FNO: InsureTech

In Episode 315 of the FNO: InsureTech Podcast, hosts Rob Beller and David Prejeant welcome back Dave Tobias, Chief Product Officer at Nearmap, for his third appearance on the show. A familiar voice to longtime listeners, Dave reflects on his journey from insurance inspector to Betterview co-founder to product leader at one of the industry's most influential property intelligence companies.

The conversation explores how Nearmap's acquisitions of Betterview and ITEL have expanded the company's capabilities across underwriting, claims, catastrophe response, and property intelligence. Dave shares how these technologies are being combined to create new solutions that help insurers better understand risk, accelerate claims workflows, and improve customer experiences.

Rob and David also dive into the future of AI in insurance, the growing role of agentic workflows, and why the biggest challenge facing the industry may no longer be access to data, but getting the right data into the right workflow at the right time.

Key Highlights [08:15] Inside the Chief Product Officer Role

Dave discusses his transition from General Manager of Insurance to Chief Product Officer and what it means to lead product strategy across insurance, government, and commercial markets.

[10:00] Looking Back at the Betterview Acquisition

A reflection on Nearmap's acquisition of Betterview and how the original vision of combining imagery, analytics, and underwriting intelligence has played out in the market.

[14:00] Why ITEL Changes the Game

Dave explains how ITEL's material pricing and laboratory analysis capabilities complement Nearmap and Betterview, creating a unique property intelligence ecosystem.

[16:30] Building a Full Stack Insurance Data Platform

How combining imagery, measurements, AI insights, and claims intelligence unlocks new opportunities for insurers across underwriting and claims.

[18:00] The Real Challenge Isn't Technology

Why the biggest constraint isn't product innovation but changing workflows and helping insurers adopt new ways of working.

[19:00] Meeting Customers Where They Work

The importance of integrations with platforms like Guidewire and Xactimate, allowing insurers to access data without changing their everyday workflows.

[22:00] Claims Use Cases in Action

Dave walks through Nearmap's claims capabilities, from roof measurements and material matching to post catastrophe analysis and repair validation.

[23:00] First in the Air During Catastrophes

How Nearmap captured imagery during active wildfire events and provides insurers with real time insights before many response teams arrive on scene.

[24:30] Why Nearmap Still Flies Aircraft

A look inside Nearmap's proprietary camera technology and why manned aircraft remain critical for capturing high resolution imagery at scale.

[28:00] The Balance Between Innovation and Regulation

Dave discusses growing regulatory scrutiny around aerial imagery, data quality, and how insurers use property intelligence in underwriting decisions.

[32:00] AI Is Not New at Nearmap

While many companies are just beginning their AI journeys, Nearmap has been applying computer vision and machine learning to property imagery for more than a decade. [

[34:00] Unlocking 130 Property Intelligence Signals

How advances in AI and large language models are helping customers make better use of hundreds of property level data points.

[36:00] Using AI to Connect Data and Business Problems

Dave explains how AI can map underwriting guidelines and claims workflows to available data, uncovering connections that humans may miss.

[38:00] The Rise of Agentic Claims Workflows

A look at how AI powered FNOL experiences could automatically combine claims information with real time property intelligence to improve outcomes and reduce friction.

[40:00] The Technology Is Finally Catching Up

Why Dave believes today's AI advancements feel similar to the early days of the internet and what that means for insurance innovation.

[41:30] An FNO Exclusive

Dave shares a little known fact about his background and reveals that he is also a licensed private investigator.

[44:00] Final Thoughts on the Nearmap Journey

Rob and David reflect on Dave's evolution from startup founder to product executive and what Nearmap's expanding platform means for the future of insurance.

In Episode 314 of the FNO: InsureTech Podcast, hosts Rob Beller and David Prejeant welcome back Stan Smith, Founder & CEO of Gradient AI, for his second appearance on the podcast. It's been more than six years since Stan first joined FNO in Episode 49 back in 2019, when the industry was still talking about machine learning long before AI became today's biggest technology story.

Stan shares how Gradient AI evolved from its machine learning roots into one of the insurance industry's most established AI-native companies, helping insurers make better decisions across underwriting, claims, and healthcare. Along the way, he reflects on how AI has changed, what remains misunderstood, and why the industry's biggest challenge may no longer be technology, but adoption.

The conversation explores AI-driven decision support, data advantages, human oversight, healthcare expansion, and why speed is quickly becoming one of the most important competitive advantages in insurance. Stan also shares lessons learned from building Gradient AI, how the company leverages one of the industry's largest proprietary data sets, and where he sees AI heading next.

Key Highlights [04:00] Welcome Back, Stan Smith

Stan returns to the podcast for the first time since his appearance in Episode 49, reflecting on how much has changed in insurance and AI over the last six years.

[05:00] The Origins of Machine Learning

Stan shares the story of his early experience with machine learning, long before AI became a mainstream business discussion.

[06:00] From Machine Learning to Modern AI

A look at how AI capabilities have evolved over the last decade and why today's models can solve problems that were previously out of reach.

[07:00] Understanding Workers' Compensation Through Data

Stan explains how temporal data transformed the ability to understand and predict claim outcomes in workers' comp.

[09:00] From Prediction to Action

Why AI's biggest breakthrough isn't simply predicting outcomes, but helping users understand what actions to take next.

[11:00] How LLMs Changed the Game

Stan discusses how large language models helped bridge the gap between technical predictions and real-world business decisions.

[13:00] Bringing AI Into Underwriting

How AI is helping underwriters better understand risk, explain decisions, and communicate more effectively with brokers and customers.

[15:00] Building a Data Advantage

The story behind Gradient AI's massive proprietary data assets and why data continues to be a key competitive differentiator.

[17:00] Why the Company Is Called Gradient AI

Stan shares the surprisingly simple story behind the company name and why it ended up being the perfect fit.

[18:00] The Right to Win

Stan explains Gradient AI's philosophy of helping customers gain a competitive advantage through better decision-making.

[19:00] What Insurance Still Gets Wrong About AI

A discussion about industry fears, adoption challenges, and why falling behind may now be a bigger risk than moving too quickly.

[20:00] When Speed Becomes a Competitive Edge

Why faster decision-making, better risk selection, and quicker market response are becoming critical advantages for insurers.

[22:00] Beyond Workflow Automation

Stan explains why Gradient AI focuses on improving decisions rather than simply automating tasks.

[23:00] The Power of Renewal Analytics

How insurers can learn from their existing books of business and use AI to improve future underwriting performance.

[24:00] The Data Flywheel Effect

Why contributing data creates value for insurers and strengthens predictive performance over time.

[26:00] Technology Isn't Enough

Stan argues that change management, leadership, and execution often have a bigger impact than the technology itself.

[28:00] Expanding From Workers' Comp to Healthcare

How customer demand led Gradient AI into healthcare and why the opportunity continues to grow.

[31:00] The Future of Healthcare Risk

A discussion on self-funded plans, level-funded programs, and the changing economics of healthcare insurance.

[33:00] How Accurate Are AI Models?

Stan discusses model performance, hallucinations, human oversight, and why AI continues to improve over time.

[36:00] The Human in the Loop

Why AI works best when combined with human judgment and how underwriters can focus on the decisions that matter most.

[37:00] What AI Looks Like Six Months From Now

Stan shares his perspective on the accelerating pace of AI innovation and how companies can prepare for what's next.

[39:00] Final Thoughts

Rob and David reflect on Stan's journey, Gradient AI's growth, and how quickly the AI landscape continues to evolve.

In Episode 313 of the FNO: InsureTech Podcast, hosts Rob Beller and David Prejeant sit down with Alex Schmelkin, Founder and CEO of Sixfold, for a fascinating conversation about AI, underwriting, and one of the fastest-growing areas in insurance technology today. Alex Schmelkin shares how a pre-ChatGPT idea evolved into an AI-native company focused exclusively on helping insurers improve underwriting outcomes through the use of AI-powered underwriting colleagues.

The discussion explores the evolution of AI in underwriting, what insurers are learning from AI-assisted decision-making, and why underwriting may be one of the most compelling use cases for generative AI. Along the way, Alex shares his entrepreneurial journey, lessons learned from prior startups, and his vision for how underwriters and AI will work together in the future.

Whether you're an underwriter, insurance executive, InsureTech founder, or simply curious about how AI is changing insurance, this episode delivers valuable insights from someone building at the forefront of the industry. Key Highlights

[04:00] Meet Sixfold

Alex Schmelkin explains how Sixfold is building AI underwriters designed to help insurers make underwriting operations faster, more accurate, and more profitable.

[05:00] The Origin Story

Why the summer of 2022 became the starting point for Sixfold and how experimenting with large language models eventually led Alex back to underwriting.

[08:00] Building an AI Company Before the AI Boom

The unique timing of launching an AI startup just before ChatGPT introduced generative AI to the mainstream.

[09:00] Why Focus Matters

Alex shares why Sixfold resisted the temptation to tackle all of insurance and instead focused exclusively on underwriting.

[10:00] Measuring Success

How insurers evaluate AI underwriting performance and the metrics that matter most when proving ROI.

[13:00] What AI Does Better Than Humans

A discussion about where AI excels, where humans still have the advantage, and why underwriting remains a partnership between both.

[15:00] The Evolution of Underwriter Attitudes Toward AI

How industry conversations have shifted from fear of replacement to collaboration and augmentation.

[17:00] Making Underwriting Fun Again

Why Alex believes underwriters should spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time making decisions that create value.

[19:00] Alex's Journey Into Insurance

From e-commerce and banking to InsureTech and underwriting, Alex shares the path that led him into the insurance industry.

[23:00] What Makes an Underwriting Portfolio Successful?

How Sixfold is helping insurers better understand the risks they write and why some portfolios consistently outperform others.

[26:00] From AI Assistant to AI Underwriter

How Sixfold's technology evolved from helping underwriters gather information to supporting end-to-end underwriting workflows.

[28:00] Where Automated Underwriting Creates Scale

A discussion on the types of insurance risks that are particularly well suited for AI-powered underwriting.

[30:00] The Future Role of the Human Underwriter

Alex shares his vision for how underwriting professionals may evolve as AI becomes more deeply embedded into underwriting operations.

[32:00] Building the Underwriting Cockpit of the Future

Why the future interface between underwriters and AI may look very different from today's underwriting systems.

[35:00] Looking Beyond Underwriting

How Sixfold is beginning to explore adjacent opportunities where AI-driven risk analysis can create value.

[38:00] The Story Behind the Name Sixfold

Alex shares the surprisingly personal inspiration behind the company's name.

[40:00] Why Insurance Matters

One of the episode's most thought-provoking moments as Alex explains the critical role insurance plays in enabling economic activity around the world.

[43:00] Running an AI-Native Company

What makes operating an AI-native business different from building traditional software companies and why adaptability is critical in today's AI landscape.

[46:00] Final Thoughts

Rob and David reflect on the conversation, the future of AI underwriting, and why this is one of the most exciting periods in insurance technology.

In Episode 312 of the FNO: InsureTech Podcast, hosts Rob Beller and David Prejeant sit down with David Wald, President and Co-Founder of Aclaimant, for an in-depth conversation about risk management, RMIS technology, AI, and the future of RiskTech.

David explains how Aclaimant is helping organizations centralize risk data, manage workers' compensation and claims, improve safety, and uncover insights that help businesses become more proactive rather than reactive.

The conversation explores the evolving role of risk managers, the growing importance of predictive analytics, and how AI is helping risk teams move faster and make better decisions in an increasingly complex business environment.

David also shares the founder story behind Aclaimant, his journey into InsureTech through the venture capital world, and why risk management is becoming an increasingly important strategic function for organizations of all sizes.

Key Highlights [06:00] What Is Aclaimant?

David introduces Aclaimant and explains how the company helps organizations manage claims, safety, compliance, exposures, assets, and risk through a modern RMIS platform.

[08:00] Why Risk Management Matters

An overview of how risk management evolves as organizations scale and why businesses eventually need dedicated tools and teams to manage growing exposures and costs.

[10:00] Turning Risk Data Into Action

David explains how risk managers use data to understand exposures, monitor incidents, identify trends, and create safer business environments.

[13:00] Finding Problems Before They Grow

How technology helps organizations identify patterns, uncover hidden risks, and address issues before they become larger and more costly problems.

[16:00] AI, Automation, and Speed

A look at how Aclaimant is leveraging AI, predictive modeling, and automation to accelerate workflows, improve data quality, and deliver insights faster.

[18:00] Real Customer Wins

David shares examples of how better visibility into risk data helped customers uncover costly inefficiencies and improve operational outcomes.

[20:00] Integrations, Data, and Prediction

Why RMIS platforms depend on integrating data from multiple systems and how predictive insights help organizations better understand future risk.

[23:00] The Workers' Comp Connection

David discusses why workers' compensation remains one of the biggest drivers of risk management complexity and opportunity.

[25:00] The Origin Story of Aclaimant

The story behind Aclaimant's founding, from a simple idea to modernize incident reporting to a growing RiskTech platform.

[26:00] From Venture Capital to InsureTech

David shares how his experience in venture capital and exposure to early InsureTech innovators like Snapsheet helped shape his path into insurance.

[29:00] Leadership, Growth, and Kathy Burns

A discussion about leadership evolution, scaling a company, and the decision to bring industry veteran Kathy Burns into Aclaimant's executive team.

[31:00] AI's Impact on the Business

How AI has helped Aclaimant focus on innovation, product development, and improving customer outcomes while creating new operational efficiencies.

[34:00] The Future of Risk Technology

David shares his perspective on increasing uncertainty, accelerating change, and why risk management will become even more important in the years ahead.

[40:00] Final Thoughts

Rob and David reflect on the evolving role of RiskTech, the importance of RMIS, and why risk management may be one of the most critical functions in modern business.

In Episode 311 of the FNO: InsureTech Podcast, hosts Lee Boyd and David Prejeant sit down with Wayne Slavin, CEO and Co-founder of Sure, for a conversation that spans embedded insurance, AI, digital distribution, and the future of insurance innovation. What begins with a story about turbulence on a flight quickly evolves into a fascinating discussion about how insurance can become a seamless part of everyday consumer experiences.

Founded in 2015, Sure has built an AI-enabled platform that helps some of the world's largest carriers and consumer brands launch and operate fully digital insurance programs. Today, companies like Toyota, Zillow, and Mastercard leverage the platform to integrate insurance directly into their customer experiences.

Wayne shares his journey from Silicon Valley product development and e-commerce innovation into insurance, explaining how his early experience building consumer technology shaped his belief that insurance should be as easy to access as any other digital transaction.

The conversation also explores Wayne's long-standing interest in AI, dating back more than 16 years, his perspective on where AI creates the most value in insurance, and why the industry's biggest challenge may not be technology at all, but change management.

Whether you're interested in embedded insurance, digital transformation, AI, or simply hearing the founder story behind one of InsureTech's most recognized platforms, this episode delivers valuable insights and bold predictions about where the industry is headed next.

Key Highlights [06:00] Meet Wayne Slavin and Sure

Wayne introduces Sure and explains how the company helps carriers and consumer brands launch fully digital insurance programs through a single end-to-end platform.

[08:00] The Visa of Insurance

Wayne explains Sure's role as a technology platform, connecting carriers, brands, and consumers without acting as the insurer itself.

[10:00] Why Insurance Needs an End-to-End Ecosystem

A discussion on the fragmented nature of insurance technology and why Sure chose to build a unified platform rather than another point solution.

[12:00] The Turbulent Flight That Started It All

Wayne shares the origin story behind Sure and how a turbulent flight sparked the idea of making insurance available at the exact moment consumers need it.

[17:00] Making Insurance Invisible

Why Wayne believes insurance should become a natural part of other consumer transactions rather than a separate buying experience.

[18:00] Embedded Insurance and the Next Distribution Frontier

How brands can integrate insurance directly into customer journeys and why Sure focuses on meeting consumers where they already are.

[20:00] AI Before It Was Cool

Wayne reflects on researching human-in-the-loop AI at Columbia more than 16 years ago and why today's AI revolution is a moment he has anticipated for years.

[22:00] Where AI Delivers Real Value

A practical discussion on why AI is creating the biggest gains in speed to market, customer service, claims support, and operational efficiency.

[24:00] Going Live in Days, Not Months

How Sure is leveraging AI and automation to dramatically reduce implementation timelines and operational complexity.

[26:00] Learning the Insurance Business

Wayne shares how curiosity, study, and starting with simple insurance products helped him navigate an industry he originally knew nothing about.

[30:00] AI Adoption Is a Leadership Challenge

Why some insurers are embracing AI while others remain hesitant, and how leadership mindset often determines success.

[32:00] The Real Bottleneck: Change Management

Wayne argues that technology is no longer the limiting factor. The bigger challenge is changing inherited processes and organizational behavior.

[34:00] The Future of Direct-to-Consumer Insurance

A discussion on changing consumer expectations, digital buying experiences, and why convenience matters more than ever.

[39:00] From South Africa to Silicon Valley

Wayne reflects on his personal journey, his family's move to the United States, and how those experiences helped shape his entrepreneurial path.

[40:00] What's Next for Sure

Wayne shares his vision for the future, including making it even easier for large brands to launch insurance businesses with minimal friction.

[42:00] Final Thoughts

Lee and David reflect on Wayne's unique founder story, deep technology background, and the future opportunities ahead for Sure and embedded insurance.

In Episode 310 of the FNO: InsureTech Podcast, co-host David Prejeant sits down with Kat Gordienko, Co-founder and CEO of Builty, to explore one of the most overlooked and underutilized data sources in insurance: building permits. What began as a personal home improvement project during the pandemic ultimately sparked the creation of a company focused on transforming fragmented permit records into actionable intelligence for insurers.

Kat shares her journey from analyzing streaming data at Netflix to tackling the complex world of permit data, where information is scattered across more than 20,000 jurisdictions, filled with inconsistencies, abbreviations, and unstructured records. She explains how Builty uses AI and proprietary data models to normalize this information and turn it into meaningful risk insights for underwriting, claims, and property intelligence.

The conversation explores how permit data can reveal information that traditional property data sources often miss, including electrical upgrades, plumbing improvements, fire protection systems, and commercial property modifications. Kat also discusses how Builty is working with insurers, leveraging NVIDIA's Inception program, and uncovering new ways permit data can help carriers better understand future risks before they appear in claims history.

Along the way, David and Kat dive into some of the most unusual building permits ever filed, including catios, residential helipads, falconries, and fur storage facilities, proving that permit data can be both insightful and entertaining.

Key Highlights [07:00] Meet Kat Gordienko and Builty

Kat shares her background in data analytics at Netflix and explains how building an ADU project during the pandemic led her to discover the untapped value hidden inside building permit records.

[09:00] The Discovery That Started It All

After completing a major property improvement project, Kat realized her insurance coverage had not automatically reflected the changes, revealing a gap that ultimately inspired Builty.

[11:00] Why Permit Data Is So Difficult

A deep dive into the challenges of working with permit records across thousands of jurisdictions, each with different formats, terminology, and standards.

[12:00] Teaching AI to Understand Permits

Kat explains why off the shelf AI models struggle with permit data and how Builty built specialized systems capable of understanding permit specific language and context.

[14:00] Learning Insurance from Scratch

How Kat and her co-founder immersed themselves in the insurance ecosystem through carrier conversations, customer feedback, and industry accelerator programs.

[15:00] Turning Data Into Risk Scores

Why clean data is only the starting point and how Builty transforms permit records into practical risk scores for insurers.

[16:00] Unexpected Commercial Insurance Applications

How insurers are using permit data to uncover insights about commercial properties, fire protection systems, and other hidden characteristics.

[17:00] The Fire Protection Data Gap

Why information about sprinklers, fire doors, and other mitigation systems is often difficult to find and how permit records help close that gap.

[18:00] Looking Beyond Aerial Imagery

While aerial imagery can assess roofs and exterior conditions, permit data reveals what's happening inside a property's electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems.

[19:00] Building AI Before the AI Boom

Kat discusses Builty's early investment in custom language models and how recent advances in AI have accelerated their ability to process permit data at scale.

[22:00] The Wildest Permits Ever Filed

From catios and private helipads to falconries and fur storage facilities, Kat shares some of the most memorable permits her team has uncovered.

[24:00] What Underwriters Might Be Missing

How permit data can reveal commercial kitchens, specialty structures, and other risk factors that may not appear in underwriting applications.

[26:00] Accelerating With NVIDIA

Kat explains how participation in NVIDIA's Inception program is helping Builty improve speed, efficiency, and scalability across its AI models.

[28:00] Expanding Across Insurance

A look at Builty's growing carrier relationships and the potential applications of permit intelligence across underwriting, claims, and reinsurance.

[29:00] Predicting Tomorrow's Risks Today

Kat shares research exploring whether homes located near data centers experience increased HVAC replacement rates, highlighting the predictive potential of permit data. [

[32:00] The Future of Property Intelligence

Why Kat believes permit data should become a standard component of insurance and real estate decision making, helping identify risks before losses occur.

[35:00] Advice for InsurTech Founders

Kat shares lessons learned from building Builty, including the importance of finding one meaningful problem, proving value quickly, and earning trust inside the insurance industry.

[36:00] Go Narrow, Then Go Deep

The story of Builty's evolution from an ADU marketplace concept into a permit intelligence platform, and why narrowing the focus ultimately created a bigger opportunity.

In Episode 309 of the FNO: InsureTech Podcast, hosts Rob Beller and David Prejeant welcome Chris Touchton, Chief Insurance Officer at Nearmap, for a deep dive into the evolving world of property intelligence, claims technology, and AI driven insurance innovation. Chris shares how Nearmap has transformed from an aerial imagery provider into a comprehensive property intelligence platform through strategic acquisitions and a relentless focus on data.

The conversation explores Nearmap's journey from aerial imagery to AI powered property insights through the acquisition of Betterview, and later into claims through the acquisition of ITEL in May 2025. Chris explains how combining property intelligence, building material data, and advanced analytics creates a more complete picture of risk before and after a loss.

The discussion also examines the growing convergence of underwriting and claims, the importance of trusted third party data, and how AI, integrations, and ecosystem partnerships are helping insurers improve accuracy, consistency, and customer outcomes across the insurance lifecycle.

Key Highlights [05:00] Meet Chris Touchton and Nearmap

Chris joins the podcast from Jacksonville, Florida and shares his role as Chief Insurance Officer at Nearmap following the integration of ITEL into the organization.

[06:00] Nearmap's Evolution into Property Intelligence

Chris explains how Nearmap evolved from an aerial imagery company into a property intelligence platform serving underwriting, claims, government, and commercial markets.

[08:00] Betterview and the AI Layer

A look at how Nearmap's acquisition of Betterview added AI powered decision intelligence, helping underwriters identify and assess property risks more efficiently.

[09:30] Why Nearmap Acquired ITEL

Chris unpacks the strategic reasoning behind Nearmap's acquisition of ITEL and how the combined data sets create a more complete view of a property from both the outside and the inside.

[12:00] ITEL's Transformation from Samples to Data

The evolution of ITEL from a mail in building material identification service to a technology enabled data platform supporting claims at scale.

[14:00] The Power of Property Intelligence

How combining aerial imagery, material identification, claims history, and geographic data can improve underwriting decisions and accelerate claims outcomes.

[16:00] COVID and the Claims Technology Boom

Chris reflects on how the pandemic accelerated innovation, digital adoption, and openness to new technologies across insurance claims operations.

[18:00] Can Data Improve Claims Consistency?

A discussion on the ongoing balance between speed and accuracy in claims and how trusted data sources can help insurers improve both.

[20:00] Becoming the Industry's Independent Source of Truth

Why Nearmap and ITEL position themselves as objective third parties focused on defensible outcomes rather than influencing claim results.

[23:30] Bridging the Gap Between Underwriting and Claims

Chris discusses the industry's long standing challenge of connecting underwriting and claims data and why AI is creating new opportunities to finally close the gap.

[26:00] Taking the Combined Vision to Market

How Nearmap is helping carriers understand the value of a unified property intelligence strategy that spans the entire insurance lifecycle.

[29:00] Competing in a Crowded AI Landscape

Chris shares his perspective on the explosion of insurtech vendors and why trusted relationships, innovation, and strategic acquisitions will continue to shape the market.

[34:00] Building a Connected Insurance Ecosystem

Why partnerships, integrations, and data sharing are becoming critical to delivering better outcomes for carriers, contractors, adjusters, and policyholders.

[37:00] Getting Data to the Right Place at the Right Time

A look at the future of integrations, desk adjusting, workflow flexibility, and serving insurers where they already work.

[39:00] AI and the Future of Material Identification

How Nearmap and ITEL are leveraging AI to improve efficiency while maintaining expert human oversight in building material identification.

[41:00] The Person with the Data Wins

The episode concludes with a discussion about the strategic value of proprietary data and why comprehensive property intelligence may become one of insurance's strongest competitive advantages.

Top Takeaways

✅ Nearmap's acquisitions of Betterview and ITEL represent a broader strategy to become a comprehensive property intelligence platform.

✅ Connecting underwriting and claims data remains one of the biggest opportunities in insurance.

✅ Trust, objectivity, and consistency are becoming increasingly important as AI becomes embedded in insurance workflows.

✅ The future of insurance will be driven by intelligent data ecosystems, strong partnerships, and integrated workflows rather than standalone tools.

✅ In a world increasingly shaped by AI, data continues to be one of the industry's most valuable assets.

In Episode 308 of the FNO InsureTech Podcast, hosts Rob Beller and Lee Boyd welcome Tim Welsh, President of CCC Intelligent Solutions, for a powerful conversation on one of the most important and emotional moments in insurance: the accident experience and how it can be improved through better connectivity, data, and orchestration across the ecosystem.

Tim shares his unique journey from consulting at McKinsey to banking and now leading a cornerstone InsureTech platform that connects insurers, repair facilities, OEMs, and service providers. He explains how CCC has been building toward this moment for decades and how the company is now bringing together AI, data, and partnerships to create a more seamless and supportive claims experience.

The conversation explores the reality that car accidents are not just operational events, but deeply personal ones that people remember for years. Tim highlights how CCC is focused on redesigning that experience from the consumer's perspective, using a combination of technology and human expertise to guide individuals through a stressful moment and help them move forward quickly.

Rob and Lee also dig into the growing complexity of vehicles, rising repair costs, and the pressure on affordability across the system. Tim shares how CCC is addressing these challenges through orchestration, real time decision making, and a "together on purpose" approach that aligns everyone in the ecosystem.

This episode goes beyond technology, offering a human centered view of innovation and a clear vision for how the claims experience can evolve to better serve both consumers and the industry.

Key Highlights

[04:00] Meet Tim Welsh and CCC Intelligent Solutions An introduction to CCC and its role as a long standing platform connecting insurers, repair shops, OEMs, and service providers across the claims ecosystem.

[07:00] A Career Built on Helping People Tim shares his unconventional journey from preparing for the priesthood to consulting, banking, and ultimately leading at CCC.

[10:00] Why Accidents Are So Memorable A discussion on how car accidents rank among life's most vivid experiences and why improving that moment matters so deeply.

[13:00] The Complexity Behind a Simple Repair How modern vehicles, with thousands of parts and software driven systems, have dramatically increased repair costs and claims complexity.

[16:00] The Consumer at the Center Introducing "Ava," the model consumer, and how CCC is designing the claims experience around her needs from first notice through repair.

[19:00] Orchestrating the Claims Journey How technology is connecting each step of the process, from photos and estimates to scheduling and parts ordering, into a seamless flow.

[22:00] Preventing Total Loss Through Real Time Decisions A look at how dynamic decision making across the ecosystem can reduce unnecessary total losses and improve outcomes for everyone involved.

[25:00] Affordability and the Small Claims Problem Why rising premiums and deductibles are changing consumer behavior and leading to fewer small claims being reported.

[28:00] AI as Orchestration, Not Replacement How CCC is using AI to guide workflows and enhance human decision making rather than replace adjusters and claims professionals.

[31:00] AI Guidance in Action Examples of how AI can prioritize tasks for adjusters, helping them focus on the most impactful actions each day.

[34:00] The Power of Ecosystem Connectivity Why bringing insurers, repair shops, OEMs, and partners together on one platform is critical to unlocking better outcomes.

[37:00] Together on Purpose The philosophy behind CCC's approach, aligning all players around a shared goal of improving the consumer experience.

[40:00] Feeding Insights Back to Manufacturers How data from claims can influence vehicle design and repairability over time.

[42:00] What "Easy" Looks Like A real world example of a smooth repair experience and why that is the ultimate goal.

[44:00] Final Thoughts on the Future of Claims Tim shares his vision for a more connected, efficient, and human centered claims experience that benefits both consumers and the entire industry.

In Episode 307 of the FNO: InsureTech Podcast, hosts Rob Beller and Lee Boyd welcome Aman Gour, Co-founder and CEO of FurtherAI, joining from San Francisco, the epicenter of today's AI revolution. Aman shares his journey from Microsoft to second time founder, and how he is now building one of the most ambitious AI driven companies in insurance.

Aman discusses how FurtherAI is helping insurers automate real work across the entire policy lifecycle using AI agents that can process documents, make decisions, and execute workflows end to end. He explains why insurance, with its reliance on unstructured data and manual processes, is uniquely positioned for transformation through AI.

The conversation goes beyond technology, exploring what it means to build a company during a once in a generation platform shift, why humility and domain expertise matter in vertical AI, and how founders can navigate rapid change while building lasting value. Aman also shares insights on scaling quickly, earning customer trust in a risk averse industry, and his long term vision of building a public company.

Key Highlights

[04:00] Meet Aman Gour and FurtherAI Aman introduces FurtherAI and shares the company's mission to transform insurance using AI agents that automate real workflows across the value chain.

[07:00] Why Build an AI Company in San Francisco A look inside the AI epicenter and why being close to innovation matters when building at the frontier of technology.

[08:00] AI Is Everywhere and It Is Moving Fast A lighthearted but insightful take on how AI has gone mainstream, even becoming part of everyday conversations.

[10:00] AI as Coworker or Something More A discussion on how AI is evolving from a productivity tool into something closer to a digital operator that can execute tasks independently.

[11:00] The Pressure of the AI Moment Why companies, employees, and founders are all feeling the urgency to adapt as AI reshapes industries in real time.

[13:00] Outsourcing Thinking vs Understanding A powerful insight: while AI can do the thinking, humans must still provide judgment and understanding.

[14:30] What FurtherAI Actually Does How the platform deploys AI agents to automate underwriting intake, claims workflows, and other high volume insurance processes.

[16:30] Founder Origin Story Aman's journey from Microsoft to building and exiting an AI recruiting startup, and why he chose to start again.

[19:00] The Pivot That Changed Everything How an early idea was labeled a "tar pit" and forced a major pivot that ultimately led to insurance.

[21:00] Why Insurance Became the Focus Breaking down why insurance rose to the top as the ideal industry for AI transformation.

[22:00] Learning Insurance from Scratch The now famous story of driving around with donuts to meet brokers and understand the industry firsthand.

[25:00] Why AI Fits Insurance So Well How unstructured data, manual workflows, and operational complexity make insurance a prime candidate for AI.

[26:30] Automating the Entire Lifecycle Why FurtherAI is focused on connecting workflows across underwriting, claims, and servicing, not just solving one piece.

[29:00] Building for the Long Term Aman shares his goal of building a company that goes public and the decisions required to get there.

[30:00] The Rise of Vertical AI Why success in AI depends on deep domain expertise and solving real industry specific problems.

[32:00] Navigating Rapid Change How founders operate in an environment where the technology is evolving faster than ever before.

[36:00] Scaling in a Risk Averse Industry How FurtherAI wins customers by reducing risk with free proofs of concept and flexible engagement models.

[37:30] Learning the Language of Insurance Why humility and curiosity are critical when building in a complex, relationship driven industry.

[41:00] Backing from Andreessen Horowitz The story behind securing one of the top venture firms and what it means for credibility and growth.

[44:00] Final Thoughts: The Race Is On Aman reflects on building during a transformative moment in technology and what it takes to succeed.

In Episode 306 of FNO: InsureTech, co-hosts Rob Beller and David Prejeant are joined by Joshua Frossell, Founder and CEO of Senen. With a background spanning underwriting, strategy, and consulting across organizations like Allianz, Lloyd's, and Accenture, Joshua brings an operator's perspective to the InsurTech space. Senen is a claims intelligence platform that applies AI across the full lifecycle, from FNOL through settlement, transforming unstructured data into actionable insights, reducing manual work, and helping insurers make faster, more informed decisions.

Joshua and the Senen team are quickly gaining recognition in the industry. In January 2026, Senen won the inaugural Generali Challenge Lab at ITC London 2026, emerging from a competitive group of startups after pitching live on the main stage. The platform was recognized for its ability to turn claims data into decision ready intelligence, improving reserving accuracy, accelerating triage, and enabling better outcomes, particularly in climate related claims. Around the same time, Senen was also accepted into the Microsoft for Startups program, gaining access to Azure infrastructure, advanced AI capabilities, and a global network to support growth and deployment.

This episode also marks David Prejeant's introduction as co-host on the podcast, bringing more than 20 years of claims experience into the conversation. Together, Rob and David explore Joshua's journey from underwriting to building an InsurTech company, and what it takes to move from industry operator to founder.

Key Highlights

[02:00] • David Prejeant's introduction as co host on the podcast and joining the FNO team

[09:30] • How Senen is using AI to streamline the claims lifecycle, from FNOL through settlement

[14:00] • Joshua's transition from underwriting and consulting into building an InsurTech company

[16:00] • Senen's 2026 ITC London Generali Challenge Lab win and what set their platform apart

[27:30] • How Senen is built around delivering real outcomes for claims teams, not just AI capabilities