FNO: InsureTech
In Episode 314 of the FNO: InsureTech Podcast, hosts Rob Beller and David Prejeant welcome back Stan Smith, Founder & CEO of Gradient AI, for his second appearance on the podcast. It's been more than six years since Stan first joined FNO in Episode 49 back in 2019, when the industry was still talking about machine learning long before AI became today's biggest technology story. Stan shares how Gradient AI evolved from its machine learning roots into one of the insurance industry's most established AI-native companies, helping insurers make better decisions across underwriting,...
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In Episode 313 of the FNO: InsureTech Podcast, hosts Rob Beller and David Prejeant sit down with Alex Schmelkin, Founder and CEO of Sixfold, for a fascinating conversation about AI, underwriting, and one of the fastest-growing areas in insurance technology today. Alex Schmelkin shares how a pre-ChatGPT idea evolved into an AI-native company focused exclusively on helping insurers improve underwriting outcomes through the use of AI-powered underwriting colleagues. The discussion explores the evolution of AI in underwriting, what insurers are learning from AI-assisted decision-making, and...
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In Episode 312 of the FNO: InsureTech Podcast, hosts Rob Beller and David Prejeant sit down with David Wald, President and Co-Founder of Aclaimant, for an in-depth conversation about risk management, RMIS technology, AI, and the future of RiskTech. David explains how Aclaimant is helping organizations centralize risk data, manage workers' compensation and claims, improve safety, and uncover insights that help businesses become more proactive rather than reactive. The conversation explores the evolving role of risk managers, the growing importance of predictive analytics, and how AI is...
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In Episode 311 of the FNO: InsureTech Podcast, hosts Lee Boyd and David Prejeant sit down with Wayne Slavin, CEO and Co-founder of Sure, for a conversation that spans embedded insurance, AI, digital distribution, and the future of insurance innovation. What begins with a story about turbulence on a flight quickly evolves into a fascinating discussion about how insurance can become a seamless part of everyday consumer experiences. Founded in 2015, Sure has built an AI-enabled platform that helps some of the world's largest carriers and consumer brands launch and operate fully digital...
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In Episode 310 of the FNO: InsureTech Podcast, co-host David Prejeant sits down with Kat Gordienko, Co-founder and CEO of Builty, to explore one of the most overlooked and underutilized data sources in insurance: building permits. What began as a personal home improvement project during the pandemic ultimately sparked the creation of a company focused on transforming fragmented permit records into actionable intelligence for insurers. Kat shares her journey from analyzing streaming data at Netflix to tackling the complex world of permit data, where information is scattered across more...
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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...
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In Episode 308 of the FNO InsureTech Podcast, hosts Rob Beller and Lee Boyd welcome Tim Welsh, President of CCC Intelligent Solutions, for a powerful conversation on one of the most important and emotional moments in insurance: the accident experience and how it can be improved through better connectivity, data, and orchestration across the ecosystem. Tim shares his unique journey from consulting at McKinsey to banking and now leading a cornerstone InsureTech platform that connects insurers, repair facilities, OEMs, and service providers. He explains how CCC has been building toward this...
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In Episode 307 of the FNO: InsureTech Podcast, hosts Rob Beller and Lee Boyd welcome Aman Gour, Co-founder and CEO of FurtherAI, joining from San Francisco, the epicenter of today’s AI revolution. Aman shares his journey from Microsoft to second time founder, and how he is now building one of the most ambitious AI driven companies in insurance. Aman discusses how FurtherAI is helping insurers automate real work across the entire policy lifecycle using AI agents that can process documents, make decisions, and execute workflows end to end. He explains why insurance, with its reliance on...
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In Episode 306 of FNO: InsureTech, co-hosts Rob Beller and David Prejeant are joined by Joshua Frossell, Founder and CEO of Senen. With a background spanning underwriting, strategy, and consulting across organizations like Allianz, Lloyd’s, and Accenture, Joshua brings an operator’s perspective to the InsurTech space. Senen is a claims intelligence platform that applies AI across the full lifecycle, from FNOL through settlement, transforming unstructured data into actionable insights, reducing manual work, and helping insurers make faster, more informed decisions. Joshua and the Senen...
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In Episode 305 of the FNO: InsureTech Podcast, hosts Rob Beller and Lee Boyd welcome Andrew Yeoman, Co-founder and CEO of Concirrus, joining from the UK. Andrew shares how his company is transforming specialty insurance underwriting through AI powered automation, domain specific intelligence, and a relentless focus on real business outcomes. Andrew explains how Concirrus helps insurers dramatically reduce manual work, accelerate quoting, and unlock underwriting capacity without increasing headcount. Drawing on years of experience across insurance and technology, he offers a unique perspective...
info_outlineIn Episode 308 of the FNO InsureTech Podcast, hosts Rob Beller and Lee Boyd welcome Tim Welsh, President of CCC Intelligent Solutions, for a powerful conversation on one of the most important and emotional moments in insurance: the accident experience and how it can be improved through better connectivity, data, and orchestration across the ecosystem.
Tim shares his unique journey from consulting at McKinsey to banking and now leading a cornerstone InsureTech platform that connects insurers, repair facilities, OEMs, and service providers. He explains how CCC has been building toward this moment for decades and how the company is now bringing together AI, data, and partnerships to create a more seamless and supportive claims experience.
The conversation explores the reality that car accidents are not just operational events, but deeply personal ones that people remember for years. Tim highlights how CCC is focused on redesigning that experience from the consumer’s perspective, using a combination of technology and human expertise to guide individuals through a stressful moment and help them move forward quickly.
Rob and Lee also dig into the growing complexity of vehicles, rising repair costs, and the pressure on affordability across the system. Tim shares how CCC is addressing these challenges through orchestration, real time decision making, and a “together on purpose” approach that aligns everyone in the ecosystem.
This episode goes beyond technology, offering a human centered view of innovation and a clear vision for how the claims experience can evolve to better serve both consumers and the industry.
Key Highlights
[04:00] Meet Tim Welsh and CCC Intelligent Solutions
An introduction to CCC and its role as a long standing platform connecting insurers, repair shops, OEMs, and service providers across the claims ecosystem.
[07:00] A Career Built on Helping People
Tim shares his unconventional journey from preparing for the priesthood to consulting, banking, and ultimately leading at CCC.
[10:00] Why Accidents Are So Memorable
A discussion on how car accidents rank among life’s most vivid experiences and why improving that moment matters so deeply.
[13:00] The Complexity Behind a Simple Repair
How modern vehicles, with thousands of parts and software driven systems, have dramatically increased repair costs and claims complexity.
[16:00] The Consumer at the Center
Introducing “Ava,” the model consumer, and how CCC is designing the claims experience around her needs from first notice through repair.
[19:00] Orchestrating the Claims Journey
How technology is connecting each step of the process, from photos and estimates to scheduling and parts ordering, into a seamless flow.
[22:00] Preventing Total Loss Through Real Time Decisions
A look at how dynamic decision making across the ecosystem can reduce unnecessary total losses and improve outcomes for everyone involved.
[25:00] Affordability and the Small Claims Problem
Why rising premiums and deductibles are changing consumer behavior and leading to fewer small claims being reported.
[28:00] AI as Orchestration, Not Replacement
How CCC is using AI to guide workflows and enhance human decision making rather than replace adjusters and claims professionals.
[31:00] AI Guidance in Action
Examples of how AI can prioritize tasks for adjusters, helping them focus on the most impactful actions each day.
[34:00] The Power of Ecosystem Connectivity
Why bringing insurers, repair shops, OEMs, and partners together on one platform is critical to unlocking better outcomes.
[37:00] Together on Purpose
The philosophy behind CCC’s approach, aligning all players around a shared goal of improving the consumer experience.
[40:00] Feeding Insights Back to Manufacturers
How data from claims can influence vehicle design and repairability over time.
[42:00] What “Easy” Looks Like
A real world example of a smooth repair experience and why that is the ultimate goal.
[44:00] Final Thoughts on the Future of Claims
Tim shares his vision for a more connected, efficient, and human centered claims experience that benefits both consumers and the entire industry.