Predict & Prevent

The Institutes

An exploration of an evolving strategy to combat the biggest risk challenges facing society today by working to eliminate losses before they occur. Host Pete Miller, President and CEO of The Institutes, will examine what the transition to a Predict & Prevent strategy means, why it is urgently needed and how cutting-edge technology and resiliency are making it a reality. In each episode, leading experts and business leaders will share the tools and strategies they are applying and how they are overcoming challenges along the way.

  1. 1D AGO

    Improving Property Survivability with Homeowner Help

    While traditional climate models predict where disasters occur, Faura's technology—trained on over a century of property data—identifies which homes are more likely to survive wildfires, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and hail. Partnering with insurance companies, Faura replaces expensive inspections with quick homeowner self-assessments, providing actionable recommendations from simple weekend fixes to major improvements. Valkyrie Holmes, CEO and co-founder of Faura, describes how the platform focuses on "survivability" rather than traditional weather prediction, helping insurance carriers verify property information while engaging policyholders in meaningful education about their risk. Through self-assessment tools that cover major peril the company has created a unique partnership model that benefits both insurers seeking better data and homeowners wanting to understand and mitigate their risks. Holmes discusses how this approach leads to better retention rates, more accurate underwriting, and ultimately safer communities through actionable mitigation strategies. Resources: Faura: https://www.faura.us/ The Institutes: https://global.theinstitutes.org/ Predict & Prevent website: https://www.predictandprevent.org/ Sign up for our weekly Predict & Prevent newsletter: https://www.predictandprevent.org/newsletter/ Faura's platform focuses on "survivability" rather than traditional weather prediction, helping insurance carriers verify property information while engaging policyholders in meaningful education about their risk. Through self-assessment tools that cover five major perils—wildfire, hurricane, hail, flood, and earthquake—the company has created a unique partnership model that benefits both insurers seeking better data and homeowners wanting to understand and mitigate their risks. Holmes discusses how this approach leads to better retention rates, more accurate underwriting, and ultimately safer communities through actionable mitigation strategies.

    30 min
  2. AUG 21

    Network Effect: From Protecting Homes to Preventing Grid Faults

    What if the same sensor protecting your home from electrical fires could also help prevent billion-dollar wildfires that devastate entire communities? That's the fascinating premise explored in the latest episode of the Predict & Prevent podcast, where host Pete Miller welcomes back Bob Marshall, CEO and co-founder of Whisker Labs, for a conversation about how individual home protection is evolving into grid-scale catastrophe prevention. In this conversation, Pete and Bob discuss the growth and impact of Ting, a home monitoring system developed by Whisker Labs. They explore the rapid deployment of Ting in over a million homes, its effectiveness in preventing fires, and new research that demonstrates the positive ROI for insurance carriers. Bob shares insights on how Ting's growing network and data can help utilities monitor grid stress and prevent wildfires. The discussion also touches on the future of Whisker Labs, potential expansion into commercial structures, and the importance of changing the relationship between insurance companies and homeowners through proactive safety measures. Resources: Whisker Labs: https://www.whiskerlabs.com/ Research on value of IoT to Homeowners, Insurers: https://www.whiskerlabs.com/how-effective-are-loss-prevention-programs-for-insurers/ Bob Marshall on Episode 2 of Predict & Prevent: https://www.predictandprevent.org/podcast/hidden-dangers-uncovered/ The Institutes: https://global.theinstitutes.org/ Predict & Prevent website: https://www.predictandprevent.org/ Sign up for our weekly Predict & Prevent newsletter: https://www.predictandprevent.org/newsletter/

    20 min
  3. JUL 31

    Hurricane Data Validates Resilient Building Standard

    Recent catastrophic events have left many insurance carriers questioning whether traditional building practices can withstand increasingly severe weather patterns, while homeowners struggle with rising premiums and reduced coverage options. New research from the University of Alabama provides compelling evidence that resilient construction standards not only protect homes during major storms but also deliver measurable financial benefits to property owners. Dr. Lars Powell, director of the Center for Risk and Insurance Research at the University of Alabama, joins Pete Miller, CEO of The Institutes, to discuss how the findings offer a data-driven roadmap for addressing one of the insurance industry's most persistent challenges. Dr. Powell shares insights into how FORTIFIED homes performed during Hurricane Sally, revealing surprising findings about damage claims and the frequency of trees falling on houses. The conversation also covers the positive reception of the research, the challenges in promoting resilience, and the keys to Alabama's success in implementing resilience measures. Powell emphasizes the need for further research into risk mitigation and the economic implications of disaster recovery. Resources: Center for Risk & Insurance Research website: https://crir.culverhouse.ua.edu/ Alabama’s 2025 FORTIFIED research:  https://crir.culverhouse.ua.edu/2025/05/19/performance-of-ibhs-fortified-hometm-construction-in-hurricane-sally/ Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety: https://ibhs.org/ The Institutes: https://global.theinstitutes.org/ Predict & Prevent website: https://www.predictandprevent.org/ Sign up for our weekly Predict & Prevent newsletter: https://www.predictandprevent.org/newsletter/

    40 min
  4. JUL 11

    Policymaker Perspectives: Balancing Innovation and Protection

    As artificial intelligence reshapes the insurance landscape and climate-related disasters become increasingly frequent, regulators face the complex challenge of fostering innovation while protecting consumers. This episode of the Predict and Prevent podcast explores these pressing issues through the lens of a regulatory leader navigating these very challenges. Scott A. White, commissioner of the Virginia State Corporation Commission's Bureau of Insurance and president-elect of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), discusses how regulators are encouraging innovation while establishing necessary guardrails in the latest episode of the Predict & Prevent® podcast from The Institutes with guest host Frank Paul Tomasello, executive director of The Institutes’ Griffith Insurance Education Foundation. The conversation explores how regulators are adapting to advances in AI and predictive modeling, particularly in property and casualty insurance rate-making. White discusses the regulatory community's focus on ensuring transparency, preventing discriminatory outcomes, and protecting data privacy while supporting industry innovation. He also highlights the growing emphasis on resilience and mitigation strategies, including state-level programs that provide incentives for consumers to adopt loss prevention measures. The discussion concludes with White's perspective on the durability of the state-based regulatory system and his outlook for the future of risk management and insurance. Resources: Virginia Bureau of Insurance: https://www.scc.virginia.gov/consumers/insurance/ National Association of Insurance Commissioners: https://content.naic.org/ The Institutes Griffith Educational Foundation: https://www.griffithfoundation.org/ The Institutes: https://global.theinstitutes.org/ Predict & Prevent website: https://www.predictandprevent.org/ Sign up for our weekly Predict & Prevent newsletter: https://www.predictandprevent.org/newsletter/

    27 min
  5. JUN 20

    Beyond Prediction: Wildfire Mitigation That Works

    While traditional insurers continue retreating from wildfire-prone areas, leaving property owners scrambling for coverage, one company is taking the opposite approach by combining cutting-edge analytics with mitigation-focused strategies. Green Shield Risk Solutions is tackling the wildfire insurance crisis head-on, proving that with the right technology and expertise, these risks can be successfully managed rather than simply avoided. Pat Blandford, CEO and founder of Green Shield Risk Solutions, discusses how his company addresses the growing challenge of insurers retreating from wildfire-prone areas by combining sophisticated analytics with proactive mitigation strategies. Unlike traditional approaches that focus primarily on predicting fire likelihood, Green Shield's Property Guardian platform emphasizes making properties insurable through detailed risk assessment and targeted mitigation recommendations. Blandford shares compelling success stories from the recent Los Angeles wildfires, where properties following their mitigation recommendations survived while surrounding areas were devastated. The discussion also covers the company's expansion plans into other catastrophic risks and the broader ecosystem of stakeholders needed to build truly resilient communities. Resources: Green Shield Risk Solutions: https://www.greenshieldrisk.com/ Property Guardian: https://www.propertyguardian.com/ Technosylva: https://technosylva.com/ The Institutes: https://global.theinstitutes.org/ Predict & Prevent website: https://www.predictandprevent.org/ Sign up for our weekly Predict & Prevent newsletter: https://www.predictandprevent.org/newsletter/

    26 min
  6. MAY 31

    Wearable Allies: Transforming Workplace Safety

    For decades, workplace safety management has followed a frustratingly reactive pattern: wait for accidents to happen, implement fixes, and repeat. Innovative wearable technology is now breaking this cycle by capturing critical environmental and motion data that enables safety professionals to address hazards before injuries occur. Gabriel Glynn, CEO and Founder of MākuSafe, talks with host Pete Miller, CEO of The Institutes, about how a conversation with his father, a safety manager who was frustrated with the reactive nature of his job, inspired him to create technology that helps safety professionals become proactive instead of reactive. MākuSafe's wearable devices collect environmental and motion data in real-time, giving safety managers actionable insights to prevent accidents before they happen rather than simply responding after incidents occur. The conversation explores how MakuSafe's technology works, the impressive results their customers have achieved, and how the right organizational culture is crucial for successful implementation. Gabriel also provides fascinating real-world examples of how the data collected has helped companies identify unexpected workplace hazards and make simple but effective changes that dramatically improve safety outcomes. Resources: MākuSafe website: https://makusafe.com/ The Institutes: https://global.theinstitutes.org/ Predict & Prevent website: https://www.predictandprevent.org/ Sign up for our weekly Predict & Prevent newsletter: https://www.predictandprevent.org/newsletter/

    40 min
  7. 11/14/2024

    Building Resilience: From Rooftops to Results

    How the insurance industry is promoting a shift in disaster mitigation through science-backed building standards and state-level partnerships to make homes more resilient is discussed in “Building Resilience: From Rooftops to Results,” the latest episode of the Predict & Prevent podcast from The Institutes. Roy Wright, President and CEO of The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), joined Pete Miller, CEO of The Institutes, to explore the role of insurers and consumers in making homes and communities safer. Roy talks about the IBHS FORTIFIED program and its success in Alabama, as well as the newer Wildfire Prepared Home initiative. He explains how these programs have evolved, their impact on reducing insurance claims, and the critical role of state partnerships in driving adoption. Roy also talks about how proper building standards and retrofitting can significantly reduce property damage and disruption to people's lives during severe weather events. The challenge of getting more states to adopt modern building codes is also discussed. And Roy talks about future initiatives focused on roof durability and performance. Resources: The Institute for Business & Home Safety: https://ibhs.org/ FORTIFIED home designation: https://fortifiedhome.org/ Wildfire Prepared Home: https://wildfireprepared.org/ Rating the States: https://ibhs.org/public-policy/rating-the-states/ The Institutes: https://global.theinstitutes.org/ Predict & Prevent website: https://www.predictandprevent.org/ Sign up for our weekly Predict & Prevent newsletter: https://www.predictandprevent.org/newsletter/

    37 min
  8. 10/24/2024

    AI on Guard: Stopping Gun Violence Before It Starts

    In an era where gun violence continues to plague American society, how one innovative technology company is stepping up to address this persistent challenge is the focus of “AI on Guard: Stopping Gun Violence Before It Starts,” the latest episode of the Predict & Prevent podcast from The Institutes. Host Pete Miller, CEO of The Institutes, talks with Timothy Fallon, VP of Strategic Initiatives at ZeroEyes, on how artificial intelligence and human verification are being combined to create proactive solutions for gun violence prevention. Tim discusses the company's mission to prevent gun violence through advanced AI technology that detects firearms in real-time. He explains the operational process of detection, verification, and alerting relevant authorities, emphasizing the importance of human analysts in assessing threats. The discussion also covers the impact of ZeroEyes on school safety, the technology behind their solutions, and their partnerships with the insurance industry to provide comprehensive safety measures. Tim shares insights on the future of ZeroEyes and the critical role of technology in enhancing public safety. Resources: ZeroEyes: https://zeroeyes.com/ Lloyd’s Lab: https://www.lloyds.com/news-and-insights/lloyds-lab Lloyd’s Lab Americas Cohort: https://www.lloyds.com/about-lloyds/media-centre/press-releases/lloyds-lab-announces-insurtechs-joining-first-ever-americas-based-cohort The Institutes: https://global.theinstitutes.org/ Predict & Prevent website: https://www.predictandprevent.org/ Sign up for our weekly Predict & Prevent newsletter: https://www.predictandprevent.org/newsletter/

    28 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

An exploration of an evolving strategy to combat the biggest risk challenges facing society today by working to eliminate losses before they occur. Host Pete Miller, President and CEO of The Institutes, will examine what the transition to a Predict & Prevent strategy means, why it is urgently needed and how cutting-edge technology and resiliency are making it a reality. In each episode, leading experts and business leaders will share the tools and strategies they are applying and how they are overcoming challenges along the way.

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