InsTech - insurance & innovation with Matthew Grant & Robin Merttens

Dr Avi Baruch, Allison Whittington, and Mark Murphy discuss flood risk management with Previsico, highlighting the importance of early warning systems, collaboration with clients like Zurich Municipal and Donaldson Timber, insurance's role in resilience building, and operational challenges in mitigating flood risks. They explore sustainability, ESG commitments, and proactive strategies for managing floods effectively.

Groundwater flooding poses a great risk to properties in the UK but remains much less widely modelled than other types of flooding.  This week, Matthew Grant caught up with Mark Fermor at GeoSmart, a company specializing in flood data analytics in the UK. They discuss GeoSmart's role in providing detailed flood risk assessments, leveraging their advanced modelling tools that cover all sources of flooding and how they are helping other organisations access and understand open-source data. Key talking points: Discovering the hidden cause of flood risk What problems are GeoSmart helping insurers to solve Different ways to experience a flood The issue of groundwater beyond the UK Open-source data - how GeoSmart can help If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. To find out more about InsTech, our membership and offerings visit www.instech.co or contact us hello@instech.co Continuing Professional Development This InsTech Podcast Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme. By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives: Describe what groundwater is and why it is an important factor to model to understand flooding Explain how open-source data can help the insurance industry understand risk better Summarise what flood models are and how GeoSmart produces their models 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 294 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co 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.

PwC’s Chris Temple and Christine Brogan join Matthew Grant to discuss transformation in insurance, specifically steering organizations towards achieving their ESG goals.  The conversation covers the role of technology and AI in driving change in insurance as well as building resilient business models for the future. This episode is a great introduction to how ESG operates in the financial sector and how transformation in insurance is made possible through collaboration. Key talking points: Understanding ESG - what are the main priorities business need to consider to be successful in the future Transforming insurance - how AI can help The importance of strategy driven by data How the Life Insurance sector got it right Balancing commercial gain with progress Defining “baseline” - current carbon output The biggest driver of innovation is regulation FSTE 100 and sustainability Our upcoming Investor Networking event sponsored by PwC For more information, please see the following PwC reports: PwC UK 2024 Energy Survey Hold your nerve to maintain momentum: our 2024 actions for sustainability leaders Sustainability Reporting in 2024 Banana Skins Survey Report If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. To find out more about InsTech, our membership and offerings visit www.instech.co or contact us hello@instech.co Continuing Professional Development This InsTech Podcast Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme. By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives: Describe how generative AI can help implement ESG measures in insurance Specify what is meant by ESG and its role in insurance Summarise what companies can do to become Net Zero in the future 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 293 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co 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 podcast delves into the 'decision economy' and how Indico Data's generative AI solution is transforming decision-making in the insurance industry. Topics include the founding of Indico Data, navigating the AI hype cycle, the importance of generative AI as a language, the role of data in commercial insurance, and the company's entry into the UK market with some football anecdotes.

Arturo is a property intelligence company which combines multispectral imagery, geographic data and customer portfolio insights with machine learning models in a single platform. A lot has developed in property intelligence since we last spoke to Arturo on the podcast. Matthew Grant caught up with CEO Marty Smuin about how generative AI is adding a new dimension to property analysis. Arturo knows that it is expensive to be wrong in insurance. Find out how Arturo is aiming to tackle relying on outdated public records, incomplete tax assessor data and more in this episode. Key talking points include: Using third-party data to reveal greater insights Driving innovation - Smuin’s background in technology Partnering with Suncorp in Australia  The power of high-resolution data in underwriting property - how Arturo is tapping into new sources of data The impact of generative AI on property risk assessment For more information on Arturo and how they can help, you find more information about the platform here and reach out to book a demo here. If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. To find out more about InsTech, our membership and offerings visit www.instech.co or contact us hello@instech.co Continuing Professional Development This InsTech Podcast Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme. By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives: Describe the methods Arturo uses to make property intelligence more accurate to improve the claims process Specify how changing climate and weather patterns have a direct effect on property analysis Identify ways in which generative AI is developing and innovating property risk assessments 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 291 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co 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.

Robin Merttens is joined by CEO and President of Verisk Specialty Business Solutions (VSBS), Tim Rayner. The discussion covers VSBS’s acquisitions such as Rulebook and Whitespace for a broader digital ecosystem, and the challenges of decision-making and procurement in the London market.  Key talking point: Growth and opportunities in the specialty market Acquisitions and the role of Whitespace and Rulebook The impact of London Market modernisation on Verisk The importance of providing solutions rather than products A challenge to the market to innovate 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. To find out more about InsTech, our membership and offerings visit www.instech.co or contact us hello@instech.co Continuing Professional Development This InsTech Podcast Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme. By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives: Describe how the London Market operates and how it can subsequently modernise its processes Explain what an acquisition is and why they are important for a company Identify the opportunities for change in the specialty market 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 290 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co 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.

Since its start in 2001, the insurance platform provider Guidewire has grown to be used by more than 540 insurers in 40 countries. Guidewire's President and Chief Revenue Officer, John Mullen, spoke to Matthew Grant about the company's journey as it continues to grow, the climate of the insurance industry and what are the driving forces of innovation in the company. Key talking points: Why standardisation of critical functions is important in the upcoming year How insurers can find ways of being innovative Collaboration - working with other corporates The value of experimentation Supporting InsTech’s New York Event in March 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. To find out more about InsTech, our membership and offerings visit www.instech.co or contact us hello@instech.co Continuing Professional Development This InsTech Podcast Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme. By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives: Specify how community and collaboration can help generate innovation in insurance Identify the ways insurance can develop and change in the future Summarise the role of technology in insurance  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 289 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co 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.

In this mid-week special, Matthew Grant speaks to Adrian Coupland at Earnix, a software provider to global insurers and banks. They discuss how the nature of risk in the insurance industry is rapidly changing, presenting new challenges in areas like motor pricing and supply chain management. The podcast ends with a discussion about Earnix's new product 'Underwrite-It' aimed at changing the underwriting process. Key talking points: What challenges are Earnix solving for the insurance industry Changes to the auto insurance sector - increasing repair costs and the impact of pricing regulation Underwrite-ItTM - an automated underwriting platform 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. To find out more about InsTech, our membership and offerings visit www.instech.co or contact us hello@instech.co Continuing Professional Development This InsTech Podcast Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme. By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives: Describe reasons for challenges in the motor insurance industry Explain the role of technology in enabling business users to make pricing changes quickly. Identify the impact of regulatory reforms on insurance pricing 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 288 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co 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.

After the popularity of our first episode, InsTech is back with another analysis of what happened in insurance in the past month.  If you are curious to know what is going on behind the news items you read about in insurance or technology - we’re bringing together experts, founders, insurers and some well know figures to tell us the news items that are capturing their attention – and why. Matthew Grant CEO of InsTech is once again joined by Nigel Walsh, Managing Director, Insurance, Google Cloud US, alongside Martha Notaras, Managing Partner at Brewer Lane Ventures and Charlotte Halkett, Senior Consultant at Milliman.  In addition to this week’s discussion, we have a special feature with the Co-founder and CEO of hyperexponential ​Amrit Santhirasenan as he discusses with Matthew the completion of their Series B funding round.  The news we’re discussing this week: Raising $73 million USD: record funding for hyperexponential in Series B Kicking up a storm - how is property insurance changing as a result of climate change Cargo and geopolitics - how marine insurance is affected by political instability across the world If you like what you're hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. In collaboration with Google Cloud, InsTech is hosting an event in New York. We are calling all US insurers, Brokers, and MGAs to join us and discuss the future of underwriting. Supported by Cytora, hyperexponential, Guidewire and Kroll, register now. Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning. To find out more about InsTech, our membership and offerings visit www.instech.co or contact us hello@instech.co Continuing Professional Development This InsTech Podcast Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme. By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives: Specify how insurance technology companies secure funding from investors and venture capital firms Explain how insurance can help provide solutions for circumstantially difficult events Identify how geopolitical crises can affect cargo and transportation 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 287 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co 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.

In this episode, Matthew Grant sits down with Sarah Woolliscroft, Group Head of Operations & TPA and Wayne Calderbank, Group Data and Performance Director at Claims Consortium Group (CCG) for an exploration of the importance of technology in the claims industry and CCG's journey into the world of artificial intelligence. Synergy originated as a solution developed internally by CCG to enhance its claims management processes but has evolved since its launch into a platform that streamlines the claims handling process to support customer service and business performance. Key Talking Points Include: The role of technology in the claims industry The significance of passion and shared goals within an organisation How measurable goals and targets within a platform can add value The benefit of understanding the nuances of customer communication Where Synergy is focusing its AI efforts next 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. To find out more about InsTech, our membership and offerings visit www.instech.co or contact us hello@instech.co Continuing Professional Development This InsTech Podcast Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme. By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives: Describe how technology continues to shape and improve the claims management process Outline how generative AI can be leveraged to analyse customer sentiment Identify the significance of measurable goals and shared passion within an organisation in achieving business targets 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 286 page of the InsTech website or email cpd@instech.co 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.