Underwriting in 2025: digital platforms, broker models and insurer strategy explained (361)

InsTech - insurance & innovation with Matthew Grant & Robin Merttens

Enhanced underwriting has become one of the most talked-about shifts in the London Market, but it’s also one of the least clearly defined.

In this episode, we share a live panel discussion from our Enhanced Underwriting event, featuring:

• Colum D’Auria, Canopius
• Rob Jarvis, Tokio Marine Kiln
• Tessa Wardle, QBE

The conversation begins with a basic question what exactly are “portfolio solutions”? and opens up into a broader exploration of how insurers are adapting to new forms of delegated authority, rising data expectations and the growing influence of broker-led facilities.

Our speakers touched on:

• How different firms define and implement portfolio underwriting
• The emergence of tracker facilities and their potential to reshape market dynamics
• Why algorithmic platforms are gaining traction, and where they still fall short
• The role of live exposure data and the practical barriers to using it well
• How underwriters can maintain control and accountability in increasingly automated environments

What comes through clearly is that many of the most innovative teams are thinking beyond product and pricing and focusing instead on how underwriting structures, controls and data flows can support long-term performance.

If you want a clearer view of how underwriting is evolving beneath the surface and how leaders across the market are responding this episode offers a window into the practical realities behind the strategy.

You can also read our event write-up: “Enhanced Underwriting: How the London Market is Turning Theory into Practice”.

If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on whichever platform you use or contact Matthew Grant on LinkedIn.

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Continuing Professional Development

This InsTech Podcast Episode is accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). By listening, you can claim up to 0.5 hours towards your CPD scheme.

By the end of this podcast, you should be able to meet the following Learning Objectives:

• Define what “portfolio solutions” means across different insurers in the London Market context.
• Describe how broker facilities and tracker portfolios are influencing underwriting practices and market concentration.
• List the key components that distinguish smart platforms and algorithmic underwriting from traditional models.

If your organisation is a member of InsTech and you would like to receive a quarterly summary of the CPD hours you have earned, visit the Episode 361 page of the InsTech website or email [email protected] to let us know you have listened to this podcast.

To help us measure the impact of the learning, we would be grateful if you would take a minute to complete a quick feedback survey.