Reports & Research

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the P&C insurance industry, offering new ways to streamline underwriting, enhance risk management, and navigate evolving regulations.

But as AI adoption accelerates, insurers must ensure they’re using these technologies effectively—balancing innovation with compliance.

Our latest guide explores the most impactful AI applications in insurance, including:

• AI-powered underwriting and predictive analytics
• How regulators are shaping the future of AI in insurance
• Best practices for integrating AI while ensuring fairness and transparency

As AI-driven tools become the new standard, insurers who adapt early will gain a competitive edge.

Download our free guide to leverage these innovations while staying aligned with evolving regulations.

For insurers, accurate roof age data is essential. Yet, self-reported information often falls short.

Our research shows that 1 in 5 homeowners underreport roof age by an average of 8 years. These discrepancies create hidden risks that can impact underwriting, pricing, and overall portfolio performance.

How can insurers get a more accurate picture?

AI-driven insights provide 97% nationwide coverage, combining verified roof age with real-time condition data for a more comprehensive risk assessment.

Download our latest research for a breakdown of five critical insights that every insurer should know about roof age. 

Plus, get access to The Roof Age Advantage, an exclusive video that unveils how AI is setting a new standard for risk evaluation.

The California Department of Insurance (CDI) has introduced significant updates as part of its Sustainable Insurance Strategy. These new bulletins and draft regulations aim to accelerate regulatory approvals, embrace forward-looking models, and address critical reinsurance challenges.

But what do these changes mean for insurance carriers—and how can you prepare?

On January 29, 2025, we hosted a webinar, California’s Evolving Insurance Landscape: The Future of Insurance in the Golden State. 

Designed for Legal & Compliance professionals, Product Managers, Underwriters, Actuaries, and Risk & Innovation leaders, the discussion featured expert insights from:

• Michael Peterson, Deputy Commissioner of Climate & Sustainability, California Department of Insurance
• Karen Collins, VP, Property & Environmental, APCIA
• Bryan Rehor, Head of Regulatory Affairs, ZestyAI

Missed the live event but want to gain actionable insights from industry leaders at the forefront of California’s insurance evolution? Watch on demand now!

Regulatory Ready: How to Use AI Responsibly in Insurance Under the NAIC Bulletin

AI innovation is revolutionizing the insurance industry, but with these advancements come new regulatory challenges. To ensure responsible use of AI in insurance, it’s essential to stay informed about the latest regulatory frameworks.

Join us on November 13 at 11 PT / 2 ET for an exclusive webinar where we’ll break down how to navigate AI regulations under the NAIC Model Bulletin.

In this session, led by

• Kevin Gaffney, Vermont’s Commissioner of Financial Regulation and Chair of the NAIC’s Innovation & Tech Committee
• Bryan Rehor, Director of Regulatory Strategy at ZestyAI

you'll gain critical insights on how to align AI usage with evolving regulatory expectations.

 
What You’ll Learn

This webinar will provide practical takeaways that can help insurance professionals understand and comply with the latest AI standards:

• NAIC Model Bulletin Overview: Understand the core principles behind the NAIC’s AI regulation framework.
• Ensuring AI Compliance: Learn how to ensure responsible AI usage according to NAIC standards.
• Preparing for Regulatory Oversight: Get ready for closer state-level inspections and regulatory scrutiny.
• Vendor & Partner Compliance: Ensure that your partners meet regulatory requirements for transparency and fairness.
• Interactive Q&A: Take advantage of the opportunity to ask our experts about the complex world of AI and insurance compliance.

Meet the Experts

Kevin Gaffney
Vermont Commissioner of Financial Regulation

As an expert in AI regulations and the NAIC’s Model Bulletin, Commissioner Gaffney will provide key insights into how insurance companies can effectively implement responsible AI practices. His experience in overseeing state-level financial regulation will offer attendees a unique perspective on aligning AI innovation with compliance.

Bryan Rehor
Director of Regulatory Strategy at ZestyAI

Bryan Rehor will offer practical advice on maintaining AI compliance while harnessing the full potential of AI innovation. His expertise lies in guiding insurers through regulatory demands, ensuring that AI practices meet industry standards while avoiding common pitfalls.

Why You Should Attend

This webinar is tailored for professionals in insurance, particularly those in Executive, Legal, Compliance, Product Management, Underwriting, Actuarial, Risk, and Innovation roles.

Whether you’re navigating the complexities of AI regulation or preparing for the next steps in compliance, this session will provide actionable insights to help you move forward confidently.

Bonus Content

By registering for the webinar, you’ll receive our interactive guide:

“When Innovation & Regulation Meet: What Insurers Need to Know About AI and Regulatory Compliance.”

This resource will deepen your understanding of how to stay compliant while leveraging the power of AI in your insurance operations.

 
Don’t miss out!
Register for the webinar and ensure your spot in this exclusive event.

Facing Unprecedented Climate Challenges

The insurance industry is facing unprecedented challenges as natural catastrophic events like convective storms and wildfires become more frequent and severe. Traditional risk models, which often rely on broad territory-based segmentation, are struggling to keep up with these dynamic environmental threats. This has led to significant financial losses for insurers, who are now seeking more accurate and proactive methods to predict and manage climate risk.

AI Adoption in Property and Casualty Insurance

To shed light on the adoption of these cutting-edge techniques, ZestyAI conducted a survey of over 200 executives in the Property and Casualty (P&C) insurance sector. The survey reveals which AI-based models are gaining traction, what features insurers prioritize, and how transparency and regulatory concerns are shaping the industry. It also highlights the specific risks that are top of mind for carriers today.

AI Transforming Risk Assessment Models

The industry is turning to AI-based risk assessment models that offer a new level of precision. Companies like ZestyAI are leading the charge, providing tools that enable insurers to assess risk on a property-by-property basis, considering both individual property features and their interaction with surrounding environmental factors. These advanced models are transforming the way insurers underwrite policies, optimize portfolios, and align coverage with actual needs.

Dive deeper into our findings and explore the full report by clicking below.

Access the Report
 

The Rising Threat of Severe Convective Storms

The past few decades have seen a dramatic rise in the frequency and intensity of severe convective storms, resulting in significant financial repercussions for the insurance industry. In the last year alone, insured losses from severe convective storms reached an astounding $60 billion, marking an average annual growth rate of over 11% over the past twenty years. This alarming trend means a new approach is needed to manage and mitigate the escalating risks associated with severe weather events.

In the last year alone, insured losses from severe convective storms reached an astounding $60B, marking an average annual growth rate of over 11% over the past twenty years.

The traditional methods of risk assessment and management are no longer sufficient to cope with the increasing unpredictability and severity of these weather events. As the risk evolves, so must the solutions. Changing risks call for innovative solutions that leverage advanced technology and data analytics to enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of risk modeling.

A New Approach

ZestyAI’s Z-HAIL and Z-WIND models are specifically designed to address the challenges posed by severe convective storms. In a new retroactive case study, we explore the performance of these models on a carrier’s book of business over the prior five years, highlighting their effectiveness in delivering comprehensive coverage and precise risk segmentation.

Key findings from the case study include:

Comprehensive Coverage with High Accuracy

One of the standout results from the case study is the exceptional hit rate of 99.7% achieved by Z-HAIL and Z-WIND. This shows the models were able to accurately identify and assess the risk of severe convective storms for nearly all the properties in the carrier's portfolio.

Strong Risk Segmentation

The models demonstrated remarkable capability in risk segmentation, with Z-HAIL generating a lift of 62X and Z-WIND achieving a lift of 9.7X. This means that the models were able to effectively differentiate between high-risk and low-risk properties, even within small geographic areas such as a single zip code. Accurate risk segmentation allows insurers to tailor their policies and pricing strategies more precisely, leading to better management of their risk exposure.

Improved Combined Ratio

Implementing Z-HAIL and Z-WIND would significantly enhance a carrier’s combined ratio, calculated to be approximately 4 points in the first year. This improvement can be attributed to the models’ ability to optimize underwriting, rating, and the application of deductibles and Actual Cash Value (ACV) endorsement strategies. By accurately assessing the risk and applying appropriate measures, insurers can reduce their loss ratios and improve overall profitability.

The Need for Innovative Solutions

As severe convective storms continue to pose significant challenges to the insurance industry, adopting innovative solutions like ZestyAI’s severe convective storm models can help insurers better manage this escalating risk.

These models provide comprehensive coverage, accurate risk segmentation, and improved financial performance. By embracing advanced technology and data-driven analytics, insurers can navigate the complexities of severe weather events and safeguard their portfolios against future losses.

To learn more about the detailed findings and benefits

Download the full case study.