Flying Solo: Modernizing Insurance with AI and More!
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, co-host Christen Kelley puts Reid in the hot seat to explore the transformative trends shaping the Insurtech landscape in 2025.Tune in to hear Reid fly solo as the guest for the first time in a while, sharing his point of view on everything from intelligent document processing to E&S, AI, the tech talent gap and much more!Episode HighlightsWhat’s on the horizon with insurtech trends in 2025 (1:35)The rise in generative AI for insurance carriers (2:29)How carriers will modernize in the next year (6:30)AI underwriting at large carriers (10:30)The impact of intelligent document processing (14:10)Specialty and E&S lines driving innovation (16:10)Rapid innovation in the face of new risks (18:55)Quantum threats, fault-tolerant systems (22:08)Shifting risk landscape and coverage models (26:24)SaaS inflation (31:00)AI solutions for the tech talent gap (35:40)
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46:46
On a Mission to Transform Digital Payments
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats with Applied Pay President Chase Petrey about Chase’s journey from the snow-capped mountains of Salt Lake City to his success in insurtech.Join them as they delve into the evolving payments industry and discuss innovative trends that are influencing its future. Chase also shares fascinating life stories, including his move to Washington, D.C., at just 16, his experiences on a Latter-Day Saints mission, doing business in Australia and Singapore, starting a family, joining Team Applied, and more. Episode HighlightsGrowing up in the Salt Lake City mountains (00:43)An interest in politics starting in high school (5:00)Packing up bags and moving to Washington, D.C. at 16 (6:12)Realizing government jobs weren’t for him (8:04)Discipline and grit developed from a Latter-Day Saints mission (12:55)Getting into econometrics and learning to code (20:32)Becoming the “international guy” (30:58)Living in Australia, opportunity in Singapore (34:19)Family changes things, moving back with second kid (39:02)Accepting the “moonshot” opportunity at Applied (45:20)The explosion of digital payments (49:03)Leadership has its own discipline (1:01:00)
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1:15:26
Leading in the Trenches and Honoring Family Sacrifices
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats with Michael Vega-Sanz, co-founder of Lula and co-founder & President of GAIL, to hear about his unique upbringing on a Miami farm and how early experiences fueled his entrepreneurial spirit. Tune in to hear Michael’s captivating stories of tinkering with lawnmowers, exploring his rural surroundings, growing up and collaborating with his twin, his dedication to family, and the innovative work they’re doing today in the insurtech space. Episode Highlights· Chickens, goats and a lot for tinkering on the Miami farm (00:36)· A love for tech that started at Babson (6:54)· Twins join forces, building their first app (10:14)· Going from an app to an insurance business (16:42)· A customer-centric approach goes a long way (24:37)· From zero to $2 million in 18 months (29:40)· The AI, tech + insurance opportunity (32:34)· Selling Lula, founding GAIL (46:54)· The goal is to be the customers’ “wingman” (1:03:49)· Getting in the trenches as effective leadership (1:10:48)
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1:23:16
An Entrepreneurial Spirit that Started in Middle School
In this episode of The Insurance Technology Podcast, Reid chats with Niji Sabharwal, co-founder and CEO of AgentSync, in an engaging conversation that blends culture, creativity, and cutting-edge technology.Need some inspiration to keep momentum with your New Year’s resolutions? Tune in to hear about Niji’s ambitious spirit, from selling candy in middle school to the journey that eventually led him to co-found AgentSync.Episode HighlightsGrowing up as a first-generation American in the Bay area (00:50)A punk rock era, selling candy and going on BMX adventures (4:22)College life and job hunting in a recession (7:54)The Zenefits journey (16:06)Starting AgentSync, finding a market (30:21)Working with your spouse (37:26)AI’s impact on insurance (55:12)Entrepreneurial advice, having a north star (57:48)Leader vs. problem solver (1:02:14)Leaning into the hurt (1:04:00)
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1:10:47
The Insurance Technology Podcast’s Year-End Wrap
Ready to reflect on a transformative year and gear up for even bigger tech leaps in 2025? Our latest podcast episode with Reid Holzworth and co-host Christen Kelley is your perfect year-end roundup. We'll dive into the standout moments from 2024, from groundbreaking technologies that shifted the industry to the invaluable insights shared by our amazing guests.Join us for a forward-thinking conversation that sets the stage for another incredible year of digital transformation.Episode Highlights2024 reflections, from download to other dynamic innovations (1:21)Ivans Connect success (5:28)Spearfishing and work travel (6:59)Unmissable moments in our top podcast episodes (9:00)Navigating challenges like the CrowdStrike incident (12:35)Storm Watch: Analyzing 2024 hurricane trends (16:03)Looking forward to 2025, call for podcast feedback (19:20)The coffee-wine ratio (22:55)Final thoughts for 2024 (25:24)You can also watch this episode on YouTube!
The Insurance Technology Podcast brings together interesting people from across the insurance ecosystem to discuss and debate technology’s impact on insurance products, businesses, and the industry. While “InsurTech” seems like the buzzword of choice these days, insurance technology has been around for decades. As a true believer that the past informs the future, podcast host Reid Holzworth speaks to both insurance industry “godfathers” – the original innovators who paved the way for tech at a time when bell-bottoms were still in fashion – and today’s trailblazers, who are busy disrupting one of the world’s most traditional industries. Join Reid as he distills wisdom from these radically different vantage points in his continued quest to create innovative insurance technology that brings simplicity and value to the entire insurance ecosystem. As Chief Executive Officer of IVANS, Reid leads the company’s strategic direction. He is a prominent insurance industry leader with extensive insurance experience in both broker and insurer distribution environments. Reid was the founder and CEO of TechCanary.TechCanary built an innovative set of insurance solutions on the Salesforce platform to create choice and flexibility for agencies who prefer Salesforce.com, which has since been incorporated in Applied’s portfolio under the name Applied Epic for Salesforce. Reid’s extensive industry experience, innovation-first mindset and commitment to simple, valuable customer experiences will be hallmarks of his leadership of IVANS and the expansion of its compelling innovation strategy.
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