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Modern Insurance Magazine Issue 71

Interview: Jo Causon, CEO of The Institute of Customer Service- Getting customer interactions right first time Interview: Charlotte Wightwick, Assistant Director, Head of Conduct Regulation at the ABI- Exploring the Future of Regulation, Consumer Duty, and Diversity in the Insurance Industry Editorial Board: Find out what our editorial board panel of experts have to say in this edition of Modern Insurance Magazine. Associations Assemble: Modern Insurance's panel of resident associations outline the burning issues in insurance. The Fraud Board: Don’t miss our next instalment of The Fraud Board, where our growing collective of fraud experts convenes to discuss the key factors affecting the fight against fraud in our industry today. I Love Claims: Restoring Trust and Redefining Customer Experience Just a Thought with Eddie Longworth: Claims Management is Dead…….Long Live Customer Claims Management Spearheading the Future of Automotive Intelligence Brokers, it’s time to evolve Building Strong Relationships Through Technology: Open GI’s Commitment to Empowering Insurance Brokers and MGAs Consumer Duty – What Is the Claims Management Fix? Ensuring Fairness and Transparency Amid Increasing Risk Complexity and Rising Expectations Risk Assessment: An ATE Insurer’s Perspective APIL Calls for Action as Ministers Step Back from Civil Liability Act Claims 10 Minutes with… Katherine Bryant Consultant, speaker & coach. Founder of The Insurance Breakfast Club In Celebration: Modern Claims Awards 2025 Insurtech Insights: Megan Kuczynski, Senior Strategic Advisor, Insurtech Insights / Founder & CEO, ClimateTech Connect; Scott Ham, CEO, Pinpoint Predictive; Michelle S. Raue, EVP, Chief Claims & Transformation Officer, Preferred Mutual; Alan Demers, President, InsurTech Consulting; Heather H. Wilson, CEO, CLARA Analytics; Bobbie Shrivastav, Co-Founder and CEO, Solvrays Insur.Tech.Talk Editorial Board: Experts from within the insurtech sector and beyond join us once more to share their unique insights!

Interview: Jo Causon, CEO of The Institute of Customer Service- Getting customer interactions right first time

Interview: Charlotte Wightwick, Assistant Director, Head of Conduct Regulation at the ABI-
Exploring the Future of Regulation, Consumer Duty, and Diversity in the Insurance Industry

Editorial Board: Find out what our editorial board panel of experts have to say in this edition of Modern Insurance Magazine.
Associations Assemble: Modern Insurance's panel of resident associations outline the burning issues in insurance.
The Fraud Board: Don’t miss our next instalment of The Fraud Board, where our growing collective of fraud experts convenes to discuss the key factors affecting the fight against fraud in our industry today.
I Love Claims: Restoring Trust and Redefining Customer Experience

Just a Thought with Eddie Longworth: Claims Management is Dead…….Long Live Customer Claims Management

Spearheading the Future of Automotive Intelligence
Brokers, it’s time to evolve

Building Strong Relationships Through Technology: Open GI’s Commitment to Empowering Insurance Brokers and MGAs

Consumer Duty – What Is the Claims Management Fix?
Ensuring Fairness and Transparency Amid Increasing Risk Complexity and Rising Expectations
Risk Assessment: An ATE Insurer’s Perspective

APIL Calls for Action as Ministers Step Back from Civil Liability Act Claims

10 Minutes with… Katherine Bryant Consultant, speaker & coach. Founder of The Insurance Breakfast Club
In Celebration: Modern Claims Awards 2025

Insurtech Insights: Megan Kuczynski, Senior Strategic Advisor, Insurtech Insights / Founder & CEO, ClimateTech Connect; Scott Ham, CEO, Pinpoint Predictive; Michelle S. Raue, EVP, Chief Claims & Transformation Officer, Preferred Mutual; Alan Demers, President, InsurTech Consulting; Heather H. Wilson, CEO, CLARA Analytics; Bobbie Shrivastav, Co-Founder and CEO, Solvrays

Insur.Tech.Talk Editorial Board: Experts from within the insurtech sector and beyond join us once more to share their unique insights!

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ISSUE

71

ISSN 2515-3803

2025 Contributors

Media Partners



WELCOME

Hello readers,

First things first, I’m delighted to introduce myself as

the new Editor of Modern Insurance Magazine. It’s a real

privilege to join this vibrant and ever-evolving industry,

and I’m excited to explore the challenges, innovations,

and conversations shaping the world of insurance today.

In this issue, we take a deep dive into claims management, examining how the

sector can elevate client services, deliver greater value, and challenge public

perceptions of insurance. With trust and reputation at the heart of our features,

we look at how the industry can strengthen consumer confidence and drive

long-term success.

Hayley Dalton, Editor

We kick off on page 8 with Exploring the Future of Regulation, Consumer Duty,

and Diversity in the Insurance Industry – an insightful interview between Branko

Bjelobaba and Charlotte Wightwick, Assistant Director and Head of Conduct

Regulation at the ABI. Charlotte brings rich experience from her time at The

Pensions Regulator and the Department for Work and Pensions, offering a

powerful perspective on current policy challenges.

Then, on page 10, don’t miss Rebuilding Trust: How the Insurance Sector Can

Win Back Customers. Jo Causon, CEO of The Institute of Customer Service,

shares exclusive insights from the latest UKCSI and outlines how insurers can

better meet customer expectations and build lasting loyalty.

We’ve also packed this issue with thought-provoking features, including: Just

a Thought with Eddie Longworth: Claims Management is Dead… Long Live

Customer Claims Management (p. 41) and APIL Calls for Action as Ministers

Step Back from Civil Liability Act Claims (p.39)

Rachael Pearson, Events & Sales Manager

Emily Birks, Project Manager

Racheal Pearson

Events & Sales Manager

Modern Insurance Magazine

rachael.pearson@charltongrant.co.uk

Emily Birks

Project Manager

Modern Insurance Magazine

emily.birks@charltongrant.co.uk

As always, our esteemed Editorial Board contributes their expert perspectives

from page 13, followed by valuable insights from our respected industry

associations (p. 33) and our trusted panel of insurance fraud specialists (p. 53).

A special thank you to the brilliant Megan Kuczynski – it’s a joy to collaborate

with her once again as we bring you another compelling instalment of Insur.

Tech.Talk. Find our panel of leading insurtech experts in the second half of the

magazine, starting on page 71.

So without further ado…

Happy reading!

Hayley

Hayley Dalton

Editor,

Modern Insurance Magazine.

hayley@charltongrant.co.uk

ISSUE 71

ISSN 2515-3803

Editor

Hayley Dalton

Project Manager & Events Sales

Emily Birks

Modern Insurance Magazine

is published by Charlton Grant Ltd ©2025

All material is copyrighted both written and illustrated. Reproduction in part or whole is strictly

forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. All images and information is collated

from extensive research and along with advertisements is published in good faith. Although the

author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this publication

was correct at press time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any

liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether

such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.

MODERN INSURANCE | 3


The

ABI

Contents

8

53

10

72

64

4 | MODERN INSURANCE


8

10

13

33

41

43

44

47

49

51

63

53

Interview

Charlotte Wightwick, Assistant Director,

Head of Conduct Regulation at the ABI

Exploring the Future of Regulation,

Consumer Duty, and Diversity in the

Insurance Industry

Jo Causon, CEO of The Institute of

Customer Service- Getting customer

interactions right first time

Editorial Board

Find out what our editorial board panel of

industry experts have to say in this edition

of Modern Insurance Magazine.

Associations

Assemble

Modern Insurance’s panel of resident

associations outline the burning issues from

their unique area of the industry.

Features

Just a Thought with Eddie Longworth:

Claims Management is Dead…….Long Live

Customer Claims Management

Spearheading the Future of Automotive

Intelligence

Ensuring Fairness and Transparency Amid

Increasing Risk Complexity and Rising

Expectations

Building Strong Relationships Through

Technology: Open GI’s Commitment to

Empowering Insurance Brokers and MGAs

Consumer Duty – What Is the Claims

Management Fix?

Brokers, it’s time to evolve

I Love Claims: Restoring Trust and

Redefining Customer Experience

Fraud Board

Don’t miss our regular instalment of

TheFraud Board, where our collective of

fraud experts convene to discuss the key

factors affecting the fight against fraud in

today’s modern insurance landscape.

59

61

39

64

10 Minutes with...

10 Minutes with… Katherine Bryant Consultant,

speaker & coach. Founder of The Insurance

Breakfast Club

Personal Injury

Features

Risk Assessment: An ATE Insurer’s Perspective

APIL Calls for Action as Ministers Step Back

from Civil Liability Act Claims

In Celebration

Modern Claims Awards 2025

Insur.Tech.Talk

Interviews

72 Welcome

Megan Kuczynski, Senior Strategic

Advisor, Insurtech Insights

Founder & CEO, ClimateTech Connect

73

74

75

76

Pinpoint Predictive

Scott Ham, CEO, Pinpoint Predictive

Preferred Mutual

Michelle S. Raue, EVP, Chief Claims &

Transformation Officer, Preferred Mutual

InsurTech Consulting

Alan Demers, President, InsurTech Consulting

CLARA Analytics

Heather H. Wilson, CEO, CLARA Analytics

77 Solvray

Bobbie Shrivastav, Co-Founder and CEO,

Solvrays

79

Insur.Tech.Talk

Editorial Board

Experts from the insurtech sector join us once

more to share their unique insights!

INSUR.TECH.TALK BOARD

Disclaimer: Our publications contain advertising material submitted by third parties. Each individual advertiser is solely responsible for the content of its advertising material.

We accept no responsibility for the content of advertising material, including, without limitation, any error, omission or inaccuracy therein. We do not endorse, and are not

responsible or liable for, any advertising or products in such advertising, nor for any any damage, loss or offence caused or alleged to be caused by, or in connection with, the

use of or reliance on any such advertising or products in such advertising.

MODERN INSURANCE | 5


Editorial Board

13

15

17

19

HOW WE CAN

RESHAPE PUBLIC

PERCEPTION AND BUILD

GREATER TRUST WITH

CONSUMERS?

Sam Nicholson, Head of Insurance

Services, Carpenters Group.

THE FUTURE OF

CLAIMS: BALANCING

TECHNOLOGY WITH

HUMANITY

Will Prest, Product Manager,

ParaCode

WHAT INNOVATIVE

STRATEGIES OR

TECHNOLOGIES ARE

MAKING THE MOST

IMPACT IN ENHANCING

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

WITHIN CLAIMS

MANAGEMENT?

Lior Koskas, CEO, Digilog UK

SUPPLY CHAIN AS A

SOURCE OF GREATER

CUSTOMER VALUE

FMG

CLAIMS MANAGEMENT

FOCUSING ON

EFFICIENCY AND CLIENT

SATISFACTION

Jason Brice, Managing Director,

CMG

TWO EASY LESSONS IN

SYSTEM DESIGN

Mia Constable, Head of Business

Development, e2e

21

23

AT VIZION, EVERY

JOURNEY MATTERS:

BUILT ON TRUST,

DRIVEN BY INNOVATION,

FOCUSED ON THE

FUTURE

Chris McKie, Managing Director,

Vizion Network

TECHNOLOGY AS

AN ENABLER: THE

CHANGING SHAPE OF

CLAIMS MANAGEMENT

Greg Laker, Director of QuestGates

REBUILDING TRUST IN

CLAIMS MANAGEMENT: A

NEW ERA OF EMPATHY

AND TRANSPARENCY

Gilly Daniels, Managing Director,

Witness Wise

BUILDING TRUST

THROUGH EVERY CLAIM

Phillip Witterick, Commercial

Director, Auxillis

25 STREAMLINED

RECOVERY, STRONGER

CLAIMS OUTCOMES

Mick Jennings, CEO, Nationwide

Vehicle Assistance (NWVA)

27

STAYING AHEAD OF THE

CURVE: NAVIGATING

THE COMPLEXITIES OF

MODERN MOTOR CLAIMS

Adrian Furness, Managing Director,

Activate Group Insurance Services

THE FUTURE OF

CLAIMS MANAGEMENT:

SEAMLESS, SMART, AND

CUSTOMER-CENTRIC

James Reynolds, Director of

Commercial and Finance, National

Windscreens

6 | MODERN INSURANCE


29

31

The Fraud Board

55

EVOLVING AUTOMOTIVE

RISK INTELLIGENCE

VALUE WITH A DATA-LED

BUSINESS MODEL

Jonathan Hewett, Chief Executive,

Thatcham Research and David

Humphreys, Director, Automotive

Data, LexisNexis Risk Solutions

CLAIMS MANAGEMENT

– DELIVERING GREATER

VALUE TO CUSTOMERS

Jane Pocock, CEO, Copart UK &

Ireland

CHARLES TAYLOR

The Crisis Of Identity Affecting

Claims Teams

Bobby Gracey, Global Head of Counter

Fraud, Charles Taylor

WHITELK

Barbarians At The Commercial Gate?

Matt Gilham, Director, Whitelk

57 FRISS

Changing The Trust Paradigm

Martyn Griffiths, Sales Manager UK&I,

FRISS

58

LV=

Reimagining Fraud Management

In The Insurance Industry: A

Customer-Centric Approach

Ben Fletcher, Head of Financial Crime,

LV= General Insurance

RGI SOLUTIONS

Trust, Tech And Fraud: Ai’s Role In

Securing The Future Of Claims

Jamie Lankey, Technical Services

Director, RGI Solutions

35 MASS

Cut-Price Claims, Full-Price Premiums:

Civil Liability Act Under Fire

Sue Brown, Chair, Motor Accident

Solicitors Society (MASS)

MGAA

Powering Growth, Advocacy, and

Professional Standards in the Growing

MGA Market

Mike Keating, CEO, Managing General

Agents’ Association (MGAA)

37 BIBA

Streamlining Regulatory Reporting for

Insurance BrokersBritish Insurance

Julie Comer, Brokers’

Association (BIBA)

IAEA

Ingredients Make All the Difference

to A Great Recipe

David Punter, President, Institute of

Automotive Engineer Assessors (IAEA)

MODERN INSURANCE | 7


INTERVIEWS

Exploring

the Future of

Regulation, Consumer

Duty, and Diversity in

the Insurance Industry

Bronko Bjelobaba,

FCII is the principal of

Branko Ltd.

Branko Bjelobaba in

Conversation with

Charlotte Wightwick,

Assistant Director, Head

of Conduct Regulation at

The ABI

Charlotte Wightwick,

Assistant Director, Head of

Conduct Regulation at the

ABI

In this engaging interview, Branko Bjelobaba, one of the

insurance industry’s most respected figures, talks to Charlotte

Wightwick, the Assistant Director and Head of Conduct

Regulation at the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

Charlotte, who joined the ABI in 2022, brings a wealth of

experience from her time at The Pensions Regulator, where she

played a pivotal role in policy issues such as Value for Money

and ESG, as well as her extensive career at the Department for

Work and Pensions.

Throughout their conversation, Charlotte offers a unique

perspective on the evolving regulatory landscape and shares

her thoughts on the impact of initiatives like Consumer Duty.

She explores the challenges faced by insurers in balancing

consumer protection, growth, and innovation, while also

delving into the importance of diversity, inclusion, and social

mobility within the sector.

8 | MODERN INSURANCE


INTERVIEWS

QNikhil Rathi wants the FCA to simplify the regulatory

burden; in which areas in particular are you hoping to

see positive change?

AWe want to see regulation create an atmosphere in

which consumers are confident in high-quality products

and where firms can flourish. Therefore, the FCA’s focus

on getting the right balance between consumer protection,

growth, and innovation is welcome.

Actions such as the Handbook Review, aiming to simplify the

FCA’s labyrinthine Handbook, and the government’s Action

Plan on regulation are a great start, although we’ve yet to see

the details of what these will lead to in practical terms. The

proof will very much be in the pudding. However, initiatives

such as the review of the Financial Ombudsman, and the FCA’s

commitment to reducing unnecessary data returns, are also

positive signs.

We recognise that it’s going to be a difficult balance to get

right. This is because it’s also critically important that the

practicality and scope for firms to implement any changes

are recognised. Change itself comes with a cost. And change

for change’s sake could be counterproductive under the

secondary growth and competitiveness objective.

Crucially, for our industry, stability is needed to achieve this

objective. We need certainty in our direction of travel, in the

laws that govern our country, and in the regulations set for

our industry. While we hope to see regulation that encourages

investment and growth, we must also ensure that the UK

maintains its status as a global financial centre with high

regulatory standards.

QWork is currently underway by the Motor Insurance

Taskforce to ‘root out factors that increase costs for

the car insurance industry’; in addition, last year the

ABI launched its 10-Point Roadmap. To date, what are your

findings and outcomes?

AThe cost of motor insurance remains a high priority

for us, our members, and, of course, for customers.

We’ve made significant progress on our 10-Point

Roadmap, launched in February last year to tackle the cost of

motor insurance. It’s crucial we continue to work together –

across industry, government, and regulators – to address the

underlying factors.

We’ve partnered with the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence

Service and launched the Insurance Fraud Charter with the

Home Office to reduce incidents and impacts of theft and

fraud. Our members have committed to premium finance

principles to support transparency and affordability for those

who pay monthly. We continue to support the development

of automated vehicle technologies that have the potential to

improve road safety, alongside engaging with the government

on its Road Safety Strategy.

But more must be done. We need government investment in

technical education to train repair specialists to address the

UK’s critical shortage of vehicle repair technicians. We need

infrastructure improvements that reduce the risk of accidents

on our roads and better support for novice drivers so that they

can build their driving experience on our roads more safely.

The UK government’s Motor Insurance Taskforce provides an

opportunity to bring together insurers, vehicle manufacturers,

supply chain networks, and policymakers to develop practical

solutions that can benefit UK motorists. The insurance industry

stands ready to work together to tackle these cost drivers.

QWhere do you feel Consumer Duty is helping

customers? As premiums increase, and with

substantial profits being made by insurers, could this

be perceived as favouring shareholders over consumers and

impacting the ability to rebuild consumer trust and affecting

how insurers are publicly perceived?

AImportantly, insurers operate in a competitive market

where they want as many customers as possible to

find the cover they need at a price they can afford. As

an industry, we’re supportive of proportionate and effective

regulation designed to protect consumers. The Consumer

Duty has made improvements to existing regulation and

builds on the hard work of the sector over many years to

deliver high-quality, good-value products to customers. It has

helped firms to focus on the right questions about where they

could support customers further for even better outcomes.

QDo you feel consumers would benefit from a set of

easily understood metrics that highlight evidence of

fair value at a glance, which illustrates how good the

insurer and their products are (bearing in mind the PROD

rules requiring product/service fair value assessments came

out in October 2021)?

AThe UK insurance market is highly competitive. Our

members work hard to ensure that they are delivering

the best value products to their customers. It’s

important to note that value will have a different meaning

for each customer. We always recommend shopping around

when looking for any insurance policy, but it’s essential that

customers take out insurance that provides the appropriate

level of cover for their needs, rather than just focusing on

price.

QInsurance is a great sector to work in and employs

over 300,000 people, providing great opportunities,

but what is the sector doing to recruit the next

generation of talent? Is there an industry-wide need for a

greater focus on social mobility, for example?

AHaving a diverse workforce brings unique views and

a wider range of solutions, benefitting businesses

and society alike by encouraging innovation for

customers of all backgrounds and experiences. That’s why,

in 2022, we set out to become the most diverse, equitable,

and inclusive sector in the UK economy. As part of this, we’ve

launched a series of initiatives, including our award-winning

DEI Blueprint, to guide ourselves and our member firms to

‘Attract’, ‘Grow’, and ‘Advance’ a workforce that is welcoming

and safe for all.

Social mobility is a key focus area within this. We continue

to encourage our members to collect better quality data

on the socio-economic backgrounds of their employees

to understand representation and target initiatives more

effectively. In 2023, more than half (51%) of firms captured

social mobility data, a notable increase from 33% in 2022.

Our Blueprint also aims to diversify entry points into the

insurance sector as we recruit the next generation of

talent. We encourage members to maximise the use of

their apprenticeship levy, recognising apprenticeships as

a valuable pathway to social mobility. Furthermore, we

believe it is crucial to increase opportunities for mid-career

apprenticeships, ensuring that talented individuals who were

previously unable to access training or qualifications at the

school-leaver stage can still progress later in life.

MODERN INSURANCE | 9


INTERVIEWS

Getting

customer

interactions

right first

time

Jo Causon, CEO of The Institute

of Customer Service, shares

exclusive insights from the latest

UKCSI and explores what insurers

must do to improve satisfaction

and loyalty.

As CEO of The Institute of Customer Service, Jo Causon

has been a leading voice in championing the role of

customer service in driving business performance and

long-term trust. Since joining the Institute in 2009, she

has overseen significant growth and helped establish the

UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI) as a respected

national benchmark. With a strong background in financial

services, Jo brings a valuable perspective on the evolving

relationship between insurers and their customers,

particularly during times of economic uncertainty and rising

consumer expectations.

In this interview, Jo shares insights from the Institute’s latest

research to examine how customer satisfaction and trust in

the insurance sector are shifting. Are things getting better

or worse? What are the key drivers of frustration, and how

are organisations responding more effectively? Drawing on

a wealth of data and her experience advising businesses

across the UK, Jo explores how the sector can improve

its reputation and deliver a service experience that builds

loyalty in a highly competitive market.

Q

From your latest research, is customer trust in the

insurance industry getting better or worse?

AOur latest UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI)

results, released in January 2025, show that the

insurance sector has remained largely static in terms

of satisfaction and trust in the past six months, and is

slightly lower year-on-year, indexing at 77.5 out of 100.

Satisfaction with the motor insurance sector dropped

the most since January 2024, falling by 1.5 points, while

average satisfaction with home insurance rose by 1.5

points, putting it at the highest satisfaction level of any

policy type.

This flatlining in customer satisfaction and trust is reflective

of many sectors in the UK, as seen in the overall UKCSI,

and is at least partly caused by economic uncertainty. This

is resulting in underinvestment in people development,

and at times an overreliance on technology, leading some

organisations to prioritise short-term savings over longterm

strategic investment.

We also see a widening gap between those at the top of

their sector and those towards the bottom, suggesting

that organisations with differentiating customer service

are pulling away from the pack. This is no different in the

insurance sector, where the gap between the highest and

lowest rated organisations has increased by six points

since January 2024.

QHow does the insurance sector compare to other

industries when it comes to customer service and

trust levels?

AWhile customer satisfaction in the insurance sector

is 3.3 points below its high point in July 2022, it is

still 1.4 points above the all-sector average and has

been tracking consistently with the all-sector average since

2019. The insurance sector places seventh out of 13 sectors.

Ten per cent of customers reported experiencing a

problem with an insurance company in the latest UKCSI,

which is 4.4 percentage points lower than the UKCSI allsector

average of 14.9 per cent.

When it comes to trust, insurance is also slightly above the

UK all-sector average (7.7 out of 10 for insurance versus 7.5

all-sector).

10 | MODERN INSURANCE


INTERVIEWS

QWhat are the biggest frustrations customers

have with insurers, and how can the industry

tackle them?

AAccording to our latest research, the leading

causes of problems with insurance companies

are quality or reliability of goods and services

(cited in 29.6 per cent of customers’ problems), cost

(22.7 per cent), and suitability of goods and services

(21 per cent).

To tackle these issues, there needs to be a deeper

understanding of the customer base, to ensure a more

rounded view of customer issues and challenges.

Understanding the pain points of the customer journey

is also necessary, as well as making the experience

easier, clearer and more navigable. Products and

services themselves should also be reviewed regularly

to ensure they remain fit for purpose and address

evolving customer needs.

Cost will inevitably remain a challenge, particularly in a

world increasingly impacted by geopolitical instability

and climate change. However, those organisations that

deliver right-first-time solutions will help improve their

productivity. The key is to drive loyalty with a focus on

the lifetime value of their customers. Creating more

personalised experiences through service delivery

is also increasingly important, especially in a highly

commoditised environment.

QHow important is the claims process in shaping

how customers feel about their insurer?

ACustomer satisfaction when contacting insurers

regarding claims stands at 72.7, which is slightly

up year-on-year but nearly five points below the

sector’s overall satisfaction score of 77.5.

Making an insurance claim is a critical moment of truth

for any customer, who is often in a highly emotional

and stressful state. Therefore, removing as much

friction as possible from the user journey is important,

as well as ensuring the competence of the staff and

level of responsiveness. Using an integrated approach

with a blend of human interface and technology is key,

to ensure that the right information is available but

delivered in the most effective and empathetic manner.

data from the CII shows that

consumers still feel insurers could do more

QRecent

to earn their trust, especially when it comes

to rewarding loyalty. Do you think loyalty

remains a key issue for customers?

ALoyalty absolutely remains a key issue for both

consumers and the organisations they interact

with, and rewarding loyalty should be integrated

into the customer service strategies for insurance

companies.

Q

Insurance is often seen as a grudge purchase,

and with rising premiums, some customers

may already have a negative perception

before they even interact with a provider. What do

you think the industry can do to shift this mindset

and improve the public’s overall perception of

insurance?

AIn our latest UKCSI, the leading issues that

customers believe insurance companies should

improve are website navigation, making it easier

to contact the right person to help, and developing

more knowledgeable staff.

For insurance organisations to move the dial on

negative perceptions, they need to examine their

entire end-to-end user journey. Is it fit for purpose?

Is it designed with the customer in mind? Does it

consider an increasingly diverse and polarised user

base? Are new technologies like AI being implemented

thoughtfully?

Getting customer interactions right first time, at every

touchpoint, will go a long way to improving customer

perceptions, which can in turn strengthen trust and

reputation for the insurance sector.

Jo Causon,

CEO of The Institute

of Customer Service

Our latest UKCSI results showed that the biggest

drivers of higher satisfaction among consumers

are around trust, loyalty and the reputation of

organisations. When you couple this with the fact that

31 per cent of customers indicated that they would

pay a premium for excellent service, it is imperative

to invest in ensuring your customers feel listened to,

appreciated and cared about.

MODERN INSURANCE | 11


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EDITORIAL BOARD

How We Can Reshape Public Perception

and Build Greater Trust with Consumers?

Trust can take years to build and mere seconds to lose. There

are many reasons why customers might lose faith in a business,

especially as the claims process can often be protracted,

complex, and emotive.

Customers might be frustrated by:

Lack of Clarity on Policies: Customers are overwhelmed by jargon and

unclear on their rights.

Pricing Issues: As costs rise and quotes differ wildly, people are

unclear about what good value really is and what to expect for their

money.

Data and Privacy Violations: Customers are becoming more cybersavvy,

leading to reticence in sharing information due to having their

trust eroded in the past.

Poor User Experience: How someone is communicated with and cared

for can make or break trust levels. The more bureaucracy, the more

error, and the greater the damage to trust and reputation.

Is there a winning recipe to building and retaining trust?

We think so. We work hard every day to care for our customers. Here

are just a few of the things we focus on:

Be Customer-Centric: Ensuring service levels and the personal touch

are at the core of your business will keep you on the right path. By

showing that we understand and care about our customers’ unique

situations, companies can build stronger, more trusting relationships.

Deliver on Promises: Sometimes this means managing expectations

and having tough conversations. It means ‘walking the talk’ and living

up to the ethical standards required of us.

Focus on Simple Communication: Sometimes just knowing where

you are in a process and being kept updated can go a long way. If

there is no news on a claim, that is the news to share. Communicate,

communicate, communicate!

Leverage Technology: The integration of technology can enhance the

customer experience. We can utilise digital platforms to streamline

processes, making it easier for consumers to access information and

manage their policies. Mobile apps, for example, like our own Claims

Hub, can allow customers to check claim status and communicate

with representatives in real time. Additionally, the use of artificial

intelligence and machine learning can improve the accuracy and

efficiency of claims processing, reducing the likelihood of errors and

disputes.

Community Engagement: A huge part of life at Carpenters is

engaging with the community, which helps shape public perception.

We are genuinely invested in the well-being of the communities

we serve. If undertaken with true intent, this supports trusting

relationships. Any ESG or CSR washing will be spotted by wise

consumers a mile off.

Stay Humble and Keep Learning: This involves regularly seeking

feedback from customers and our colleagues who they interact

with, then using the data to make necessary adjustments and

improvements. By showing that we are willing to listen and adapt, we

demonstrate our dedication to providing the best possible service.

Our audiences are increasingly demanding, and so reshaping

public perception and building greater trust requires a multifaceted

approach. But above all else, it requires a commitment to truly care,

to listen, and to act.

Sam Nicholson,

Head of Insurance Services,

Carpenters Group.

The Future of Claims: Balancing

Technology with Humanity

As customer expectations evolve and technology

advances, the insurance industry faces a critical moment.

Intelligent automation, empathetic service design,

and a renewed focus on trust are reshaping the way

insurers approach claims, turning moments of stress into

opportunities to strengthen customer relationships.

Claims management is undergoing a fundamental transformation, one

driven as much by rising customer expectations as by technological

innovation. Looking ahead, three key trends will shape the future

of claims and customer service: intelligent automation, empathetic

service design, and a renewed focus on trust and transparency.

First, the adoption of intelligent automation will continue to

accelerate. From AI-driven triage to the automated settlement of

straightforward claims, insurers are increasingly able to offer faster,

more accurate outcomes. This not only reduces costs but also delivers

the speed and convenience customers have come to expect in a

digital-first world.

But speed alone isn’t enough. Claims are, by definition, moments of

difficulty, often stressful, emotional, or disruptive. This brings us to the

second trend: designing claims experiences around empathy.

Insurers are beginning to move beyond process efficiency to consider

emotional experience. Empathy in claims means training staff to

handle sensitive conversations with care, designing digital touchpoints

that feel reassuring rather than robotic, and ensuring communication

is timely, clear, and human. It means recognising that, for the

customer, the claim isn’t just a transaction, it’s the moment when the

promise of insurance is tested.

We’re seeing a growing emphasis on journey mapping and

behavioural insight to identify points of friction or frustration, then

actively redesign them. For example, giving customers more choice

in how they interact, via app, phone, or video, can dramatically

improve satisfaction. Offering real-time updates on claim progress

builds reassurance. Small gestures, such as proactive outreach during

a claim or a follow-up call to check on a customer’s wellbeing, can

make a lasting impact on trust and loyalty.

Finally, the most important shift is a redefinition of trust. In a data-rich

environment, customers are more informed, and more sceptical, than

ever before. Building long-term loyalty will rely on more than just

efficient claims processing. It requires transparency: clear decisions,

fair treatment, and giving customers visibility and control throughout

the process.

At the heart of these trends is a desire to reshape perceptions. Claims

are the moment of truth for insurance, where promises are tested

and reputations are won or lost. If insurers can use technology not

just to automate, but to humanise, and not just to optimise, but to

personalise, they will forge stronger emotional connections with their

customers.

Will Prest,

Product Manager, ParaCode

MODERN INSURANCE | 13


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EDITORIAL BOARD

What Innovative Strategies or Technologies

Are Making the Most Impact in Enhancing

Customer Experience Within Claims

Management?

The insurance industry is currently experiencing a digital

transformation, with customer experience (CX) playing a

pivotal role in modern claims management. Insurers are

embracing advanced technologies and forward-thinking

strategies to streamline their processes, minimise

friction, and boost customer satisfaction - impactful

innovations are reshaping the way claims are handled.

In response to growing customer expectations, insurers are deploying

user-friendly digital self-service portals and mobile applications. These

platforms allow policyholders to file claims, submit documentation,

and monitor progress in real time – all from their smartphones.

In particular, tools like digital First Notice of Loss (FNOL) offer

guided, real-time reporting that simplifies the process and enhances

transparency.

Major improvement comes from the implementation of omnichannel

communication platforms. These platforms integrate various methods

of contact, be it phone, email, chat, mobile apps, into a seamless

experience. Customers are able to interact using their preferred

channels and conveniently switch between them without repeating

information.

Automation, Chatbots and virtual assistants are also reshaping the

way customers interact with claims systems. Available 24/7, they

provide instant support, guide users through the claims process, and

escalate complex issues to human agents when necessary, improving

accessibility and reducing customer frustration.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are leading

this revolution by automating repetitive tasks, speeding up decisionmaking,

and detecting fraudulent activity. AI-powered chatbots are

capable of providing immediate customer support, while predictive

analytics analyse historical data to process claims more quickly.

Additionally, machine learning algorithms alongside real time voice

analysis technologies identify suspicious patterns, helping reduce

fraud and improving overall accuracy.

By examining behavioural patterns and customer preferences,

insurers can deliver tailored communications, suggest relevant

services, and proactively resolve potential issues. This data-driven

approach fosters improved customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Similarly, blockchain technology is emerging as a tool to ensure

secure, transparent, and tamper-proof record-keeping, particularly

useful in complex claims involving multiple parties.

The future of claims management lies in embracing digitisation,

automation, and a customer-first mindset. With the integration of

AI, blockchain, and self-service platforms, insurers are equipped to

deliver more efficient, transparent, and personalised services. As

these technologies continue to advance, the claims process will

become even more seamless, setting a new benchmark for excellence

in customer experience within the insurance industry.

Lior Koskas,

CEO, Digilog UK

Supply Chain as a Source of

Greater Customer Value

With profitability and resilience at the heart of business

strategy, succeeding in a mature market is ever-more

challenging. Whilst focussing on core propositions

can be key to market growth, a best in class end-toend

supply chain, which looks beyond the boundaries

of simple logistics, can be the key to commercial and

customer success, and a powerful source of competitive

advantage.

Shared Business Strategy and Aligned Values

Supply chain strategy should support the overall business strategy

as the supply chain transforms business strategy into day-to-day

customer interactions. Identify business needs and set supply chain

micro and macro performance metrics accordingly, whether they

focus on cost, speed of supply, agility or stability. The strongest

performance occurs when the business functions, including supply

chain, are aligned cross-functionally with a clear definition of value

and customer care.

Communication

Supply chain relationships need nurturing to create mutually

beneficial connections which support a sustainable business model.

Supply chain partners are often the guardian of customer touchpoints

within product lifecycles and ultimately have the ability to delight or

disappoint customers. The amount of power and control held by the

outsource provider can be unnerving and herein lies the importance of

working in true partnership.

Flexibility

Supply chains are forward-facing, based on future customer

demand, product availability and external market or political forces,

and therefore need to be agile and flexible enough to cope with

increasing demands and scalability to mitigate risks.

Transparency

Maximum transparency is essential to end-to-end supply chain

effectiveness. IT strategy may need to support investment in

platforms and portals which enable collaboration and data sharing.

Significant investment in market leading technology can help to

reduce mutual administration costs for all parties in the supply chain,

whilst providing customers with the enhanced level of data they now

expect.

Transforming supply chains requires time, investment and senior

management attention yet the rewards are plentiful. Nurturing

strong, sustainable, open and trusting relationships with supply chain

partners, with a shared commitment to customer service excellence,

can be the key to converting customers to brand ambassadors.

MODERN INSURANCE | 15



EDITORIAL BOARD

Claims Management

Focusing on Efficiency

and Client Satisfaction

Like many industries, insurance

doesn’t appear immune to change

and or de-construction as companies

look to reduce cost, improve

efficiency whilst maintaining or

improving the delivery of great value

and customer satisfaction through

their experience.

CMG have previously stated that by allowing

the respective partners in a supply chain which

specialise in a particular field to “carry on” and

do best what they do, allowing the professionals

in each field to operator and play their part, a

great result can be achieved.

CMG provide a bespoke vehicle recovery

solution for insurance companies, and claims

management groups directly, in addition

to supporting repairer groups and both

independent body shops and body shop groups

with their “out of hours and in hours”, specialist

vehicle uplifts.

With the above in mind CMG focus wholly

on their part in this supply chain as neither

the insurer and or the claims management

companies have the expertise to handle the dayto-day

complexities of vehicle Recovery after

accident and rely on the services of a third party

like CMG.

Ensuring that the supply chain partners are

focused on all parts of the service delivery for

which they are procured and that a transparent

and healthy working partnership exists with

regular communication then a successful

partnership will flourish and work in every

one’s favour, resulting in a greater customer

experience.

Vehicle recovery after accident hasn’t always

been an easy relationship to handle but, CMG

have developed a strong working relationship

within this sector, CMG have developed a clear

understand of the frustrations between the

interactions across the sector.

Using this developed understanding of

requirements, wants and needs, CMG have

supported and built bespoke packages for

insurers, claims management groups and

repair network groups, by expertly managing

the whole process from Out of Hours FNOL,

vehicle uplift, storage, images facilitation for

VDA assessments, delivery to the repair shop or

salvage partners as required, whilst providing

all the necessary regulatory and legislative

compliance to the processes undertaken.

Each sector within the supply chain needs

to be able to demonstrate, understanding,

knowledge, capability and compliance for

the sector they are delivering but also for the

interactions with the initial supply partner and

the respective next partner in the chain, making

a seamless link, time sensitive and publicly

perceived great experience.

Shifts in vehicle manufacturing and the repair

industry have been significant, across the

development of hybrids, Plug in Hybrids

and EV’s, which has expanded into Light

commercial vehicle sector, combining

addition technology which is loaded across

manufacturers and models it’s a maze to

work through for both industries be it body

repair or the vehicle recovery industry. So, it

becomes even more crucial that the partners

in the supply chain are for each element of the

process are “fit for purpose”.

Jason Brice,

Managing Director, CMG

MODERN INSURANCE | 17



EDITORIAL BOARD

Two Easy Lessons in

System Design

Let me tell you a true story.

At a recent meeting of our Claims Technology

Investment Group, I looked around the room at the array

of talent on display and felt very proud that we were

able to gather together such a strong team. But then I

realised.

Someone was missing!

Perhaps they were on holiday (nope). Not feeling well (Nope). At

another meeting and there was a diary clash (Nope). Couldn’t care

less about the Technology meeting (definitely not). Hiding underneath

the table (No – I looked).

So, I could only conclude that they hadn’t been invited. No-one had

thought to include them on the list and, as a result, we were massively

deficient in the skills and knowledge we needed for the project to be

a success.

You see – we hadn’t invited a customer to the meeting.

Or, for that matter, to any of the previous meetings and I couldn’t see

any plans to consult with them in the future. Spending huge amounts

of time and money on new systems and we hadn’t thought to ask the

most significant group of opinions that should be paramount in our

minds. Instead, where we had given them even a modicum of thought,

we had rather arrogantly assumed we already knew what they were

thinking at any given time in the process.

Instead of asking them the key questions about what they wanted

from any proposed changes we simply worked on the assumption

that we know best. Lesson number one.

Lesson Number Two

Hang on a minute though!

Someone else was missing from the meeting. OMG! How can this be?

This is a disaster in the making.

We hadn’t invited any of our clients either.

The corporate insurers, fleets, claims managers and others who

would interface with our new system and have expectations about

what it would do for them. Of course, we are designing a Client Portal

but how, exactly, should this work? What interactions do our clients

want us to have with their policyholders? What are the key issues

they want addressed and what should we be doing to design the

perfect system?

Like many suppliers and insurers, we pride ourselves on being

‘customer-centric’ and we will move heaven and earth for our clients

and customers. But this degree of operational resilience is not

really the point. in fact, if we have successfully managed the ‘failure

demand’ in our new processes and technologies then we should

actually be doing less – not more.

Being more efficient requires up-front thought and not back-end fire

fighting.

We have remedied these omissions now and the insights being

provided to us are extremely valuable. Some of them are unexpected

and we would never have thought that they are important.

Butt it’s not what we think that really matters!

Mia Constable,

Head of Business Development, e2e

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MODERN INSURANCE | 19


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EDITORIAL BOARD

At Vizion, Every Journey Matters:

Built on Trust, Driven by Innovation,

Focused on the Future

Putting customers through an industry version of an

ideal journey has never worked. Rules based use of data

to express individual service on industrial scale through

customer choice, is the only way to involve the customer

successfully.

Every time someone engages with Vizion, we go on a journey

together. Our systems and processes are designed to make that

journey exceptional. We’ve led with AI digital since 2016, empowering

customers with targeted choice, scalable and future-proofed

solutions, and enhanced customer experiences.

Customer trust issues are only overcome with transparency, making

trust automatic. By simplifying complex workflows, our adaptive AI

thrives and leads—keeping customers informed in real time. Today, we

can deliver personalised service digitally, avoiding average outcomes.

Customers must feel they’re receiving service tailored to them, not

pushed through a sausage machine for you.

Waste and failure in claims must be eliminated. By focusing on

efficiency through analytics, Vizion delivers today’s solutions while

anticipating tomorrow’s needs. Delivery, cost, and risk management

are critical.

We are committed to protecting people, processes, and technology.

Prioritising compliance and security builds confidence. Ensuring

confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information is key to trust.

ISO 27001 certification underlines our security commitment. Modern

customers expect compliance and correct behaviour—key to trust

and retention.

Sustainability is a core focus. Collaborative action, innovation, and

a passion for doing the right thing make a profound difference.

Customers care deeply about the environment. Managing carbon and

waste reduction is morally, socially, and commercially vital.

Vizion has worked with insurers, manufacturers, and suppliers to

develop ARIES: the Approved Repairer Industry Environmental

Standard. It’s open to all for shared progress. Many factors affect

a claim: cost, fuel, materials, legislation, supply, data, technology.

Success depends on managing these.

Balancing them, earning trust, and proactively mitigating risk is the

winning formula. At Kinetic’25 this September, we’ll explore the future

of claims and technology, offering insight into evolving risk and cost,

aligned with the customer journey.

Chris McKie,

Managing Director, Vizion Network

Technology as an enabler:

The changing shape of claims

management

The landscape of claims management is evolving rapidly,

with a growing demand for exceptional customer

service. For third-party administrators (TPAs), the

pressure is on to deliver high levels of satisfaction while

remaining cost-effective and competitive.

The key is harnessing technology to deliver process and cost

efficiencies—striking the right balance without losing the personal

touch that builds trust and loyalty. Investment in people and tech is

fundamental to ensuring claims management companies provide the

right service at the right price.

Insurers and TPAs must collaborate to unlock the full potential of

system integration and data sharing. Done well, this can significantly

boost efficiency while preserving the personal engagement that

drives customer satisfaction. Public trust remains relatively low, but

clearer explanations at the point of sale—what’s covered and what

must be disclosed—can help address this.

Transparency and communication are vital. Customers want to feel

informed, supported, and reassured throughout the claims journey.

Clear updates and proactive expectation management matter. A

shorter, simpler policy summary from the outset would be widely

welcomed.

Technology is a powerful enabler. API integrations, omnichannel

communication, AI, and robotic process automation (RPA) can all

enhance claims delivery. These tools support faster decisions and

resolutions, giving policyholders greater control and improving

outcomes. AI, particularly machine learning, enables fully automated

claims processing using rules and algorithms—some claims can even

be settled within minutes.

From first contact to settlement, transparency is crucial. Customers

must understand the process, feel informed, and be treated fairly.

This includes sharing good news promptly and delivering difficult

decisions with clarity and empathy. Managing expectations during

surges, when delays occur, is one such example. Looking ahead,

AI and automation will continue to accelerate processing and

communication, freeing resources for complex or high-value claims

where human judgement remains essential.

While the benefits of AI are clear, its adoption poses challenges. The

FCA is monitoring the ethical and transparent use of AI in claims.

Robust cybersecurity and compliance are also vital when handling

sensitive data.

Good old-fashioned customer service still matters. At QuestGates,

our customer-centric approach has earned us the Gold Award from

Investors in Customers—an accolade we’ve proudly held for over

12 years. This reflects our commitment to empathetic service and

operational excellence.

In conclusion, AI and robotics will transform the claims process—

especially for low-value, high-volume claims. But success depends

on embracing innovation, investing in people, communicating clearly,

and keeping the customer firmly at the centre.

Greg Laker,

Director of QuestGates

MODERN INSURANCE | 21


Driving towards

safe, secure,

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thatcham.org


EDITORIAL BOARD

Rebuilding Trust in Claims Management:

A New Era of Empathy and Transparency

At Witness Wise, we support insurers and CMCs with

the expertise and compassion of our team of legal

specialists. Witness Wise has established itself as a

standout organisation largely due to its exceptional

approach to customer service and delivering results.

At the core of our success lies a deep commitment to

empathy, understanding and addressing the emotional

needs of customers, alongside their practical concerns.

The phrase “claims management” has long been associated with

a complex and often negative reputation in the UK, largely due to

ambulance-chasing tactics, aggressive marketing, and a perception

of opportunistic financial exploitation. Historically, many consumers

viewed claims management companies as predatory intermediaries,

solely interested in generating fees rather than providing genuine

support to individuals seeking rightful compensation.

This stigmatised perception stems from years of marketing campaigns

and cold-calling firms promising quick payouts, sometimes leaving

consumers with a feeling of very little regard for their actual

circumstances. This has created a deeply ingrained sense of mistrust

in public opinion.

The UK claims management sector now faces a critical challenge

that goes beyond processing claims. We must now rebuild trust in an

industry engulfed by scepticism and frustration.

Consumers approach insurance claims in some of their most

vulnerable moments, following accidents, being let down by

professionals, experiencing property damage, or suffering personal

losses, with many feeling that insurers are focused on minimising

payouts rather than providing genuine support.

To reshape this perception, companies must fundamentally

reimagine their approach to customer interaction. This begins with

comprehensive training programmes that offer consumers empathy,

active listening, and genuine human connection. Claims handlers

must not be viewed as transaction processors or fee-generators. It is

imperative that handlers fully understand a customer’s situation, its

impact, and why they find themselves needing to make a claim.

Transparency emerges as a critical strategy for rebuilding trust.

Companies must commit to clear, jargon-free communication that

enables accessibility and a clear understanding of the claims process

and potential timescales from the outset. This includes providing

real-time updates, offering multiple communication channels, and

ensuring customer understanding throughout the entirety of their

claims journey.

Advanced CRM systems can provide claims handlers with

comprehensive customer insights, enabling the delivery of

personalised and empathetic support, while artificial intelligence

and data analytics can help identify potential pain points, allowing

proactive intervention and support.

Each claim is an opportunity to demonstrate genuine care and build

meaningful connections with consumers. Training should focus on

developing skills that go beyond technical expertise and should

include improving communication skills, emotional intelligence, and

customer-centric problem-solving.

Ultimately, rebuilding trust requires a fundamental cultural shift.

Claims management must transform from a perceived industry

of opportunism to a service of genuine support, moving from a

reputation of exploitation to one of empowerment and true customer

care.

Gilly Daniels,

Managing Director, Witness Wise

Building Trust Through

Every Claim

New customer growth is hard fought and expensive,

so strong retention is crucial for insurers to maintain

profitability, reduce costs, and thrive in a competitive

market. This is not just about premium; it relies upon

building brand loyalty, even affection, so that customers

become advocates for the company.

However, when motor insurance is often only seen as a distressed

purchase, it is vital that insurers reshape public perception to build

greater trust with customers. We know, through our own successes,

that the claims service providers insurers work with have an important

role to play, and can significantly enhance customer satisfaction,

loyalty and trust.

At Auxillis, we talk a lot about Quality Conversations – it’s a key part

of our proposition and our culture of customer service excellence.

For us, this means using shared data and smart integration that

enables us to deliver targeted advice when and where it’s needed, so

we are positioned not just as service providers but trusted advisors

representing our partners’ brands.

We have been working with our insurer and broker partners to

revisit every step of the claims process, from first notification to

post settlement, and have gained valuable insights into how to

improve trust and customer satisfaction. Quality Conversation means

optimising personalised customer contact in all interactions, including

digital communication.

Better use of data, pre-population, and use of smart technology

to determine proactive guidance as opposed to standard, generic

communications conveys both relevance and empathy. Ultimately

customers want to be known and understood by the companies they

choose to buy from.

This approach has only become possible by transforming our

relationship with Insurers and brokers from a service provider

into a true partner - shifting from a transactional relationship to a

collaborative, strategic one. At Auxillis, this is a key area of focus,

where our relationship management emphasizes shared goals, open

communication, and mutual benefit.

Acting jointly with our partners, we have questioned every

touchpoint and asked: is it personalised, is it frictionless, does it add

value? In revisiting our approach, and by leveraging technology,

Auxillis can provide customised, convenient, and value-added quality

conversations, that help our Insurer and broker partners win trust and

earn consumer confidence.

Phillip Witterick,

Commercial Director, Auxillis

MODERN INSURANCE | 23


Providing Same-Day,

Sustainable Vehicle

Repairs Across the UK

Rapid Repair Network are the UK’s leading same-day mobile

repair specialist. Delivering innovative solutions to insurers,

fleet operators, and accident management companies for

minor vehicle damage repairs.

Rapid Repair Network operates a national state-of-the-art fleet,

all powered by self-charging batteries equipped to power all the

latest repair tooling technology required to perform repairs.

Enabling us to provide high-quality repairs using 100% renewable

energy, underscoring our commitment to sustainability and

environmental responsibility.

What our customers say

REVIEWS

96%

Would use us again

94%

Rated our repair quality as 5 Star

95%

Overall experience rated as 5 Star

ACCREDITATIONS

Our mission is to transform traditional, time-consuming

bodyshop repairs into efficient, same-day repairs,

minimising vehicle downtime and associated costs.

+44 (0) 1675 223 114

www.rapidrepairnetwork.com

simon.downing@rrn.co.uk

All rights reserved by Rapid Repair Network. Company No 10749977.


EDITORIAL BOARD

Streamlined Recovery,

Stronger Claims Outcomes

When examining the vehicle recovery process within the

overall claims journey, it becomes clear that partnering

with the right assistance company allows insurers to

balance cost efficiency with the delivery of exceptional

client management services. By prioritising customer

needs at every stage, insurers can enhance the customer

experience while optimising operational performance.

At NWVA, we recognise that our recovery drivers are often

the only face-to-face interaction a client may have throughout

the entire claims process. As such, we place a strong emphasis

on ensuring that this critical first impression is a positive one.

Our goal is to streamline the recovery service, ensuring that

customers not only receive outstanding support at the point

of recovery but also benefit from a smoother, more efficient

journey throughout the remainder of the claims process.

One key way we achieve this is by minimising unnecessary

movements of recovered vehicles. For example, we work to

prevent total loss vehicles from being mistakenly delivered

to accident repair centres, and likewise, we avoid repairable

vehicles being sent to salvage companies. Our advanced

management system triages each vehicle based on detailed

information and images, allowing us to deliver accurate

assessments and support quick, effective decision-making.

In addition, NWVA plays a vital role in helping insurers avoid

the loss of vehicles held in police compounds. Vehicles can

often be scrapped once they exceed the statutory 28-day

holding period. However, by using our latest notification tools,

we provide insurers with real-time updates on the location

and status of their vehicles. Each update is supported by

comprehensive photographic evidence, ensuring that insurers

can make informed decisions in a timely manner.

Furthermore, we offer the capability to provide Vehicle

Damage Assessments (VDA) through several estimating

systems. These systems are directly networked into insurers’

or claims management teams’ platforms, allowing for

seamless integration and efficient workflow management.

This service enables insurers to quickly obtain repair

estimates and status updates without delays, contributing to

a faster and more effective claims resolution process.

Overall, NWVA is committed to enhancing the vehicle

recovery process, reducing operational inefficiencies, and

improving customer satisfaction. By combining state-ofthe-art

technology with a client-focused approach, we help

insurers deliver a superior claims journey from the very first

point of contact.

Mick Jennings,

CEO, Nationwide Vehicle Assistance (NWVA)

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EDITORIAL BOARD

Staying Ahead of the Curve: Navigating

the Complexities of Modern Motor Claims

One of the biggest challenges in motor claims right now

is keeping pace with the evolving vehicle parc. From EVs

to ADAS and onboard software, we’re dealing with very

different vehicles to the ones we had just a few years

ago, and the impact on claims management is huge.

One area that’s becoming more complex is the arrival of new

manufacturers and models, particularly in the EV space. These

vehicles often come with unfamiliar technologies and limited parts

availability, which can make even minor repairs more challenging.

For insurers and repairers alike, that adds pressure, especially when it

comes to understanding risk, controlling costs, and maintaining repair

quality.

In some cases, the gap in available technical data means repairers

are left guessing. That’s a risk we can’t afford to take. We need

more openness from manufacturers when it comes to sharing repair

methods, particularly for ADAS and software-driven systems. The

more collaboration we can foster across the supply chain, the better

the outcomes will be for everyone, especially the customer.

At the same time, we need to be smarter about total loss decisions.

There’s a real opportunity to avoid write-offs in some borderline

cases if we can improve access to the right parts, data, and repair

approaches. That comes down to investing in both capability and

connectivity, from technician training to better data sharing between

insurers and repairers.

It’s also worth noting that, after a period where insurers were

fighting hard for capacity, we’re now seeing a more balanced market.

That gives insurers a window of opportunity to review their repair

networks — not just in terms of capacity, but capability. Are the right

partners in place to handle emerging technologies? Is there a clear

plan for sustainability? The choices made now will play a big role in

how well insurers are able to respond to the next wave of change.

We’ve already seen the benefits of future-focused investment at

Activate Group. Our Activate Accident Repair centres have been

purpose-built with EVs and ADAS in mind, and we’ve invested heavily

in training and diagnostics to make sure we can repair the vehicles

of today and tomorrow. Sharing data and insight with our insurer

partners also helps improve decision-making and avoid unnecessary

delays or write-offs.

There’s no denying that claims are getting more complex. But with

the right collaboration, we can stay one step ahead and deliver a

faster, smarter, and more customer-focused experience.

Adrian Furness,

Managing Director, Activate Group Insurance Services

The Future of Claims Management:

Seamless, Smart, and Customer-Centric

At National Windscreens, part of the Cary Group, we are

uniquely positioned to draw on insights from across 11

European markets. This international perspective enables

us to bring proven, digital-first innovations swiftly and at

scale into the UK market.

As we look ahead, we see the future of claims management being

shaped by intelligent automation, proactive communication and

seamless self-service, all inspired by leading practices from the

ecommerce and banking sectors.

Artificial intelligence will play a pivotal role, predicting customer needs,

automating the triage process and streamlining journeys to ensure

faster, more efficient resolutions. In response to the additional time

required for recalibrating vehicles equipped with Advanced Driver

Assistance Systems (ADAS), we are evolving our branch network. Our

sites are being transformed into dealership-style centres, complete

with expanded service bays, premium waiting areas and enhanced

connectivity, all designed to provide a more efficient and comfortable

customer experience.

Meeting Evolving Customer Expectations

Today’s customers expect claims processes that are not only

efficient but also empathetic and tailored to their needs. At National

Windscreens, we’re combining digital intelligence with human

reassurance to deliver faster, smarter and more personalised claims

experiences. The introduction of the FCA’s Consumer Duty regulations

has further strengthened our commitment to ensuring consistently

positive outcomes for policyholders.

Our focus on transformation is already delivering results. National

Windscreens is proud to be leading the way in customer satisfaction, as

evidenced by our high Net Promoter Scores and strong performance on

Trustpilot. A key enabler of this success has been our digital evolution.

We’ve introduced a wide range of omnichannel communication

options, including web call-backs, AI-powered chatbots, SMS, email,

telephone and WhatsApp, empowering customers to choose how they

engage with us.

By integrating natural language processing (NLP) technology, we’ve

made the customer journey more intuitive, significantly reduced

the reliance on telephone support and seen notable increases in

digital adoption and conversion rates. At the same time, we remain

committed to supporting all demographics, ensuring that customers

who prefer to speak directly with a member of our team can continue

to do so.

Driving Continuous Improvement in Customer Experience

Enhancing the customer experience is not a one-off initiative, it is

embedded in our culture through a sustained focus on continuous

improvement. Our collaborative partnerships with insurers are

fundamental to this strategy. By sharing customer journey data and

actionable insights, we are identifying and implementing operational

efficiencies that lead to better experiences for policyholders.

Our approach is underpinned by real-time feedback, operational

analytics and AI-driven modelling, all of which enable us to predict and

continuously refine the claims journey in line with evolving customer

expectations. We have established a closed-loop feedback system that

ensures every learning opportunity is captured and integrated into our

processes.

Internally, we invest significantly in training and recognising our team

members. We understand that a motivated, knowledgeable and

empowered workforce is critical to delivering exceptional service.

In those rare cases where expectations are not met, our dedicated

complaints team takes full ownership, ensuring each matter is resolved

personally and professionally from start to finish.

As claims management continues to evolve, National Windscreens

remains focused on setting the standard, combining innovation, insight

and a deep understanding of what truly matters to customers.

James Reynolds,

Director of Commercial and Finance, National Windscreens

MODERN INSURANCE | 27


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Evolving Automotive Risk intelligence

value with a data-ledbusiness model

Thatcham Research’s strategic partnership with

LexisNexis® Risk Solutions marks a major shift in

automotive risk data delivery, enabling insurers to

access enhanced vehicle insights for smarter, faster

decision-making.

The insurance industry is highly dynamic and demands a sharp focus

on emerging trends. In response to the rapidly evolving automotive

landscape, Thatcham Research, the UK’s leading provider of

automotive risk intelligence, has evolved its business model to deliver

greater value through enhanced vehicle risk data.

Introduced in early 2024, the new model sees the management

and distribution of Thatcham Vehicle Risk Data (Thatcham VRD)

transferred to LexisNexis® Risk Solutions. This data, analytics and

technology firm brings extensive experience and reach to the table.

The collaboration marks a move away from the traditional flat-file

data approach towards a model that delivers risk data enhanced

with insight and actionable intelligence. The result is improved

underwriting and pricing decisions across the industry.

In an increasingly complex vehicle ecosystem, accurate data-led

decision-making is essential. Variations in vehicle data across different

systems can lead to mismatched records, incorrect quotes and profit

loss for insurers. LexisNexis Risk Solutions addresses this by applying

advanced data matching and normalisation to align Thatcham VRD

with vehicle registrations and create a more precise and consolidated

view of the vehicle.

The company draws on several robust data sources. These include

agreements with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for Bulk

Data, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency for MOT and vehicle

history records, and access to the Government Vehicle Enquiry

Service. It also holds a licence for the Motor Vehicle Registration

Information System from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and

Traders, and uses detailed manufacturer build sheet data as part of

its LexisNexis® Vehicle Build solution. This supports deeper insight

into Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and other vehicle-specific

features.

Thanks to these extensive integrations, insurers can have greater

confidence that the vehicle on record accurately reflects the

risk being assessed. By mid-2025, Thatcham VRD will be further

enhanced with ABI code-matching capabilities through LexisNexis®

Informed Quotes. This service provides access to a wide range

of datasets covering both the insured individual and the vehicle,

allowing insurers to enrich and process millions of quotes each day

with vehicle-specific intelligence.

Thatcham Research’s decision to evolve its business model ensures

long-term sustainability while preserving its not-for-profit status. It

also enables continued reinvestment into independent research and

safety testing, which is vital as vehicles become more advanced. This

ongoing work will strengthen understanding of new automotive risks

and support the delivery of meaningful insights for the insurance

sector.

This strategic alliance between Thatcham Research and LexisNexis

Risk Solutions provides insurers with improved access to precise and

consistent vehicle data. It supports seamless system integration and

helps insurers remain competitive in a fast-changing market where

adaptability is key. With the right data at their fingertips, insurers can

respond confidently to the future of mobility and risk.

Jonathan Hewett,

Chief Executive, Thatcham Research and David Humphreys, Director,

Automotive Data, LexisNexis Risk Solutions

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Claims Management –

Delivering Greater Value

to Customers

As a trusted end-to-end service

provider in the total loss space, we’re

proud to deliver an outstanding

customer experience and maximum

value throughout the entire claims

management and settlement process.

That includes more than 30 integrated

services that drive cost and time

savings for insurers.

We handle over 500,000 vehicles each year in the UK

through our patented online ‘live’ auction platform,

with a global buyer base across 120 countries driving

maximum returns.

We also offer the UK’s largest inventory of qualityassured

green parts through our Green Parts Specialists

brand, which is helping to reduce total losses by

enabling more vehicle repairs.

Helping us achieve high levels of customer satisfaction

is our Excellence Centre in Bedford, which houses our

Claims Settlement, Customer Support Centre, and

Operational Audit teams, alongside specialist IMI and

AQP-qualified vehicle engineers.

The centralisation of these areas of expertise enables us

to maintain high levels of accuracy and quality for our

insurance customers and deliver a seamless experience

for their policyholders.

Service excellence starts from the point of vehicle

collection, as our drivers are often the first and only

point of contact a policyholder has with Copart at a

difficult time.

We’re very proud that, in addition to their specialist

vehicle movement capabilities, our drivers have

the necessary skills to provide reassurance and

communicate concisely and empathetically with often

vulnerable customers.

As vehicles travel through the claims process, our

integrated systems give us a unique ability to manage

all aspects, working directly with our customers to

deliver value, speed, ease, and transparency.

Our unique and innovative data-sharing technology

enables total system integration between our operating

system and our customers’ claims systems. We interact

digitally with insurers from the point a vehicle is

deemed a total loss through every stage of the process

until final settlement.

The real-time data transfer provides our insurance

customers with an efficient and seamless end-to-end

claims experience, greatly speeding up the journey and

delivering significant benefits for their policyholders.

They have access to extensive data sources that

provide real-time insights, as well as bespoke analytical

and reporting self-service tools to support informed

decision-making, from underwriting through to auction

predictions.

We’re always planning new and innovative technology

through continuous collaboration with our customers,

and we’ve launched many solutions to address friction

points in the total loss claims journey and expand our

range of world-class end-to-end outsourced services.

We continue to work closely with our customers to

develop bespoke, automated service solutions tailored

to their individual needs. Our ability to do this means

the speed of implementation of new technology we

can offer is incredibly unique, and that’s something we

are very proud of.

Copart. Always moving forward.

Jane Pocock,

CEO, Copart UK & Ireland

MODERN INSURANCE | 31



ASSOCIATIONS ASSEMBLE

ASSOCIATIONS

ASSEMBLE

Welcome to Associations Assemble!

Modern Insurance Magazine is delighted to be joined by some of the leading

names from our industry associations, organisations and institutes!

This issue voices the thoughts of:

Sue Brown

Chair, Motor Accident

Solicitors Society (MASS)

Mike Keating

CEO, Managing General Agents’

Association (MGAA)

Julie Comer

Head of Compliance, British Insurance

Brokers’ Association (BIBA)

David Punter

President, Institute of Automotive

Engineer Assessors (IAEA)

MODERN INSURANCE | 33


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ASSOCIATIONS ASSEMBLE

Sue Brown

Title: Chair

Association: Motor Accident Solicitors Society

(MASS)

Cut-Price Claims,

Full-Price Premiums: Civil

Liability Act Under Fire

The Treasury recently published a report, based

on insurer data provided to the Financial Conduct

Authority, outlining the reduction in motor insurance

premiums resulting from the Civil Liability Act. In

the final reporting year of the data, 2022-2023, it

estimated that there was a “counterfactual” 4.18%

reduction in premiums or £15 per premium as a

direct consequence of the Act.

This clearly falls way short of the supposed savings

from the reforms of £35 per premium per year,

extrapolated from predicted savings to insurers

of £1.2bn per year and widely quoted by Ministers

during the passage of the Act. Having pledged to

reduce premiums, there can be no doubt that instead

premiums have increased significantly.

The point though is that the published data is seriously

flawed. There is no comparable data from before the

Act. At least one and possibly two years’ worth of the

data is from before payments were made under the

Act. The terms of the assessment, as dictated by the

Act, may have been poorly conceived, but these figures

tell us little. Finally, complex modelling is required to

produce a statistical counterfactual scenario, but there

is precisely zero explanation about how these notional

figures were arrived at.

Despite all this, the Treasury makes the decidedly

questionable conclusion that policyholders have

benefitted from lower premiums resulting from the

reforms. To have the full picture, we need a proper costbenefit

analysis, and if the data allows, some proper

statistical counterfactual analysis, that takes account

of all the factors, including the ongoing IT costs for

professional users and the impact upon consumers.

With the Government having now committed to a full

post-implementation review of the Act later this year,

it will not be long before all of these issues are reconsidered

in some depth. Hopefully this will be more

illuminating about the true costs and benefits of the

reforms than some half-baked notional data sets.

Mike Keating

Title: CEO

Association: Managing General Agents’

Association (MGAA)

Powering Growth, Advocacy,

and Professional Standards in

the Growing MGA Market

The Managing General Agents’ Association (MGAA)

unveils a bold new brand and strategic direction for

2025, reinforcing its role as the leading voice, standards

body, and knowledge hub for the UK and Ireland’s

thriving MGA community.

The Managing General Agents’ Association (MGAA) is charting a

bold course into the future. As we head into 2025, our refreshed

brand identity represents more than just a visual change, it’s

a clear statement of our ongoing commitment to being the

authoritative voice for advocacy, professional standards, and

knowledge-sharing for MGAs, insurers, and suppliers across the

UK and Ireland.

A Thriving, Expanding Market

The MGA sector continues to grow rapidly, proving its value

and resilience in a shifting insurance landscape. The MGAA now

represents over 430 members, including MGAs who underwrite

over £15.1 billion in gross written premium, alongside 68

market practitioners and 125 suppliers. This growth reflects the

increasing recognition of MGAs’ innovation, agility, and specialist

expertise.

Advocacy and Regulatory Influence

At the heart of our work is meaningful advocacy. We ensure

MGA voices are heard at the highest levels of regulatory and

policy discussions. This year, we secured vital clarity on FCA

commission disclosure rules, a key example of how we protect

and promote our members’ interests.

Looking ahead, we’ll continue to deepen regulatory engagement

to support proportionate oversight and help shape a regulatory

environment that fosters both confidence and innovation.

Raising Standards Through Learning

As the sector grows, so too does the need for professional

development. Through our MGA Assess platform, 1,580

users have already completed training this year. To further

support members, we’re introducing a dedicated Learning &

Development Manager to lead initiatives tailored to evolving

compliance and education needs. Our goal is to ensure all MGAs

have the tools to meet industry expectations and best practice.

A Connected Community

MGAs thrive through collaboration. That’s why we actively foster

connections across the wider insurance marketplace. Our Broker

Engagement Programme continues to strengthen this vital

distribution channel.

We’re also future-proofing the sector through our Next Gen

Committee, supporting young professionals with opportunities

for development, mentorship, and leadership.

Empowering Members with Insight

Looking to the future, data and insight are

key to strategic growth. Our refreshed

website will soon feature a powerful

platform, giving members access to

industry-wide intelligence, market

trends, and shared expertise,

supporting informed, data-led

decision-making across the MGA

community.

MODERN INSURANCE | 35


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ASSOCIATIONS ASSEMBLE

Julie Comer

Title: Head of Compliance

Association: British Insurance Brokers’

Association

Streamlining Regulatory

Reporting for Insurance

Brokers

BIBA is calling for streamlined reporting requirements

as part of a collective effort to reduce the regulatory

burden on insurance brokers and support a more

efficient, proportionate framework.

In the ever-evolving landscape of the insurance industry, the

need for a stable and proportionate regulatory environment has

never been more pressing. One of BIBA’s Manifesto calls is for

the streamlining of reporting requirements for insurance brokers.

With the FCA recently launching its ambitious five-year strategy,

the commitment to becoming a more predictable, purposeful,

and proportionate regulator is commendable. This strategy

notably addresses reporting processes, and positive initial steps

have already been taken. The retirement of certain outdated

reports and the introduction of the new single sign-in portal,

My FCA, signify progress towards a more efficient regulatory

framework.

Alongside the strategy, the FCA published Feedback Statement

FS25/2, outlining immediate actions and plans to reassess its

regulatory requirements in light of the Consumer Duty. Among

the key areas for review are product value reporting and

requirements related to general insurance pricing practices.

BIBA has actively engaged with its members, and what we hear

consistently is concern about the disproportionate regulatory

reporting burden. Brokers often find themselves inundated with

data requests arriving in rapid succession, leaving minimal time

for adequate preparation and submission.

Brokers recognise the importance of the FCA’s data-led

initiatives and the benefits these insights can bring to decisionmaking.

They also want to understand how the data collected

will be used – otherwise, some might ask, “What’s the point?”

Over the past year, BIBA has fostered constructive dialogue

with the FCA and collected valuable insights from our

members. We presented actionable recommendations aimed at

alleviating the burden on brokers and enhancing productivity,

while contributing to the FCA’s Secondary Growth and

Competitiveness objective.

The journey towards a more efficient regulatory environment

for insurance brokers is a collaborative one, requiring ongoing

dialogue and commitment from both the FCA

and industry stakeholders. Together, we

can ensure that regulations serve

their intended purpose without

becoming an administrative

burden, ultimately benefiting

both brokers and their clients.

Dr David Matthew Punter Connell

Title: Director Presidentof Policy and Public Affairs

Association: Chartered Institute of Insurance Automotive Institute Engineer (CII)

Assessors (IAEA)

Ingredients Make All the

Difference to A Great

Recipe

Having come from a background in automotive

repair, technology, regulation and compliance, it

is all too easy to see where the market is heading

and how quickly it has moved, with a focus

on automation, often without revisiting good

practice.

The problem most companies have to deal with is that

people miss real interaction, and the emphasis placed on

the “need” at the time of loss means the initial trust can

be lost immediately.

I am a strong advocate for technology and believe that

joining the dots to make a difference really matters.

However, if you approach it from the needs of the

business first, then you are starting on the wrong path.

There are a number of AI solutions on the market that

make bold claims about what they can achieve, but I

often ask myself, how would I want to be dealt with?

That is where a true customer trust perspective comes

into play, as nobody wants to be left on hold or chatting

to a bot if the fundamental process is flawed

As part of a member service operation such as the IAEA,

we represent the public as a whole, and our focus is on

the safety and security of the services the public use.

With a strong membership spanning fleets, insurers,

independents and many specialists, we offer a

comprehensive set of services backed by a code of

conduct to protect the public and generate trust and

confidence in the processes we are connected with

across the repair sector.

Whilst I might be biased about our organisation, we

ensure we remain a professional, compliant and ethical

service that delivers comfort and trust for our members,

partners and the public overall.

MODERN INSURANCE | 37


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FEATURES

APIL Calls for Action as Ministers Step

Back from Civil Liability Act Claims

It is noteworthy that ministers have distanced themselves from claims in the

recent Treasury report that the Civil Liability Act 2018, which included the

whiplash reforms, has reduced car insurance premium costs for customers.

MPs were told in the House of Commons recently, during

a debate on increasing the compensation tariffs in the

new whiplash system, that the Treasury report “does not

represent the Government’s view”.

The reality is that APIL’s analysis of Office for National

Statistics and Association of British Insurers data shows

there has been a 71 per cent increase in premiums and an

11 per cent decrease in the cost of injury claims settled by

insurers since the reforms, including a tariff-based system for

compensation, were introduced in 2021.

Cutting compensation so drastically for painful, avoidable

whiplash injuries to a fraction of their actual value makes

a mockery of compulsory insurance, which is supposed to

compensate people properly for avoidable injuries.

Motorists are shelling out more than ever, believing they

will be looked after should anything go wrong and they

come to harm. But now whiplash compensation can be as

little as a few hundred pounds in some cases, for injuries

which can derail people’s lives for months at a time and

sometimes even longer. Consumers should be furious.

The compensation does not fulfil its primary purpose of

putting injured people back to where they were before the

negligence.

The Government has confirmed that it will undertake a postimplementation

review of the reforms later this year. APIL will

engage with this process, but it is clear already that the Civil

Liability Act 2018 is a glaring example of bad policymaking.

APIL is a not-for-profit campaign group that fights for the

rights of injured people. Our flagship campaign is Rebuilding

Shattered Lives, which tells the true stories of people who

have suffered devastating, life-changing injuries due to

negligence, and fights for victims of negligence to be front

and centre of policymaking.

There are many misconceptions about personal injury

compensation and the law. All too often the focus is on the

financial cost to wrongdoers, who are supposed to put things

right, and not on the human cost in needless suffering and

the impact on individuals and their families.

The subject of the campaign’s latest short film, Rusty Brown,

suffered life-changing injuries when a speeding hit-and-run

driver crashed into him. Fit and active, Rusty had to have his

leg amputated. Full and proper compensation through the

law on personal injury was vital in getting Rusty a specialist

prosthetic leg that was not available on the NHS, getting

him back to work, and back to living his life. The film was

launched in September 2024 and has been viewed nearly

700,000 times in the first six months. Stories like Rusty’s

demonstrate that anyone can be a victim of negligence, and

help to generate the empathy, consideration, and respect

injured people need and deserve. Search for Rebuilding

Shattered Lives on social media to watch the film, called

Rusty’s Story.

APIL is also campaigning for a new law on statutory

bereavement damages, which are compensation payments

of just over £15,000 in England and Wales, and £17,000 in

Northern Ireland. They are paid to a very restricted set of

family members if a loved one dies due to negligence.

The current law, passed more than 40 years ago, desperately

needs reforming so that it reflects how modern families really

live today. Many loved ones are denied damages, including

fathers if their child dies due to negligence and they were not

married to the mother when their baby was born. Scotland

has a much fairer system where claims are determined

on a case-by-case basis, and a wider field of relatives are

considered.

Victims of asbestos-related lung cancer, which is generally

contracted at work and is almost always terminal, are

denied full compensation if they cannot trace all firms that

exposed them to the deadly substance. Finding employers’

insurance records is challenging, as they may have been

lost or destroyed in the years between the exposure and

becoming ill. If they can only trace one of their four previous

employers, for example, then they receive only a fraction

of the compensation to which they are entitled and need.

APIL wants a new law so that victims are treated the same

as victims of mesothelioma, which is a very similar cancer

also caused by exposure to asbestos, usually at work.

Mesothelioma victims are entitled to full damages if they can

trace just one of the firms responsible for the exposure.

Along with raising public awareness of where the law falls

short, APIL is lobbying MPs and ministers on these issues.

Full and fair compensation for injured victims of negligence

should be the cornerstone of a civilised society. This is at the

heart of all of APIL’s work.

Mike Benner,

Chief Executive, Association

of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL)

MODERN INSURANCE | 39



CLAIMS MANAGEMENT

IS DEAD…

After decades of drift and

disconnection, the true purpose

of claims management has been

lost, but by putting the customer

back at the heart of the process,

we can restore fairness, integrity,

and meaning to the work that really

matters.

After 27 years in claims management,

spent identifying new opportunities,

celebrating progress, and lamenting the

painfully slow pace of some developments,

I am sad to report that the concept of

Claims Management as we once knew it is

dead.

It has not died suddenly, but from neglect.

A lack of due care and attention. A failure

to properly nurture innovation. And, most

significantly, a deep misunderstanding

of why claims professionals exist in the

first place. We allowed our position

within the insurance ecosystem to be

overtaken by technology, distorted by

short-sighted cost-saving targets, and

worst of all, undermined by the neglect of

our policyholders. We have abdicated our

right to be heard and understood.

Now we rely on regulators to do our job

for us. We welcome outcomes-based

principles like Consumer Duty being

applied to the industry, and the latest

move is to extend these to the claims

process itself.

Really?

Regulation is not the answer

Regulatory frameworks designed to

address product and pricing conflicts are

now being applied to what should be the

very cradle of customer service, claims. I

have no issue with scrutiny, but it is a sad

indictment that regulators feel they need

to intervene.

The truth is that claims management has

become a machine, one that churns out

profits or cuts costs for a wide range of

actors. Lawyers, hire companies, credit

businesses, repairers, outsourcing firms,

network managers, the list goes on.

Of course, many of these services are

necessary. But we have all seen the

extremes: a credit hire firm demanding

over £50,000 for a non-fault incident, only

for the courts to award £1,500. Insurers

deliberately under-valuing assets. Contact

centres turning off the phones to force

customers online, not because it is better

for them, but because it is cheaper for us.

These are symptoms of a broken

system. One that has drifted far from

its true purpose, to settle claims fairly,

appropriately, and swiftly. To listen to

and believe our customers, because over

99 percent of them are not fraudsters.

To represent their needs within the

insurance world, and to demand the same

investment as the favoured areas of the

business, sales, distribution, and pricing.

Is that really too much to ask?

Introducing ‘Customer Claims

Management’

The solution is simple. Add one word.

By introducing the word Customer into

Claims Management, we shift the focus.

It is no longer about managing the claim,

but about managing the customer and

their claim.

Now, the customer sits at the centre of

the wheel. Every stakeholder and system

involved must exist to serve them. If

they do not, they have no place in this

ecosystem.

Because a claim does not exist in isolation.

It is a bundle of tasks, often designed

to limit payout. But customers are real.

Human. Even corporate clients are made

up of people doing their best. Customer

Claims Management recognises this truth

and puts it front and centre.

And above all, it reminds us that the claim

belongs to the customer, not the insurer,

repairer, or any other party.

Without customers, there is no insurance

industry, and no claims function. Customer

Claims Management is not a step

backwards. It returns us to our purpose, to

deliver fairness, equity, and integrity.

That is the real job.

Eddie Longworth,

Director, JEL Consulting

Claims and Supply Chain

Development

MODERN INSURANCE | 41



“We've developed

innovative solutions

that neither we nor our

customers ever imagined

possible.”

Nik Ellis

What Exactly is Automotive Intelligence?

The term might sound a bit unconventional, but it

perfectly captures what we do. Rather than delivering

static PDF reports, we provide real-time data via API

directly into our clients’ CRM systems, streamlining

processes and reducing fee earner workload.

For example, when a vehicle is deemed repairable, we

instantly alert relevant supply chain stakeholders, such

as approved repairers or hire car teams, with critical

information. The hire car team, for instance, needs to

know the estimated duration of the hire. Our system

provides accurate timeframes and updates on potential

delays, like parts supply.

This proactive approach boosts efficiency, keeps

everyone informed, including the consumer, and

transforms claims from a static, linear chain into a

dynamic, interconnected system.

How Does Artificial Intelligence Help the Business?

2024 marked a turning point: businesses are no

longer just adapting to AI, they’re powered by it. Laird

embraced this evolution wholeheartedly.

As a small and agile company, we’ve always used

technology to our advantage. Automation has been core

to us for over a decade. More recently, AI has become

central, supporting our team from FNOL to payment.

We’ve created solutions we never imagined, streamlining

operations and eliminating unnecessary tasks, with more

innovations coming. It’s exciting to be at the forefront of

such a seismic shift. Our mission remains clear: enhance

efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction while

cutting costs and friction across the supply chain.

How Does AI Help in Practical Terms?

AI’s speed and accuracy are transforming the vehicle

claims process. Where once an assessor had to travel

and report manually, our AI-powered system now

enables remote assessments. Drivers upload damage

images via a user-friendly interface, and our AI—

supported by expert engineers, produces instant,

accurate reports.

This not only accelerates claims but also ensures

consistency. By analysing historical data, our AI can

also predict repair costs and timeframes, reducing

the need for supplementary reports. These predictive

insights empower the entire supply chain with actionable

intelligence.

What are You Currently Building?

We’re expanding AI and automation to further enhance

claims and reporting. In the coming months, we’ll roll out

advanced Agentic AI and machine learning to improve

decision-making and predictive analytics, especially

around supplementary damage.

The goal isn’t just faster processes, it’s a fully connected

ecosystem where data flows in real time and every

stakeholder is empowered to deliver exceptional service.

What Does the Future Hold for Laird?

We aim to keep pushing boundaries, redefining, not just

enhancing, the claims process.

In 2025, we’re building a fully

automated, AI-driven ecosystem

that delivers superior service

at every stage. For Laird, the

future is about more than

just technology, it’s about a

smarter, more connected

world of automotive

claims, and I’m proud

we’re leading the way.

Nik Ellis,

Director, Laird Assessors



Ensuring Fairness and

Transparency Amid

Increasing Risk Complexity

and Rising Expectations

Insurers and brokers heading to Manchester for the BIBA annual conference,

do so amid a landscape of increasingly complex emerging risks and rising client

expectations. In a fast-paced and increasingly volatile world, consumer demand for

greater fairness and clarity in their interactions with financial services providers is

growing. According to a recent report by Ernst & Young, 70% of claimants expressed a

desire for fairness and simplified wording in their claims processes.

This puts renewed pressure on every

part of the insurance value chain to

deliver higher service levels, with

demand for improvements showing no

signs of slowing. In today's digital age,

consumers expect the same level of

service from their insurance providers

as they do from other service-oriented

businesses.

Artificial intelligence and technology

are transforming how consumers

interact with their insurance providers

– streamlining claims, clarifying

policy details, and improving the

overall experience. By simplifying

processes, enhancing understanding

and improving the customer

experience, AI is helping to create a

more transparent, efficient, customerfocused

insurance industry.

As technology continues to evolve,

consumers are also able to access

ever greater levels of data and

information which is increasing the

sophistication of their interactions

with the industry while simultaneously

raising their expectations. The work

to meet these expectations comes at

a time when insurers are facing new

and emerging risks.

The threats posed by a changing

climate have been on the industry’s

radar for some time.

In response, insurers have looked

to innovate and create solutions that

deliver greater certainty in a rapidly

evolving claims environment.

The rise of digital assets introduces

new risk categories for insurers. To

cater for this, they are developing

specialised coverage to protect

against these risks, including crime/

fidelity coverage for digital assets

stored in cold, warm or hot storage.

Digital assets also require innovative

risk management solutions. As such

assets become more prevalent,

insurers are creating tailored products

to meet unique consumer needs.

These include solutions to safeguard

digital investments, such as coverage

for digital asset vaults, which protect

against internal and external theft and

the destruction of private keys.

In this increasingly volatile world,

corporates are seeking guidance

from brokers and insurers to help

navigate these risks; while for

commercial clients there is a greater

desire to build more strategic broker

relationships.

In a claims environment which is

growing in complexity, omnichannel

communication is becoming incredibly

important.

It allows consumers to interact with

their insurance providers through

multiple channels, such as phone

calls, emails, chat, text messages and

social media. This flexibility means

consumers can choose the method

that best suits their preferences and

lifestyle, making the claims process

more convenient and accessible.

An omnichannel approach means

consumers experience a seamless

and consistent interaction across

all communication channels. So, no

matter how they choose to contact

their insurer, the information and

service they receive is coherent and

unified.

This can significantly speed up the

claims process. A well-implemented

omnichannel strategy ensures that

consumers feel heard and valued.

Personalised communication, where

insurers can tailor their interactions

based on the consumer's history and

preferences, leads to a more positive

and engaging customer experience. This

personalised approach helps build trust

and loyalty.

As the financial services industry

evolves, calls for fairness and clearer,

simplified wording in claims processes

are growing. By embracing these

principles and aligning with the FCA

Consumer Duty, firms can build stronger,

more trusting relationships with their

customers, ultimately driving better

outcomes for all.

Paul Lofkin,

President, UK & Ireland,

Crawford & Company

MODERN INSURANCE | 45


We make

SMARTER

SWIFTER

SIMPLER

insurance software

Find us on stand F40 at BIBA

opengi.co.uk


Building

Strong

Relationships Through

Technology:

Open GI’s Commitment to

Empowering Insurance Brokers

and MGAs

FEATURES

The brilliantly attended British Insurance

Brokers’ Association Conference in

Manchester underlines the importance of

building the right relationships to serve

your customers and of creating strong

partnerships that deliver real value.

At Open GI, we’re acutely aware that our role in this is to

provide modern, open and configurable technology that

increases the efficiency of the insurance chain. We see our

purpose as helping broker and MGA customers to write

more and better business. It is all about providing the

foundation for service excellence.

Now, technology can be a sticky point for insurance

distributors. After all, there are so many options, and the

landscape changes so rapidly. We’re here to support our

partners in navigating this complex space, designing and

providing the solutions to help them succeed in a fastmoving

world.

So, what should those solutions look like?

Firstly, tech products must do what they promise. They

should work, offer access to the right products, and

be secure. We believe our partners deserve access to

a superior cloud-based solution that is protected from

issues such as server crashes and cyber-attacks.

Technology is there to help, and to do that effectively,

we strongly believe it must be open. That means making

it easy for customers to access and analyse their data or

add connections to partners, such as premium finance

providers.

Technology should also be flexible and configurable, and it

should be able to drive scale. We don’t want to pigeonhole

our clients into using ‘approved’ service partners we have

already paired with; the field should be wide open. Nor do

we want to restrict the additional technologies they might

want to add; platforms should be fully open to enable

access to the full range of value-added services.

It is becoming increasingly clear that a modular approach,

which allows clients to build the technology they want and

create a platform that meets their specific needs, is what

the market requires. This approach enables customers

to build the technology they want to use and create the

solution that is right for them. All brokers and MGAs

are different, with their own operations, relationships,

and diverse customer needs. Breaking down the tech

approach into modules means they can operate on a

leaner system, using only the technology they need, and

adding new features as required.

It’s also essential for technology to be future-proofed.

We’ve all seen examples of tech becoming outdated

almost as soon as it goes live. That’s the story of the

modern age, and not limited to insurance, but it’s

something that is always front of mind for us when we

design our systems and consider what customers might

need from our platforms in one, five or ten years.

A good example of this is artificial intelligence, particularly

generative AI. Five years ago, that was a pipedream,

but we’re already adding it to our PAS systems and

developing connections for AI APIs. We have to be agile

and dedicated to responding to new capabilities. We’re

working with providers such as OpenDialog to give our

customers access to generative AI chatbots, which can

solve simple customer queries and free up hard-working

staff to address more complex problems. It’s about

supporting firms to use AI to augment, and not replace,

their valued people.

There are also newer tech capabilities that can help

brokers and MGAs to better understand their data. The

primary tool for this is machine learning, which can

help clients do exciting things, such as identifying fraud

or predicting the likelihood of a claim ahead of time,

supporting distributors to pass a cleaner book to insurers.

Tech providers must be at the forefront of

embracing change and support their

clients in adapting to new methods and

ways of working. With all this in place,

we can look forward to continuing

to be a true friend to the broker

and MGA community. If you’re at

BIBA this week, we look forward to

meeting you at stand F40.

Simon Badley,

CEO, Open GI

MODERN INSURANCE | 47



What Is The Claims Management Fix?

The Financial Conduct Authority’s

Consumer Duty sets high industry

standards for consistently delivering

great customer outcomes. The duty

principles apply to both personal lines and

commercial customers – SME businesses,

landlords, self-employed professionals

and others, all fall within the regulation's

wording.

In particular, the duty requires that firms regularly assess and test

customer outcomes, and this point is crucial. Continually evaluating and

rejuvenating the service infrastructure is fundamental to good business

practice, and having specific processes and training in place to deliver

service excellence is a good starting point. However, meeting the

requirements of new regulations won’t wash if the customer outcomes

aren’t great. So, as an industry, what must we do to fix this?

Understanding And Support

When disaster strikes, it’s more than just buildings that break — it’s

lives, routines, and livelihoods. The insurance contract promises great

things, and the extensive support the industry provides to customers

is unequivocal. However, it’s how the service is delivered that regularly

comes under scrutiny, and customer expectations go way beyond the

policy wording.

As loss adjusters, we’re not just assessing damage. We’re helping

people rebuild their businesses, their homes, and their sense of normal.

Crucially, it’s about really understanding what’s important to each

particular customer or client at that moment – possibly one of the most

difficult times in their lives. That’s the challenge.

Behavioural Scientists

From the outset of every claim, it’s essential to consider the fundamental

questions—how does the customer feel, and what actions can we take

to alleviate their stress? We use professional behavioural scientists to

better understand customer behaviour and their intrinsic ‘fear’ of making

an insurance claim.

Through their dynamic guidance in restructuring our communications,

we made letters, emails and every element of our portal interface

more user-friendly and inviting so that customers feel encouraged and

empowered to respond. Within twelve months, we increased customer

satisfaction by 30% and reduced complaints by 75%. Small changes

make a big difference

Personal Approach

In the field, loss adjusters are often the calm after the storm, the helping

hand when everything is uncertain and the face that customers see and

depend on for answers and solutions. While the customer won’t always

remember exactly what actions you took, they will remember how you

made them feel.

A genuinely personal approach is crucial to achieving excellent

outcomes, and the customer needs to have absolute confidence in the

entire claims management team and their supply chain. It’s often said

that we should imagine what we would want the service to look and

feel like if the customers were our own family members and consider

whether it lives up to expectations.

Vulnerable

Customers

Never is the personal

approach more critical

than when a claim

involves a vulnerable

customer. Again,

excellent empathy and

sensitivity skills training

are essential to help

identify customers at

the earliest stage who

might find navigating

the claims process

challenging.

INCREASED

CUSTOMER

SATISFACTION

BY 30%

AND REDUCED

COMPLAINTS

BY 75%.

One customer’s home required extensive internal repairs, and the wife

was caring for her husband, who was living with dementia. Alternative

accommodation wasn’t an option, as the husband needed to be familiar

with the layout of his surroundings.

In this type of situation, Dementia Friends training has empowered

our teams to approach the solution differently. Collaborating with the

contractors, a reinstatement programme was developed that allowed

the couple to continue living in certain rooms. Work areas were cleared

at the end of each day to ensure safe access to the rest of the house.

Our specialist customer care team spoke to the wife daily to check

that the arrangements were acceptable, and the repair period was

condensed to minimise the impact on their lives.

For other vulnerable customers, we’ve created wall charts with photos

of every contractor working on the property and ‘mood boards’ so they

can visualise who is visiting and what’s happening next in their homes.

It’s all about considering the logistics and how we can take preventable

stress out of the process.

Sensitive And Flexible

Any incident that’s led to an insurance claim can be traumatic and

upsetting, and every claim is different. Listening to customers is the

only way to understand what is unique about their situation and how

we can prioritise our response to make everything that bit easier for

them. We need to seize every opportunity to make a positive difference,

introducing flexibility and outsidethe-box

thinking to provide solutions

that actually make them smile.

Behind every claim is a person, a

family, a team — and while we have

all the skills to get them or their

business back on their feet, empathy

must always be at the very heart of

everything we do. We must commit

to listening to what really matters,

managing every expectation and

keeping every promise—all this will

secure consumer trust and improve

the industry’s reputation. It really is

that simple.

Nicola Dryden,

Chief Client Officer, Sedgwick

MODERN INSURANCE | 49


Managing claims is

about to get easier

The dedicated broker claims management system from FMG

Seamless and

transparent claims

management

Faster claim

resolution

Enhanced MI

reporting suite


EV LVE

Brokers, it’s time to evolve

Effective claims management is critical to the insurance industry and a

crucial step in influencing customer retention.

And those customers increasingly expect simplified, seamless, self-serve

solutions using familiar platforms and the choice of 24/7 interaction to

ensure their loyalty.

EVOLVE is the brand new and intuitive broker claims management system

from FMG, designed to turn broker claims management into a fast, simple

and satisfying experience for broker and customer.

The platform delivers an intelligently streamlined claims solution that

combines automations to improve accuracy and efficiency, with

intelligent workload and caseload management and easily configurable

and bespoke workflows.

The result is a faster, more responsive and more transparent service at a

time when brokers and their customers need it most.

Designed in line with feedback based on years of working alongside many

different insurance broker customers, FMG EVOLVE is part of a digital

solution to make claims management as simple and streamlined as

possible.

Every touchpoint in our claims management journey is supported by a

seamless blend of technology and human touch that speeds up the claim

process and adds vital support, negotiation and expertise:

• FMG ENOL - report motor claims anytime, anywhere, from any device.

• FMG Connect - our self-serve app for policyholders to track progress

and manage aspects of their claim if they wish.

• Image capture - speeding up the repair estimating process with the

policyholder’s own vehicle damage photos.

• FMG EVOLVE - the brand new intuitive broker claims management

system designed with insurance brokers in mind.

FMG EVOLVE combines self-serve solutions, robotics and analytics

to make the claims management process easier and faster than ever,

with brokers and policyholders choosing between a digital

experience or to speak to a real person.

This is the seamless, intuitive and connected solution brokers need to

unleash the digital potential of the claims process.

Brokers, it’s time to EVOLVE.

0344 243 8888 marketing1@fmg.co.uk


Linking multiple

false claims

Scan to email

Technical Services Director

Jamie Lankey to find out more

Using Lynx document validation, we

recently discovered a fraudulent insurance

claim, linked to 13 other claims that our

client was handling.

The deeper our investigation went,

the more we found. Every claim was false

and all of them were using shallowfakes to

manipulate documents like medical

records in convincing ways.

We discovered d that t the same culprit had

targeted multiple insurers with high-value

claims using shallowfake documents.

The person behind these fraudulent

activities was traced to an international

location, and we believe the total value of

the fraud could reach into the hundreds

of thousands of pounds.

The estimated value of the fraud was

around £80,000, but the situation escalated.

We don’t hear ‘no’ or ‘we can’t do

this’ from RGI.”

Special investigations handler


THE

FRAUD

BOARD

MODERN INSURANCE | 53


DIFFERENT


THE FRAUD BOARD

THE CRISIS

OF IDENTITY

AFFECTING

CLAIMS TEAMS

Individual identity is a white-hot social topic

and not one that I am going to get into here.

But identity also has huge implications in a

corporate environment. In particular, I’d like to

explore some of the issues attached to identity

within the context of fraud and insurance claims

management.

Insurance claims teams face increasing pressure to boost

efficiency and customer service, yet they operate in a market

where fraud is endemic. As a result, they must define how fraud

will be tackled within their operational strategies.

At one extreme, a zero-tolerance approach would grind

operations to a halt. Validating every claim to eliminate fraud

isn’t practicable if the industry is to remain functional. At the

other, ignoring fraud entirely may be operationally easier, but it

shifts the cost to policyholders via increased premiums.

Each insurer must therefore determine its tolerance for fraud

risk. This depends on factors like pricing strategy, policy

wordings, and lines of business. Only with this clarity can they

define a claims handling strategy and supporting framework.

Even once this is set, challenges remain. Automation and

straight-through processing improve efficiency but aren’t easy

to calibrate against each carrier’s specific fraud tolerance.

Poorly tuned automation can even attract fraud. For instance,

standardised checks on low-value claims may create an

incentive for fraudsters to submit repeated claims just below

scrutiny thresholds.

Fraud is also growing more sophisticated. AI allows even nontechnical

fraudsters to generate fake documents, images, and

videos. While detection tools like our Detect system analyse

metadata and flag AI-generated content, fraudsters have access

to the same tech—and are quick to exploit it.

Another consideration is transparency. How much are insurers

willing to reveal about their fraud risk tolerance and the resulting

cost to policyholders? The industry talks about openness, but

are we ready for consumers to compare how much of their

premium covers fraud?

In time, this could become a key differentiator influencing

consumer choice. But for now, the market isn’t quite ready to

fully embrace that level of transparency—despite how often it’s

discussed.

BARBARIANS

AT THE

COMMERCIAL

GATE?

Time to shut the front door

The Commercial Fraud Conundrum

I recently attended a brilliant industry roundtable where

commercial fraud challenges and opportunities were raised.

I was particularly struck by defendant lawyers’ shared

experiences of fraud at the underwriting stage—fraud only

uncovered during claims investigations. Shell companies,

fabricated directors, hidden beneficial owners, and concealed

moral hazards were all cited. As was the Ombudsman’s clear

stance: firms must identify risk at underwriting, not during

claims.

There was no single root cause. Intermediated business

acquisition, poor information flow between broker and carrier,

and limited data-sharing appetite all contributed. Fundamentally,

this was a failure in Know Your Customer—or rather, Know Your

Business—principles.

But these are avoidable risks:

• If it’s documented, it can be digitalised.

• If digitalised, it can be read, indexed and extracted.

•If extracted, it can trigger automated validation and

investigation—using open-source data, paywalled databases,

and ID verification tools.

• If automation is possible, results can inform rules, scorecards

and predictive models for real-time risk assessment and block/

refer strategies.

Crucially, digital data can also be legally shared. Risk entity data

can populate graph databases, enabling underwriters to spot

hidden links and assess broker performance more effectively.

Know Your Business is not new—it’s standard in wider financial

services. We must acknowledge the opportunities we’re missing

and the vulnerabilities we’re ignoring.

Lessons from Personal Lines

At the millennium, personal motor insurance faced a similar

challenge: verifying customer identity, financial stress, and

claims history was difficult and expensive at quote stage. We

defaulted to claims-stage checks and were reminded by the

Ombudsman of the need to assess risk earlier.

Eventually, digital channels, aggregators, and vendor data

solutions enabled affordable, real-time front-door checks. We

evolved.

Evolving the KYB Front Door

We can’t shut the front door—

but we can evolve it. Whether

fraudsters outpace the sector’s

evolution or stronger counterfraud

measures drive change, the

need to act is clear.

Bobby Gracey,

Global Head of Counter Fraud,

Charles Taylor

Matt Gilham,

Director, Whitelk

MODERN INSURANCE | 55



THE FRAUD BOARD

CHANGING THE TRUST

PARADIGM

For an industry based on utmost good faith, an awful lot

of insurers processes start with distrust as a default. This is

not a one-way street, as in return, insurers are perceived by

their customers as always asking for premium increases or

seeking ways to avoid paying a claim.

When you have worked in the insurance sector, you tend to

understand the drivers of premium volatility and that on the whole,

most claims do get paid. Ironically, given the common perception

that insurers will seek to avoid claims, research from Fairer Finance

shows that those who have made a claim in the last three years trust

their insurers more than those who haven’t.

Which magazine’s research shows that there are still significant

gaps in the understanding of the insurance products consumers are

buying, and it is clear that significant efforts need to be made to

simplify products and ensure that the consumer understands what

is covered, and what is not is clear. This is a huge undertaking. In the

meantime, insurers can focus on improving the claims process.

The simple answer would be to increase straight through processing

and approve more claims. This inevitably leads to more targeting

by fraudsters looking to take advantage and worsening loss ratios.

Generally, there is then a reaction to increase controls and slow the

process down, bringing improvements in performance. Insurers are

always at some point between these extremes. At one end of the

pendulum, you have happy customers, good net promoter scores

but worse performance. At the other, you have frustrated customers,

lower NPS but better financial results.

Perhaps there is a better way, knowing who to trust and automating

this across your processes. This means building a counter fraud

platform to orchestrate the multiple capabilities required to enable

you to detect fraud in real time. The first step is removing the silos

of data between underwriting and claims, having one view of your

portfolio and utilising real time network analytics. Further detection

engines such as AI models, fraud scenarios and using OCR to capture

unstructured data to extract text and entities from documents are

also vital. You can then layer in third party data, image and document

and voice analytics to complement your defences. Layering these

enhances the feedback to your models, and tells you in real time who

to trust.

Once you have the capability to automate trust in real time, you can

stop the pendulum swing and confidently focus on providing the

genuine customer the service they need when they need it. As we

have seen when a customer has had a claim, they are more likely to

trust their insurer in the future.

Martyn Griffiths,

Sales Manager UK&I, FRISS

REIMAGINING FRAUD MANAGEMENT

IN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY: A

CUSTOMER-CENTRIC APPROACH

In an age of heightened customer expectations, the insurance

industry must evolve its approach to fraud management. By focusing

on transparency, proportionality, and outcomes, and leveraging

new technologies like voice analytics, insurers can streamline claims

processes, reduce fraud detection times, and settle genuine claims

more efficiently, all while maintaining a customer-first strategy.

An insurance claim is the moment of truth for the customer who

has purchased a policy. In today’s world, people are increasingly

accustomed to seamless online experiences, quick purchases, real-time

delivery updates, and transparency throughout. Naturally, expectations

for service providers, including insurers, are higher than ever. A good

customer journey is defined by choice, transparency, and speed. So,

the challenge we face is: how do we improve across all three?

Historically, fraud investigations created friction in this journey. The

old thinking was: if you reveal your fraud controls, people will try to

outsmart them; and if you share how you investigate, it might tip off

bad actors. But that mindset doesn’t hold in today’s environment.

Regardless of whether those points were ever valid, they’re no longer

acceptable. Fraud control today isn’t about proving fraud, it’s about

assessing the likelihood of a claim being genuine, so we can reach a

swift, fair resolution.

We operate in a landscape where laws, regulations, and customer

expectations have evolved. This means we must not only adjust

our own processes but ensure consistency across our supply chain.

However complex our distribution network, the customer should

experience a materially similar, fair validation process.

There are three key principles that must underpin any effective fraud

strategy:

Transparency – Customers deserve to know how their data is used,

why it might be shared, and what processes might be applied to their

claims.

Proportionality – Our fraud controls must have clearly defined

thresholds, and we must be confident they are fair. While these tools

will inevitably uncover and help us prove fraud in some cases, the

conversion rate from suspicion to confirmation is key. Sometimes we

still suspect fraud but can’t prove it, and other times further checks

confirm the claim is genuine. Either way, we must ensure the impact of

our controls is justifiable for all customers.

Outcome – It’s no longer enough to look at the fraud prevention

benefit in isolation. We need to consider how these controls can

also improve the wider customer experience by speeding up claims

handling for genuine customers.

If we’re serious about a customer-first strategy, our fraud controls must

be designed to uphold that promise, to settle claims as quickly and

fairly as possible.

While there’s understandable caution around the pace of technological

change, it’s also what enables us to deliver faster, more transparent

outcomes. For example, our introduction of voice analytics has not only

improved fraud detection but also increased the number of immediate

settlements for genuine claims, while significantly reducing claim

lifecycles across the board. claims and materially reduced lifecycles

across the portfolio.

Ben Fletcher,

Head of Financial Crime, LV= General Insurance

MODERN INSURANCE | 57


THE FRAUD BOARD

TRUST, TECH AND FRAUD:

AI’S ROLE IN SECURING THE

FUTURE OF CLAIMS

Shallowfakes, manipulated documents that look convincing but are easy to create,

pose a rising threat to the insurance industry. As fraudulent claims become more

sophisticated, AI is proving to be an invaluable tool in detecting these falsified

documents with impressive accuracy. However, the key to tackling this issue lies in

combining the power of AI with human intelligence, ensuring both cost efficiency and

exceptional customer service.

The rise of ‘shallowfake’ documents in insurance fraud is

making fraudulent claims harder to detect and their impact is

growing. Shallowfakes are convincing, low-effort manipulations

of images, receipts, or documents submitted with claims.

Pretty much anyone has the potential to produce a

shallowfake. Basic editing software and a user with a bit of

skill can produce high-quality shallowfake documents easily

and quickly. They cost firms serious money in claim payouts,

fuelling rising premium costs for customers and damaging

your reputation. They are alarmingly effective, especially when

used at volume in fast-moving digital claims environments.

They’re easy to make, they’re easy to replicate and they’re hard

to stop.

But, AI is accelerating our abilities in the fight against

shallowfakes. We can harness its power to help tackle the rise

in digital insurance fraud. AI finds shallowfakes accurately and

quickly, picking out the falsified documents from the real ones.

In fact, our Specialist Investigation Team now uses AI to detect

fraud with a 91% success rate of declined claims.

An Issue of Trust?

Our industry is turning to AI to streamline processes. It can do

the work that your team aren’t feasibly able to, processing vast

amounts of data at speeds we simply don’t have the capability

to do. This gives rise to a feeling of mistrust around its use, is

AI going to put us out of work?

The short answer is, no.

Artificial intelligence can’t replace human intelligence. This

is crucial to the rebuilding of trust for our business partners

and their clients too. For us as claims investigators, that

means regular, empathetic communication with our clients

in language they understand. It means delivering expert

personalised service, handling claims with experience, skill and

empathy.

However, human intelligence remains essential to the

process, drawing on expertise and skill to investigate a

case, gathering the right information from the right sources.

We’re not machines, we’re people, so emotional intelligence

must be applied too. We must add context, empathy and

understanding to enhance the customer experience, build

trust and reshape public perception.

The Balance of Cost Efficiency and Exceptional Service

For us, it’s a simple formula.

Invest in the technology. Because it’s giving us a unique ability

to detect fraud that we simply can’t see without it.

Invest in your people. Because you will always need skilled

people to handle claims and emotionally intelligent people to

build a trusted relationship with your clients.

Get these two right, and the savings your firm can make

through accurate fraud detection are almost priceless.

What Will the Future Hold?

AI is here to stay. As tools become easier to access and use,

it’s inevitable that shallowfake fraud will stay on the rise too.

Our industry needs to respond with detection tools that are

just as fast, flexible, and AI-assisted as the fraud itself.

At RGI, we’re already exploring how AI can support our

investigators in spotting signs of fraud – not to replace

human judgment, but to enhance it. The future of fraud

prevention won’t be purely artificial, but it will demand smarter

collaboration between people and AI.

The Human-AI Partnership

There are several different kinds of AI software available to

insurers and claims investigators that can streamline claims

processes and increase accuracy (by over 90% in our case).

They work by reviewing a document’s metadata (the data

that provides information about other data) then immediately

highlighting any inconsistencies and modified information.

Jamie Lankey

Technical Services Director,

RGI Solutions

And they have other benefits too. They can add an extra layer

of security for document storage. They can also help with data

analysis, automatically processing and evaluating documents,

helping you maximise your resources and make better

decisions.

58 | MODERN INSURANCE


minutes with...

Katherine Bryant

What’s your most memorable career achievement?

Q

There are lots of milestones that still make me smile,

especially from my broking days. Working with fantastic

Aclients and on complex RFPs as a global team – the

pressure, collaboration and shared success is unforgettable.

But if I have to choose one, it’s founding the Insurance Breakfast

Club in 2019. We’ve now supported nearly 300 women through

the programme and I’ve had the privilege of watching them

grow – not just in skills and confidence, but in how they lead,

mentor and strategically influence their clients and organisations.

That ripple effect is what I’m most proud of because they are

shaping a better future for everyone in the industry.

What has been the most valuable piece of advice

you’ve received?

Q

I often come back to Maya Angelou’s quote: “People will

forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but

people will never forget how you made them feel.”

A

It reminds me that while competence matters, how we show up

as humans matters more. You can be technically brilliant, but if

you leave people feeling deflated or dismissed, you won’t get

very far (or have very much fun!). I hope that this advice helps

shape how I lead, how I build relationships and how I impact the

world.

What has been the key positive and/or negative impact

of change in your area of the market?

Q

One of the most meaningful shifts in recent years has

been the growing focus on diversity in leadership – not

Ajust in terms of gender, but background, style, experience

and perspective.

When people see someone like them in a senior role, it changes

what they believe is possible. That visibility matters, it’s

motivating, it’s powerful and we need to keep that momentum

going.

I’ve seen first hand how, when leadership teams are more

representative of the world we live in, decision-making improves,

ideas are more innovative and the culture is naturally more

inclusive – everyone wins.

If you were not in your current position, what would you

like to be doing, and why?

Q

I’ve worked in insurance since I was 16, so I’d be lying if

I said I had a clear Plan B! But if I had to do something

Acompletely different, it would probably involve animals

– ideally dogs. I’ve always been fascinated by psychology so

something like Pets as Therapy would combine both passions

and if that’s not an option, then I’d be the person handing out

snacks & words of encouragement during an ultra marathon!

What three items would you put on display in a

museum of your life, and why?

Q

Probably one of my dresses – I have a collection and they

have so many memories attached – plus, I’m told they are

Aa bit of a trademark! Then, something to represent my

dogs as they bring so much joy and perspective to my life. Lastly,

I’d leave a space to add in whatever comes next. I intend for the

next decade of my career to be even more impactful than the

last three – I’m not done yet!

What three guests would you invite to a dinner party?

Q

Outside friends and family, Courtney Dauwalter would

be top of the list – an ultra-marathon runner with

Aextraordinary mental strength and a brilliant sense

of humour. She’s full of curiosity and kindness too, always

encouraging others – which I love.

Then Dan Ariely, I’ve read a lot of his work on behavioural

economics and I’d love to hear more of his take on human

behaviour and how it can be used for good, over a good bottle

of wine.

Lastly, singer songwriter Sara Bareilles as she’s thoughtful, funny

and fearless, not afraid to stand up to the industry to defend her

creative integrity. Her songwriting is honest, bold and full of heart

and it gets me through my long runs! She can bring her dog

Louie, as well as a spontaneous singalong, to the party.

Katherine Bryant ,

Consultant, speaker and coach.

Founder of The Insurance Breakfast Club

MODERN INSURANCE | 59


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FEATURES

Risk Assessment: An ATE

Insurer’s Perspective

This article provides an insightful overview of how risk assessments contribute

to the success of personal injury and clinical negligence claims from the

viewpoint of an after-the-event (ATE) insurer. It highlights why careful evaluation

is critical at the outset, what an insurer typically expect from solicitors, and the

importance of co-operation to reduce potential liabilities.

According to NHS Resolution’s 2023/2024 annual report, the NHS

paid out £2.8 billion in compensation and associated costs. It received

13,784 new clinical negligence claims, yet only 52% resulted in

payment of damages. This underlines the necessity of a thorough

risk assessment at the beginning of any personal injury or clinical

negligence case.

From an ATE insurer’s point of view, risk assessments are central in

deciding whether to offer legal insurance cover and to understanding

potential liabilities. A risk assessment facilitates control through early

and clear evaluation of the legal, factual and financial factors that could

influence a case. It can help rule out claims lacking strong prospects

and identify where early work is needed to assess viability.

This is especially important in cases run under a Conditional Fee

Agreement (CFA), where an unsuccessful outcome mean solicitors

recover no costs. Solicitors and insurers alike have a financial interest in

identifying risk early.

The Value of a Thorough Risk Assessment

A well-considered assessment sets out a plan for handling a claim. It

identifies challenges early, offers clarity on what evidence or expert

opinion may be required, and can save time and cost later in the case

process. Though sometimes undervalued, a detailed assessment

benefits both client and solicitor, as it helps shape how the claim is

pursued.

In clinical negligence matters, complexity is greater than in personal

injury cases. A proper assessment helps focus efforts on investigating

the key elements - whether the claim has legal merit and what

documentation or expert opinion is needed to support it.

What To Cover in a Risk Assessment

Approaches vary between firms, but a good assessment usually

includes:

• Factual and legal considerations

• Breach of duty and causation

• Limitation periods

• Consent issues

• Observations on the quality of the claimant’s witness evidence

• Identification of relevant lay witnesses

• Expert medical evidence requirements

• Potential defences

• Cost considerations for both parties

• Overall prospects of success

• Review of medical records and other key documents

What ATE Insurers Consider

It is important to recognise that insurers and solicitors have different

roles. If a claim is unsuccessful, the solicitor may receive no fees under

the CFA, while the insurer may face a six-figure liability. Cooperation

between the two parties is key.

At Temple Legal Protection, our review of a case before offering cover

may involve questions and requests for documentation, especially for

matters outside delegated authority schemes. The following elements

are useful in that process:

• A reasoned analysis of duty, breach, causation and loss

• Evidence to support the claim such as medical notes, reports and

investigation findings

• Internal review discussions where there is uncertainty

• Advice from experienced counsel where helpful - though not

always essential

• A clearly completed risk assessment form

• A considered summary of why the case is worth pursuing and how

challenges will be addressed

A positive opinion from counsel can assist but does not guarantee

cover; each case is reviewed individually.

Insurers will also look for transparency around any concerns the

solicitor may have, prior similar cases handled, and what steps are

being taken to address known issues. Providing this will help build trust

and gives the insurer confidence in the case’s preparation.

Often, expert evidence on breach or causation is necessary before

any clear view on prospects can be formed. That is understood. What

matters is the clarity and objectivity of the initial assessment, and

whether there is a realistic basis for further investigation.

Risk assessments are a crucial step in both legal practice and

insurance underwriting. For insurers, they help manage exposure; for

solicitors, they offer a framework to handle cases with discipline and

purpose. A shared understanding of the case, informed

by clear and comprehensive documentation and

realistic planning, are all important steps towards

the successful resolution of a claim.

Bipin Regmi,

Senior Underwriter,

Temple Legal Protection

MODERN INSURANCE | 61


ILC

Built for claims professionals,

by claims professionals

Upcoming events

To find out more about ILC's

activity calendar for 2025 contact

rachael@iloveclaims.com

iloveclaims.com


RESTORING TRUST

AND REDEFINING

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

In a rapidly evolving insurance landscape, claims

management has emerged as a defining force in

shaping customer trust and loyalty. Far beyond a

back-office function, it now represents the

frontline of insurer-customer interaction - an

opportunity to deliver tangible value and secure

long-term engagement. As explored at a number

of ILC’s recent events, a renewed industry focus

on customer outcomes is driving a fundamental

shift in how claims are managed, communicated,

and delivered.

Putting People at The Centre of the Process

At the Home & Property Conference late last year, sector

leaders highlighted the growing importance of adapting claims

services to meet the diverse needs of today’s policyholders.

Generational preferences, digital expectations, and the demand

for personalisation are reshaping service delivery.

Flexible, multi-channel engagement is key. Customers must be

able to begin their claim digitally while still having the option of

human interaction when required. This hybrid approach - where

technology and empathy work in unison - ensures individuals

feel supported, valued, and understood, regardless of their

preferred method of communication.

The sector’s sharpened focus on Consumer Duty regulations

also reinforces the need for not only effective claims outcomes,

but also compassionate and transparent communication. Each

touchpoint in the claims journey is now an opportunity to

demonstrate care and build lasting trust.

Elevating Claims as a Brand Differentiator

At ILC’s Exclusive Motor Claims Conference, the powerful link

between claims handling and brand perception was brought

into sharp focus. One case study explored

how positioning claims as a proactive and customer-centric

process - symbolised by the metaphor of ‘fixing’ -

can drive acquisition, enhance internal culture, and

establish competitive advantage.

experience. Brokers, it was claimed - in particular - are playing

an increasingly strategic role - managing relationships and

navigating complex claims on behalf of clients.

Across the board, the message was clear: effective coordination

between insurers, brokers, and supply chain partners is essential

in eliminating friction, resolving pain points, and improving

customer satisfaction throughout the claims process.

Smart Technology, Human Touch

Technology continues to reshape claims management.

Connected solutions, such as telematics, are enabling instant

alerts and real-time responses when incidents occur - providing

customers with immediate assistance, access to preferred

solutions, and a smoother resolution process.

At the recent MGA Claims conference, it was highlighted how

AI and data analytics are also playing a pivotal role in detecting

and preventing fraud. However, success lies in achieving the right

balance. While these tools offer speed and precision, expert

human judgement and customer choice remains indispensable.

Technology should enhance decision-making, not replace it -

ensuring the customer remains central at all times.

Redefining the Role of Insurance

Claims are no longer simply about restoring losses - they

are now about building confidence, demonstrating care, and

strengthening relationships. As highlighted across ILC’s recent

conferences, today’s forward-looking insurers are seizing the

opportunity to reshape the narrative around insurance

and elevate the customer experience.

By embedding transparency,

empathy, and innovation into every

claim, the industry is laying the

foundations for a better tomorrow

- one where trust is restored,

reputations are enhanced, and

insurance becomes a valued

partnership, not just a policy.

Insurance is no longer defined at the point

of purchase, but at the point of use. It is

here, in moments of need, that brands can

set themselves apart. In an increasingly

commoditised market, the claims

experience is emerging as the ultimate

differentiator

Keys to Customer Satisfaction

A panel discussion, at the same event,

focusing on ‘customer ownership’

emphasised the importance of crossindustry

collaboration in delivering

a consistent and seamless customer

MODERN INSURANCE | 63


HEADLINE SPONSOR

Modern Insurance Magazine returned to The Rum

Warehouse, Liverpool on Wednesday 23rd April

in honour of celebrating the very best talent in the

world of claims.

64 | MODERN INSURANCE


AWARDS

Modern Insurance Magazine’s iconic Modern Claims Awards returned to

Liverpool for the third consecutive year, bringing together the claims

industry’s most valued professionals for a night of celebration, recognition,

and entertainment.

Guests were greeted on arrival by whimsical living lampposts and a

delightful “ring the bell” champagne wall. Sponsored by QuestGates, the

lively atmosphere and music of the Champagne Reception set the perfect

tone for the evening ahead.

As guests made their way into the main venue, they were welcomed by

larger-than-life Beatles puppets before our very own Rachael Pearson took

to the stage. She introduced Donna Scully, Chair Judge and Director at

headline sponsor Carpenters Group, whose warm and engaging welcome

speech was met with great applause. Attendees were then treated to a

delicious three-course meal, expertly crafted by the culinary team at the

Rum Warehouse.

Once dinner was served, the awards ceremony burst into life as Irish

comedian – and former solicitor – Keith Farnan took to the stage. With his

quick wit and infectious charm, Keith had the room roaring with laughter

during a lively ten-minute stand-up set before diving into his hosting duties.

He expertly guided guests through the presentation of the shortlisted firms,

highly commended recognitions, and award winners.

Each winner was invited to the stage to receive their trophy from the

category’s respective sponsor. From Napo Pet Insurance being crowned

Insurer of the Year, to David Williams receiving the prestigious Lifetime

Achievement Award in absentia, the evening once again showcased the

exceptional talent, innovation, and dedication within the industry.

The celebrations continued well into the night with flowing drinks, indulgent

gelato, and lively Bandaoke – kindly sponsored by Mastercard – giving guests

the chance to unwind and enjoy a well-earned evening of fun.

A huge thank you goes out to all of our incredible sponsors – your support,

enthusiasm, and partnership are what make this event possible. From

headline partners to category sponsors, and those who brought the

evening’s entertainment to life, we quite simply couldn’t put on such a

spectacular night without you. Your involvement not only helps us honour

the industry’s finest, but also creates an unforgettable experience for

everyone who attends.

A heartfelt congratulations to all of the 2025 winners, highly commended,

and every individual and organisation who contributed to the success of this

year’s Modern Claims Awards. We can’t wait to do it all again next year!

MODERN INSURANCE | 65


AWARDS

Results

INSURER OF THE YEAR

WINNER - NAPO PET INSURANCE

HIGHLY COMMENDED - PERSONAL GROUP

BROKER OF THE YEAR

WINNER - ASCEND BROKING GROUP

HIGHLY COMMENDED - WEST PENNINE

INSURANCE GROUP

​BODYSHOP OF THE YEAR

WINNER - THE VELLA GROUP

HIGHLY COMMENDED - AUTOCRAFT TELFORD LTD

​LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

WINNER - HORWICH COHEN COGHLAN SOLICITORS

HIGHLY COMMENDED - EXPRESS SOLICITORS

MANAGING GENERAL AGENT

OF THE YEAR

WINNER - INSTANT UNDERWRITING

JOINT HIGHLY COMMENDED - TIFGROUP & ARKEL

UNDERWRITING

​INSURTECH OF THE YEAR

WINNER - CLEARSPEED

HIGHLY COMMENDED - DIGILOG UK

ACCIDENT MANAGEMENT

COMPANY

WINNER - FMG

JOINT HIGHLY COMMENDED - WINN GROUP &

NATIONAL CLAIMS

OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT TO

TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIPS

WINNER - QUESTGATES

HIGHLY COMMENDED - EXPRESS SOLICITORS

​BEST GREEN INITIATIVE

WINNER - ROBBIE RESTORATION TECHNOLOGIES INC.

HIGHLY COMMENDED - AVIVA

​SUPPORTING THE INDUSTRY

(1-25 EMPLOYEES)

WINNER - WITNESS WISE

HIGHLY COMMENDED - JCP JEWELLERY CLAIMS

SUPPORTING THE INDUSTRY

(26+ EMPLOYEES)

WINNER - MCKENZIE INTELLIGENCE SERVICES

HIGHLY COMMENDED - SYNETIQ

66 | MODERN INSURANCE


AWARDS

Results

INNOVATION OF THE YEAR

WINNER - THATCHAM RESEARCH

HIGHLY COMMENDED - VERISK

TECH INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR

WINNER - TRACKER

HIGHLY COMMENDED - ESURE

MAJOR LOSS AWARD

WINNER - AVIVA

HIGHLY COMMENDED - WILLIAM RUSSELL LTD

FIGHT AGAINST FRAUD

WINNER - CHARLES TAYLOR

HIGHLY COMMENDED - AVIVA

RISING STAR OF THE YEAR

WINNER - LUKE PEERS- S&G RESPONSE

HIGHLY COMMENDED - STUART BELBIN- ASCEND

BROKING GROUP

GIVING BACK TO CHARITY

WINNER - CONCEPT CLAIMS SOLUTIONS

HIGHLY COMMENDED - ANSVAR INSURANCE

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE

WINNER - ZURICH INSURANCE

HIGHLY COMMENDED - CALL ASSIST LTD.

BEST PLACE TO WORK

WINNER - STANLEY MUTUAL

HIGHLY COMMENDED - FMG

DIVERSITY EQUITY & INCLUSION

WINNER - QBE

HIGHLY COMMENDED - AVIVA

INDUSTRY WOMAN OF THE YEAR

WINNER - KATHERINE BRYANT

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

OF THE YEAR

WINNER - DAMIAN GLYNN

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

WINNER - DAVID WILLIAMS

MODERN INSURANCE | 67


AWARDS

“I was incredibly proud that Carpenters Group took

on the role of lead sponsor for this year’s Modern

Claims Awards in Liverpool – a complete sell-out,

and it’s easy to see why. What a night!

Kate and the Modern Insurance Magazine team

pulled out all the stops – from meticulous planning

to the fantastic atmosphere, stunning décor, and

brilliant entertainment. You could feel the energy

from the very start – the venue was absolutely

buzzing!

Keith was a superb host and had us all in stitches.

Despite him being from Cork and me from Dublin,

we got on like a house on fire.

Hats off to the band and all the talented singers

who gave it their all.

It’s so important that our industry takes the time

to celebrate the incredible people within it and the

achievements we all contribute to”

- Donna Scully, Joint Founder/Director,

Carpenters Group

“We were delighted to take home the award

for ‘Outstanding Commitment To Training &

Apprenticeships’ at this year’s Modern Claims

Awards. It’s a fantastic recognition of the

dedication shown by our Building Consultancy

team, developing the next generation of talent

through structured training and mentoring.

Investing in people is key to our long-term success

and this award is a testament to that commitment.

We’re proud of everyone who played a role in

this achievement and look forward to building on

this success by continuing to invest in the next

generation of professionals across the various

business units within our group. Thank you to

all our guests who joined us in Liverpool and to

the organising team for hosting such a brilliant

evening.”

- Alistair Steward, Director, Questgates

“There were many highlights at the annual

Modern Claims Awards, not least our sponsoring

the ‘Outstanding Commitment to Training &

Apprenticeships’, which fitted neatly into our

approach to the importance and measurement

of culture. Looking forward to the next one and

meeting as many of the winners as possible for

our ‘convergent chats’ on organisational culture.

Well done the Modern Insurance Team. A fab do!”

- Mark Langley-Sowter, Director, New Eden

“The Modern Claims Awards just gets better every

year! It is definitely one of the most fun events

in the industry awards calendar. Kate & Rachael

(now joined by the indispensable Millie) have done

a great job in expanding the footprint to cover

the entirety of the insurance claims sector (and of

course we are delighted that our very own Luke

Peers won the Rising Star award this year!). “

- Andy Whatmough, Managing Director,

S&G Response

“Mastercard was delighted to sponsor the

Modern Claims Awards, we had a fabulous

time with our payment partners celebrating

insurance industry excellence. Special thanks

to primary sponsors Carpenters and their CEO

Donna Scully. Congratulations to all winners

for their outstanding achievements in claims

management. The event highlighted innovation

and collaboration in the insurance sector. We look

forward to joining you next year !!”

- Emma Mills, Head of Insurance Segment,

Mastercard

“Thank you from e2e for another successful and

enjoyable evening with great company. It was

a pleasure to be part of the evening creating

memorable moments. We are very much looking

forward to many more amazing times like this.

Thanks again for having e2e.”

- Mia Constable, Head of Business

Development, E2E

Thank you to all our sponsors...

68 | MODERN INSURANCE


AWARDS

“We didn’t just sponsor the Modern Claims

Awards – we soaked it in. Laughter, big ideas,

new connections – it was a reminder that this

industry is alive with energy and ambition. Auto

Calibrate is here for all of it – the conversations,

the collaboration, and the chance to shape what’s

next, together.”

- Mima Rybanska, Head of Strategic Partnerships,

Auto Calibrate

“The Express team loved the whole evening. It

was great to be able to mix with our celebrated

peers in such a lovely venue and it was fabulous

to see so much hard work and talent recognised.

It was an honour for us to be able to sponsor the

award for the Best Place to Work and we were

thrilled to come away with two highly commended

accolades. See you all next year!”

- Alison Lawton, Head of Marketing &

Communications, Express Solicitors

“I had the honour of attending the fantastic

Modern Claims Awards on a sunny April evening

at The Rum Warehouse in Liverpool where I was

delighted to sponsor and present Supporting

the Industry Award. Despite a serious wardrobe

malfunction (my strap on my dress snapped!) it

was fabulous evening from start to finish - greeted

by giant Beatles and a veritable smorgasbord

of the great and the glamourous of the legal

profession and supporting industries.”

- Victoria Morrison-Hughes, Managing Director,

Integral Legal Costs

“What a fantastic night the Motor Assist team had

at the Modern Claims Awards! It was a pleasure

catching up with friends from both the insurance

and automotive industries. We truly enjoyed

presenting the “Giving Back to Charity” award,

celebrating the incredible work being done to

support those in need. A memorable evening all

round, thank you to Kate and the team at Charlton

Grant for organising”

- Steve Molloy, Director of Commercial Sales,

Motor Assist from AX

“Well done to all award winners, especially those

winning the award categories which we proudly

sponsored – Napo Pet Insurance for Insurer of the

Year and Instant Underwriting for MGA of the year.

Team FMG had a fantastic night celebrating the

great and the good within our sector, made all the

more special when we were announced Accident

Management Company of the Year – an accolade

which is testament to our commitment to this

industry.”

- Andrew Chandler, Managing Director, FMG

MODERN INSURANCE | 69


AWARDS

Thank you to all our Media Partners...

70 | MODERN INSURANCE


INSUR.

TECH.

TALK


WELCOME

Greetings, and welcome

to Insur.Tech.Talk!

Welcome to this special edition of Insur.Tech.Talk focused on the

claims revolution!

I had an impactful catch up with Alan Demers, co-author of

Connected and president of InsurTech Consulting who shared his

journey on insurance modernization during and after his illustrative

25 year career as head of claims innovation and technology at

Nationwide.

Heather Wilson, CEO of Clara Analytics shared the importance

of trust in the claims process and also the role of AI in quickly

identifying fraud in parallel. Serial entrepreneur, Bobbie Shrivastav,

CEO of Solvray shared her views on reimagining legacy claims

processes and building scalable, human-centered solutions.

Michelle Raue, Chief Claims & Transformation Officer, Preferred

Mutual, highlights one of her proudest achievements came early in

the use of AI, where her teams implemented predictive analytics

to streamline the routing of vehicle claims, improving both cycle

times and costs.

Scott Ham, CEO of Pinpoint Predictive shares his views on how

claims has evolved from a reactive cost center to a proactive

lever for managing outcomes. Digital transformation has brought

efficiency, but what’s been missing is predictive clarity before the

claim, and how Pinpoint Predictive enables carriers to anticipate

loss-driving behaviors at the point of quote.

Enjoy reading!

Megan Kuczynski,

Senior Strategic Advisor, Insurtech Insights

Founder & CEO, ClimateTech Connect

Megan

72 | MODERN INSURANCE


INSURTECH

INSURTECH

Pinpoint

Predictive

QScott, it is so great to catch up with you recently.

Big congratulations on your recent Series A round.

What a great show of confidence from the investment

community. How have you seen claims processes evolve since

your time at the helm of Pinpoint Predictive?

A

Claims has evolved from a reactive cost center to

a proactive lever for managing outcomes. Digital

transformation has brought efficiency, but what’s been

missing is predictive clarity before the claim. That’s where

Pinpoint comes in, helping carriers anticipate loss-driving

behaviors at the point of quote.

We also enable carriers to act earlier in the claims lifecycle. At

first notice of loss, we can predict litigation-related outcomes,

like a third-party claimant’s likelihood of attorney representation

or a policyholder’s propensity to litigate. These insights help

triage claims, allocate resources, and reduce cycle times and

severity.

QHow can novel, individualized behavioral data — paired

with advanced AI — enhance risk prediction and

improve underwriting outcomes?

A

Traditional models often miss key signals about how

individuals actually approach risk. Pinpoint leverages

unique behavioral data to give carriers a forward-looking

view of risk at the individual level. Paired with advanced AI, this

enables more precise underwriting, better segmentation, and

improved loss ratios — all in a privacy-safe, compliant way.

QWhat are the potential challenges and risks

associated with implementing AI in claims

processing?

AAI offers enormous upside in claims, but also comes

with challenges. Biased data can amplify inequities.

And automation without oversight can overlook

nuance. Transparency, governance, and regulatory alignment

are critical — not just for compliance, but to maintain

confidence across policyholders, regulators, and internal

stakeholders.

QPinpoint Predictive’s recent fairness certification —

how important is trust in AI, and will we see more

certifications like ZwillGen’s?

ATrust is foundational — and even more so with

AI, where decisions are often invisible to the end

user. That’s why we pursued a third-party fairness

certification from ZwillGen’s AI Division. It’s not just a

validation of our models, but a signal of our commitment to

ethical, compliant, and bias-free AI.

We believe this kind of transparency will become standard. As

regulation catches up to innovation, carriers will increasingly

demand independent validation from their AI partners.

Leading the way on fairness isn’t just the right thing to do —

it’s good business.

QRising costs and extreme weather — how does

Pinpoint Predictive help enable more precise

underwriting?

ATraditional rating factors alone aren’t enough to keep

up with today’s volatile risk environment. Pinpoint helps

carriers move beyond demographics and prior loss

to understand the behavioral signals that indicate future loss

potential.

This individual-level clarity enables more accurate pricing,

better risk tiering, and improved retention strategies. It also

helps carriers anticipate severity, including claimants likely to

litigate or involve attorneys. That’s a critical edge when trying

to manage costs in a world of rising frequency and severity.

QWhat is your short- and long-term vision for Pinpoint

Predictive?

AIn the short term, we’re focused on scaling adoption

across P&C carriers and deepening integrations into

workflows. We’re also expanding the use cases we

support — from underwriting and pricing to claims triage and

fraud detection.

Long term, we see Pinpoint becoming the standard for

individualized risk quantification. Our goal is to help the

industry move from pooled assumptions to precise predictions

— driving fairness, efficiency, and performance across the

insurance value chain.

QWhat advice do you have for corporate executives

considering the leap to a start-up?

AThe shift from a large enterprise to a startup is big — but

incredibly rewarding. My advice? Bring your strategic

clarity and operational discipline, but be ready to move

fast, stay scrappy, and keep learning. Startups reward resilience

and curiosity.

Also, don’t be afraid to lead with purpose. In a startup, your

mission isn’t buried — it’s visible in every decision, conversation,

and product feature. That’s what makes it exciting. If you’ve

ever wanted to build

something that truly

changes the game,

there’s no better place

to do it.

Scott Ham

CEO, Pinpoint Predictive

73 | MODERN INSURANCE

MODERN INSURANCE | 73


INSURTECH

Preferred Mutual

QMichelle, you have had such an illustrative career as a

top claims leader at Southern United Insurance, State

Auto Insurance, Lyft, and most recently, EVP, Chief

Claim and Transformation Officer, Preferred Mutual. What

came up a few times in our conversation was that you are

clearly a “builder”. Can you expand on the “builder” mentality

and in particular some of the career achievements of which you

are the most proud, sparked by the desire to “build”?

ABeing a “builder” is about assembling teams with

complementary strengths to solve problems. I’ve led

teams that implemented AI-powered predictive analytics,

improving the efficiency of vehicle claim routing and reducing

cycle times and costs. We also pioneered telematics-based crash

detection, allowing us to start the claims process in real time.

At the core of my leadership philosophy is the belief that frontline

claims handlers are the backbone of any carrier. They interact

with customers when the promise we’ve made needs to be

fulfilled. My role has always been to create the tools, processes,

and support systems that empower them to do their best work,

ensuring that they can deliver on our commitments to customers.

QYou have transitioned from some established players to

Lyft, one of the great disrupters of this decade. What

were some of the lessons learned?

AAt Lyft, transitioning from a ride-sharing app to an

insurer was an eye-opening experience. The company

quickly became the sixth-largest insurer in the U.S.

without experience in managing insurance. The first step was

understanding whether Lyft wanted to be a software company or

an insurer. Once we made that decision, we focused on managing

claims volume, streamlining intake, and using predictive modeling

to improve routing.

We also maintained strict oversight and used telematics and data

to improve driving habits. Working in a startup environment was

a major shift from my previous experiences, but it allowed me to

build a strong team and solve significant real-time challenges.

QCan you share with our readers your thoughts on

GenAI’s impact on claims, what are the victories and

obstacles you are seeing?

AGenAI has great potential to transform claims processing

by enabling faster, more accurate data analysis. It can sift

through vast amounts of information, extract relevant

data, and use predictive analytics to improve decision-making.

However, the main challenge is the fragmentation of GenAI

solutions. Many AI tools address specific parts of the claims

process, but there’s no unified system that integrates these

capabilities into a cohesive, seamless process.

adopt AI without stifling innovation. We want regulations that

ensure fairness but don’t overburden carriers with unnecessary

compliance requirements.

AI can improve accuracy, detect fraud early, and speed up

decision-making. However, clear and consistent regulations are

needed to prevent AI’s potential from being underutilized or

misused.

QHow is the insurance workforce adapting to new roles

such as AI as it takes over some tasks traditionally

handled by humans in the claims process?

AAI will enhance the human side of insurance by automating

routine tasks, allowing claims professionals to focus

on what truly matters, building relationships, providing

guidance, and offering empathy. Today, claims handlers are often

bogged down by manual work, preventing them from spending

meaningful time with insureds. By automating these tasks, AI frees

them up to connect more deeply with customers, helping them

navigate complex claims and offering personalized support.

The workforce is adapting by upskilling to use AI as a tool

to amplify their skills, not replace them. AI won’t replace the

human touch; it will enhance it, creating a more personal, less

transactional claims experience.

QWhat are some of the biggest macro trends you are

seeing in claims processing for the next 2-4 years?

AIn the next 2-4 years, AI and automation will continue to

revolutionize claims processing. We’ll see advancements

in predictive analytics, fraud detection, and customer

interaction, all designed to streamline workflows, reduce manual

tasks, and improve decision-making. The use of real-time data

from telematics and IoT devices will drive further efficiencies.

There will also be a focus on creating more customer-centric

experiences. Digital-first solutions, such as mobile apps and

AI-powered chatbots, will enable customers to file claims, track

progress, and get real-time support. As AI handles more routine

tasks, the workforce will shift toward more strategic roles,

requiring upskilling. The regulatory environment will need to

evolve to ensure AI is used ethically, transparently, and securely.

To fully realize AI’s potential, these tools need to work together

as part of an end-to-end solution that reduces inefficiencies in

claims management.

QHow do regulatory considerations impact the use of AI

in the insurance claims process?

ARegulatory oversight is essential in ensuring the fair

and transparent use of AI in claims processing. Each

state is developing regulations to protect consumers

while allowing innovation. I’m part of the NAMIC AI Working

Group, advocating for regulations that enable carriers to

Michelle S. Raue

EVP, Chief Claims & Transformation Officer,

Preferred Mutual

74 | MODERN INSURANCE


INSURTECH

InsurTech Consulting

QAlan, it is so great to catch up with you. I enjoy

reading “Connected”, a three-minute scan of our

ecosystem. It is my weekly “go to” on all that is

happening in our industry. You and co-author Stephen

Applebaum do a superb job unpacking the week’s events

and bringing in-depth analysis to the most important issues

in our industry. You have had such an illustrative career,

notably, nearly 25 years at Nationwide as one of the top

claims leaders innovating and accelerating “claims of the

future”. This was all before GenAI came onto the scene!

AThanks Megan. I started my “insurance modernization”

journey in 2016. Prior to being involved with innovation

and insurtech my career was focused on large

operational areas of claims. Lots of organizational, people

and claims technical roles which served as a foundation to

my present work. I think it is helpful to be pragmatic and able

to envision how any innovation and technology may work

in the real world. It helps bring credibility to the table when

helping my solution provider clients meet and do business

with insurers.

QCan you share with our readers your thoughts on

GenAI’s impact on claims, what are the victories and

obstacles you are seeing?

AGenAI truly came at a good time where overall

InsurTech experienced a slowdown in investments

and adoption due to some major headwinds. GenAI

rekindled the innovative spirit as c-suites recognize the

profound opportunities ahead and essentially have mandated

a broader AI focus in insurance, including claims. This alone

is a victory and the demonstration of experimenting and

introducing GenAI for the basics of document summarization

are now widespread. Similarly, GenAI is being used in

claim file summarization which solves for countless hours

in preparing claim files for quality reviews, authorization,

reserving and approvals. This is a big deal. Carriers are also

are working AI use cases for claims modeling, personalization,

predictive and other areas. The list of obstacles is much

longer as carriers are extremely diligent about the risks, legal,

regulatory, data privacy and appropriate fear of the unknown

consequences. Internal governance teams can create

obstacles and the temptation to apply AI to fix everything

requires organizational discipline.

QHow do regulatory considerations impact the use of

AI in the insurance claims process?

ASince regulation is lagging, it has been a help and

hinderance. Waiting is not a good strategy however.

Although there is evidence about AI’s regulatory

boundaries; e.g. in healthcare insurance claim denials, I

believe the greater concern, at least more immediate risk, is

litigation exposure. Claims inherently involves legal exposure

and carriers’ AI practices will invariably come into questions

and be a new source of legal discovery and a target for the

Plaintiff Bar.

QHow is the insurance workforce adapting to new

roles such as AI takes over some tasks traditionally

handled by humans in the claims process?

AAlthough there’s always evidence of pushback and

fear of job loss with new tech, workers simply want

tools that work and make their jobs better, easier.

With some of the GenAI document summary tools, claim

adjusters appreciate the value-add to have better information

management but may not see tremendous efficiency gain

at this stage. It’s still early-on and carriers are working on

the basics of training and upskilling. So, visions of replacing

people with AI is not a reality at present. Instead, this is a

good example of how GenAI is allowing for better decisioning

as a co-pilot support.

QWith so many “dot.ai’s” coming onto the scene,

how important is trust when an insurance carrier is

vetting a claims solutions provider?

AHow can they cut through the noise? Trust and

confidence in any provider is crucial, especially for

newer entrants as carriers are accustom to working

with established, proven players. Trust can also include

solution providers that bring acumen, know-how and thought

leadership beyond the tech itself. Carriers need experts in

this regard and this separates the market winners. Cutting

through the noise is most difficult when nearly all providers

boast of their AI prowess. I think there is a place for

generalists, but lean to those heavily focused on insurance

and claims as the most conducive.

QWhat role does machine learning play in identifying

fraudulent claims?

AOrganized fraud crimes are the most problematic type

and identifying the patterns, players and relationships

has always been elusive. Machine learning can offer

new advantages to identify and address nefarious activity

and respond early and often.

QWhat are the biggest macro trends you are seeing in

claims processing for the next 2-4 years?

AOne of the greatest challenges is balancing the

introduction of new tech while constantly facing

emerging crisis (CATs, inflation, legal abuse/social

inflation, etc.). I would add

talent shortages and brain

drain from aging workforce

to the list. Climate exposure

and legal abuse share a

common characteristic

in that the trends are

intensifying as compared

to economic inflation

which has been erratic but

historically temporary.

Alan Demers

President, InsurTech Consulting

MODERN INSURANCE | 75


INSURTECH

CLARA

Analytics

QLet’s talk about what has not changed. Fraud and a

litigious society. What’s changed? The advent of Gen

AI. As nuclear verdicts and escalating settlements

continue to put the pressure on claims leaders, AI is emerging

as a game changer in litigation strategy. I had a chance to

listen to a recent episode of Insurance Unplugged you did with

Lisa Wardlaw. You describe GenAI as the foghorn in the fog

of claims adjusters who are overwhelmed by the complexity.

GenAI serves as the navigational foghorn. Can you expand on

this analogy a bit more?

AAbsolutely, it’s an analogy that really resonates.

Claims adjusters today navigate through a dense “fog”:

shifting regulations, mountains of unstructured data, and rising

litigation pressure. This makes it harder to move forward with

confidence, especially with nuclear verdicts and aggressive

plaintiff firms adding complexity.

GenAI isn’t the ship or captain, it’s the foghorn, cutting through

that uncertainty and highlighting where attention is needed. It

doesn’t replace human judgment but amplifies it. It flags highrisk

cases early: “This claim could escalate, here’s why.”

It helps adjusters avoid crashing into rocks, like deciphering a

400-page attorney demand letter or managing high settlement

expectations. With agentic AI on the rise, it’s even more

critical for insurers to lean into solutions like CLARA Analytics

that integrate predictive analytics and GenAI, driven by deep

insurance expertise.

QHeather, we spoke about the proliferation of the “dot

AIs” coming onto the scene. Why is trust so important

with insurers when vetting solutions?

ATrust is critical, especially now, as the signal-to-noise ratio

worsens. Everyone’s promising AI transformation, but in

insurance, a bad tech choice can cost millions or damage

reputations.

Trust is the new currency. Insurers aren’t just buying tech; they’re

forming partnerships that affect legal outcomes, customer

experience, and regulatory exposure. That’s why trust is nonnegotiable.

Claims teams should ask:

Was this model trained on real, complex claims data — or on

internet scraps?

Does this AI understand insurance litigation — or is it just another

chatbot with a law degree from ChatGPT U?

Will this partner last — or vanish in 18 months?

Insurers don’t need more shiny objects. They need partners with

real insurance expertise, who build with adjusters, not just for

them, and deliver measurable impact, not just marketing fluff.

QWhy are partnerships and joint solutions so important,

such as the recently announced one with Guidewire?

APartnerships like the one with Guidewire accelerate

meaningful, scalable innovation, not tech for tech’s sake,

but solutions that address today’s real business challenges.

Claims teams don’t need more siloed tools. They need integrated

tech that fits into existing workflows. This partnership embeds

CLARA’s AI into the Guidewire ecosystem, helping adjusters act

on risk signals, identify strategies, and reduce losses, all within the

platform they already use.

It’s about moving from isolated tools to connected intelligence.

CLARA helps make every workflow layer smarter, not just busier. A

flexible platform like ours means one integration, not a patchwork

of insurtechs that are expensive, disconnected, and hard to

manage.

QSwitching gears, how has AI helped enhance the

experience of the claimant?

AAI is quietly transforming the claimant experience, not by

replacing people, but by amplifying the human touch.

During stressful events like injuries or loss, claimants want

clarity and speed. AI enables faster responses and early triage,

shortening the cycle and improving transparency.

Timely updates reduce confusion — like “Your payment’s been

initiated” or “Here’s what’s next.”

It promotes fairness by ensuring similar claims are handled

consistently.

AI turns a confusing process into a guided journey. The claimant

shouldn’t feel the AI — but they should feel the benefits: smoother

service, clear updates, and faster resolution.

QWhat is your near-term (next 12 months) and longer-term

(3-5 year) vision for CLARA Analytics?

ANear-term, we’re focused on expanding document

intelligence and claims guidance, while deepening

integrations with systems like Guidewire and Origami Risk.

That’s where our “connected intelligence” vision comes alive.

Looking ahead, our goal is to evolve CLARA into an agentic AI

platform — not just offering insights, but taking intelligent action.

Imagine CLARA flagging a high-risk attorney, drafting a resolution

strategy, or recommending negotiation tactics, all with human

oversight.

That’s the future:

AI as a trusted

teammate, supporting

professionals with

smart, contextual

insights at every

step. CLARA will be

the intelligence layer

seamlessly connecting

people, data, and

systems for optimal

claim outcomes.

Heather H. Wilson

CEO, CLARA Analytics

76 | MODERN INSURANCE


INSURTECH

INSURTECH

Solvray

QBobbie, so great to sit down with one of my favorite

serial entrepreneurs! You have been known to

revolutionize legacy processes and eliminate

inefficiencies in the insurance industry. On a macro level, how

have you seen claims evolve?

AClaims has always been a fascinating area for me because

it’s the moment of truth and it is the reason why I’ve

fallen in love with the insurance industry. For me, it is

where the promise of insurance meets reality, and unfortunately,

it’s also where most frustrations occur. Over the last decade as

an innovator in this space, I’ve seen claims shift from a purely

operational, back-office function to a critical lever in customer

experience and retention. But the macro trend today? Speed

and empathy. What’s refreshing is the rise of platforms and

tools purpose-built to restore that trust—solutions like empathy,

tumbleweed, and others that are reimagining the customer

experience from the ground up. These innovations go far beyond

just First Notice of Loss (FNOL)—they’re about guiding people

through some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives with

transparency, compassion, and speed.

QHow does AI fit into the equation?

AAI is no longer a buzzword—it’s table stakes. AI plays a

crucial role in streamlining decision-making, reducing

manual work, and improving accuracy. But here’s where

I’m different in my approach—I don’t believe AI replaces people; I

believe AI should augment people. For example, at Solvrays, we

focus on agentic AI, which means giving operation professionals

intelligent tools that help them do their jobs better—faster data

extraction, document classification, summarization, triaging—all

without having to hop between systems or spend hours on

repetitive tasks.

QWhat are the key priorities in claims handling? What

can insurers do to make sure trust with the policyholder

is always front and center?

AFor me, the top priorities in claims handling boil down to

speed, transparency, and compassion.

Speed: Claimants expect fast resolutions. We live in an Amazon

Prime world—two-day shipping is the norm. Insurers need to

deliver that same kind of efficiency in claims, especially for lowcomplexity

cases.

Transparency: Claimants want to know where their claim stands.

Too often, there’s a black box between submitting a claim and

receiving a decision. Regular updates—even if nothing has

changed—build trust.

with human compassion. I’m excited for and seeing market

validation for companies like tumbleweed, which helps with

pre-planning and guiding individuals and families through

end-of-life decisions with clarity, compassion, and the support

they often don’t know they need until it’s too late.

QBobbie, Solvrays is your second Insurtech start-up

following Benekiva. What is your short and long term

vision for the new company?

ASolvrays is my second insurtech baby, and I’m incredibly

excited about what we’re building. In the short term, our

focus is on modernizing back-office operations across

insurance and financial services. New Business, policy servicing,

underwriting—we’re going deep into the areas where 70% of work

is still manual. We’ve built a platform that doesn’t just automate—it

reimagines workflows with agentic AI that works behind firewalls,

integrates across legacy systems, and empowers people to focus

on higher-value tasks.

Long term? I’m thinking big picture. I want Solvrays to be part of

a billion-dollar path, not because of revenue alone, but because

of the impact we create. I want to redefine how work gets done

across the industry. We’re not stopping at insurance. Our vision

is to create intelligent, human-centered workflows that simplify

complexity across multiple industries. But we’re starting with

insurance because, well, it’s where my heart is. I also want

Solvrays to be a place where diverse talent thrives. Diversity

is in our DNA—not just as a checkbox, but as a core driver of

innovation.

QWhat advice do you have for other insurtech founders?

ARenu Ann Joseph and I wrote our first book called

Momentum where we wanted to showcase amazing

insurtech founders and there are so many insights from

advice perspective! But I’ll narrow it down to three key pieces:

Stay rooted in the problem. It’s so easy to get distracted by shiny

features or what competitors are doing. But if you stay focused on

solving a real, painful problem, the market will respond.

Build relationships early. The insurance industry is built on trust. It’s

not enough to have the best tech—you need strong relationships

with carriers, regulators, and other ecosystem players. Engage

with the community. Listen more than you pitch.

Be resilient. Insurance is a marathon, not a sprint. Sales cycles are

long, regulations are complex, and change is slow. But if you’re

patient, persistent, and passionate, you can make a real difference.

And finally—remember why you started. For me, it was about

turning a frustrating, personal experience into something better

for others. That “why”

which is my daughter -

keeps me going, even on

the toughest days.

Compassion: This is the most critical piece. Behind every claim is

a person going through a tough time. Insurers must remember

that they’re not just processing paperwork—they’re helping

someone rebuild part of their life.

To keep trust front and center, insurers need to invest in systems

that support both automation and personalization. That means

leveraging automation for the heavy lifting but ensuring

claimants can get the information, guide, or connect with a real

person when needed. It’s about balancing digital convenience

Bobbie Shrivastav

Co-Founder and CEO, Solvrays

77 | MODERN INSURANCE

MODERN INSURANCE | 77



INSURTECH

EDITORIAL

BOARD

WELCOME to the Insur.Tech.Talk

Editorial Board.

Modern Insurance Magazine’s board of insurtech experts come together once again in this

latest issue, showcasing the very best thought leadership insights from the heart of the

insurtech marketplace.

This issue voices the thoughts of...

André Symes,

Group CEO, Genasys

Technologies

Manjit Rana,

EVP Insurance, Clearspeed

Denise Garth,

Chief Strategy Officer,

Majesco

Andy Cohen,

President, Snapsheet

Rick de Jager,

Head of Business

Development, MavenBlue

Richard Tomlinson,

Managing Director, Percayso

Tim Hardcastle,

CEO and Co-Founder,

INSTANDA.

MODERN INSURANCE | 79


INSURTECH

Transforming Claims

Management: Tech, Trust

and the Human Touch

André Symes

Group CEO, Genasys Technologies

The insurance industry faces a pivotal moment

in claims management. Legacy systems,

siloed data and manual processes are slowing

everything down, leading to frustration for

customers and inefficiencies for providers.

People deserve speed, clarity and fairness

when making a claim, and the industry must

evolve to meet that expectation.

The solution lies in embracing automation,

integrating systems through open APIs and digitising

the core of operations. By doing so, insurers can

reduce administrative burdens and free up their

teams to focus on what truly matters: supporting

customers in their moments of need. It is about

offering technology when customers want it and

people when they need it.

A long-standing challenge that still looms large is

public perception. The fact we are still talking about

trust in insurance is concerning. The way forward

is simple but powerful: deliver on the promise.

Pay fairly and pay quickly. Cut out the jargon and

keep people informed with real-time updates, clear

decisions and proactive support. Trust is not won

through clever advertising but in moments of truth,

especially when a claim is made.

Once the basics are right, innovations like selfservice

tools, artificial intelligence powered triage

and intelligent integrations with repairers and data

providers can elevate the customer experience.

These tools allow faster, more efficient claims

handling. But technology should not be used to

speed up a flawed process. The best solutions

simplify, add transparency and make the journey

more human.

Balancing cost efficiency with excellent service

is no easy task, but it is possible. Repetitive tasks

can and should be automated. That allows insurers

to prioritise complex cases where empathy and

expertise are vital. Real-time feedback loops can help

refine both product and process, keeping customer

needs at the centre.

Transparency is also key. Customers need to know

what is happening, why it is happening and what

comes next. Real-time status updates, plain language

and accessible channels are the foundation. But

proactive, personalised communication takes it a

step further, building trust and reducing anxiety

before problems arise.

Looking ahead, the future of claims is a combination

of speed and sensitivity. Simple claims will be

handled through touchless processes, while complex

cases will benefit from highly personalised service.

Emerging trends such as embedded insurance,

broader ecosystem collaboration and artificial

intelligence driven insights will all help deliver more

relevant, responsive service.

We recently worked with a major healthcare insurer

to transform their claims process. They moved from

handling every claim manually to paying 80 percent

of them automatically. This gave their team more

time to focus on the complex cases, improving both

customer satisfaction and retention. It is proof that

with the right tools and mindset, claims management

can be both efficient and deeply human.

In short, the future of claims is not just digital. It is

customer first.

80 | MODERN INSURANCE


INSURTECH

Reimagining Insurance CX To

Rebuild Consumer Trust

Client experience is a key contributor to overall consumer trust and perception, and as

insurers, we’re falling down on both. According to the 2024 PwC UK Insurance Sentiment

Index, consumers felt very negatively towards their general insurers, with an overall public net

sentiment of -37.1% (which increased from -23.35 in 2023).

Further, competency and conduct of staff influenced

customer perceptions about products, pricing, customer

loyalty, and account administration - in particular, slow

response times immensely frustrated customers.

Your experience is the channel through which you build

relationships with your customers - whether digital,

in-person, or a combination. Today’s consumers expect

speed and personalisation - and to be rewarded for

their loyalty. All of this breeds trust. But consider that

Edelman’s Trust Barometer, in its 25th year, notes

the significant erosion of trust globally due to an

accumulation of public grievances - institutional failures

over the last 25 years that have created a trust crisis.

When it comes to businesses, consumers worry about

discrimination and bias, and perceive the systems

they use to be unfair. The result? As the report states,

“grievance imposes a trust penalty.”

What, then, can be done about this negative perception

to more immediately rebuild trust as an industry?

Unfortunately, we often put all claimants through a

stringent screening process. If we did this at airports,

queues would be horrendously long, and the experience

would lead many low-risk passengers to avoid that

scenario in the future. To combat this today, we use

metal detectors to screen passengers - and those who

represent as low-risk are cleared quickly, while those who

require further follow-up get a secondary check.

The ABI has reported that opportunistic or exaggerated

fraudulent claims are on the rise - and insurance leaders

echo the sentiment. Opportunistic fraudulent claims are

unlikely to have been flagged by any of the existing tools

that rely on previous behaviours or the claimant being

part of a higher risk segment. In addition, with the rapid

rise in the sophistication and availability of AI image

manipulation tools, it’s becoming increasingly easy to

fake claims evidence. In today’s climate, it’s imperative to

screen at the source level.

With that in mind, what if you could trust the answers

claimants provide at point of submission? What would

you do differently? With consumer trust faltering, it’s

time to address the so-called trust penalty through your

customer experience.

At Clearspeed, we’re doing exactly this by using voicebased

risk assessment to clear genuine claimants faster,

while identifying potentially higher risk individuals

for further follow-up. Genuine claimants more quickly

and efficiently move through your process, while your

team can focus their resources only on those claims

requiring follow-up. It’s a paradigm shift where there’s

no longer a trade-off between speed and security, and

genuine claimants benefit from a smoother experience

- all in service of a two-way insurer-consumer trusted

relationship.

A similar process where genuine claimants can be rapidly

and efficiently screened without making them feel like

you don’t trust them from the start could help restore the

trust balance between insurers and their policy-holders.

It’s a fine balance of speedy, relatively unintrusive

screening to clear genuine claimants and identify

potential bad actors at scale.

What’s the downside of not using this type of solution?

Today, most insurers are using digital technologies to

automate their processes. Whilst this is certainly helping

to speed up claims processes and the broader insurance

lifecycle, it’s largely just digitising yesterday’s pathways -

not resolving the challenges we face from new types of

fraud that old pathways weren’t designed to address.

Manjit Rana

EVP Insurance, Clearspeed

MODERN INSURANCE | 81



INSURTECH

“The Moment of

Truth” for Claims

Denise Garth

Chief Strategy Officer, Majesco

The pressures and challenges of macroeconomic

factors, increased costs, and combined ratios,

operating performance, expanding risks, and

technology advancements are compelling

insurers to respond to the need to improve, both

operationally and innovatively.

That includes claims. A new era of claims is unfolding,

driven by rapid technological advancements including

GenAI, the growing availability of data and advanced

analytics, and a recognition that we need to rethink

claims, from simply managing and paying them to also

considering how we can mitigate risk and avoid the need

to pay out claims.

Claims represent the most emotional part of the

insurance value chain. As the primary point where the

brand promise is delivered, it is emotionally charged. It

is the key stage where insurers can influence customer

experience, trust, loyalty, and their own long-term

reputations.

Every claim that can be avoided or minimised reduces a

customer’s stress and enhances an insurer’s brand value.

Every claim experience that can be streamlined and

improved increases loyalty and profitability.

How do we avoid claims or minimise them?

How do we improve the experience for claims that will

still occur?

Claims Prevention with Robust Risk Assessment

Claims prevention is one of the biggest opportunities

for service differentiation and achieving risk resilience.

Risk assessment has traditionally been an expensive

undertaking, involving the deployment of skilled

loss adjusters to analyse risk on site. However, digital

technology, with tools such as remote video and selfsurveys,

now makes it easier to assess a broader portion

of the portfolio cost-effectively and provide meaningful

recommendations.

A risk assessment and recommendations report offers

customers guidance on how to reduce their risk,

something that over 65% of homeowners and nearly 60%

of commercial property owners want to do, according

to our recent Consumer and SMB research. Customer

participation in reducing risk can lower the cost of

insurance and help to close the growing protection gap.

In this new era of risk, insurers must focus on proactive

risk assessment, prevention, and mitigation by leveraging

data, advanced analytics, and technology. Combined with

effective customer communication and engagement,

this enables the provision of tailored recommendations,

better cost management, and enhanced customer trust

and loyalty.

The New Era of Claims

We can’t prevent all risk. There will still be claims. But

how we manage those claims can either enhance or

erode customer trust.

Applying the right customer experience strategies and

technology solutions at this vital stage can transform a

traumatic, frustrating experience into a positive, loyaltybuilding

one. Exceeding expectations is crucial. To

achieve this, insurers must guide their customers through

the process from the first notice of loss to full restoration.

This requires new thinking, new technology, fresh data

sources, and advanced analytics to reimagine the

business fundamentals, understanding, adapting to, and

navigating this new era of insurance.

Leading claims organisations can assess and align their

processes according to claim complexity. Simple claims,

such as dental or auto damage, can be fully automated

with straight-through processing, while complex claims,

like disability or workers’ compensation involving medical

treatment, require a blend of automation and human

interaction.

These organisations combine and harness the best

technologies and advanced analytics, including AI and

GenAI, to empower their teams to deliver a compelling

and consistent customer experience. Imagine a 75%

reduction in time for claims adjudication or vendor

invoice processing, allowing employees to focus on

the human side of the claims journey. The enhanced

employee experience prioritises their knowledge and

empathy over mundane tasks.

This new era of claims is breaking down barriers,

transforming business operations, and creating

operational excellence and unparalleled experiences.

From reducing costs and improving productivity to

strengthening risk resilience, claims are redefining what’s

possible while elevating trust and customer loyalty.

MODERN INSURANCE | 83



INSURTECH

The Rise of Claims Severity &

Social Inflation in 2025: What

Insurers Need to Know

Rising claims costs are driven in part by

inflation, of both the traditional kind and the

social kind. Pushing jury verdicts, settlement

demands, and overall claims costs higher,

social inflation is the convergence of cultural,

legal, social, and financial dynamics — and

claims departments feel the effects.

Strategically managing rising claim severities is the ultimate goal

for insurers. As the frequency and intensity of high-dollar claims

rise, it is critical to understand the influence of social inflation

on the insurance industry and how to respond proactively to

manage costs and outcomes, even as social inflation continues to

rise. As carriers navigate 2025, the pressure to manage mounting

losses and unpredictable verdicts is at an all-time high.

Why Claims Severity Is Rising — and Why 2025 Feels Different

Claims severity has been rising for several years, but 2025 is

different. It marks a tipping point for the industry as data shows

expected increases in both the average claims payout and the

outliers. Nuclear verdicts, which are those exceeding $10 million,

and thermonuclear verdicts, those that exceed $100 million, are

at an all-time high, and the ceiling seems to continue rising.

The impact of social inflation is intermingled with the effects of

macroeconomic factors, legal shifts, and societal expectations.

Public perception of the insurance industry has declined, and

juries are increasingly awarding exceptionally high verdicts

in cases where they view corporate behavior as negligent or

lacking accountability. Several forces influence social inflation,

including:

•Third-party litigation funding, enabling longer and more

complex cases

This technology-enabled approach gives insurers access to

strategic claims management tools, providing early intervention

to allow insurers to identify high-risk claims early and intervene

appropriately; claims triaging with AI and predictive modeling

to flag outlier claims before they escalate; and fraud analytics

to help spot red flags sooner. Litigation management tools

streamline legal workflows and improve outcomes, while

personalized customer communications give insureds clear,

proactive information. These tools help insurers develop timely

settlement strategies, allocate resources efficiently, and limit

unnecessarily elevated payouts.

A modern claims management platform is essential for insurers

navigating the shifting dynamics of social inflation. The world is

not static, and legacy point solution interactions and bespoke

feature development impedes speed to market. Dynamic and

configurable platforms allow for claims teams to dynamically

drive automation, insight, and results faster and cost-efficiently,

even when the external environment remains unpredictable,

unstable, and even unfavorable.

The reality is that social inflation isn’t going away. And as claims

severity continues to rise, policyholders will inevitably pay

some of these additional costs, adding to perception challenges

already facing the industry. The forces driving social inflation

are only intensifying, but with strategic claims management and

modern claims technology, insurers can mitigate these risks.

Tools that streamline operations, improve insights, and connect

policyholders and insurers in more personalized ways give claims

departments the ability to manage rising severities without losing

sight of expenses and service.

To stay ahead of social inflation, insurers must move beyond

traditional approaches and embrace technology-led claims

strategies built for the volatility of today — and tomorrow.

•Evolving public perception and skepticism toward large

corporations and the preference for punitive damages to right

social wrongs

•Social media amplifies the public opinion of cases

•Plaintiff-friendly jurisdictions are expanding

•These dynamics make it more challenging to predict outcomes,

reserve appropriately, and manage defense costs.

The Power of Technology in Managing Social Inflation

Taking a technology-forward approach to claims strategy can

help insurers control costs and reduce severity, even during shifts

in market conditions caused by social inflation. Insurers have

solutions available, including using digital claims management

platforms to manage claims.

Andy Cohen

President, Snapsheet

MODERN INSURANCE | 85


Enterprise Pricing

Management

A New Approach To Price Management And Integration

For Insurers

Enables simplified integration into core systems through the new

concept of rating artefacts

Unifies the pricing cycle through data integration and automation

Consumes external modelling formats

Enables same day rate recalibration and dynamic pricing

www.mavenblue.com


INSURTECH

Shaping Inflation Resilience

Into Your Pricing Process

The insurance industry has come under

renewed pressure from inflation, after

two decades of mild or low inflation.

The topic is back, and it is more volatile

than it has ever been. It began when the

global economy was shut down due to

the coronavirus, and subsequent political

unrest has further disrupted supply lines

and increased costs.

However, another important input has been natural

catastrophe losses, which do not directly influence insurance

pricing. But once these events occur, reinsurance premiums

increase, and the loading into premiums also rises. The

volatility in risk has been a significant problem because it is

difficult for insurers to reflect these changes in their pricing

in a timely manner, and even more importantly, to implement

these changes accurately.

The impact has been significant. The profitability of P&C

insurers is under pressure. This crisis is not simply caused by

inflation; a number of critical factors have come together to

give insurers the inflation headache.

Gaining the Upper Hand Over Inflation

To tackle the current volatility in insurance pricing, we need

to reflect on the existing process. Many insurers today still

update pricing in a “big bang” approach. To explain, actuarial

departments develop models that define a price. To get

these models into production, they must be implemented

into existing core systems. These systems most often work

with a rules-based rating engine, so the models are translated

into large multi-dimensional tariff tables - i.e. a price for

each combination of rating factors—and each combination

is converted into a pricing rule, resulting in many pricing rules.

from big bang updates. They are not responsive enough,

and critically, if there is an error in a model (which is not

uncommon), these errors tend to persist for some time. The

argument is to adopt a process that updates pricing more

frequently through smaller, incremental changes.

Technology is key here. In the past, integrating models

directly was a complex and expensive idea. Today, major

advances have significantly lowered this barrier. The concept

is to translate models into strings of compilable code.

Embedding these strings directly into a core system is far

simpler and dramatically more performant and cost-effective.

A process that once took months now takes minutes. And the

added benefit is not just the improved responsiveness of your

pricing cycle.

Integrating pricing models directly into the underwriting

process brings further advantages. For example, many

insurers still share tariff tables with third parties, who then

codify these tables into rating engines. Mistakes are often

made, mistakes that the insurer ultimately pays for. This

approach also refocuses the pricing team on actuarial pricing

and portfolio analytics, helping to maximise the underwriting

performance of your products.

But most importantly, more frequent updates to pricing

models lead to more accurate prices, reducing loss ratios and

maximising conversion rates.

This process requires extensive configuration, testing and

refinement to maximise the correlation between the model

and the rating engine. As a result, the process can take

months to complete. This implies a few things:

i) Prices are updated in a big bang—perhaps once a year, or

even less frequently.

ii) There is usually a large backlog of products to be updated,

which complicates the prioritisation for pricing teams.

Rick de Jager

Head of Business Development, MavenBlue

iii) Pricing teams often spend the majority of their time

getting tariffs into production rather than performing

actuarial analysis.

To gain the upper hand on inflation, insurers must move away

MODERN INSURANCE | 87



INSURTECH

Using Technology to Offer Fair

Settlements for Written-Off

Vehicles

Over half a million cars are written off

by insurance firms each year. That’s

more than 1,000 a day, or one every

minute. When they are, the Financial

Conduct Authority is concerned that

consumers are not always receiving a

fair payment. The FCA has been worried

about this for a while and the matter is far

from resolved.

The FCA publicly warned insurers not to undervalue cars in 2022.

Sheldon Mills, executive director for consumers and competition said

at the time: “When making an insurance claim, people shouldn’t need

to question whether they are being offered the right amount for their

written-off car or other goods that they need to replace.”

He went on to warn: “We are watching the behaviour of firms closely

and will act quickly to stop firms and prevent harm to consumers

where we see it.”

Not everyone heeded the warning.

In March 2024 the FCA published the results of a multi-firm review

from firms which together make up 70% of the market. Concerns

included that some firms’ average settlement values were lower than

available guide prices and blanket deductions made for the vehicle’s

condition without evidence and justification.

It reasserted that a firm’s first offer for a written-off vehicle should be

“its best estimate of its market value”. Offering a lower settlement on

the expectation that it would be increased if the customer complains

could be unfair.

Our leading tools and insights are trusted by the Financial

Ombudsman Service as the pricing guide they used the most to

mediate insurance claims disputes.

From just a vehicle registration number or VIN we show claims

handlers a detailed vehicle history including any previous sales events,

photos and descriptions as well as MOT history.

Our valuation model is the only proposition to offer a truly live,

retail-backed valuation methodology, meaning we can reflect market

fluctuations instantaneously and show relevant vehicles to back

up valuations and empower insurers to share evidence with their

customer and other third parties.

Moreover, it has the unique ability to interrogate previous

advertisements for a vehicle including images, prices, mileages

and descriptions which often detail things like previous damage

or modifications. This data not only helps deliver fair, transparent

valuations but can potentially spot a fraudulent claim if it identifies

false information provided by the customer.

It all leads to not only fair settlements but faster ones too. By

presenting a comprehensive and evidence-based settlement figure,

customers are more likely to trust the process and accept the

settlement on offer.

Since deploying Companion, one UK motor insurer reported a 62%

increase of acceptance of the first offer and a 50% reduction in

complaints, lower costs and a less intensive labour process.

By using technology to arrive at a fair settlement – with evidence to

back up the offer – we believe insurers can build trust, build efficiency

and confidently demonstrate that they have acted in the client’s best

interest when the FCA inevitably comes knocking again.

Before the final review was published, a well-known motor insurer

was ordered to go back through five years of claims from 2017-2022

and provide “appropriate redress” for customers who’d received

unfair settlements.

A long list of areas for improvement, coupled with the raised bar

of the Consumer Duty, means this issue is here to stay, and one the

regulator is watching closely.

So – how do you arrive at a documented fair market value?

That’s where Percayso comes in.

Our Valuation model accessed via API or our SaaS platform,

Companion, is a powerful tool that facilitates independently assessed

and evidenced settlement offers.

In total, we ingest 700,000 new pieces of information from 4,000+

data sources every 24 hours to deliver a comprehensive and

evidence-based valuation.

Richard Tomlinson

Managing Director, Percayso

MODERN INSURANCE | 89


INSURTECH

Redefining Insurance Distribution

with Customer-Centric Strategies

The insurance industry has long been synonymous with complexity, driven partly by the

need to gather all relevant facts for underwriting purposes and partly by the challenges of

operating in a highly regulated environment. Many customers, both personal and business, have

frequently expressed frustrations at the difficulties of doing business. Although this shift has

been happening gradually over several years, we are now seeing a sharper focus on prioritising

customer-centricity, an approach that cannot be met through traditional operating models, as

personalised and seamless experiences are, by definition, driven by agility and innovation.

Why now?

Improved technology capabilities (yes, including AI) make it

possible to deliver what customers want and address the longstanding

pain points of complexity and friction in the insurance

industry.

This sentiment was at the heart of a recent Insurtech Insights panel

discussion, where I joined esteemed industry leaders to explore

how customer-centric strategies are redefining distribution, and

ultimately, customer experience.

The Core Challenge for Insurers

Insurance is inherently paradoxical. At its core, it is not a product

but a service, one that is, whether making a claim or insuring

loved ones, both deeply emotional and critical for customers.

Yet, the industry is often burdened with processes and inflexible

technology that struggle to meet evolving customer expectations.

These challenges were front and centre during the panel. The

reality is that many insurers are phenomenal when it comes to

evaluating risk or pricing coverage, but too many gaps remain

in delivering seamless customer experiences. Customers are not

being met with the same intuitive, personalised and frictionless

service experienced in other aspects of their lives.

Why Customer-Centricity is Non-Negotiable

Insurance thrives when insurers deeply understand and respond

to their customers’ needs. It is more than just listening—what sets

industry leaders apart is how swiftly and effectively they act on

customer feedback. For me, that is the biggest opportunity for

insurers.

At INSTANDA, we see this clarity every day. Across all insurance

lines, we have positioned ourselves as a barometer for the industry

by working with pioneering MGAs and the digital divisions of

larger carriers. And what is the consistent thread? Agility. The

insurers pushing boundaries are leveraging hyper-automation,

modern interconnected platforms and AI solutions to pivot, test,

analyse and fine-tune their offerings.

“The results speak volumes. Our clients

regularly achieve 25% annual growth in markets

where growth is often elusive. Why? Because

they understand their customers’ needs and

are equipped with the technology to change

propositions, pricing and coverage in a matter of

hours or days. “

The Role of Artificial Intelligence

The pace of Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation today is

staggering, with new solutions and models emerging weekly.

From conversational tools to advanced analytics, AI is driving

frictionless, hyper-personalised customer experiences at scale.

However, for AI to work effectively, it must be framed by moral

considerations and nuanced human judgement. As we discussed

at the panel, successful AI implementation rests on three

principles:

Focus on customer needs first: Start with understanding what

customers really want, then find the technology to solve their

challenges.

Rapid iteration and innovation: Lean, agile iterations powered

by robust A/B testing and full product configurability allow for

continuous improvement and adaptation.

Measure outcomes rigorously: Insurers must enter into retail-like

feedback loops and track customer engagement in real time

to ensure solutions are delivering value, while applying internal

governance around AI-driven outcomes.

Redefining the Future of Insurance

Where does this leave the insurance industry? Insurers who are

brave enough to adopt agile, customer-first solutions are leading

the way.

At INSTANDA, our platform empowers insurers to configure

products, pricing and customer experiences with unmatched

flexibility and speed, while seamlessly integrating with existing

systems.

Start transforming your business today. Visit INSTANDA.com

to discover how we can help you transform your customers’

experience.

Tim Hardcastle

CEO and Co-Founder, INSTANDA.

90 | MODERN INSURANCE


Transform Your

Customer Experience.

Forever.

Deliver standout customer experiences with

INSTANDA—the world’s fastest growing

customer-centric Policy Administration and

Digital Distribution System.

Leverage hyper-automation and

AI-driven solutions to delight your

customers and brokers.

Operate with retail-like agility to:

• Balance digital self-service and high-touch interactions

• Update pricing, policies and renewals in real time

• Gain a 360° view of the customer

• Personalise products and journeys with A/B testing

• Scale seamlessly across regions, markets and channels

• Enable broker self-service with real-time quote-and-bind

Join the global community of insurers redefining insurance.

Visit INSTANDA.com


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