Is the insurance industry finally ready to shed its reputation for being process-heavy? How are innovative companies using technology to free up human potential? In this special episode of our ITC series, we explore how two companies are taking different approaches to transforming core insurance workflows.
Our conversations with Carl Ziadé of Gaia and David McFarland of Coterie reveal how mature, focused solutions are finally addressing longstanding operational inefficiencies in insurance. Their approaches demonstrate that automation isn't just about speed—it's about enabling insurance professionals to focus on what they do best: building relationships and providing strategic guidance.
Key Insights:
The evolution of process automation in insurance from experimental to practical
Why previous attempts to solve workflow challenges have fallen short
How data entry remains the industry's biggest operational burden
Balancing technological innovation with industry realities
The role of insurance expertise in building effective solutions
Featured Conversations:
Carl Ziadé, Co-founder of Gaia
[02:33] Journey from Stanford Business School to insurance automation
[05:38] The "super copy, super paste" approach to solving data entry
[08:14] Why APIs aren't the complete solution to industry inefficiencies
[13:45] Building technology that works with existing infrastructure
[15:27] The importance of organic growth with agent input
[25:55] Vision for AI-powered CSR capabilities
[28:53] Maintaining the human element in automated processes
Notable Quote: "Data entry is the single biggest pain point this industry is struggling with... We need to get out of it." - Carl Ziadé
David McFarland, CEO of Coterie
[02:00] From actuarial insights to identifying market opportunity
[03:09] Making small commercial insurance accessible and efficient
[07:18] Strategic timing in the insurtech investment landscape
[19:29] The "stupidly easy" approach to insurance operations
[22:29] Evolution and future of the MGA market
[27:28] Navigating reinsurance relationships and capital requirements
[31:20] Practical applications of AI in insurance operations
Notable Quote: "We seek to make life easy for our distribution partners... we really strive to make it stupidly easy to get a BOP, GL, miscellaneous professional liability for that small business owner." - David McFarland
Key Themes:
Process Innovation
Moving beyond traditional workflow solutions
Addressing core operational inefficiencies
Creating sustainable automation approaches
Market Evolution
Maturation of insurtech solutions
Growing importance of the MGA model
Balance of venture capital and insurance expertise
Technology Implementation
Role of APIs vs. alternative solutions
Integration with existing systems
Practical application of AI and automation
Human-Centric Design
Focusing on user experience
Maintaining relationship value
Enabling rather than replacing human interaction
About Our Guests:
Carl Ziadé is the co-founder of Gaia, bringing a unique perspective from his journey through Stanford Business School and various startup ventures. His focus on solving the insurance industry's data entry challenge has led to innovative solutions that work within existing workflows.
David McFarland, CEO of Coterie, combines his actuarial background with entrepreneurial vision to transform small commercial insurance delivery. His experience spans from the National Council on Compensation Insurance to pioneering new approaches in insurtech.
Resources:
Gaia: https://www.gaiainsurtech.com
Coterie: https://www.coterieinsurance.com
LinkedIn: Carl Ziadé (https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlziade/ )
LinkedIn: David McFarlan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmcfarland/ )
This episode launches our special ITC series exploring how technology is transforming various aspects of insurance operations, distribution, data analytics, and customer experience. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes focusing on data and AI, collaboration, life insurance innovation, and leadership