It's no secret that 2016 was the year that insurtech -- the growing community of technology startups focused on the insurance industry -- took center stage. The sheer number of companies that came of age and began plying their wares to carriers vitalized the industry. Around the world, from Silicon Valley to Des Moines to London, accelerators and incubators aimed at cultivating these companies and their missions sprouted as well, bringing technology companies into contact with the businesses they are trying to disrupt. Following are some of the nost notable startups making moves at the end of 2016 that should build momentum in 2017. For last year's list, click here.
Cape Analytics
This company uses machine learning to identify the risk level at underwriting of properties, based on aerial imagery. It can detect changes from the time between shots as well. Cape recieved $14 million in Series A funding in November and participated in the Plug & Play insurtech accelerator program in 2016. capeanalytics.com
Viewspection
This company is developing a smartphone-centered data exchange platform that guides policyholders through an inspection of their property for remote agent and underwriter evaluation. It participated in the Global Insurance Accelerator's insurtech week this October. viewspection.com
Nauto
Backed by Allianz, Toyota, and BMW, Nauto is developing a telematics and camera platform that supports fleet management, usage-based insurance, and autonomous vehicles. It was the winner of Plug & Play's 2016 insurtech expo. nauto.com
Aerobotics
This South American company is using drones to get data on the agricultural, logistical, and mining industries to establish risk levels and increase efficiently. It is a member of the 2017 Startupbootcamp insurtech accelerator, which will begin in January. aerobotics.co.za
Apliant
MassMutual Ventures invested in this company, which is making a technology platform to help life insurance agents refine their roles in the underwriting process, this July. apliant.com
Cambridge Mobile Telematics
This company's Drivewell program was adopted by several insurance companies for their usage-based product launches in 2016. cmtelematics.com
Root
This company allows customers shopping for insurance to drive with its app running for a few days, at which point the technology develops a quote for that customer based on his or her driving habits. joinroot.com
Sharenjoy
Another member of Startupbootcamp's 2017 cohort, Sharenjoy also offers durational insurance for attendees of events. sharenjoy.es
Tikkr
This Startupbootcamp 2017 insurtech is providing on-demand insurance for "moments" when customers are at higher risk. tikkr.co
Betterview
Another Plug & Play participant, insurance companies and other interested parties can contract Betterview to use drones to examine properties. better.vu
Stonestep
XL Innovate made a $4 million investment in Stonestep, which is working on a way to better distribute microinsurance products. stonestep.ch
Dropin
Dropin has developed a platform for live streaming video from drones or smartphones to help insurers adjust claims remotely. It also was in Plug & Play's accelerator this year. dropininc.com
Terrene Labs
Co-founded by former Great American CIO Piyush Singh, Terrene is aggregating big data to help speed up the insurance application process. terrenelabs.com
Carpe Data
Spun off from Social Intelligence in the fall, Carpe Data participated in Plug & Play's accelerator to refine its platform for aggregating social media and other third-party data to aid underwriting. carpe.io
Verifly
Verifly sells insurance for drone flyers on demand from their smartphones. verifly.com
Denim
Another participant in the Global Insurance Accelerator's October Insurtech Week, Denim provides an analytics-powered social media marketing platform for insurers. denimlabs.com
GAPro
This company is attempting to smooth out the process of getting proof of insurance between all interested parties. gaprosystem.com