

FNO: InsureTech
Alacrity Solutions
A podcast that interviews leaders from insuretech and insurance to get up-to-date ideas and perspectives on how technology is disrupting and transforming the industry. We bring stories, trends, and useful insights to our audience from carriers, insuretechs, service providers, and various industry groups.
New episodes feature people who are on the forefront of inventing, using, developing, or transforming the insurance world through applied technology.
FNO: InsureTech is created and produced by Alacrity Solutions.
New episodes feature people who are on the forefront of inventing, using, developing, or transforming the insurance world through applied technology.
FNO: InsureTech is created and produced by Alacrity Solutions.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 24, 2021 • 36min
Ep 146 – Fetch CEO & Founder, Trace Meek
On this episode of FNO: InsureTech, Rob and Lee talk with Trace Meek, CEO & Founder of Fetch. Fetch is a web-based software platform that allows insurance brokers to quickly, easily research underwriting for a given insurance risk in under 30 seconds, saving time & money for all involved. Fetch Insight has the homeowner data you need to assess risk and power underwriting, making more informed decisions — today. Join Trace, Rob and Lee as they discuss: what led to the founding of Fetch empowering underwriters and agents, and what Fetch offers the future roadmap of Fetch, and more.

Sep 17, 2021 • 41min
Ep 145 – State Auto Insurance VP, Auto & Property Claims, Josh Thompson
On this episode of FNO: InsureTech, Rob talks with Josh Thompson, VP, Auto & Property Claims at State Auto Insurance (State Auto). With a 100-year history and pledge of providing reasonable rates with prompt and fair claim service, State Auto continues to develop products and services to handle claims for both auto and property insurance customers. Co-Host Rob Beller had the opportunity to visit the headquarters of State Auto in Columbus, Ohio and talk with our guest for today. Join Josh and Rob as they discuss: Josh’s role as VP of Claims, and his “classical training” in insurance traditional insurance and the push forward via innovation the innovation process at State Auto the innovative tools leveraged at State Auto, and more.

Sep 10, 2021 • 35min
Ep 144 – SafeAuto President & CEO, Ron Davies
On this episode of FNO: InsureTech, Lee talks with Ron Davies, President & CEO of SafeAuto Insurance Group (SafeAuto). SafeAuto is a leading provider of affordable state minimum coverage since its founding in 1993. From humble beginnings in a small, one room office downtown to a full office building near Easton Town Center, SafeAuto has always been proud to call Columbus, Ohio home. With an unwavering entrepreneurial spirit and the idea that everybody has the right to have insurance, they now provide options in 28 states for drivers who are looking to save hard-earned dollars. SafeAuto offers flexible payment plans, immediate coverage, and around-the-clock customer service through the phone and web. Join Ron and Lee as they discuss: SafeAuto and their operations during the pandemic the recent news of being acquired by Allstate the partnership with Hugo and the pay-as-you-go insurance model outlooks on insuretech, and more.

Sep 4, 2021 • 39min
Ep 143 – Accelerant CEO & Co-Founder Jeff Radke
On this episode of FNO: InsureTech, we talk with Jeff Radke, CEO & Co-Founder of Accelerant. Accelerant was founded and is led by a team of insurance industry veterans who understand the challenges of MGAs and PAs. They partner with their members, exclusively with MGAs and Program Admins to help them grow, and only succeed when they succeed as well. With transparency and collaboration at the core of their values, they’ve built a firm that leverages technology and innovation to deliver. Join Jeff, Rob, and Lee as they discuss: what is Accelerant and what do they do. the importance of transparency when collaborating with partners. Jeff’s view of insuretech and its evolution. how Jeff ended up in San Antonio, Texas, and much more.

Aug 27, 2021 • 34min
Ep 142 – Farmers Insurance Senior Product Innovation Manager, Daniel Khurgin, and SimpliSafe Head of Partnerships, Matt Wolf
On this episode of FNO: InsureTech, we talk with two prominent companies that have partnered together to empower insureds and to provide safety and security. We talk with Daniel Khurgin, Senior Product Innovation Manager at Farmers Insurance, and Matt Wolf, Head of Partnerships at SimpliSafe. Join Lee as he learns more about this strategic collaboration that aims to help lessen home damages and generate savings on homeowners’ policies. Join Daniel, Matt, and Lee as they discuss: a little background info about Farmers and SimpliSafe. the new partnership between the two and the implications from it. embracing and leveraging innovation and partnerships, and more.

Aug 20, 2021 • 1h
Ep 141 – From The Vault: Hippo Insurance Co-Founder & CEO, Assaf Wand
On this episode of FNO: InsureTech, we bring back one of our favorite and most popular episodes, featuring Hippo Insurance Co-Founder & CEO, Assaf Wand. With Hippo Insurance (Hippo) making its NYSE debut a few weeks ago, we’re re-releasing our 2020 interview with Hippo’s Co-Founder & CEO. Founded in 2015, Hippo was founded on the belief that homeowners deserve better insurance. Through leveraging smart-home technology, data and analytics; and many other insuretech innovations, they’ve created an end-to-end home protection and insurance platform. Their goal: creating smarter homeowners insurance. Join Assaf, Rob, and Lee as they discuss: the origins and start of Hippo. taking a proactive approach to insurance. balancing insurance and technology in being an insuretech, and more. (Originally released May 8, 2020)

Aug 13, 2021 • 29min
Ep 140 – LeaseLock Founder & CEO, Derek Merrill
On this episode of FNO: InsureTech, we talk with Derek Merrill, Founder & CEO of LeaseLock. LeaseLock leverages artificial intelligence to eliminate security deposits from enterprise operating infrastructure—powering a faster, simpler, more affordable rental transaction. LeaseLock integrates within the native online leasing checkout process, resulting in significant conversion lift—while instantly generating industry-leading coverage for the property on every lease. Join Derek and Lee as they discuss: what is LeaseLock data utilization and thriving as a data-first company LeaseLock through the pandemic, serial entrepreneurship, and more.

Aug 6, 2021 • 46min
Ep 139 – HOMEE Co-Founder & CRO, Dave Theus
On this episode of FNO: InsureTech, we talk with Dave Theus, Co-Founder & CRO of HOMEE. HOMEE is the leading technology-enabled claims management company connecting policyholders, insurance and warranty companies, and premier pro networks. Leveraging a suite of proprietary software solutions, HOMEE is making the insurance claims process faster and efficient. Join Dave, Rob, and Lee as they discuss: the history and lead up to founding HOMEE. what solutions HOMEE offers to carriers. how HOMEE handled the pandemic, and much more.

Jul 30, 2021 • 42min
Ep 138 – kWh analytics CEO & Founder, Richard Matsui
On this episode of FNO: InsureTech, we talk with Richard Matsui, CEO & Founder of kWh analytics. By leveraging the most comprehensive performance database of solar assets in the United States and the strength of the global insurance markets, kWh Analytics has positioned itself as the insurer for the Energy Transition. Through leveraging their products Solar Revenue Put, HelioStats, and STAR Comps, customers can minimize risk and increase returns of their solar portfolios. Join Richard, Rob, and Lee as they discuss: the origin of kWh analytics. solar risk assessments. how kWh analytics insures solar farms. the current outlook on the solar industry, and much more.

Jul 23, 2021 • 44min
Ep 137 – Snapsheet President & Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Cohen
On this episode of FNO: InsureTech, we talk with Andrew Cohen, President and COO of Snapsheet. FNO: InsureTech continues to learn more about Snapsheet and how they are automating the claims process, leveraging cloud-native management software, technology, and services to drive claims, appraisals, and payments. Join Andrew, Rob, and Lee as they discuss: Snapsheet as pioneers of auto appraisals and claims process. straight-through processing. perspective from an insurance guy gone insuretech, and much more.