FNO: InsureTech

In this episode, we meet Amy Cooper, the dynamic CEO and Founder of RISE®, a professional organization championing the next generation of insurance leaders. As RISE celebrates its eighth anniversary, Amy shares the journey from inception to becoming a global community with nearly 7,000 members across 12 countries. Join us as we discuss the vital role of leadership, mentorship, and education in addressing the insurance industry's talent gap and how RISE® is transforming careers with innovative solutions. Key Highlights: —Discover the origins of RISE® and how it supports rising insurance professionals through leadership and mentorship programs designed to bridge the industry's talent gap. —Learn about the innovative mentorship program by RISE® that pairs individuals cross-functionally to enhance professional growth and development. —Hear how RISE® is altering the traditional image of the insurance industry by utilizing social media and interactive events to attract new talent. —Understand the significance of RISE®'s educational initiatives like the Leadership Summit and Awards Gala, which aim to develop leadership skills at every career stage. —Explore the impact of RISE®'s DEI initiatives, including scholarship programs for underrepresented students aspiring to join the insurance sector. Quotes: —"If I can't find a young professionals group, I guess I'll just start one." – Amy Cooper —"We are the next step for students to get an internship, get a job, get connected, network, and grow their skills." – Amy Cooper —"Insurance really opens you up to that—a global economy." – Amy Cooper

In this episode of the FNO InsureTech Podcast, hosts Rob Beller and Lee Boyd interview Paul Vacquier, the founder and CEO of Beagle Services. Beagle Services is on a mission to tackle the pervasive problem of non-weather water damage claims by leveraging technology and installation services. Paul shares the innovative approach Beagle takes in working with insurance carriers and agents to deploy automatic water shutoff systems, fostering more effective loss prevention. Tune in to discover how Beagle's solutions are setting new standards in risk management and client engagement. Key Highlights: • Paul Vacquier discusses the significance of non-weather water damage, a leading cause of preventable homeowner insurance claims. • Beagle Services serves as a critical last-mile solution, helping install and deploy water shutoff and sensor technologies. • The podcast explores the evolution of insurance technology and Beagle’s role in facilitating technology adoption. • Focus is given to customer touchpoints and how Beagle collaborates with carriers, agencies, and homeowners. • Insight into future trends in the InsureTech space and the pivot from risk mitigation to revenue generation. Quotes: • "Beagle is focused on prevention of non-weather water damage claims. It’s the largest loss cause that's preventable for homeowners insurers." – Paul Vacquier • "Who's going to actually do it? Beagle comes in as the last mile resource to help install and deploy." – Paul Vacquier • "We're seeing ever-increasing requirements for smart valve installations to bind coverage or maintain coverage at renewals." – Paul Vacquier • "Risk mitigation is becoming a revenue generator, enabling carriers to write premium in challenging markets." – Paul Vacquier

In this episode, we traverse three continents to bring you insights from Gadi Benjamini, co-founder and CEO of FireDome, and Gabriel Gross, a member of FireDome's advisory board. As FireDome emerges from stealth mode, Gadi and Gabriel discuss groundbreaking technology aimed at combating wildfires—a pivotal issue exacerbated by climate concerns. Through their innovative fire protection systems, FireDome is set to transform wildfire management and potentially reshape the wildfire insurance landscape. Whether you're an industry insider or concerned citizen, this episode offers a riveting exploration of FireDome's impactful solutions. Key Highlights: FireDome's cutting-edge system is designed to protect assets from wildfires with a focus on strategic fire breaks and suppression. The innovative solution involves a launcher that deploys capsules filled with fire retardant to create barriers and respond to spot fires with extreme precision. Gadi Benjamini explains the detailed technology and the multi-layered approach involving cameras and sensors, aiming to support firefighters. Gabriel Gross provides an insurance industry perspective, addressing insurability challenges in wildfire-prone regions and how FireDome may play a key role. The potential global impact of FireDome's technology is discussed, highlighting its relevance to both private properties and larger-scale applications. Quotes: "FireDome is a system aimed at protecting assets from wildfires—a burning issue, pun intended." – Gadi Benjamini "Reducing actual vulnerability is the first major step into making homes or businesses insurable again." – Gabriel Gross "There's no silver bullet; it's a chain of solutions that must work together, spearheaded by the firefighters." – Gadi Benjamini

In this engaging episode, we sit down with Chaz Perera, CEO and Co-founder of Roots Automation, to uncover the transformative role of AI in the insurance industry. Chaz shares his journey from leading major initiatives at AIG to founding his own company aimed at solving one of the industry's longstanding challenges—unstructured data. Through his insights, listeners gain a deeper understanding of how digital coworkers are reshaping claims and underwriting processes, enhancing efficiency and accuracy. Key Highlights: Chaz Perera discusses the persistent 10% vacancy rate problem in the insurance industry and how Roots Automation addresses it by automating the handling of unstructured data. Insight into the inefficiencies causing over- and underpayment in claims and underwriting, where AI can save substantial costs. The evolution in AI technology, especially large language models, and their application in making unstructured data manageable and actionable. Candid conversation about AI not replacing employees but complementing their work, easing workloads to focus on high-value tasks. Exploration of the challenges and importance of change management when implementing AI solutions in insurance companies. Quotes: "Solving the unstructured data problem across the insurance industry was the genesis of Roots Automation." – Chaz Perera "Digital coworkers are meant to be your favorite colleague, taking off the mundane work from your plate." – Chaz Perera "Core to any change is understanding the motivations of the people that are affected by the change." – Chaz Perera "Progress doesn't happen if there isn't somebody who's backstopping your risk." – Chaz Perera

In this episode, we have a great conversation with Orna Carni, Managing Partner at FinTLV Ventures, a prominent global VC firm focusing on InsureTech. We discuss FinTLV’s role in supporting the Israeli InsureTech ecosystem and dive into the innovative map they’ve created to showcase local ventures. Orna shares her journey from corporate roles in AIG to venture capital, highlighting the industry's evolution and the impact of AI in InsureTech. Tune in to explore the unique dynamics of Israel as a hub for technological advancement. Key Highlights: • Discover FinTLV’s investments in leading InsureTech companies like Hippo and Lemonade. • Learn about the innovative ecosystem map created by FinTLV to navigate Israeli insuretech startups. • An insider’s look at the influence of AI in transforming the insurance landscape. • The transition from traditional corporate roles to venture capitalism and the skills required. • A discussion on the significant rise of Israeli innovation and its global impact. Quotes: • "Insurance is not just about coverage; it's an enabler for many industries." – Orna Carni • "We want to turn insurance from a lose-lose to a win-win by focusing on prevention." – Orna Carni • "AI is not a buzzword anymore—it's a crucial part of the InsureTech industry." – Orna Carni

In this kick-off episode of 2025, hosts Rob Beller and Lee Boyd welcome Matheus Riolfi, CEO and Co-founder of Tint. Matheus takes us into the world of embedded insurance, sharing insights about how Tint facilitates the integration of insurance products into consumer and enterprise platforms. Listeners will gain an understanding of this growing field, the impact it has across various industries, and how it could shape the future of insurance distribution. Key Highlights: The role of embedded insurance in offering tailored customer experiences and new product opportunities. Tint’s position as an orchestrator within the insurance marketplace, connecting brand partners with insurance carriers. An exploration of niche use cases, such as insurance for decentralized finance platforms. How Tint leverages data from partners like Turo to offer smarter, usage-based insurance pricing. Discussion on the growth and scalability of Tint’s modular embedded insurance solutions. Expectations for the future of embedded insurance and its potential transformation of traditional markets. Quotes: "Our vision is that insurance should be a feature and not a standalone product." – Matheus Riolfi "If the data exists, it will do two things for you: a great customer experience and enabling products that couldn't exist before." – Matheus Riolfi "Embedded insurance is really the biggest innovation since insurance was created." – Matheus Riolfi

In this conversation, Rob Beller and Lee interview Jenn Knight, the CTO and co-founder of Agentsync, a technology company focused on streamlining the insurance compliance process. They discuss the company's origins, the role of technology in improving agent onboarding, and the evolving landscape of insurance technology. Jenn shares insights into the challenges faced by agents and carriers, the importance of personal connections in insurance, and the recent growth and fundraising success of Agentsync. Jenn also discusses her journey in fundraising, the importance of maintaining relationships with investors, and the evolving role of AI in the insurance industry. She emphasizes the need for human involvement in insurance processes, even as technology advances. The discussion also touches on the implications of AI for job creation and destruction, and concludes with insights into the future aspirations for Agentsync, focusing on enhancing connectivity and compliance in the insurance space. Key Highlights Jenn Knight discusses the inception of AgentSync and its focus on simplifying regulatory compliance and agent onboarding through technology. Insightful conversations about the evolving role of agents and the company’s commitment to enhancing the agent experience. The impact of artificial intelligence on the insurance industry and how AgentSync is integrating AI into its processes. The challenges and opportunities faced in the current fundraising environment and AgentSync's roadmap for continued growth. Jenn shares her thoughts on the future of insurance technology and AgentSync's vision for a more connected industry ecosystem. Quotes "We started with the premise that technology could help streamline [agent onboarding] and make that ready-to-sell experience meaningfully better in this space." – Jenn Knight "Insurance is so, so personal. And there are aspects that you do not want to get wrong or be left out trying to talk to a chatbot about, frankly." – Jenn Knight "Our goal is to use technology on both sides of the fence to help all the parties streamline that workflow and get access to products." – Jenn Knight

Garret Gray, President of CoreLogic Global Insurance Solutions, joins Rob and Lee on the FNO: InsureTech Podcast to share insights into his industry experience, INTRConnect 2025, and the growing role of A.I. in insurance. He highlights CoreLogic's approach to innovation, collaboration, and addressing industry challenges. Key Highlights: INTRConnect 2025: Garret discusses how the event fosters collaboration among insurance stakeholders. A.I. Integration: Insights into CoreLogic's step-by-step adoption of A.I. for smarter solutions. Industry Challenges: Addressing high-risk regions like California and Florida with data-driven strategies. Strategic Growth: The impact of acquisitions on CoreLogic's market position. Emerging Trends: The use of diverse data sets for better risk assessment and innovations in claims management. Quotes: "Our whole theme this year is Beyond All Limits. It's really about pushing the boundaries of what's possible." – Garret Gray "We all only want carriers to be healthy and profitable, just like we want contractors to be healthy and profitable." – Garret Gray

In this episode of the FNO: InsureTech Podcast, we welcome back a favorite guest, Bob Frady, to discuss his latest venture in the real estate sector with PropertyLens. Bob shares his journey from the sale of Hazard Hub to Guidewire, his brief attempt at retirement, and the innovative new service he is developing for homebuyers. Tune in to discover how this new tool empowers buyers with essential data and guidance, ensuring informed decisions in the complex world of real estate. Key Highlights: Bob Frady discusses his transition from Hazard Hub to launching PropertyLens, a data-driven service for real estate buyers. The episode explores the idea of providing homebuyers with detailed property reports, akin to a "Carfax for homes." Bob emphasizes the importance of preparing buyers with the right questions to ask before purchasing a property. Insights into the significant data collection and reporting process behind Property Lens are shared. The episode highlights the potential impact of empowering consumers with data on the real estate and insurance industries. Quotes: "We're here to arm the buyer with information before they put down their hard-earned money." – Bob Frady "Frequency is where you win the game — find the channel where your customers are." – Bob Frady "It's presenting data as an art form, and that's the art form I've lived in for over a dozen years." – Bob Frady

On this episode, host Rob Beller welcomes Sara Phillips from Great American Insurance Group to discuss her pivotal role in new revenue, strategic acquisitions, and partnerships. Sara delves into how the organization maintains a federated model with 36 divisions, each operating with significant autonomy, while integrating innovative insuretech solutions to drive growth. This episode offers unique insights into navigating strategic investments and partnerships within the insurance industry and beyond. Key Highlights Sara Phillips explains her diverse role involving new revenue streams, strategic acquisitions, and partnerships at Great American Insurance Group. Exploration of Great American's federated model, which includes 36 divisions operating with distinct autonomy. Insights into how the insurance marketplace is adapting to changes in valuation swings and strategic conversations. Discussion on the importance of strategic investments in fostering partnerships with InsureTech companies. Anticipation of the role of AI and generative technology in transforming insurance operations in the coming years. Quotes "Insurance companies should be well positioned to assess young companies and the risk there." – Sara Phillips "The next five years is going to be, especially with AI kind of folded into the mix, a really interesting time." – Sara Phillips