Episode Info

Jim has over thirty years of experience in the insurance and insurtech industries, with a proven track record of success in leading and growing companies. In Jim's previous role as CEO of bolt Solutions Inc, he grew the company's revenue and oversaw the transformation of its business model, enabling the company to grow and scale quickly and efficiently. He has extensive experience creating unparalleled business success in the insurance and insurtech space, administering pragmatic and analytical decisions in high-pressure environments. His enthusiasm for embracing cutting-edge technologies and fostering a culture of innovation aligns perfectly with MISSON's transformative and forward-thinking core values.

Episode Overview:

In this engaging episode of The Future of Insurance, we sit down with Jim Dwane, CEO of Mission, recorded live at ITC Vegas 2025. Jim shares his insights on the evolving landscape of the insurance industry and how Mission is at the forefront of this transformation.

Key Discussion Points:

Jim Dwane's Background:

• Jim discusses his extensive career in the insurance industry, having spent two-thirds of it with major carriers like Travelers and AIG before venturing into the insuretech space in 2017.

Mission's Role and Vision:

• Mission is described as a program administrator that builds de novo programs, focusing on finding exceptional underwriters and providing them with the opportunity to become entrepreneurs.

• The company acts as an incubator and accelerator for MGUs (Managing General Underwriters), emphasizing a technology-first approach.

Strategic Advisory and Support:

• Mission provides strategic advisory services, helping underwriters manage aspects beyond underwriting, such as capital management, marketing, and compliance.

• The company supports its partners with administrative, operational, and technological infrastructure.

Industry Trends and Future Outlook:

• Jim highlights the rapid growth of the program space within the insurance industry and the importance of speed and innovation.

• The discussion touches on the strategic use of technology to accelerate industry transformation.

Mission's Partnerships:

• Mission collaborates with multiple capacity partners, including its parent company, Accelerant, to ensure a robust support system for its MGUs.

Conclusion:
Join us for this insightful conversation with Jim Dwane as we explore the future of insurance and how Mission is paving the way for innovation and growth in the industry. Whether you're an industry veteran or new to the field, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the dynamic changes shaping the insurance landscape.

This episode is brought to you by The Future of Insurance book series (future-of-insurance.com) from Bryan Falchuk.

Follow the podcast at future-of-insurance.com/podcast for more details and other episodes.

Music courtesy of Hyperbeat Music, available to stream or download on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music and more.

Episode Info

As Senior Vice President, Laurna leads the company's Western State Product and Club Experience teams, which are responsible for the performance of personal lines insurance products across CSAA Insurance Group's Western markets. She also oversees the Club & Agency Experience teams, which are responsible for the operations and experience of CSAA's largest distribution channel, AAA clubs.

Laurna started her insurance career at CSAA Insurance Group as an Actuarial Analyst and rose rapidly through the company's ranks. Subsequent roles of increased responsibility include Actuarial Supervisor and State Product Manager/Executive, before being promoted to VP in 2020.

She has a degree in Applied Mathematics with a focus on Actuarial Science from UC Berkeley. She also is an Associate of the Casualty Actuarial Society and sits on the board of the California FAIR Plan and the Advisory Board for the Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center (WIRC) at San Jose State University.

Born in Liverpool, UK, Laurna has lived in California since 2001. In her spare time, she enjoys playing games with her children and traveling with friends and family.

Episode Overview:

Laurna Castillo, SVP at CSAA Insurance Group, discusses the evolving landscape of the insurance industry, particularly in California. Recorded live at ITC Vegas 2025, the conversation delves into the challenges and opportunities facing insurers today.

Key Topics Discussed:

Commitment to California:

• Laurna discusses CSAA's longstanding commitment to the California market, emphasizing the importance of staying engaged despite the challenges posed by natural disasters like wildfires.

• The conversation highlights CSAA's strategic approach to maintaining viability in a tough market, focusing on careful rate management and community engagement.

Wildfire Mitigation and Community Engagement:

• The episode explores CSAA's proactive measures in wildfire mitigation, including collaboration with the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).

• Laurna shares insights on the societal and educational aspects of encouraging property owners to adopt fire-safe practices.

Regulatory Changes and Industry Adaptation:

• Discussion on the new sustainable insurance strategy introduced by the Department of Insurance and its implications for the industry.

• Laurna explains how these regulatory changes allow insurers to incorporate catastrophe models and reinsurance costs into their rates, a significant shift from past practices.

Future Outlook:

• The episode concludes with a forward-looking discussion on the potential paths out of the current insurance availability crisis in California.

• Laurna emphasizes the need for a long-term commitment to market stability and resilience, highlighting the generational nature of these efforts.

Conclusion:
Join us for this engaging episode as Laurna Castillo provides a comprehensive view of the insurance industry's future, focusing on innovation, resilience, and community involvement. Whether you're an industry professional or simply interested in the future of insurance, this episode offers valuable insights and practical strategies for navigating the challenges ahead.

This episode is brought to you by The Future of Insurance book series (future-of-insurance.com) from Bryan Falchuk.

Follow the podcast at future-of-insurance.com/podcast for more details and other episodes.

Music courtesy of Hyperbeat Music, available to stream or download on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music and more.

Episode Info

Gil Arazi is the Founder and Managing Partner of FinTLV Venture Capital – a leading global late stage Insurtech VC (Hippo, Next Insurance, Unqork, Corvus, wefox and many more). FinTLV works very closely with dozens of the leading global insurers and re-insurers – to provide real value to its' portfolio companies. Therefore, Gil is a board member/observer in Hippo, Next Insurance, Pattern, iFeel, Assured Allies, Lovys, and more.

Gil has 20 Years' experience as a senior executive and board member at the largest insurance companies in Israel and is a seasonal entrepreneur in the insurtech startup ecosystem.

Episode Overview:

Gil Arazi is a seasoned expert in the insurance industry and the visionary behind FinTLV Ventures. Recorded live at ITC Vegas 2025, this conversation delves into the transformative trends shaping the insurance landscape, with a focus on innovation, prevention, and the integration of technology.

Key Discussion Points:

• Background and Experience: Gil Arazi shares his journey from Tel Aviv to becoming a prominent figure in the global insurance industry, highlighting his 30 years of experience and leadership roles in companies like Generali.

• The Birth of FinTLV Ventures: After leaving corporate life due to internal politics, Arazi founded FinTLV Ventures, which has grown into a leading insurtech venture capital firm. The firm has successfully invested in companies like Hippo and Corvus.

• Investment Focus and Industry Trends: Arazi discusses FinTLV's strategic focus on cyber insurance and the shift towards profitable growth in the insurance sector. He emphasizes the importance of understanding industry trends to guide investment decisions.

• The Role of Prevention in Insurance: A significant portion of the conversation centers around the need for the insurance industry to focus on prevention. Arazi argues that prevention can lead to substantial savings on future claims and improve societal well-being.

• The Spark Consortium: Arazi introduces "The Spark," a consortium aimed at integrating proven technologies from various sectors into insurance products. This initiative seeks to drive prevention and innovation within the industry.

• Challenges and Opportunities: The discussion also touches on the challenges of implementing innovative solutions in a traditionally conservative industry. Arazi highlights the potential of quantum computing and other emerging technologies to revolutionize insurance practices.

Conclusion:
This episode offers a deep dive into the future of insurance through the lens of innovation and technology. Gil Arazi's insights provide a roadmap for industry leaders looking to embrace change and drive growth in a rapidly evolving market.

This episode is brought to you by The Future of Insurance book series (future-of-insurance.com) from Bryan Falchuk.

Follow the podcast at future-of-insurance.com/podcast for more details and other episodes.

Music courtesy of Hyperbeat Music, available to stream or download on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music and more.