Celebrating 100 episodes of Insurtech Insider
It feels more than a little bewildering to be reflecting on 100 episodes of Insurtech Insider. In that time, we’ve seen insurtech go from being a concept to an actual (big!) thing.
When we started in 2017, the insurance industry had finally arrived with the first wave of established insurtechs. Incumbent organisations were looking nervously at younger challengers and buying them out where they could. 2018 saw the arrival of data automation and insight but not a whole lot of change and 2019 was all about AI.
2018 saw the arrival of data automation and insight but not a whole lot of change and 2019 was all about AI.
Then the pandemic hit and the industry was brought to its knees. Eventually, we started to adapt. Businesses changed the way they operate. Customers became more aware of the need for insurance. Brokers looked to overhaul legacy systems through RPAs and APIs. Being truly digital became essential. And now here we are.
It’s hard to whittle down 100 episodes to just a few favourites. But seeing as you asked so nicely, here they are:
Episode 31 - Weird claims and 2019 predictions
This one was a lot of fun. Our hosts sat down with former FT insurance correspondent Oliver Ralph and former Head of Americas for Cover Genius Mitch Doust to predict what 2019 had in store and chat about some of the barmiest claims in 2018. Oliver claimed that the insurtech boom would begin to subside and we’d see a diversification of product offerings across the board. Not the worst guess in the world.
Our episode highlight: in 2018, flight boarding denial claims hit record highs (up by 350% from the previous year!) ‘Because they were drunk?! When else are you ever denied flight boarding?’ Sarah quipped. Well maybe a lot of people went to Ibiza that year. Or didn’t. Anyway, who am I to judge?
Episode 70 - LGBT+ and insurance - Make no assumptions
This was an important and timely episode. Joining hosts Sarah Kocianski and Nigel Walsh were Chair of Emerald Life Steve Wardlaw, Operations Team Leader in the insurance industry Georgina Weekes and Customer Experience and Integration Lead at Aon Theresa Farrenson. With unflinching honesty, the panel looked at the state of inclusion in the industry, the accessibility of products for an historically underserved demographic and delivered some hard truths. Occasionally uncomfortable but essential listening and fully deserving of its place in this lineup.
Episode 82 - 2020 round up and 2021 predictions
Well. I don’t think anybody could accurately predict how the insurance industry would unfold after the omnishambles of 2020. But we tried to! With varying degrees of success. Not only that, but we also tried to make sense of that year we lost to Covid. Again, with varying degrees of success. Alongside Sarah and Nigel was, once again, Steve Wardlaw, and e-Zee Insurance Solutions Founder and Director Nikki Daniels and Freedom Services Group CEO Sam White. Sam called for easier onboarding processes. Nikki for more focus on self-service. The others? Well you’ll have to listen to the episode, won’t you?
I don’t think anybody could accurately predict how the insurance industry would unfold after the omnishambles of 2020. But we tried to!
Bonus: Interview: Louise Smith, Chief Digital Officer at Lloyd's of London
Last but by no means least is this bonus chat with Chief Digital Officer at Lloyd's of London Louise Smith. Over a tight 30 minutes, she offered fascinating insight into the digital transformation of the insurance industry. Added to which, she also talked about the famous Lloyd’s underwriting rooms and their future and how she became their digital guru. Insight of this level is unparalleled in the industry and missing it would be foolish!
And there you have it. Five years. 100 episodes. And counting. If we’ve learned anything from this time, it’s that only the most adaptable will survive this tricky industry. We love musing on all things insurtech and we're looking forward to continuing over the coming months and years. Subscribe here to our Insurtech Insider podcast so you never miss a beat. And follow this link to catch our 100th episode, the audio version.