Podcast
InsurTech Amplified
Hosted by Theresa Blissing and Michael Waitze · EN
A podcast dedicated to Insurance and InsurTech in Europe and the Americas and how technology is reshaping the industry.
20episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
EP 65 - How Can Trust and Tech Work Together to Redefine the Insurance Journey? - Manjit Rana - EVP Insurance at Clearspeed
Sep 200:51:12Tap to summarizeFraud prevention and customer trust are no longer separate issues in insurance—they are now inseparable. As fraud becomes more sophisticated and easier to commit with modern technology, insurers face the challenge of protecting themselves without alienating honest customers. Manjit Rana, EVP Insurance at Clearspeed, explains how traditional methods of profiling and evidence-checking often fall short, creating bias and friction that damage the customer relationship. Instead, insurers must adopt new approaches that both deter fraud and build lasting trust, recognizing that exaggerated claims are just as harmful as outright fabrications.Manjit believes a new way of thinking about the role of insurance is needed. Instead of being viewed merely as a “safety net” that customers reluctantly pay for and rarely use, insurance must become more like a “guardian angel”, adding value in everyday life through proactive support and meaningful engagement. Emerging tools, from AI-powered fraud detection to neuroscience-based trust assessments, show promise in making this shift possible. By focusing on building trust while minimizing fraud, insurers can transform not just how claims are handled but also how customers experience protection in a constantly changing world.
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EP 64 - Why Are Legacy Systems Still Holding the Insurance Industry Back?- Robert Lewis - CEO at INTX Insurance Software
Aug 1800:40:25Tap to summarizeThe insurance industry is facing a moment of reckoning. While other sectors like banking and capital markets have embraced digital transformation, some insurers continue to struggle with legacy systems, fragmented data, and complex distribution models. InsurTech Amplified welcomed Robert Lewis, CEO of INTX Insurance Software, who highlights how these issues have slowed innovation and stifled efficiency. Despite $60 billion in insurtech investment over the past decade, many insurers remain stuck with outdated infrastructure that makes integration painful and transformation expensive. Drawing lessons from capital markets and emerging economies, Robert argues that a unified, modern software approach—built from the ground up—could finally help the entire industry leap forward.At the heart of this transformation is the need for cleaner data, smarter software, and a simplified value chain. Technologies like AI and predictive analytics hold real promise for underwriting, fraud detection, and capital allocation, but they are only as effective as the systems that support them. Meanwhile, emerging digital platforms—from ride-hailing to social media—offer fresh opportunities to rethink distribution and customer engagement. The path forward lies in breaking free from legacy constraints and designing insurance systems that are agile, auditable, and built for the digital age.
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EP 63 - How Can Technology Empower Agents to Support SMEs Better? - Jack Ramsey - NEXT Insurance
Aug 1100:35:15Tap to summarizeThe way insurance is delivered to micro and small businesses is undergoing a significant transformation. Traditionally treated as a single category, small businesses actually vary widely in size, complexity, and needs. InsurTech Amplified welcomed Jack Ramsey, VP Agent Channel at Next Insurance to investigate the evolving relationship between agents and digital carriers.Recognizing this evolution, leading insurers are shifting away from a one-size-fits-all approach toward more tailored, segmented strategies. At the same time, digital tools are redefining how agents work—automating simple processes like quoting and servicing so agents can focus on high-value customer interactions. This shift is not just about technology, but about rethinking how efficiency, accessibility, and trust can coexist in a modern insurance experience.These changes also reflect a broader generational and cultural shift. Both agents and small business owners are increasingly digital-first, expecting fast, seamless, and flexible interactions that match their everyday consumer experiences. The result is a growing demand for self-service options, intuitive interfaces, and faster product development cycles. Insurers that listen closely to agents and customers—and build around their evolving needs—are finding new ways to serve traditionally underserved segments. The future of small business insurance belongs to those willing to challenge legacy thinking and redesign from the ground up.
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EP 62 - Can an Insurance Company Be Built From Scratch Using Only AI? - Onur Gungor - CEO at Allegory
Aug 400:46:54Tap to summarizeThe insurance industry is undergoing a profound transformation driven by artificial intelligence. Instead of layering AI onto existing processes, a new approach is emerging—one that rebuilds insurance from the ground up using AI as the foundation.InsurTech Amplified welcomed Onur Gungor, the Founder and CEO of Allegory, who is reimagining the insurance industry by building it from first principles—with artificial intelligence at the core. This involves modeling every aspect of the value chain, from underwriting and pricing to claims handling and customer service, as interconnected workflows that can be managed by intelligent agents. These agents don’t just automate tasks—they coordinate, learn, and support human decision-makers by providing real-time data, context, and summaries. This fusion of actuarial thinking and AI results in systems that are faster, more efficient, and capable of scaling into underserved regions and emerging markets.However, even with advanced automation, there are essential roles that only humans can fill. Empathy, intuition, and ethical judgment remain core to meaningful customer interactions, especially in moments of crisis or distress. While AI can process massive amounts of data and generate new solutions rapidly, it still requires human oversight to guide, interpret, and ensure that outcomes align with values. The future of insurance is not about replacing people with machines but empowering them with tools that make their work more impactful, accurate, and compassionate.
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EP 61 - Is Now the First Time We Can Map Flood Risk at Scale? - Dr. Andrew Smith - Chief Operations Officer at Fathom
Jul 2800:39:57Tap to summarizeUnderstanding and managing flood risk has become increasingly important as climate change and rapid urbanization intensify the frequency and impact of extreme weather events. Traditional approaches that rely on historical data are no longer sufficient. Extreme floods are rare and unpredictable, making past events a poor guide for the future.In this episode of InsurTech Amplified, Dr. Andrew Smith, co-Founder and COO of Fathom, brings clarity to one of the most urgent challenges facing the world today—flood risk. With a background in computational flood modeling, Dr. Smith explains how the field has evolved dramatically in the past decade. Instead of relying on limited historical data, today’s most advanced models simulate the actual physics of flooding, using improved satellite imagery, better terrain data, and more powerful computing.What makes this work so important is not just climate change, but the rapid increase in exposure—more buildings, people, and infrastructure in harm’s way. Fathom’s models are now used by insurance companies, governments, tech firms, banks, and even humanitarian organizations to identify risk and plan smarter. From protecting critical infrastructure to safely siting refugee camps, this work illustrates how science, technology, and data-driven insight can help society become more resilient in a rapidly changing world.
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EP 60 - Can Insurance Employ AI That Is Both Powerful and Fair? - John Standish - Chief Innovation and Compliance Officer at Charlee AI
Jul 1400:35:08Tap to summarizeArtificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how insurance companies process claims, detect fraud, and manage risk. But to be effective and fair, AI must be developed and deployed with careful attention to data quality, model transparency, and ethical use. AI systems are only as good as the data they are trained on, and if that data is biased or incomplete, the outcomes will reflect and even amplify those problems.In a conversation filled with lived experience, John Standish, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation and Compliance Officer at Charlee AI, laid out a powerful and pragmatic vision for how artificial intelligence must be built for the insurance industry. Having transitioned from a long and substantial career in law enforcement and insurance fraud investigations to the world of InsurTech, John offers rare dual expertise: a regulator’s scrutiny and a technologist’s curiosity. His perspectives cut through hype and buzzwords and land squarely in the domain of real-world consequences, compliance, and human-centered innovation.John underscored the importance of domain-specific AI models that are trained with relevant, clean, and unbiased data. He cautioned against using generic models and stressed the need for explainability, transparency, and regulatory compliance in all AI-driven decisions. The conversation illuminated a crucial point: AI isn’t a magic fix for outdated processes—it’s a force multiplier for organizations willing to rethink their foundational data strategies and workflows. For the insurance industry, embracing this challenge is not just a matter of innovation, but of survival in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
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EP 59 - Can the Insurance Industry Embrace AI Without Fixing Its Data First? - Mike Allee - Universal Conversion Technologies
Jun 2700:36:16Tap to summarizeArtificial intelligence is rapidly becoming central to how businesses operate, but its success depends on one critical foundation—data. In industries like insurance, where legacy systems and scattered data are common, the promise of AI is often held back by outdated infrastructure and poor data quality. Simply migrating data from old systems to new ones is not enough.In this episode of InsurTech Amplified, Mike Allee, President at Universal Conversion Technologies, explores how the insurance industry must confront its legacy data challenges to truly benefit from AI. While AI offers massive potential, it cannot function effectively without high-quality, well-structured data. Mike emphasizes that moving data is only part of the solution—insurers must also reshape it for AI use, taking care to comply with local regulations and ethical considerations like data sovereignty and consumer consent.Mike also highlights a shift in thinking where data governance is no longer just a back-office task—it’s becoming a strategic driver. Some forward-thinking insurers are now using governance teams as gatekeepers for tech investments, ensuring that AI is deployed responsibly and effectively. Importantly, AI itself is being used to assist in data cleansing and validation, helping insurers prepare their systems for transformation. This marks a significant change: data is no longer just a tool for reporting—it is a strategic asset driving business transformation in the age of AI.
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EP 58 - Can the Insurance Industry Keep Up With the Impact of Climate Change? - Nakita Devlin - Ric Insurance
Jun 1600:33:53Tap to summarizeInsurance is meant to serve as a financial safety net, but the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related disasters are exposing deep flaws in how that safety net is delivered. Traditional models, especially for homeowners, renters, and small businesses, are no longer keeping pace with the changing environment.In this episode of InsurTech Amplified, Nakita Devlin, the Founderand CEO of Ric Insurance explains why she believes the insurance industry must urgently evolve to meet the moment. Traditional models, especially for homeowners, renters, and small businesses, are no longer keeping pace with the changing environment. As property values rise and recovery costs soar, the gap between what insurance promises and what it delivers continues to widen.To address these issues, new approaches are emerging that prioritize speed, accessibility, and relevance. Parametric insurance—triggered by weather data rather than lengthy claims processes—offers faster financial relief. Technology is playing a crucial role in making these products scalable and responsive, while alternative distribution methods, like employee benefits or community-based programs, are helping reach those most at risk. By focusing on transparency, regulatory reform, and targeted innovation, Nakita believes there’s a path forward to build insurance that truly meets the demands of a climate-challenged world.
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EP 57 - Can Small Daily Habits Really Reshape How We Age? - Alexandra Pitkin-Morin - Assured Allies
Jun 800:39:57Tap to summarizePreventive health is one of the most powerful yet underused tools for improving quality of life as we age. The earlier we build healthy habits—such as regular movement, better nutrition, improved sleep, and stress management—the more likely we are to avoid chronic disease, reduce long-term healthcare costs, and maintain independence into older age.In this episode of InsurTech Amplified with Alexandra Pitkin-Morin, Director of Service Delivery at Assured Allies, explores the power of preventive wellness as a tool for aging with strength, dignity, and independence. Drawing on her background as a registered dietitian and personal trainer, Alexandra highlights how small, intentional lifestyle changes—such as improving sleep, reducing stress, and eating better—can significantly impact long-term health outcomes.Behavior change isn’t just about information—it’s about motivation, access, and support. Trusted, personalized coaching can help individuals identify what matters most to them and translate that into meaningful action. Programs that pair gentle guidance with low-lift goals can create momentum without overwhelming people. As society faces a rapidly aging population designing care that is proactive, human-centered, and accessible is no longer optional—it’s essential.
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EP 56 - Can Insurance Really Help You Live Your Best Life? - Sammy Rubin - co-Founder and CEO at YuLife
May 5, 202500:36:21Tap to summarizeInsurance is often seen as a product designed to protect against loss—but it can be much more. At its core, it holds the potential to promote daily well-being and inspire people to live with greater purpose. When combined with simple, consistent habits like walking, mindful breathing, and better sleep practices, insurance can become a platform for physical, mental, social, and financial wellness. Sammy Rubin, a co-Founder and CEO of YuLife, is reimagining what insurance can be—not just a safety net for life’s worst moments, but a platform to inspire people to live their best lives every day. Drawing from his personal journey through burnout and renewal, Sammy and the team have built YuLife around the belief that well-being should be accessible to everyone. Rather than promoting extreme fitness or luxury retreats, YuLife encourages simple, daily habits—like walking, breathing exercises, and mindfulness—that are gamified and rewarded, creating a sense of fun, engagement, and community among employees.Building a company around this vision requires more than innovation; it demands purpose, culture, and empathy. A mission-driven approach that prioritizes values such as kindness, curiosity, and spiritual depth fosters not only strong internal teams, but also deep engagement with users.
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