The Future of Insurance, Paul VanderMarck, Chief Technology & Innovation Officer, SageSure

Paul VanderMarck is the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer of SageSure, leading the development of its proprietary technology platform and adopting new technologies to continue to advance the user experience. Previously, Paul was a managing director at boutique investment bank Financial Technology Partners, where he worked with a wide range of high-growth businesses across the insurtech landscape on capital raising and mergers and acquisitions. He previously spent 25 years as Chief Product Officer and as a member of the leadership team that grew Risk Management Solutions (RMS) from a startup into a $300 million revenue business while creating an entirely new market and transforming the way that the global insurance industry manages catastrophe risk. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in structural engineering, both from Stanford University.

Episode Summary
This interview discusses innovative strategies in the insurance industry, particularly focusing on proactive customer engagement and the use of technology to enhance claims processing. Here are the key points:

• Proactive Outreach: The company emphasizes the importance of reaching out to customers after catastrophic events, rather than waiting for claims to be filed. This approach aims to provide timely assistance and mitigate potential damages.

• Use of Technology: The integration of AI and aerial imagery allows the company to identify damaged properties quickly after disasters. This technology enables them to prioritize outreach to affected customers, even those who may still be evacuated.

• Claims Management: The discussion highlights the need to eliminate inefficiencies in claims processing, often referred to as "leakage." By using innovative solutions, the company aims to reduce unnecessary costs while ensuring that customers receive fair treatment during the claims process.

• Market Adaptation: The company has successfully navigated challenging market conditions, including inflation and increased reinsurance costs, by providing valuable products to agents and maintaining a strong growth trajectory.

• Customer Satisfaction: The video underscores the importance of customer satisfaction, particularly in claims handling. Engaging with customers during claims processes can lead to higher satisfaction rates, which is crucial for the company's reputation and success.

Overall, the episode presents a forward-thinking approach to insurance, focusing on technology, customer engagement, and operational efficiency to improve service delivery and maintain competitiveness in a challenging market.

This episode is brought to you by The Future of Insurance thought leadership series, available globally from Amazon in print, Kindle and Audible audiobook.

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Music courtesy of Hyperbeat Music, available to stream or download on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music and more.