The Learning Objectives for this podcast are: Define the role of wholesale insurance brokers in the relationship between clients, brokers and insurance companies Identify what investors and insurers need to consider when navigating around cryptocurrency market trends List some of the opportunities arising within the insurance industry due to climate change regulation updates If your organisation is a member of InsTech and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 189 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.london to let us know you have listened to this podcast. To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.  

Elizabeth Jenkin is the CEO of Nimbla, Co-founder of the women's network "Lift as you Climb" and is on the boards of Gallagher, Fidelis and the Women's Football Association. She joins Robin to discuss why she left her 20-year career as a broker with Aon and RFIB to join a start-up, how brokers and insurers differ and the importance of curiosity.  Talking points include:  The importance of the voice of the customer Factors that enable a company to scale effectively Embedded insurance What a good partner looks like Their 5-year tie-up with Accelerant Taking inspiration from role models and mentors You can also get more information on the InsTech member profile page for Nimbla. If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning. Continuing Professional Development - Learning Objectives InsTech is accredited by The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening to any InsTech podcast or reading the accompanying transcript, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards the CII member CPD scheme. The Learning Objectives for this podcast are: Summarise the relationship between brokers and insurers, and some key differences in their practices Identify the factors a company needs to consider when looking to scale its business in the insurance industry Describe how companies can collaborate effectively with customers to enhance the quality of their offering If your organisation is a member of InsTech and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 188 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.london to let us know you have listened to this podcast. To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.  

Send Technology is a software company founded in 2017 that has developed a connected workbench that enables insurers, brokers and MGAs to automate, streamline and optimise its operations. It has recently entered its scale-up phase and secured major clients such as Renaissance Reinsurance and Bowhead Specialty. Send Technology’s Co-founder and CEO, Ben Huckel, joined Matthew to talk about the importance of companies using the right technology, the benefits of leading with a service rather than a product and the advantages of providing a software service that is tailored to clients’ needs. Talking points include:  What Ben has learned from implementing major systems for insurers in the past How the cloud-based commercial insurance platform, Send Connect, has evolved to prioritise integration, adoption and speed and what this means for underwriters The importance of flexibility in software and how it provides insurers with resilience against dynamic markets The role of low code and no code tools How Send Technology plans to incorporate additional functionality such as integrated pricing doctrines and delegated authority to its Underwriting Workbench to support pre and post buying businesses You can find the demo discussed in the episode here. If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning. Continuing Professional Development - Learning Objectives InsTech London is accredited by The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening to any InsTech London podcast or reading the accompanying transcript, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards the CII member CPD scheme. The Learning Objectives for this podcast are: Define some of the functions of modern underwriting technology and their advantages for underwriters Identify the specific considerations a company needs to make when looking to select new insurance technology Summarise how insurers can prepare for the challenges of dynamic markets through the implementation of software If your organisation is a member of InsTech London and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 187 page of the InsTech London website or email cpd@instech.london to let us know you have listened to this podcast. To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.

Arturo delivers on-demand property data using multi-source imagery and provides AI insights for damage assessment after a catastrophic event. John-Isaac "JC" Clark, the CEO of Arturo, speaks to Matthew about how Arturo's information is used. They cover how satellites collect data, what underwriters are doing with it and how he expects this to evolve as innovation progresses. Talking points include: How American Family is producing a technology company from its innovation team The sourcing and accuracy of information used in the lifecycle of an insurance policy What data do satellite and aerial images capture and how they are used to produce insights Use cases of drones and aircraft in the property and casualty markets Examples of who they partner with and why How insurers in the US, Australia and Japan are using Arturo's data If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning. Continuing Professional Development - Learning Objectives InsTech London is accredited by The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening to any InsTech London podcast or reading the accompanying transcript, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards the CII member CPD scheme. The Learning Objectives for this podcast are: Summarise how insurers source the relevant information for insurance policies Describe how satellite and aerial images capture data, and how underwriters use the insights this data produces List some cases of drone and aircraft use in damage assessment, and the advantages for the property and casualty markets If your organisation is a member of InsTech London and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 186 page of the InsTech London website or email cpd@instech.london to let us know you have listened to this podcast. To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.

Traditional insurers’ minimum premiums, small transactions and subsequent inability to absorb clients’ portfolio volatility leave MGAs vulnerable. Accelerant provides insurance capacity, technology and investment for MGAs in property and casualty insurance. Jeff Radke, Co-founder and CEO of Accelerant, speaks to Matthew about the role of Accelerant in championing the latest technology and supporting individuals. They cover the support MGAs get from being members of Accelerant and address the problems that specialty commercial underwriters face and how to tackle them. They also discuss how to handle a remote, global business in the age of working from home and the war for talent. Talking points include: What MGAs should focus on when building capacity The benefits to MGAs of being a member of a company that has a large, diverse portfolio as opposed to a traditional, monolithic insurance company The growth potential of intermittent and embedded coverage The power of algorithmic underwriting and the prerequisites to make it work How different brokers are evolving and their willingness and ability to handle new technology The importance of energy, enthusiasm and experience in Accelerant’s business model Emerging threats of inflation and what pushing higher deductibles back to policyholders could mean for insurers If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning. Continuing Professional Development - Learning Objectives InsTech London is accredited by The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening to any InsTech London podcast or reading the accompanying transcript, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards the CII member CPD scheme. The Learning Objectives for this podcast are: List the benefits a company with a diverse portfolio has over traditional insurers, and why these would be advantageous to MGAs Describe the ways in which technology is advancing traditional insurance processes (such as algorithmic underwriting) Summarise how insurers can prepare for the rising threats of inflation and the impact this will have on policyholders If your organisation is a member of InsTech London and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 185 page of the InsTech London website or email cpd@instech.london to let us know you have listened to this podcast. To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.

PitchBook is a financial data and software company that provides insights on private and public markets to help clients better evaluate opportunities. Robert Le, a Fintech Analyst at PitchBook, talks about how it gathers, defines and categorises different sources of information in its databases. He reviews what public market investors expect from insurtech and established technology companies and discusses the insurance areas where he is seeing opportunities emerge. Talking points include: How investors rate risk-taking entities (MGAs and insurers) compared to technology companies licensing products The potential opportunities to assess cyber insurance risk Recent developments in pet insurance, including marketing trends, social changes following Covid-19 and recent technological advancements in the area Use cases today for blockchain in insurance Some companies Robert has been following As a special offer to friends of the InsTech London podcast, PitchBook is offering a preview of their 2021 Annual Insurtech Report. If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning. Continuing Professional Development - Learning Objectives InsTech London is accredited by The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening to any InsTech London podcast or reading the accompanying transcript, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards the CII member CPD scheme. The Learning Objectives for this podcast are: Describe the ways in which insurtech companies can appeal to public market investors Identify some of the emerging opportunities within insurance such as cyber insurance risk Summarise how the pet insurance market has developed as a result of recent social and technological changes If your organisation is a member of InsTech London and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 184 page of the InsTech London website or email cpd@instech.london to let us know you have listened to this podcast. To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.

While weather-related catastrophic events are on the rise, insurance policies and federal aid are still inaccessible for many globally. Jonathan Gonzalez is the CEO and co-founder of Raincoat, a platform to support insurers in the development and distribution of parametric insurance solutions for consumers in at-risk countries and regions. He joins Matthew on Podcast 183 to explain how scalable parametric insurance products are helping to reduce the protection gap, Raincoat’s consumer-focused approach, and tailoring solutions to tackle relevant climate risks in different areas of the world. Talking points include: How Hurricane Maria inspired Jonathan to launch a company How he used his software background to build Raincoat What is needed to successfully collaborate with insurers  The indices used to measure perils and how various data sources are handled  The importance of regulation in the application of parametric insurance You can get more information about Raincoat on the company’s InsTech London member profile page. If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning. Continuing Professional Development - Learning Objectives InsTech London is accredited by The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening to any InsTech London podcast or reading the accompanying transcript, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards the CII member CPD scheme. The Learning Objectives for this podcast are: Summarise what the protection gap is and the role of parametric insurance products in reducing this Understand how various indices and data sources are used to measure risk List some of the relevant climate risks in different areas of the world and some solutions to mitigate against these If your organisation is a member of InsTech London and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 183 page of the InsTech London website or email cpd@instech.london to let us know you have listened to this podcast. To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.

The healthcare industry has faced monumental changes over the past two years, with the pandemic affecting both the provision of services and consumer behaviour. Increased demand and Covid-19 lockdowns led to the acceleration of digital health technology, which in turn is now presenting fresh challenges and opportunities for insurers. Robin talks to Joan Cuscó, Global Head of Transformation at MAPFRE, and Nicolas Monsarrat, Managing Director, Strategy & Consulting, Digital Health Europe Lead at Accenture, about the digital health landscape in 2022 and what it means for the insurance industry. Talking points include: Transitioning to digital - insights from the UK, US, France and Germany Providing more value from personalised health data The role of blockchain in building trust Using digital twins to model and learn Why ecosystems and partnerships are the way ahead More information on MAPFRE’s insur_space accelerator programme is available at insur_space.com. You can also get more information about MAPFRE from the company’s InsTech London member profile page. The 2021 Accenture Health and Life Sciences Experience Survey mentioned in the podcast can be downloaded from accenture.com. If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn.  Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning. Continuing Professional Development - Learning Objectives InsTech London is accredited by The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening to any InsTech London podcast or reading the accompanying transcript, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards the CII member CPD scheme. The Learning Objectives for this podcast are: Outline how to transition to digital and the value of personalised health data Define what a digital twin is and how it can increase efficiency Describe the potential future of health insurance and its important elements If your organisation is a member of InsTech London and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 182 page of the InsTech London website or email cpd@instech.london to let us know you have listened to this podcast. To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.