Ep 309: Chris Touchton, Chief Insurance Officer, Nearmap

In Episode 309 of the FNO: InsureTech Podcast, hosts Rob Beller and David Prejeant welcome Chris Touchton, Chief Insurance Officer at Nearmap, for a deep dive into the evolving world of property intelligence, claims technology, and AI driven insurance innovation. Chris shares how Nearmap has transformed from an aerial imagery provider into a comprehensive property intelligence platform through strategic acquisitions and a relentless focus on data.

The conversation explores Nearmap's journey from aerial imagery to AI powered property insights through the acquisition of Betterview, and later into claims through the acquisition of ITEL in May 2025. Chris explains how combining property intelligence, building material data, and advanced analytics creates a more complete picture of risk before and after a loss. 

The discussion also examines the growing convergence of underwriting and claims, the importance of trusted third party data, and how AI, integrations, and ecosystem partnerships are helping insurers improve accuracy, consistency, and customer outcomes across the insurance lifecycle. 

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Key Highlights

[05:00] Meet Chris Touchton and Nearmap

Chris joins the podcast from Jacksonville, Florida and shares his role as Chief Insurance Officer at Nearmap following the integration of ITEL into the organization.

[06:00] Nearmap's Evolution into Property Intelligence

Chris explains how Nearmap evolved from an aerial imagery company into a property intelligence platform serving underwriting, claims, government, and commercial markets.

[08:00] Betterview and the AI Layer

A look at how Nearmap's acquisition of Betterview added AI powered decision intelligence, helping underwriters identify and assess property risks more efficiently. 

[09:30] Why Nearmap Acquired ITEL

Chris unpacks the strategic reasoning behind Nearmap's acquisition of ITEL and how the combined data sets create a more complete view of a property from both the outside and the inside.

[12:00] ITEL's Transformation from Samples to Data

The evolution of ITEL from a mail in building material identification service to a technology enabled data platform supporting claims at scale.

[14:00] The Power of Property Intelligence

How combining aerial imagery, material identification, claims history, and geographic data can improve underwriting decisions and accelerate claims outcomes.

[16:00] COVID and the Claims Technology Boom

Chris reflects on how the pandemic accelerated innovation, digital adoption, and openness to new technologies across insurance claims operations.

[18:00] Can Data Improve Claims Consistency?

A discussion on the ongoing balance between speed and accuracy in claims and how trusted data sources can help insurers improve both. 

[20:00] Becoming the Industry's Independent Source of Truth

Why Nearmap and ITEL position themselves as objective third parties focused on defensible outcomes rather than influencing claim results.

[23:30] Bridging the Gap Between Underwriting and Claims

Chris discusses the industry's long standing challenge of connecting underwriting and claims data and why AI is creating new opportunities to finally close the gap.

[26:00] Taking the Combined Vision to Market

How Nearmap is helping carriers understand the value of a unified property intelligence strategy that spans the entire insurance lifecycle. 

[29:00] Competing in a Crowded AI Landscape

Chris shares his perspective on the explosion of insurtech vendors and why trusted relationships, innovation, and strategic acquisitions will continue to shape the market.

[34:00] Building a Connected Insurance Ecosystem

Why partnerships, integrations, and data sharing are becoming critical to delivering better outcomes for carriers, contractors, adjusters, and policyholders.

[37:00] Getting Data to the Right Place at the Right Time

A look at the future of integrations, desk adjusting, workflow flexibility, and serving insurers where they already work. 

[39:00] AI and the Future of Material Identification

How Nearmap and ITEL are leveraging AI to improve efficiency while maintaining expert human oversight in building material identification.

[41:00] The Person with the Data Wins

The episode concludes with a discussion about the strategic value of proprietary data and why comprehensive property intelligence may become one of insurance's strongest competitive advantages. 

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Top Takeaways

✅ Nearmap's acquisitions of Betterview and ITEL represent a broader strategy to become a comprehensive property intelligence platform.

✅ Connecting underwriting and claims data remains one of the biggest opportunities in insurance. 

✅ Trust, objectivity, and consistency are becoming increasingly important as AI becomes embedded in insurance workflows. 

✅ The future of insurance will be driven by intelligent data ecosystems, strong partnerships, and integrated workflows rather than standalone tools.

✅ In a world increasingly shaped by AI, data continues to be one of the industry's most valuable assets.