InsurTechTalk

AI is everywhere in insurance conversations—but what does it actually change inside a brokerage?In Episode 148, I sit down with Anupam Gupta, Chief Product Officer at Applied Systems, one of the largest insurtech platforms serving insurance agencies and brokers worldwide.We discuss how the agency management system (AMS) is evolving from a simple system of record into a system of action—powered by AI and digital teammates that help brokers get work done faster.Some of the topics we cover:• Why most commercial insurance submissions still happen through email• How AI agents can prepare renewal packets automatically• Why brokers remain essential as trusted advisors even in an AI-driven world• How automation can reduce administrative work and free brokers to focus on clients• The challenge of change management as agencies adopt new technology• Why the future brokerage will include human experts supported by digital teammatesWe also discuss Applied Systems’ role in the industry, how insurtech competition is evolving, and what brokers should expect from the next generation of insurance technology.Key takeaway:AI won’t replace brokers—but it will dramatically change how work gets done behind the scenes.If you work in insurance, brokerage technology, or insurtech, this conversation provides a practical look at where the industry is heading.

InsurTechTalk Episode 147AI, Claims Automation, and the Future of Insurance | Juan (Tuio) on Building an AI-Native InsurerIn this episode of InsurTechTalk, we sit down with Juan, co-founder of Tuio, a fast-growing Spanish insurtech that is rethinking personal insurance using AI, automation, and behavioral data.Tuio launched in 2021 to serve a segment that traditional insurers struggle with: digitally native customers who expect self-service insurance, transparent pricing, and fast claims resolution. Instead of building another digital wrapper around legacy systems, Tuio designed a platform that uses AI agents to optimize the two biggest drivers of insurance profitability: marketing and claims.Juan explains how their AI system—nicknamed “Watson”—analyzes massive claims datasets, reviews videos and documents submitted by customers, and recommends the next best action for adjusters. Rather than replacing humans, the system creates a human-in-the-loop model where adjusters supervise AI decisions and focus on the most valuable part of the job: helping customers.We also discuss:• Why most AI projects in insurance focus on the wrong cost centers• How Tuio uses AI to improve underwriting, marketing efficiency, and claims handling• Why automation alone doesn’t improve profitability• How digital self-service generates richer underwriting data• The regulatory challenges of AI in insurance pricing• The opportunities for insurtech startups across Spain and Southern EuropeTuio currently serves 100,000+ customers, writes €15M in premiums, and is growing 10% month-over-month following a €15M Series A round led by MassMutual Ventures.If you want to understand how AI is moving from pilot projects to real P&L impact in insurance, this conversation is for you.Guest: Juan Garcia — Co-Founder, TuioHost: Gilad ShaiSubscribe for more conversations with founders, investors, and operators shaping the future of insurance, insurtech, and financial infrastructure.#Insurtech #AI #InsuranceInnovation #Startups #ClaimsAutomation #Fintech

Episode 146 | Climate Tech, Construction Innovation & Insurance RiskWhat does climate tech have to do with construction and insurance?In the first InsureTech Talk episode of 2026, I sit down with Josh Dorfman — climate entrepreneur and Founder of Planted — to unpack the intersection of climate innovation, supply chain resilience, advanced manufacturing, and insurability.Josh shares:- How Planted grows a structural biomass 10x faster than trees- Why verticalized supply chains matter for homebuilders- The real impact of energy competition between the U.S. and China- What $2 trillion per year in clean energy investment actually means- How better building materials could change the insurance equation- Why resilience is the missing link between climate and insurabilityWe also discuss:Fire, hurricanes, and why insurers are pulling back in CA & FLCarbon removal vs. practical climate solutionsAdvanced manufacturing, SpaceX DNA, and scaling hard techWhy construction innovation is becoming an insurance storyIf you care about the future of housing, underwriting, climate resilience, and where capital is flowing next — this episode is for you.Listen now.#InsurTech #ClimateTech #Insurance #ConstructionTech #Resilience #Energy #Underwriting #VentureCapital

🎙️ InsurTechTalk, Episode 145 | Inside the Operating Layer of Insurance with XceedanceIn this episode, I sit down with Katey Walker, Chief of Staff at Xceedance, to unpack the part of insurance most people misunderstand—and underestimate: operations.We discuss why Xceedance doesn’t sell insurance or deploy capital, how vertical domain expertise combined with AI is reshaping underwriting, claims, and actuarial work, and what it really takes to modernize insurance infrastructure globally.From standing up a U.S. FAIR Plan in 120 days to scaling a 5,500-person global services platform, this conversation is a masterclass in how insurance actually runs—and where it’s going next.

🎙️ Episode 144 — AI, Automation, and the Real Work Behind Insurance OperationsIn Episode 144 of InsurTechTalk, I sat down with Sasha Haco, Founder & CEO of Unitary.ai, for a wide-ranging conversation that cuts through the AI hype in insurance.We explore why not every workflow needs AI, why deterministic automation still matters, and how the smartest teams are blending software, RPA, and AI reasoning—very deliberately. Sasha also breaks down the difference between AI as a feature and AI as the core product, and why large, multi-year “transformation projects” are quietly falling behind.From MGA submissions intake to underwriting operations, this episode is a practical guide to choosing the right tool for the job—not just the loudest buzzword.If you’re thinking seriously about AI, automation, and operational scale in insurance, this conversation is worth your time.#InsurTechTalk #AIinInsurance #InsuranceOperations #Automation #Underwriting #MGA #DigitalTransformation

🎯 From SEO Gold Rush to AI-Driven Insurance FunnelsIn Episode 143, Gilad Shai sat down with Brian Greenberg to unpack one of the most complete real-world journeys in modern insurance distribution. The conversation traces Brian’s path from selling life insurance face-to-face at MetLife, to building and scaling a top-ranking life insurance website during the SEO “golden years,” exiting the operating business, and ultimately turning that hard-won technology into a platform now powering agents, agencies, RIAs, and financial professionals.The discussion highlights why life insurance is sold—not bought—and why funnels matter more than ever. Brian explains how nearly 90% of a life insurance application can be completed before an agent ever picks up the phone, and why direct-to-consumer life insurance models failed once the human layer was removed. We also explore how AI is finally helping agents tackle the hardest part of life insurance—underwriting—and why trust, consistent follow-up, and even physical mail continue to outperform purely digital strategies.This conversation is a masterclass in distribution strategy, funnel economics, and a clear reminder that the best technology in insurance doesn’t replace agents—it empowers them.If you’re in insurance, financial services, or InsurTech, this episode is worth your time.#InsurTechTalk #LifeInsurance #InsuranceAgents #AIinInsurance #DigitalDistribution #CustomerAcquisition #FounderStory #InsurTech

🎙️ #insurtechtalk Episode 140 I sat down with Lior Keren of Pumpkin to explore the intersection of pet care and insurance.🐾 Pet insurance isn’t just about policies — it’s about trust at the vet’s office. 👉 The Vet Channel — where education, trust, and adoption really happen.This was a fun and fluffy conversation (pun intended 🐶🐱) with real insights for anyone building in the pet care ecosystem.Chapters:00:00 – Dog or Cat Person?02:45 – Emotional Value of Pets04:10 – Introducing Pumpkin06:00 – Pet Insurance vs. Wellness Coverage08:20 – How Pet Insurance Works10:50 – Market Size & Opportunity13:30 – Regulation & Innovation Barriers16:00 – The Vet Channel18:20 – Covered Pets & Product Scope19:30 – Why the U.S. Lags Behind21:30 – Behavioral Nudges & Awareness23:30 – Inflation & Pumpkin Now26:00 – COVID Surge & Pet Trends28:30 – Strategic Investors & Focus31:30 – Advice for Founders34:00 – Moving Fast in a Regulated Industry36:00 – Closing Thoughts & ITC Vegas

🎙️ On #InsurTechTalk Episode 141, Stephanie Mier, Chief Insurance Officer for ServiceUp, talks about modernizing Direct Repair Programs (DRP) in the insurance and auto repair industry. Discover how ServiceUp is leveraging technology, AI, and strong partnerships to streamline claims, reduce repair times, and create better outcomes for carriers, fleets, repair shops, and consumers. If you want to understand how digital innovation is reshaping insurance and auto repair, this episode is a must-watch!00:00 - Introduction & Welcome02:05 - Stephanie’s background in insurance and insurtech07:40 - What are Direct Repair Programs (DRPs)?12:20 - The legacy challenges in claims and repair networks17:30 - ServiceUp’s mission and value proposition23:10 - Role of automation and digital claims in modern insurance28:25 - Improving repair cycle times and efficiency34:55 - Collaboration with insurers, fleets & repair shops39:10 - Using AI for better claims experiences43:00 - The future of claims management & insurance technology46:00 - Final thoughts & recommendations47:30 - Closing remarks#InsurTechTalk #ServiceUp #DRPNetworks #DigitalClaims #InsuranceInnovation #ClaimsManagement #InsuranceTech

🎙️ On #InsurTechTalk Episode 141 (clip 1), Stephanie Mier, Chief Insurance Officer for ServiceUp, joined me to discuss ServiceUp and its game-changing partnership with Clearcover!She highlights why Clearcover is one of their most important partners:Tech & Scale: The technology is highly scalable! 📈 Clearcover played a key role in developing the insurance vertical at ServiceUp.Collaboration: They helped create new technologies, updates, and product additions specifically to simplify life for Clearcover's adjusters. A true industry collaboration! 🤝Dream Team: Stephanie gives a major shoutout to the fantastic Clearcover team, including Kyle, Aaron Wheaten, and Brandon (Senior Director of Damage), calling it the "greatest partnership ever".Seamless Workflow: Clearcover's entire adjuster team uses email to input data into the portal, ensuring instant visibility for all involved! 📧👀.#insurtechtalk #ServiceUp #Clearcover

From Dynamite to Reinsurance Tech: The Wild Origin Story Behind INTX Insurance Software.In this episode, we go on an unexpectedly fascinating journey — starting with coyotes and foxes, moving through African farming and UK wildlife, and ending in the heart of what this conversation is really about: insurance, reinsurance, and building modern core systems for carriers.Our guest, Robert Lewis, has one of the most unique backgrounds in the insurance world:🧨 8th-generation insurance lineageHis family first entered the industry because they *couldn’t get insurance* for transporting dynamite into South African mines — so they built their own mutual group, which ultimately grew into a Lloyd’s syndicate.🌍 From Mozambique to London to AustinRobert and his brother bought an insurance company in Mozambique 25 years ago. After struggling to find good software, they hired a young developer and built their own system, which eventually evolved into the modern platform that became Intx.💻 Rewriting over 1 million lines of codeIntx has since been rebuilt for the U.S. market on a Microsoft stack (SQL Server, C#, Blazor) to avoid proprietary coding traps and to make it easier to hire local developers without dependence on offshore or legacy languages.🧾 What Intx actually doesIn this episode, we dig deep into policy administration, reinsurance software, assumed/ceded reinsurance, treaty management, facultative placements, loss corridors, retrocession, regulatory reserves, claims integration, and why Excel remains the “core system” for 55% of insurance professionals.📉 Why legacy core systems are failingWe break down:* Why siloed systems (claims separate from underwriting) break the data chain* Why implementations cost carriers tens of millions* Why external integrators drag timelines for years* Why Intx is offering zero implementation cost and using its own insurance-literate team🏗 The new cohort of core system challengersWe discuss the Austin ecosystem (Guidewire → legacy, Duck Creek → aging guard, Socotra → modern competitor) and how Intx differentiates through its architecture, economics, and reinsurance depth.✔️ Family origins in South African insurance✔️ Building an 8-generation insurance legacy✔️ Starting an insurance carrier in Mozambique✔️ Building and modernizing core insurance software✔️ The difference between proprietary vs. Microsoft stack tech✔️ Reinsurance: ceded, assumed, treaties, facultative, loss corridors✔️ Retrocessions and capital markets✔️ Why Excel is still dominant in the industry✔️ Why most core system implementations never end✔️ The economics of modernizing a carrierIf you're an MGA, reinsurer, carrier, or investor in insurance infrastructure:This episode offers a rare, insider look at the technical, financial, and operational pain points within the core systems world—and how the next wave of challenger platforms is addressing them.

🎙️ #insurtechtalk, Episode 138 Dan Bratshpis, the CEO and co-founder of INSHUR, and Gilad Shai discuss INSHUR, the impact of the on-demand economy on the autonomous driving industry, and the new risks that the insurance industry needs to cover.Chapters:0:01 Introduction6:32 INSHUR11:53 Adapting to the market17:22 The future of autonomous vehicles and insurance24:00 Challenges in the TPA industry31:05 MGA and capacityhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-bratshpis/https://inshur.com/en-us/

💡 Start small. Measure fast. Let data lead.🎙️ On #InsurTechTalk Episode 140 (clip 2), Lior Keren from Pumpkin explains why MGAs should pilot early and let real data—not assumptions—drive scale.“It’s easy to try to boil the ocean.Run a pilot, get real data fast. The real data is the king here.”📊 You can’t optimize what you haven’t validated.#InsurTech #MGA #DataDriven #InsuranceInnovation #PetInsurance

🎙️ #insurtechtalk, Episode 137 (episode)Gilad Shai is hosting Chris Kalinski, CEO of Redkik. Redkik is an amazing global team that came together to re-envision cargo insurance. The team built and launched a high-performance per shipment cargo insurance offering that creates tremendous value add for our freight forwarder partners. Premiums are dynamic and custom for each shipment, provided in real time.https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckalinski/www.redkik.com

🎙️ #insurtechtalk, Episode 136 (full episode)Dan Woods, CEO of Socotra, discusses the impact of AI on Insurance Core Systems, particularly on policy administration.Chapters:0:00 Tradition of the gong2:55 Team dynamics and sales culture6:12 Socotra8:50 The evolution of the policy administration systems11:30 The importance of data models in insurance14:35 Navigating regulatory challenges in insurance17:27 Innovation in product configuration20:19 Reflections on 11 years in insurance23:10 Limitations of legacy core systems25:15 Understanding software and its usability29:50 Remote work38:14 The future of AI in insurancehttps://www.socotra.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/danwoods1/

🎙️ #insurtechtalk, Episode 135 (episode)Ali Safavi, co-founder and CEO of COVU, joins Gilad Shai to talk about COVU, a customer management system for insurance agencies. https://www.linkedin.com/in/asafavi/https://www.covu.com/

🎙️ #insurtechtalk, Episode 134 (episode)Laura McDonald and Dr. Christy Lane, co-founders of Flora Fertility, talk with Gilad Shai about Flora Fertility, fertility Insurance, and the iceberg of fertility challenges modern life has bestowed on us.https://www.heyflora.co/abouthttps://www.linkedin.com/company/heyflora/https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurajaynemcdonald/https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyclane/

🎙️ #insurtechtalk, Episode 133 (episode)https://www.linkedin.com/in/maheshvinayagam/http://www.qbotica.comChapters:0:05 The rise of Pickleball: a social phenomenon 4:24: qBotica9:12 Automation as a Service14:10 Agentic AI: The future of automation19:20 Navigating the insurance industry21:49 The entrepreneurial leap24:40 Lessons learned: overcoming adversity

🎙️ #insurtechtalk, Episode 132 (episode)Fred Blumer joined Gilad Shai on the #insurtechtalk podcast to talk about Mile Auto, insurance pay-per-mile, and collaboration with Porsche.https://www.mileauto.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredblumer/

🎙️ hashtag#InsurTechTalk, Episode 131 (full episode) Adam Chadroff about the Insurance Capital Summit that the Equal Ventures team produces in NYC on May 8th. For more details and to request an invite, check out https://www.ics.equal.vc/

🎙️ #InsurTechTalk, Episode 130 (episode)Benefit Bay empowers the brokers to differentiate or die.Brandy Burch, the CEO of Benefit Bay, discusses how Benefit Bay empowers benefit brokers to differentiate themselves from the competition.https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandy-burch-24389536/http://www.benefitbay.comChapters:0:05 Introduction and background2:10 The Benefits of the ecosystem5:15 Empowering Choice8:06 Building trust: The role of brokers and employers10:17 Benefit Bay: from concept to reality12:43: Brandy: The journey to benefits and FinTech15:55 The Future of Benefit Bay23:00 Navigating the complex benefits landscape26:27 Benefits as a player in the talent acquisition race28:00 The challenges faced by the brokers37:17 The heart of Benefit Bay: A passion for solutions 42:00 Learning from early mistakes50:00 Defining success beyond signups