InsTech - insurance & innovation with Matthew Grant & Robin Merttens

InsTech
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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.

  1. 9h ago

    Rob Newbold, President, Catastrophe and Risk Solutions: Verisk: Beyond a single view of risk: why catastrophe modelling is becoming more collaborative (412)

    For decades, catastrophe modelling has largely been about choosing the best view of risk. But what happens when no single model can capture the full picture?  In this episode, Matthew Grant speaks with Rob Newbold, President of Catastrophe and Risk Solutions at Verisk, about why the future of catastrophe modelling is becoming more open, collaborative and accessible.  Rob explains the thinking behind Verisk's new Model Exchange platform and why enabling insurers to access third-party models alongside Verisk's own is less about changing strategy and more about continuing a long-standing commitment to giving clients greater choice. The conversation explores how broader access to catastrophe and cyber models could help organisations build a more complete understanding of risk while making advanced analytics available to a much wider audience.  They also discuss why the global protection gap remains stubbornly difficult to close, why parametric insurance has not yet delivered on many of its early promises and where new modelling capability is still urgently needed, from flood to wildfire.  Looking ahead, Rob shares his perspective on how agentic AI could fundamentally change catastrophe modelling workflows, allowing insurers to automate scenario analysis, respond more quickly to emerging events and make sophisticated risk analytics available without requiring specialist modelling expertise.  In this episode you'll learn:  Why Verisk has opened its platform to third-party catastrophe and cyber models  How Model Exchange helps insurers build a more comprehensive view of global risk  Why collaboration between model providers could strengthen resilience across the industry  Where the biggest gaps remain in catastrophe modelling, including flood and emerging risks  Why the protection gap remains a persistent challenge despite better analytics  The reality of parametric insurance and why basis risk continues to limit wider adoption  How cloud platforms and SaaS delivery are making catastrophe models accessible beyond specialist insurance teams  What practical applications of agentic AI could look like for catastrophe modelling over the next 12 months  Why openness, transparency and competition may ultimately improve risk understanding across the market  Rob's recommendations:  Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell  Smart Brevity by Roy Schwartz, Mike Allen and Jim VandeHei  If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn.  Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning.

    29 min

  2. Jun 28

    Tom Graham & Iryna Chekanava: Chaucer: How insurers decide which innovations succeed (411)

    Innovation in insurance is no longer just about creating entirely new products. Increasingly, the biggest opportunities lie in rethinking how existing products are underwritten, distributed and delivered.  In this episode, Robin Merttens is joined by Tom Graham, Head of Partnerships and Innovation at Chaucer, and Iryna Chekanava, Senior Innovation Underwriter, to explore how insurers can innovate without losing sight of the fundamentals. They discuss why technology alone is no longer a competitive advantage, what separates successful innovation partners from the rest and why deep customer understanding still matters more than the latest AI tool.  The conversation also looks at the changing role of underwriting, the rise of smarter follow models, why closing the protection gap remains such a difficult challenge and how innovation teams can work alongside traditional underwriting rather than in isolation.  Whether you're building an MGA, investing in insurtech or leading innovation inside an insurer, this episode offers practical insight into what insurers are really looking for and where the next wave of opportunity is emerging.   What you'll learn:  Why the next phase of insurance innovation is focused on improving existing products rather than inventing entirely new ones   Why technology and AI are becoming table stakes rather than lasting competitive advantages   The qualities insurers value most when assessing new innovation partners   How insurers balance experimentation with disciplined underwriting   Why customer understanding and distribution remain stronger differentiators than software alone   What smarter follow models could mean for the future of the London market   Why the insurance industry's biggest protection gaps remain difficult to close despite technological progress   How embedding innovation teams within underwriting creates better long-term outcomes than running separate innovation functions  Who should listen?  This episode is particularly valuable for:  Insurance innovation leaders looking to understand where carriers are investing beyond AI hype   Chief Underwriting Officers and underwriting managers exploring how innovation can improve underwriting performance without compromising discipline   MGA founders and leadership teams seeking insight into what insurers look for in long-term capacity partnerships   Insurtech founders and product leaders building solutions for the insurance market and wanting to understand what differentiates successful propositions If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Robin Merttens on LinkedIn.  Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning.

    24 min

  3. Jun 14

    From curiosity to commercial value: what a year of Agentic AI has taught insurance (410)

    In just twelve months, the conversation around Agentic AI in insurance has changed dramatically.  What began as curiosity about autonomous AI agents has evolved into a much more practical discussion about implementation, governance, economics and competitive advantage.  In this special solo episode, InsTech's Zoja Wojcik reflects on the developments that have shaped the market since InsTech's first Agentic AI event in November 2025. Drawing on conversations with insurers, brokers, MGAs, technology providers and industry leaders, she explores how the industry has moved beyond experimentation and towards a more challenging question: where does the commercial value actually come from?  Along the way, you'll hear insights from Simon Torrance, Erdal Atakan, Gina Gill, Elena Maran, Max Richter and Ian Thompson, alongside examples of how organisations including CFC, McGill & Partners, AIG, Duck Creek and hyperexponential are bringing Agentic AI into real insurance operations.  Whether you're still trying to understand what Agentic AI means for insurance or already evaluating deployment opportunities, this episode offers a practical snapshot of where the market stands today and the questions leaders should be asking next.  Want to continue the conversation? Join us in London on July 7 for 'The age of Agentic AI: from strategy to commercial value'. In this episode:  00:00 - What is Agentic AI and why has it become one of insurance's most discussed technologies?  03:15 - Looking back at the industry's first major Agentic AI event in November 2025  05:45 - Simon Torrance on why Agentic AI should be viewed as a new workforce, not simply another software tool  06:20 - Early deployment examples from across the insurance market:  CFC's Lane Assist   McGill & Partners and Salesforce Agentforce   AIG's AI-driven underwriting initiatives   Federato's agentic underwriting platform   hyperexponential and Banyan Risk   Duck Creek's insurance-native Agentic AI platform   08:15 - Why moving from pilot projects to production remains difficult  10:00 - The defining question of 2026: proving commercial value and ROI  12:15 - Intelligence Capital, competitive advantage and why buying AI tools may only create parity  13:30 - Orchestration, governance and maintaining trust in agentic systems  15:00 - Workforce transformation and practical lessons for insurance leaders  16:00 - What questions should insurance organisations be asking next?  Key takeaways:  The industry conversation has shifted from experimentation towards implementation and measurable business outcomes.   Many of the biggest barriers to adoption are organisational rather than technical.   Boards increasingly expect clear economic justification for AI investment.   Competitive advantage may come less from AI models themselves and more from institutional knowledge and decision-making expertise.   Governance frameworks must evolve alongside increasingly autonomous systems.   Organisations that focus on specific business problems are more likely to succeed than those pursuing AI for its own sake.   Featured contributors:  Simon Torrance, AI Risk   Erdal Atakan, Inigo   Gina Gill, Apollo   Elena Maran, Alethesis AI   Max Richter, Mea platform   Ian Thompson, IMT Advisory  Further reading:  For listeners looking to explore the themes discussed in this episode:  Agentic AI & insurance  Podcast episode: Where is the industry today? – a view from the C-suite (A rare C-suite perspective on Agentic AI: what it is, how it’s being deployed and why senior leaders are walking a tightrope between bold innovation and operational risk.)  CFC launches Lane Assist, a live agentic underwriting pilot  McGill & Partners becomes first London Market broker to deploy Agentic AI  McGill + AIG collaboration using AI-driven underwriting  Duck Creek launches insurance-native Agentic AI Platform  Federato RiskOps and Agentic underwriting platform  MGA Banyan Risk deploys hx’s full agentic underwriting suite  Strategy & commercial value  Simon Torrance's work on Intelligence Capital   AI Risk research on Agentic AI and enterprise transformation   InsTech & ServiceNow New York event: The future of insurance will be orchestrated, not built  Governance & Responsible AI  Article: The New Frontier: Managing and insuring generative and agentic AI risks with Edinburgh Futures Institute  Podcast episode: Creating a new kind of assurance & insurance framework for AI-related risks (This episode unpacks one of the most ambitious research initiatives currently shaping the future of AI risk in insurance.)

    18 min

  4. May 31

    Harry Vardigans, Head of Insurance: Fathom: Will it make the boat go faster? (409)

    What do ocean rowing, flood modelling and insurance innovation have in common? More than you might think.  In this episode, Matthew Grant is joined by Harry Vardigans, Head of Insurance at Fathom, for a conversation that spans Atlantic Ocean rowing, catastrophe modelling and the evolving nature of risk in insurance.  Later this year, Harry will join three teammates in an attempt to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, travelling from the Canary Islands to Antigua in a nine-metre boat. What starts as a discussion about one of the world's toughest endurance challenges quickly becomes a fascinating exploration of how individuals and organisations prepare for uncertainty, manage risk and make decisions in complex environments.  Drawing on both his upcoming expedition and his work helping insurers better understand flood risk, Harry reflects on the parallels between navigating an ocean crossing and navigating today's insurance market. From weather forecasting and route optimisation to insurance availability and regulatory change, the conversation highlights how better data and improved modelling can transform previously uninsurable risks into manageable opportunities.  In this conversation, Harry shares:  What it takes to prepare for a 3,000-mile Atlantic rowing race  The practical realities of managing risk in one of the world's most demanding endurance challenges  How weather forecasting and climate intelligence influence decision-making at sea  Why ocean rowing has become a more insurable risk over time  The role regulation plays in creating new insurance opportunities  How Fathom and Swiss Re are combining expertise to advance flood modelling capabilities  Why flood risk assessment has changed significantly over the last five years  The benefits of maintaining a consistent global approach to catastrophe modelling  Lessons from scaling a specialist insurtech business in a competitive market  How the philosophy of continuous improvement can apply to both sport and business  Why ambitious projects often begin with simply committing to the first step  Follow Harry's Atlantic crossing Harry and his crew, Rogue Wave, will be sharing updates as they prepare for and complete their Atlantic crossing. Instagram: @rogue_wave2026 LinkedIn: Rogue Wave Atlantic Row 2026 YouTube: Rogue Wave Vlog Episode 1 – Introductions The team is also raising money for two charities, The HALO Trust and the Cocktower Foundation, with donation links available through their social channels. Harry's recommendation Harry recommends Will It Make The Boat Go Faster? by Ben Hunt-Davis and Harriet Beveridge. The book explores how a relentless focus on actions that directly contribute to your goal can drive exceptional results, a philosophy that has shaped both his approach to business and his preparation for crossing the Atlantic. If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn.  Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning.

    21 min

  5. May 24

    Mark Twigg & Rob Agnew: Agentiv-x: Why neurosymbolic AI could transform insurance broking (408)

    In this episode, Robin Merttens is joined by Mark Twigg, CEO of Agentiv-x, and Rob Agnew, the company’s Chief Strategy Officer, to explore how neurosymbolic AI could reshape commercial insurance broking.  While much of the insurance AI conversation has focused on underwriting automation, Agentiv-x is taking a different approach: helping brokers make faster, more consistent and more explainable placement decisions in increasingly complex commercial markets.  Drawing on backgrounds in financial services regulation, governance and insurance technology, Mark and Rob explain why they believe the next generation of AI tools must go beyond black-box automation. Instead, they argue the future lies in combining the pattern recognition power of large language models with structured reasoning and transparent decision-making.  The discussion centres on the practical application of neurosymbolic AI, an emerging approach designed to deliver the benefits of generative AI while improving explainability, consistency and regulatory accountability. Through their placement copilot platform, Agentiv-x is aiming to help brokers compare policies more effectively, evidence the quality of their recommendations and reduce the risks associated with manual decision-making.  Set against a backdrop of growing regulatory scrutiny, increasing compliance demands and rapid AI adoption across financial services, the conversation explores what responsible AI implementation in insurance could look like over the next decade.  At the heart of the episode is a key question: as brokers become increasingly reliant on AI-assisted decision-making, how can the industry balance automation with transparency, accountability and human judgement?  In this conversation, Mark and Rob share:  What neurosymbolic AI is and why it matters in insurance   How Agentiv-x combines large language models with symbolic reasoning   Why they chose to focus on brokers rather than underwriting workflows   The challenges brokers face when comparing complex commercial policies   How explainable AI can help reduce E&O exposure and improve client outcomes   Why consistency and traceability are becoming central regulatory concerns   How AI-native insurance businesses could disrupt incumbent market models   Why brokers remain essential in AI-assisted decision-making processes   How Agentiv-x is approaching claims advocacy using the same technology foundations   What success looks like as the business moves towards its next funding round  If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Robin Merttens on LinkedIn.  Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning.

    24 min

  6. May 17

    Lifting the lid on the InsTech Podcast - what’s worked and what hasn’t… (407)

    This week, the tables turn as Matthew Grant steps behind the microphone solo to reflect on seven years, 400+ episodes and the lessons learned from building one of insurance innovation’s most recognisable podcast platforms.   From storytelling and interview technique to AI-assisted editing and the evolving role of podcasts in B2B marketing, Matthew shares an honest look at what works, what doesn’t and how InsTech is thinking about the future of content in an increasingly crowded landscape.  Rather than focusing on technology alone, this episode explores something more fundamental: why people listen, what makes conversations memorable and how meaningful stories cut through industry noise.  Listeners will hear Matthew’s practical insights on:  Why storytelling matters more than expertise alone   The power of keeping interviews simple, focused and human   How educational content outperforms the hard sell   What separates memorable podcast guests from forgettable ones   How AI tools like Claude and NotebookLM are changing podcast production and research   Why audio remains such a powerful medium for busy professionals   The importance of preparation without over-scripting conversations   How personal stories unlock better discussions and stronger audience connection   Matthew also reflects candidly on his own interviewing habits, what AI revealed about his style and why continuous improvement matters even after hundreds of episodes.  Along the way, he highlights standout conversations from previous episodes, including discussions with Sasha Haco of Unitary and serial entrepreneur Mark Cunningham of PriceHubble, both examples of how compelling personal stories can bring complex insurance innovation to life.  Whether you host a podcast, appear as a guest or simply want to communicate ideas more effectively, this episode offers a thoughtful masterclass in creating content people actually want to listen to.  If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn.  Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning.

    13 min

  7. May 10

    The future and how to get there (406)

    In this episode, we revisit a live panel discussion from last year’s Agentic AI event, moderated by Robin Merttens featuring Ian Thompson of IMT Advisory, Sasha Haco, Co-founder and CEO of Unitary, Dr Paul Dongha from NatWest Group, and Nick Williams-Walker, Group COO at McGill and Partners.   Recorded at a moment when Agentic AI was beginning to dominate conversations across insurance, the discussion explores what the industry might look like three to five years into widespread AI adoption — and what it will take to get there.  The panel examines where insurers are already deploying AI agents, from claims investigations and underwriting support to real-time risk analysis and customer servicing. But alongside the optimism sits a more cautious conversation around governance, regulation, data complexity and the growing gap between experimentation and operational reality.  Throughout the discussion, there is a recurring tension between ambition and execution. Some panellists argue the winners will be organisations willing to move quickly with focused, incremental deployments. Others warn that poorly governed AI systems, unrealistic expectations and “fear of missing out” decision-making could create entirely new risks for the sector.  The conversation also raises broader questions about how insurance itself may evolve as AI capabilities mature — from the rise of highly automated brokers and MGAs to changing expectations around service, talent and human expertise.  With InsTech and AI Risk returning on 7 July for this year’s expanded Agentic AI event in London, this episode offers a useful opportunity to look back at the predictions, concerns and opportunities shaping the conversation just one year ago.  In this conversation, the panel discusses:  Where insurers are already deploying AI agents across underwriting, claims and servicing   Why governance and human oversight remain critical in regulated industries   The operational challenges of implementing AI at scale inside large organisations   Whether Agentic AI will augment teams or significantly reduce operational headcount   How leadership, culture and change management will influence adoption   Why incremental deployment may outperform large transformation programmes   The growing importance of AI governance, accountability and security controls   How customer expectations and service models could evolve over the next five years   Why talent shortages may accelerate demand for AI-enabled workflows   Which organisations are most likely to benefit from the next wave of insurance innovation Sign up to the InsTech newsletter for a fresh view on the world every Wednesday morning.

    29 min

  8. May 3

    Carrie Thomas, Account Director: Datos Insights: Should I stay or should I go now? A personal perspective of flood risk in Florida (405)

    In this episode, Matthew Grant is joined by Carrie Thomas, Account Director at Datos Insights, for a deeply personal look at what happens when insurance risk becomes a lived reality.  Having spent years working closely with insurers, Carrie brings a rare dual perspective, both as an industry insider and as a homeowner navigating one of the most challenging insurance markets in the world. After relocating from the Carolinas to Florida, she found herself caught in a system where cover is not only harder to access, but increasingly difficult to justify.  The conversation centres on her experience trying to secure homeowners and flood insurance in a state where carriers are withdrawing, pricing is volatile and eligibility rules create unexpected gaps. Despite not being in a designated flood zone, Carrie faced rising premiums, limited options and ultimately the decision to go without flood cover altogether.  Set against the backdrop of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, she shares what it is like to experience storm risk first-hand, from uncertainty around evacuation to the aftermath of storm surge and its impact on communities.   At the heart of the episode is a difficult but important question: when the cost of protection continues to rise, how do individuals, insurers and governments respond?  In this conversation, Carrie shares:  Why insurers are pulling back from markets like Florida and what that means for customers  How flood risk, eligibility and pricing can create unexpected protection gaps  What it feels like to navigate insurance decisions during active hurricane seasons  The trade-offs between state-backed cover and private market alternatives  Why insurance costs are becoming a key driver in relocation decisions  How catastrophe events are reshaping perceptions of risk at a household level  Why improved data does not automatically lead to more affordable insurance  How initiatives like Elevate Florida are attempting to adapt to increasing flood exposure  What insurers are focusing on as they balance claims pressure with long-term sustainability  Carrie’s recommendations:  Podcast: The Rest is History  Book: Millennium by Tom Holland  If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn.

    24 min
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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.

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