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Bringing together the best technology and innovation for insurance and risk management together from around the world. Podcast hosted by Matthew Grant.
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
What does it take to fundamentally rethink how specialty insurance is traded, structured and scaled?
In this episode, Robin Merttens is joined by Jeff Radke, co-founder and CEO of Accelerant, for a deep dive into the mechanics of a rapidly growing risk exchange that’s quietly reshaping the MGA and MGU landscape. It has been three years since Jeff joined us on the InsTech podcast, and even Accelerant has radically evolved as a business.
This isn’t, however, just another technology story. Jeff shares frank insights on building trust in a data-driven ecosystem, how Accelerant has used AI to make tangible portfolio improvements and why he believes platform-based risk trading will become the dominant model for specialty lines. Unlike many other discussions about AI in insurance, this episode focuses on what’s already working – from subrogation improvements to portfolio optimisation.
There’s also a broader message here: about stepping back to see how much the market has changed and why the next evolution may already be underway…
Key Talking Points
- Building a global risk exchange – how Accelerant connects specialty MGAs and MGUs with capacity through a single, scalable platform
- The value of long-term partnerships – why Accelerant provides five-year capacity commitments and expects transparency in return
- From niche to global – supporting 200+ underwriting teams across 20 countries and over 225 specialty products
- Applying AI where it matters – reducing loss ratios and boosting subrogation with machine learning and large language models
- Cost leadership in a softening market – why expense ratio advantage trumps rate cycles in SME and specialty risks
- Looking ahead – how AI is reshaping roles, workflows and the entire insurance value chain
- The rise of risk exchanges – why specialty insurance is following the same path as bonds, mortgages and equities
- Staying ahead – why Accelerant is focused on evolution, not just competition
If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Robin Merttens on LinkedIn. You can also contact Jeff Radke on LinkedIn to start a conversation!
Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning.
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 a modern risk exchange connects specialty underwriters with capital providers.
- Identify the signs of systemic evolution in the insurance industry that indicate a shift toward platform-based models.
- Define the concept of a two-sided risk exchange and its advantages over traditional capacity 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 348 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.
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
From our Exponential Risk breakout session, to joining us on InsTech podcast - this week we are spotlighting Neena Saith’s valuable discussion on the science of resilience.
Resilience is a familiar term in insurance, often associated with mitigating risk and protecting against natural disasters. But what about resilience at a personal level? How can individuals in high-pressure roles manage stress effectively and maintain their well-being?
In this episode, Matthew Grant brings back Neena Saith, a former colleague and catastrophe risk analyst turned stress and resilience specialist, about the importance of managing personal stress in the workplace. Neena shares her journey from catastrophe modelling to working with individuals and organisations to help them recognise, understand and address stress.
Together, they explore the physical and psychological impacts of stress, how organisations can create a healthier work culture and practical techniques for managing stress in high-pressure environments.
Further resources connected to the conversation:
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- Anxiety Rx by Dr. Russell Kennedy – exploring the mind-body connection in managing anxiety
- When the Body Says No by Dr. Gabor Maté – understanding the link between stress, emotions and physical health
Neena’s website: www.neenashealing.com – for coaching, group programs and corporate workshops - How to Meet Yourself by Dr Nicole LePera - an interactive workbook designed to help every reader uncover their authentic self.
- Connect with Neena on LinkedIn: Neena Saith
Key Talking Points
- The missing conversation in insurance – why workplace stress and personal resilience matter just as much as risk modeling
- Recognising stress cycles – understanding how the body responds to stress and how to complete the stress cycle for recovery
- Mind-body connection – how unresolved stress manifests physically and why mental and physical health cannot be treated separately
- Building awareness – learning to recognize personal stress triggers and early warning signs before they escalate
- Practical techniques – breathing exercises, movement, and micro-breaks to reduce stress and improve resilience
- Organisational responsibility – how companies and managers can support employees by fostering open conversations about stress
- Personal responsibility – setting boundaries, managing workload, and creating habits that support long-term resilience
- Beyond the workplace – the impact of work-related stress on personal relationships and how to navigate it
If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. You can also contact Neena Saith on LinkedIn to start a conversation!
Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning.
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 stress affects both the mind and body and why resilience is essential in high-pressure environments
- Explain the concept of the stress cycle and the importance of completing it for long-term well-being
- List practical techniques for reducing stress in daily work life, including breathing exercises and movement strategies
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 347 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.
Sunday Mar 16, 2025
Sunday Mar 16, 2025
The insurance industry is at an inflection point—legacy processes are still widespread, yet AI and automation are enabling smarter, more efficient workflows. But how do insurers cut through the noise and apply technology in a way that truly transforms their operations?
In this episode, Matthew Grant sits down with Nigel Walsh, newly appointed at ServiceNow, to discuss how AI, digital agents and workflow automation are reshaping insurance. With 500 insurers already using ServiceNow, Nigel shares why he joined, what ServiceNow does beyond IT service management, and how its AI-powered workflows are tackling the industry’s “messy middle.”
Key Talking Points
- AI-driven insurance workflows – how ServiceNow is helping insurers streamline underwriting, claims and customer service beyond traditional IT service management.
- Agentic AI in action – the role of digital agents in automating insurance processes, reducing inefficiencies and enhancing decision-making.
- The changing face of VC funding – why AI is reshaping startup strategies, reducing team sizes and altering investment dynamics.
- Bridging the data gap in catastrophe insurance – lessons from California wildfires and the challenge of accurately assessing risk and rebuilding costs.
- Enhancing claims efficiency with AI – how insurers can leverage automation to improve claims workflows and customer experience.
- Navigating insurance thought leadership – the challenge of cutting through LinkedIn’s noise and building meaningful industry conversations.
- AI adoption in 2025 and beyond – the rise of digital workers, the evolution of enterprise AI and the potential for insurers to orchestrate thousands of agents.
If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. You can also contact Nigel Walsh on LinkedIn to start a conversation!
Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning.
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:
- Explain the evolving role of AI in the insurance industry, including its influence on venture funding and business models.
- Define the challenges insurers face in catastrophe modeling and data accuracy for risk assessment.
- Identify the potential applications of AI-driven orchestration platforms in improving enterprise-wide insurance operations.
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 345 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.
Sunday Mar 09, 2025
Sunday Mar 09, 2025
The automotive industry is undergoing a transformation—electrification, changing ownership models and evolving customer expectations are reshaping the market. But how does insurance fit into this shift?
In this episode, Robin Merttens speaks with Nimeshh Patel, CEO of Wrisk, about how the company is helping major automotive brands embed insurance seamlessly into the car-buying journey.
With a customer-first digital experience, Wrisk enables instant, hassle-free insurance at the point of sale, eliminating outdated manual processes.
The discussion also covers Wrisk’s international expansion, its Series B fundraising and why the company focuses on collaboration rather than disruption in the insurance ecosystem.
Key Talking Points
- Embedded insurance at the point of sale – how Wrisk makes car insurance frictionless for customers
- Why Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEMs) care about insurance – supporting after-sales revenue, finance uptake and customer retention
- Scaling success with global automotive brands – from BMW to Mercedes-Benz, how Wrisk is powering insurance for top manufacturers
- The power of quiet ego – why Wrisk has focused on collaboration rather than disruption
- Expanding beyond the UK – launching a European MGA and the roadmap for international growth
- The Series B strategy – raising funds to scale technology, data capabilities and global operations
- The future of automotive insurance – could Wrisk eventually take on risk itself and build OEM-backed captives?
If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Robin Merttens on LinkedIn. You can also contact Nimeshh Patel on LinkedIn to start a conversation!
Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning.
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 embedded insurance enhances the vehicle purchasing experience by integrating seamless coverage at the point of sale.
- Explain why collaboration between insurers and OEMs is critical to the success of embedded insurance models.
- Define the role of a managing general agent (MGA) in enabling scalable, brand-aligned insurance solutions for automotive manufacturers.
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 345 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.
Sunday Mar 02, 2025
Sunday Mar 02, 2025
Agentic AI - the buzzword of 2025. But what is it and how can it help claims?
The insurance industry has long struggled with manual, time-consuming claims processes that create bottlenecks and put pressure on adjusters. Now, Agentic AI is emerging as a solution: automating administrative tasks and enabling claims teams to work faster and more efficiently.
In this episode, Matthew Grant speaks with Robin Roberson, co-founder of Agentech, about how digital agents are reshaping claims handling. By leveraging Agentic AI, Agentech is reducing processing time from 30 minutes to 30 seconds, enhancing subrogation workflows and helping insurers streamline claims without removing human expertise.
Robin, a veteran in InsurTech and former WeGoLook founder, shares her journey from launching startups to pioneering AI-driven claims solutions. She also discusses why mentorship is crucial for new entrepreneurs, how working with design partners ensures AI solves real-world problems and why reducing adjuster burnout is a core focus of Agentech.
Key Talking Points:
- The rise of Agentic AI – how digital agents are reshaping claims handling and automating administrative tasks
- From 30 minutes to 30 seconds – how AI is streamlining pet insurance claims processing and boosting efficiency
- AI-powered subrogation – identifying recovery opportunities and reducing claims leakage with automated analysis
- The role of design partners – why collaboration with insurers is key to building AI solutions that solve real-world problems
- Improving adjuster productivity – how Agentech’s AI-driven approach is reducing workload and preventing burnout
- The future of AI in claims – exploring voice-enabled AI, smart routing and automation for catastrophe response
- Lessons from a serial entrepreneur – Robin’s insights on launching startups, scaling innovation, and finding the right market fit
If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. You can also contact Robin Roberson on LinkedIn to start a conversation!
Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning.
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 AI-powered subrogation tools help insurers identify recovery opportunities and reduce claims leakage.
- Define the concept of Agentic AI and how it differs from traditional AI and generative AI in insurance applications.
- Identify the future trends in AI-driven claims processing, including voice-enabled AI and smart claims routing.
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 344 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.
Sunday Feb 23, 2025
Sunday Feb 23, 2025
Traditional underwriting is evolving, and AI-powered platforms are leading the charge. In this episode, Robin Merttens speaks with Will Ross, CEO and Co-founder of Federato, about how their RiskOps platform is helping insurers make smarter, faster underwriting decisions.
Federato enables underwriters to triage submissions, prioritise in-appetite risks and streamline workflows using AI-driven insights. Will shares how his background in wildfire modelling led to the creation of Federato, how underwriters spend more time on the right risks post-implementation and why the company’s rapid growth is a testament to the industry's appetite for smarter portfolio management.
The discussion also covers Federato’s recent $40 million USD Series C funding, its expansion into the UK market and how the RiskOps approach is catching on as a fundamental shift in underwriting strategy.
Key Talking Points:
- The RiskOps mindset – bringing portfolio-level intelligence to risk-by-risk decision-making
- How AI prioritises in-appetite and winnable risks for underwriters
- Automating submission workflows to cut response times by up to 89%
- The impact of RiskOps adoption on quote volumes and portfolio performance
- Why Federato has seen 3x year-over-year growth
- The UK market opportunity – differences in tech adoption and underwriting strategies
- The story behind Federato’s $40M Series C raise and the role of StepStone Group
- Expansion plans and the future of AI-driven underwriting
If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Robin Merttens on LinkedIn. You can also contact Will Ross on LinkedIn to start a conversation!
Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning.
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:
- List the key benefits of AI-powered underwriting, including improved risk selection and faster submission processing.
- Specify how Federato’s platform helps underwriters identify and prioritize in-appetite and winnable risks.
- Define the significance of Federato’s expansion into the UK and the challenges of technology adoption in the 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 343 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.
Sunday Feb 16, 2025
Sunday Feb 16, 2025
AI-driven automation is transforming how insurers process data, streamline workflows and improve decision-making. In this episode, Robin Merttens speaks with Graeme Asquith, UK Managing Director at mea Platform, about how AI-powered document ingestion is changing the game for underwriting and claims.
With advanced machine learning models trained on millions of insurance documents, mea platform enables insurers to extract key information instantly—reducing manual processing, improving accuracy and accelerating business decisions. Robin and Graeme also discuss the rise of algorithmic underwriting, the role of AI in digital distribution and what’s next for the insurance industry as automation becomes a competitive necessity.
Key Talking Points:
- From consulting to AI – Graeme's career path and transition into insurance technology
- How mea platform extracts data from insurance documents using AI and machine learning
- Automating underwriting workflows – turning unstructured data into actionable insights
- The rise of AI-driven ingestion – why it’s becoming a must-have for insurers
- Three approaches to document processing – build, generic IDP, or insurance-specific AI
- Speed and accuracy – how mea achieves high extraction precision out of the box
- Scaling AI in insurance – implementing solutions quickly without heavy IT investment
- Beyond ingestion – how automation and intelligence are shaping underwriting and claims
- Partnering for success – mea’s collaborations with Lloyd’s, Accenture, and Solos Consulting
- The future of insurance AI – from digital trading to algorithmic underwriting and beyond
If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. You can also contact Graeme Asquith on LinkedIn to start a conversation!
Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning.
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 the differences between generic document processing tools and insurance-specific AI solutions.
- Define the challenges insurers face in handling unstructured data and the benefits of automation.
- List the key inefficiencies in manual data extraction and how AI-powered solutions address them.
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 342 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.
Sunday Feb 09, 2025
Sunday Feb 09, 2025
From manual data entry to slow underwriting decisions, inefficiencies in broker management have long been a challenge for the commercial insurance industry. But what if brokers could streamline data collection, enhance risk assessment and seamlessly connect with underwriters in real time?
In this episode, Robin Merttens speaks with Alex Cardona, CEO and Co-founder of Recorder, a company building the next generation of broker management software. After a successful exit from Codat, a financial data infrastructure business, Alex and his team are applying their expertise to insurance—helping brokers replace outdated workflows with automation, APIs and structured data.
Key Talking Points:
- How Recorder is addressing inefficiencies in broker management
- Why traditional broker workflows create data bottlenecks for insurers
- The role of APIs in modernising commercial insurance
- How automated data ingestion can improve underwriting accuracy
- The importance of standardizing risk data for brokers and carriers
- Challenges in adoption and how Recorder is overcoming industry resistance
- Insights from Alex’s journey at Codat and lessons applied to Recorder
- Why brokers are the key drivers of change in insurance distribution
- How Recorder is scaling without heavy venture capital investment
If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. You can also contact Alex Cardona on LinkedIn to start a conversation!
Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning.
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:
- List the key inefficiencies in traditional broker workflows that slow down risk assessment and underwriting.
- Define the challenges brokers face in manual data processing and how technology is addressing these issues.
- Explain why brokers are central to driving innovation in insurance data infrastructure and connectivity.
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 341 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.
Sunday Feb 02, 2025
Sunday Feb 02, 2025
Satellite imagery is revolutionising the way insurers assess risk, track disasters and provide coverage. In this episode, Matthew Grant speaks with Berend de Jong, Global Insurance & Finance Lead at Planet Labs, about how high-resolution satellite imagery and geospatial data are reshaping the insurance industry.
With a fleet of over 200 satellites capturing daily images of the Earth's surface, Planet Labs enables insurers to enhance flood and wildfire risk modeling, parametric insurance solutions and pre/post-loss assessments.
The conversation explores real-world applications, including how instant satellite imaging played a key role in analysing the Los Angeles wildfires and German floods, and how parametric insurance providers like Floodbase leverage satellite data to develop innovative flood coverage solutions.
Key Talking Points
- From consulting to satellites – Berend’s career journey
- How Planet Labs’ 200+ satellites capture daily Earth imagery
- The power of high-resolution imaging – down to 30-40 cm
- Tasking satellites on demand – costs, speed, and accessibility
- Optical vs. SAR satellites – when to use each technology
- Los Angeles wildfires case study – tracking fire progression in real time
- German floods case study – distinguishing between river and rain-driven floods
- Parametric insurance in action – partnerships with AXA, Swiss Re, and FloodBase
- Underwriting & claims insights – using satellite data for smarter decisions
- The future of satellite data – affordability, accessibility, and evolving use cases
If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. You can also contact Berend de Jong on LinkedIn to start a conversation!
Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning.
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 high-resolution satellite imagery supports risk assessment, underwriting, and claims management in insurance.
- List the key differences between optical satellites, SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) and passive microwave technology in data collection.
- Identify the real-world applications of satellite data through case studies, including Los Angeles wildfires and German floods.
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 340 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.
Sunday Jan 26, 2025
Sunday Jan 26, 2025
How is generative AI changing the way insurers work—and think?
In this episode, Matthew Grant sits down with Bob Pick, EVP Chief Information Officer at Tokio Marine North American Services and Group Deputy Chief Information Technology Officer for Tokio Marine Group, to explore the real-world impact of generative AI in the insurance industry.
From streamlining underwriting decisions to detecting fraud and automating operational processes, Bob explains how Tokio Marine is using AI to address both everyday challenges and complex, global demands. Balancing innovation with responsibility, the conversation sheds light on what AI can—and can’t—do for insurers today.
If you’ve ever wondered how generative AI works in practice, or what it means for the future of insurance, this episode offers clear and thought-provoking insights.
Key Talking Points:
- The evolution of generative AI – from revolutionary tech to practical applications
- Classic AI vs. generative AI – understanding the difference
- Advisory tools like Microsoft Copilot – where they fit into the workflow
- Case studies from Tokio Marine – submission analysis and claims fraud detection
- Development tools – automating back-end processes with generative AI
- Risk management – balancing innovation with safeguarding data and compliance
- Tools of the trade – Microsoft Copilot, Grok, and other favourites
- Looking ahead – evolution or revolution in the next 1-3 years
If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn. You can also contact Bob Pick on LinkedIn to start a conversation!
Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning.
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 is transforming key processes in the insurance industry, such as underwriting and fraud detection.
- List the practical applications of generative AI discussed in the episode, including submission analysis, backend automation and global translation.
- Specify the differences between classic AI and generative AI, and their respective roles 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 339 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.