INSURANCE TECHNOLOGY
Farmers Insurance | September 21, 2021
Farmers Insurance® today announced plans to use a digitally controlled mobile robot to assist with in-field catastrophe claims handling and non-catastrophe property inspections, helping to improve the safety and efficiency of both while becoming one of the first national P&C insurers to deploy a robotic quadruped.
Created by Boston Dynamics and customized for Farmers®, "Spot" will join claims personnel beginning as early as fall 2021 to help assess damage from catastrophes such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and wildfires. The robot's agility, advanced mobility, and perception to navigate various rough terrain will allow it to access spaces and environments inaccessible for claims employees. Spot will be equipped with a variety of sensors and cameras, including a 360-degree camera and site documentation software to help reduce the time required to capture data and augment the in-field claims review process.
Spot may also help claims adjusters collect critical data and assist with claims handling optimization to serve impacted customers more efficiently. Additionally, the robot may be utilized to handle non-catastrophic events such as structure fires, collapsed structures, water loss, or other potentially hazardous environments in the future.
Farmers focus on enhancing human-powered technology has led the organization to this very exciting milestone where we're able to utilize new and emerging technology like a robot to further strengthen our commitment to our customers, all while helping to keep our employees safe. Adding such a dynamic robot to our stock of evolving tech such as drones and satellite imagery will help us build on our legacy and deepen our commitment to customers.
- Samantha Santiago, Head of Claims Strategy and Automation at Farmers
Farmers efforts in the area of technology are driven by its long history of innovating for the customer and its employees. In recent years, the organization introduced a robust aerial imagery program leveraging drones, manned aircraft and satellite technology to help enhance claims operational efficiencies. Farmers also announced in late 2017 the deployment of a virtual reality (VR) program to help train claims representatives for home damage assessments. The VR program is still being used today and has been a vital technological asset to continue to train claims adjusters during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to utilizing Spot for in-field claims use, Farmers will explore applications that could help first-responder organizations during scenarios such as post-event search and rescue operations, accessing areas to assess danger for first responders or others, and/or pre-inspections to assess safety for anyone in the general vicinity.
About Farmers Insurance
"Farmers Insurance®" and "Farmers®" are tradenames for a group of insurers providing insurance for automobiles, homes and small businesses and a wide range of other insurance and financial services products. Farmers Insurance Exchange®, the largest of the three primary insurers that make up Farmers Insurance, is recognized as one of the largest U.S. companies on the 2021 Fortune 500 list.
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RISK MANAGEMENT
Distinguished Program Holdings LLC | February 15, 2022
Distinguished Programs ("Distinguished"), a national insurance program manager, today officially announces the relaunch of its Express Umbrella program which includes the Express Real Estate Umbrella and Express Community Associations Umbrella products. The program offers limits up to $5M and caters to community associations, homeowner associations, condominium associations and small commercial buildings.
"The Express Umbrella program is perfect for real estate clients who are looking for additional coverage, but don't necessarily need high limits, The limits are up to $5M and brokers can submit business anytime through the Distinguished Online Portal. The streamlined process allows more flexibility for brokers to submit on their own time without office hour restrictions."
- Chris Larson, Product Manager for the Express Umbrella program.
Initially, the coverage will be non-admitted as the program is built out and the necessary state filings are obtained. Key coverages in the program will include Director & Officers ("D&O") Follow Form, Pay On Behalf, Defense Outside Limits, and Zero Retention.
"The Express Umbrella is a pillar for our Community Associations program, This product is designed to address the excess liability coverage demands for community associations. With our other product offerings including package, crime, and D&O, brokers can submit business for all their community association clients' insurance needs in one place."
- Barbara Bartson, Managing Vice President of Community Associations program at Distinguished.
Brokers can submit business for the Express Community Association Umbrella and the Express Real Estate Umbrella by visiting the Distinguished website.
About Distinguished Programs
Distinguished Programs is a leading national insurance Program Manager providing specialized insurance programs to brokers and agents with specific expertise in Real Estate, Community Associations, Hotels, and Restaurants. Property and liability products are distributed through a national network of agents and brokers. Serving the same core markets and partnering with the most stable and reputable carriers, Distinguished Programs' high-limit umbrella programs remain the clear choice in its areas of specialty for superior coverage, competitive pricing, and attentive service.
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WORKERS COMPENSATION
BOXX Insurance | February 22, 2022
Toronto-based global insurtech BOXX Insurance announced the appointment of Phil Baker as President of BOXX Canada. Baker will also be responsible for delivering BOXX's insurance strategy globally as its Global Head of Insurance.
Prior to joining BOXX, Baker headed Beazley Canada where he was board chairman and head of broker relations. Baker joined Beazley when it acquired Creechurch Underwriters, where he was President and CEO of the highly regarded MGA that focused on insuring risks in the emerging technology space. Before joining Creechurch, Baker headed the financial and professional lines business unit for Travelers Canada.
"The rapid pace and acceleration of digitization is creating digital uncertainty of seismic proportions. Nowhere is this felt more than by everyday businesses and consumers who have historically been ill-served by insurers. The opportunity to help democratise access to both cyber insurance and digital protection through BOXX's all-in-one platform is incredibly exciting."
-Phil Baker as President of BOXX Canada.
"Phil will play an integral role in expanding relationships with the insurance brokers that fuel our business in Canada," said Vishal Kundi, BOXX's CEO and Co-Founder. "Under Phil's technical leadership, we can step up the pace to enhance and extend our insurance products to meet the demands of partners and customers we are seeing across the world."
-Phil Baker as President of BOXX Canada.
BOXX also announced the addition of Zurich Insurance and Hartford Steam Boiler as new insurance providers for BOXX. Baker will manage these relationships as well as cultivate new ones as BOXX expands into selected new markets and segments.
About BOXX Insurance
BOXX Insurance Inc. helps businesses, individuals and families insure and defend against cyber threats. BOXX Insurance Inc. is privately-held with headquarters in Toronto, Canada. BOXX's vision is to help businesses, individuals and families stay ahead of, respond to and recover from cyber threats, putting their digital safety first.
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