The Underwriting Intelligence Podcast

Re-underwriting speed: Data moats, AI, and the future of insurtech

In this episode of The Underwriting Intelligence Podcast, Amrit sits down with Scott Stephenson, former Chairman, President and CEO of Verisk, and currently Chairman to One Inc. to explore what it really takes to build enduring data and analytics businesses in insurance and why the rules of competitive advantage are rapidly changing in the age of AI. Drawing on more than two decades leading one of the world’s most influential insurance data companies, Scott shares a masterclass on data moats, trust, vertical software, and the new pace of technology innovation. From the realities of assembling proprietary datasets to the future of insurtech competition, the conversation dives deep into how insurers and technology companies should rethink strategy in a world where software creation is becoming dramatically faster and cheaper. In this episode, Amrit and Scott dive into: * Why the strongest data moats are built over decades, not overnight * How Verisk earned the trust required to steward highly sensitive insurance data * Why proprietary data has become harder to assemble in today’s market * The strategic implications of AI on vertical SaaS and insurtech competition * Why insurers increasingly buy outcomes rather than isolated “point solutions” * Why companies must “re-underwrite” the pace at which they operate in an AI-driven world Whether you’re an insurer, founder, investor, or technology leader, this episode offers a sharp and deeply practical perspective on the future of insurance technology and what it takes to build lasting competitive advantage in a rapidly changing market.

There is no playbook: Rethinking insurance technology investment

In this episode of The Underwriting Intelligence Podcast, Amrit sits down with James Orchard, CEO of QBE Ventures, to explore how insurance investments in technology can really work, and why most approaches fall short. Drawing on his journey from private equity into corporate strategy and ultimately leading the venture arm of one of the world’s leading insurers, James shares a candid perspective on what it really takes to build meaningful partnerships between insurers and startups. At the heart of the conversation is alignment; how successful innovation isn’t driven by investment alone, but by deeply understanding business problems and working backwards from them. In this episode, Amrit and James dive into: * Why there is no “playbook” for insurance technology investing and why copying other industries doesn’t work * The importance of emotional intelligence over traditional credentials when building investment teams * How QBE Ventures avoids “spray and pray” investing in favour of fewer, deeper strategic partnerships * Why most insurers struggle to scale technology and how to remove friction from experimentation * How to align startups and underwriters by building trust, empathy, and shared incentives * What the rise of AI means for insurance transformation and why traditional approaches may no longer apply Whether you’re an underwriter, founder, investor, or insurance leader, this episode offers a practical and refreshingly honest look at how innovation actually happens and how to make it work in a complex, evolving market.

From broking to breaking news: Mark Geoghegan

In this special episode of The Underwriting Intelligence Podcast, Amrit sits down with Mark Geoghegan, founder of The Voice of Insurance podcast, to explore the intersection of journalism, insurance, and how the industry really works beneath the surface. Drawing on his unique journey from Spanish-speaking broker to leading insurance journalist, Mark shares how he “accidentally” found his way into the industry before ultimately building one of its most trusted media voices. At the heart of the conversation is perspective; how stepping away from the day-to-day grind of underwriting and broking reveals the bigger picture of how the market functions, evolves, and occasionally breaks. In this episode, Amrit and Mark dive into: * How Mark transitioned from insurance into journalism and why he ultimately came back to cover the industry * The difference between working in the market versus observing it from above * What makes great insurance journalism, and why trust and human relationships still sit at its core * Why podcasts and new media formats are reshaping how insight and intelligence are shared across the market Whether you’re an underwriter, broker, insurance executive, or simply curious about the forces shaping the industry, this episode offers a candid, wide-angle view of insurance through the eyes of someone who has spent decades asking the questions others don’t.

From friction to flow: How smart trading is rewiring insurance

In this episode of The Underwriting Intelligence Podcast, Amrit sits down with Gilbert Harrap, Co-Founder and CEO of InsurX, to explore how technology is reshaping the way insurance risk is traded; from slow, manual processes to a future of real-time, data-driven decision making. Drawing on his journey from frustrated underwriter to insurtech founder, Gilbert shares the origin story behind InsurX and the structural inefficiencies that inspired it. At the heart of the conversation is the evolution from “slow follow” to “smart follow,” and ultimately toward a broader vision of “smart trading,” where brokers and insurers can seamlessly connect, match, and transact risk using structured data and algorithmic insights. In this episode, Amrit and Gilbert dive into: * Why the traditional “follow” model in insurance has been so inefficient, and how smart follow is transforming it * How AI and data structuring are unlocking value from unstructured submissions * The tangible benefits for brokers and insurers, from faster placement times to improved underwriting performance and lower expense ratios * How freeing up time and capacity could lead to better products, increased market capacity, and solutions to underinsurance Whether you’re an underwriter, broker, insurance executive, or building in insurtech, this episode offers a forward-looking perspective on how data, technology, and smarter workflows are unlocking a more efficient and dynamic insurance market.

Judgment in the age of algorithms: How underwriting is actually evolving

In this episode of The Underwriting Intelligence Podcast, Amrit sits down with Andrew McMellin, President of Markel International, to explore how underwriting is evolving in an increasingly data-rich, technology-enabled world. Drawing on nearly four decades across the insurance ecosystem, from broking and underwriting, to leadership roles in both the London Market and the US, Andrew shares a candid perspective on the changing craft of underwriting. At the centre of the conversation is the increasingly well-accepted belief that the best underwriters don’t just assess individual risks, they manage portfolios. As data, analytics, and AI tools become more embedded in the underwriting workflow, the real opportunity lies in using technology to augment judgment rather than replace it. In this episode, Amrit and Andrew dive into: * Why modern underwriting requires a portfolio mindset, not just individual risk selection * How data and technical pricing can support better decisions without undermining underwriting expertise * The practical ways AI is already improving underwriting productivity, from document analysis to proactive client outreach * The growing importance of intangible risks and what they mean for the future of insurance products and markets Whether you’re an underwriting leader, insurance executive, actuary, or insurtech builder, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how the underwriting profession is evolving; blending experience, data, and technology to navigate a world of increasing uncertainty.