Hippo appoints new chief data officer; insurtech partnerships: Insurance news

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Hippo appoints new chief data officer

Hippo announced Robin Gordon as chief data officer. Gordon will lead strategic growth of Hippo's data and analytics, advancing predictive modeling, machine learning and AI. Gordon was a Women in Insurance honoree in 2022. 

Rick McCathron, president and CEO of Hippo, said in a statement: "Robin Gordon's appointment underscores Hippo's position as a technology-driven insurer, leveraging advanced data and analytics to build a diversified portfolio of insurance risk. Robin is a proven leader who has successfully guided some of the world's largest financial institutions through digital transformation, applying data and AI to deliver meaningful results. Her expertise will be instrumental as we sharpen risk management, expand and diversify our portfolio, and deliver superior customer experiences—positioning Hippo for sustainable, long-term success."

Hi Marley and Verisk partner

Hi Marley and Verisk are partnering to do a two-product collaboration combining Hi Marley's Workflow Assist with Verisk's XactAnalysis. The Hi Marley Workflow Assist for XactAnalysis is available for existing customers. 

Mike Greene, founder and CEO of Hi Marley, said in a statement: "Nobody wants to have to file a property claim, but when the time comes, policyholders expect clear communication and an efficient claims experience. We are proud to partner with an industry leader like Verisk to help carriers deliver a better, faster and more transparent property claims experience, and take advantage of automation without sacrificing empathy."

ZestyAI secures regulatory approval in Wisconsin for non-weather water risk AI model

ZestyAI announced its non-weather water risk model, Z-Water, received regulatory approval from Wisconsin for use in underwriting. 

Bryan Rehor, director of regulatory strategy at ZestyAI, said in a statement: "Non-weather water is one of the most frequent and expensive sources of loss for insurers, and it behaves differently than other perils. Z-WATER captures the property-level features that truly drive risk—such as plumbing systems, home design, and even vegetation patterns, giving insurers a much clearer picture of where losses are likely to occur. This approval demonstrates that regulators recognize the value of AI models that are explainable, data-driven, and validated against real claims."

Chris Newman named CEO of ACORD Solutions Group

The board of directors of ACORD Solutions Group has appointed Chris Newman as chief executive officer to lead the industry-owned extension of ACORD, the standards-setting body for the global insurance industry. Previously, he served as the President International of ACORD, where he oversaw the expansion of both ACORD and ACORD Solutions Group.

"Chris's leadership, strategic vision, and proven track record make him exceptionally well suited to guide ASG through its next chapter," said ACORD Board Chair Robert Kelly AM (founder, managing director & CEO of Steadfast), in a press release.

"I am honored to lead ACORD Solutions Group as we build the future of digital data exchange for the global insurance industry," said Newman in a release. "With the strength of our world-class team, we are setting new standards for connectivity and collaboration, empowering ACORD's 36,000 participating organizations to unlock greater efficiency, innovation, and growth worldwide."

Kin launches home insurance in Missouri

Kin, a home insurance provider, announced its expansion in Missouri. 

"Missouri homeowners face some of the nation's most complex weather risks, from Tornado Alley's spring fury to winter ice storms that can shut down entire regions," said Angel Conlin, chief insurance officer of Kin, in a press release. "The severe weather events impacting most of the state earlier this year exemplified how quickly lives can be disrupted when storms strike. Missouri families work hard to build and protect what matters most, and they need an insurance partner that understands the stakes and responds with the urgency their situation demands."

One Inc and Equisoft partner

One Inc and Equisoft have announced a partnership to bring One Inc's PremiumPay platform to Equisoft's life insurance policy administration. 

"Payment modernization is an essential part of delivering cost reduction and enabling a truly digital experience in life insurance," said François Levasseur, VP, global alliances & acquisitions, at Equisoft, in a press release. "Joining forces with One Inc allows us to provide life insurers with a pre-built and plug-and-play premium payment solution. This out-of-the-box integration enables carriers to digitalize premium collections, therefore enhancing agility as well as driving efficiency to deliver the best possible customer experience."