Insurance Happy Hour
86 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingChange in the insurance industry is speeding up. Consumers are also changing. Let's talk about industry news and trends, technology and marketing. Hosts: Becky Schroeder and Laird Rixford
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Episodes
Is the Next Generation of Insurance a Peeping Tom?
March 01, 2019 21:00 - 35 minutes - 16.4 MBInsurers are increasingly using non-traditional sources such as social media to learn more about consumers in an attempt suss out high-risk behavior. Join Becky and Laird as they talk about the risks of using this type of data and how it impacts the privacy of today’s insureds. As a bonus, stick around and learn how giraffes have become carpet bombing flying carnivores who use their long necks to peep into your windows. Why the Life-Insurance Industry Wants to Creep on Your Instagram (https:...
The Lost Files: #MeToo and Insurance
February 15, 2019 21:00 - 47 minutes - 21.9 MBThough it has not been as publicly discussed as it has in other industries, the insurance industry has its share of #MeToo moments and stories. The P/C Insurance Industry's #MeToo Moments (https://www.carriermanagement.com/features/2018/08/27/183076.htm)
You Know... Technology Really Can Make a Difference
February 08, 2019 21:00 - 40 minutes - 18.5 MBThe M&A activity of the IA channel hit a record high in 2018. We discuss these transactions and what that means for the industry. Plus, Laird talks about his tic he discovered thanks to the podcast, and we share a little behind the scenes insight at the videos we do for our day jobs. Insurance agency mergers & acquisitions hit record level in 2018, Optis says (https://www.propertycasualty360.com/2019/01/30/insurance-agency-mergers-acquisitions-hit-record-level-in-2018-optis-says)
Whats so super about bowling? (and other misleading titles)
February 01, 2019 21:00 - 33 minutes - 15.2 MBToday Laird is writing the episode summary so it will be less creative than a Family Guy cutaway.... Today we talk about this weekend's "big game"® ™ ℠ and how professional sports such as the football, hockey and soccer might be dying pastimes due to the increased liability created by today's faster, stronger athletes (and their litigious lawyers). For the NFL and all of football, a new threat: an evaporating insurance market (https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/01/17/nfl-no-more-general-liability-i...
Lead Gen is Hard, Y'all
January 25, 2019 21:00 - 40 minutes - 18.3 MBPolicygenius recently expanded into other lines of business, including auto insurance. Only, their auto insurance offering, unlike their other offerings, is based on a referral model. So, Laird and Becky discuss this news and how lead generation in the industry has changed, including buying leads from lead providers. Plus, we talk about our recent technology challenges. Policygenius Enters P/C World With Auto and Home Options (https://www.carriermanagement.com/news/2019/01/16/188640.htm) You'...
How Successful Insurance Agencies Stand Out
January 18, 2019 21:00 - 40 minutes - 18.7 MBBecky and Laird talk about the traits of successful independent insurance agents. Also, it's been one year of Insurance Happy Hour, and we share some of our favorite episodes from the first year. Growth in 2019: Five common themes of successful independent insurance agents (https://www.propertycasualty360.com/2019/01/08/growth-in-2019-five-common-themes-of-successful-independent-insurance-agents/?kw=Growth%20in%202019:%20Five%20common%20themes%20of%20successful%20independent%20insurance%20age...
Digging Into the Root of the Problem
January 11, 2019 21:00 - 39 minutes - 18.1 MBLoss ratio is one of the most important metrics for insurance carriers. Becky and Laird talk about the loss ratio from the third quarter of 2018 for insuretech startup Root specifically and this critical metric in general. Plus, Laird gets on his soapbox about lazy insurance agents, and Becky has a confession. 'Root' of the Problem: Why One InsurTech's Loss Ratios Still Disappoint (https://www.carriermanagement.com/features/2018/12/17/187715.htm)
A Convenient Truth
January 04, 2019 21:00 - 42 minutes - 19.3 MBDoes convenience matter as much as some think it does in the insurance customer experience? Becky and Laird discuss convenience versus quality. Plus, a new year, a new password. And, Laird had an unexpected event this week. It's Very Convenient to Be Convenient (https://coverager.com/its-very-convenient-to-be-convenient/)
Agents vs Bots
December 28, 2018 21:00 - 35 minutes - 16.3 MBState Farm released a commercial that many said was a jab at Lemonade. Laird and Becky talk about the commercial and how bots can help improve the customer experience, but we still need people in the insurance industry. Plus, we talk about New Years and one of Becky's pet peeves. What consumer data reveals about insurance agents vs. bots (https://www.propertycasualty360.com/2018/12/11/what-consumer-data-reveals-about-agents-vs-bots) RoboAgent | State Farm Commercial (https://www.youtube.com/w...
The Insurance (Christmas) Shopping Experience
December 21, 2018 21:00 - 43 minutes - 20.1 MBWe discuss the J.D. Power 2018 Insurance Shopping Study and how the industry can and should provide a better experience to consumers. Plus, we talk Toys "R" Us, holiday shopping, and some of our holiday favorites. Auto Insurers Double Down on Ads and Digital Investment as Shopping Stagnates, J.D. Power Finds (https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/jd-power-2018-us-insurance-shopping-study) What a Toys "R" Us Comeback Could Look Like (https://hbr.org/2018/11/what-a-toys-r-us-comeback-...
Technology for the Future
December 14, 2018 19:00 - 38 minutes - 17.5 MBWe discuss the technology predictions Gartner made for the next five years. Plus, where we do our best thinking. Gartner's Top 10 Tech Predictions for 2019 and Beyond (https://www.dig-in.com/list/gartners-top-10-tech-predictions-for-2019-and-beyond) Mozilla's shopping guide to know what data the products you buy are collecting (https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/privacynotincluded/about/) Targeted Holiday Advertising | Marketoonist (https://marketoonist.com/2014/12/targeted.html)
Season 2!
December 07, 2018 21:00 - 46 minutes - 21.5 MBWelcome to season 2 of Insurance Happy Hour! In the first episode of our second season, Becky and Laird talk about some of the big industry news from the last couple months. Plus, what we've been up to the last couple months. Google Invests in Insurance Agency Software Firm Applied Systems (https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2018/10/17/504780.htm) Google's Investment in Applied Systems is Good for All Agents and Brokers (https://steveanderson.com/2018/10/25/why-googles-investment-...
Something Funnier
October 19, 2018 20:00 - 37 minutes - 20.1 MBSpecial guest Justin Costa is back in our second episode from InsureTech Connect! We talk to him about his take on this industry event and revisit a previous topic on people as brands. Special Guest: Justin Costa.
Not Your Normal InsureTech Happy Hour
October 12, 2018 20:00 - 34 minutes - 18.7 MBOn the road at InsureTech Connect 2018 in Las Vegas. We discuss the conference, insuretech trends, and our takeaways from this massive industry event.
When Disaster Strikes
September 28, 2018 20:00 - 34 minutes - 18.7 MBDisasters are a great time for insurance agents to show their value by helping their clients. We talk about how agents can do that. Also, we talk about how the insurance industry is great for a long-term career. 7 Ways to Help Clients Survive Hurricanes (and Other Disasters) (https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2018/09/12/500875.htm) Isaac's Storm by Erik Larson (https://www.amazon.com/Isaacs-Storm-Deadliest-Hurricane-History/dp/0375708278)
Millennials & Insurance: Part 2
August 31, 2018 20:00 - 54 minutes - 28.1 MBMillennials will eclipse the baby boomers as the largest living generation. The insurance industry needs to start changing to meet the needs of this group. In this second part, we discuss the key findings of the white paper from Cake & Arrow on values and priorities of millennials. Download white paper from Cake & Arrow... Insurance & Millennials: A Coming of Age (http://go.cakeandarrow.com/insurance-and-millennials-a-coming-of-age)
Millennials & Insurance: Part 1
August 24, 2018 20:00 - 40 minutes - 21.5 MBMillennials will eclipse the baby boomers as the largest living generation. The insurance industry needs to start changing to meet the needs of this group. In the first episode of two about millennials and insurance, we discuss millennial myths and how the industry communicates with the generation.
Can a Person Be a Brand?
August 17, 2018 20:00 - 32 minutes - 18.1 MBCan a person be a brand? We have opinions. In other #InsuranceHappyHour news, we're now on Spotify!
The Privacy of Your DNA
August 10, 2018 20:00 - 39 minutes - 21.1 MBWhen you submit your DNA to a genetic-testing company, should the data remain private? Or, should those companies be allowed to share your data with insurance companies, employers or government agencies? Concerns Mount over Data Privacy Guidelines Set by Genetic-Testing Companies (https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2018/08/03/497037.htm) How DNA Testing Botched My Family's Heritage, and Probably Yours, Too (https://gizmodo.com/how-dna-testing-botched-my-familys-heritage-and-prob...
The Scary World of Cybersecurity
August 03, 2018 20:00 - 39 minutes - 21.1 MBSixty-two percent of agencies are concerned or very concerned about cybersecurity. In this episode, we talk about the cybersecurity portion of the Insurance Digital Transformation survey. Plus, we discuss the top insurance brands according to YouGov's rankings, and Laird has a bone to pick with Becky. Insurance Digital Transformation Survey (http://files.constantcontact.com/0c8a5a2d401/6206587c-8e6d-4248-af01-de4bdf5dcc57.pdf) Insurance Digital Revolution (https://www.insurancedigitalrevoluti...
The Digital Transformation
July 13, 2018 20:00 - 41 minutes - 21.9 MBAccording to a recent survey, 95 percent of agents see technology as important or very important to their success. In this episode, we unpack some of the findings of the Insurance Digital Transformation survey. Plus, we talk more about 'find your passion' as career advice. Insurance Digital Transformation Survey (http://files.constantcontact.com/0c8a5a2d401/6206587c-8e6d-4248-af01-de4bdf5dcc57.pdf) Insurance Digital Revolution (https://www.insurancedigitalrevolution.org/) 'Find Your Passion' ...
Lemonade's Policy 2.0 (with our first guest Joey Giangola!)
July 06, 2018 20:00 - 41 minutes - 22 MBWe discuss Lemonade's Policy 2.0 with our first special guest Joey Giangola. Plus, we talk to Joey more about #Elevate18 and he shares his thoughts on #InsuranceHappyHour. Lemonade Proposes Open Source Insurance Policy for All to Change, Adopt (https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2018/05/21/489871.htm) Special Guest: Joey Giangola.
On the Road at #Elevate18
June 29, 2018 20:00 - 42 minutes - 22.4 MBWe were on the road this week and recorded at Agency Nation/TrustedChoice.com's conference Elevate. Also, we discuss how marketing is an investment and what to do instead of cutting marketing when money gets tight. Elevate (https://www.elevateconference.com/) The Safeco lead source board at Elevate https://www.getitc.com/emailmarketing/customercommunications/images/safeco-lead-source-board.jpg
Signs an InsureTech Will Fail
June 22, 2018 20:00 - 42 minutes - 22.5 MBWe discuss the signs of why an insuretech startup might fail and how they can succeed. Hey InsurTechs: Here's why you will likely fail (https://www.propertycasualty360.com/2018/06/08/hey-insurtechs-heres-why-you-will-likely-fail/) Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup (https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Blood-Secrets-Silicon-Startup/dp/152473165X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1529520390&sr=8-2&keywords=bad+blood) Will you be at Elevate 2018? Let us know (@lrixford (https://twitter.com/lrix...
Having the Right, Ethical Focus
June 15, 2018 20:00 - 43 minutes - 23.1 MBWe need to remember as an industry who we're serving. It's the clients. It's the clients who have and want choice. We discuss ethics in the industry and how consumers should be the only group we as an industry serve. That plus, do you find a job to fit your passion? Or, do you find passion in your job? Insurance's Flawed Business Model (http://insurancethoughtleadership.com/insurances-flawed-business-model/) What to Eat in the Texas Suburbs (https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2018/06/...
Getting Our Groove Back
June 08, 2018 20:00 - 40 minutes - 21.6 MBIn this week's episode, Becky and Laird discuss ITC's major equity investment from the private equity firm Accel-KKR and what has us excited about ITC's future. We also discuss the industry's opportunity for change. ITC Receives Majority Equity Investment from Accel-KKR (https://www.getitc.com/release/2018/04/04/itc-receives-majority-equity-investment-from-accel-kkr#.WxqaU4onaHs)
Is Insurance Ready for Virtual Reality? Is the World?
March 23, 2018 20:00 - 38 minutes - 20.5 MBWith the release of Ready Player One upcoming, Justin and Laird talk about how virtual reality could impact the insurance industry. If at all. Follow down the rabbit hole as we take a multi-generational view of technology now and into the future. Ready Player One Trailer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSp1dM2Vj48) A Perfect Circle - Disillusioned (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIsH686xWl0) Special Guest: Justin Costa.
Did Beyoncé Give Lemonade the Business?
March 16, 2018 20:00 - 30 minutes - 16.9 MBSpecial Guest: Phillip Long.
Joining the Insurance Industry as a Millennial
March 09, 2018 21:00 - 30 minutes - 16.9 MBHow does a millennial even get a start in the insurance industry? Join Laird and guest host Heather Cherry as they discuss how one millennial got their start in insurance, email marketing (https://www.getitc.com/products/automated-agency-marketing/), office pet peeves, and ASMR (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_sensory_meridian_response). Special Guest: Heather Cherry.
Why We Started a Podcast
March 02, 2018 21:00 - 32 minutes - 18 MB"People don't buy gadgets. People buy beliefs." We discuss this Elon Musk quote and dive deeper into why we started the Insurance Happy Hour podcast. We buy belief in our own human potential (https://mailchi.mp/gapingvoid/people-buy-beliefs?e=0a25c9a927) gapingvoid (https://www.gapingvoid.com/) Some of the gapingvoid prints in the ITC office: life is too short not to do something that matters https://www.getitc.com/emailmarketing/customercommunications/images/gapingvoid1.jpg Sometimes it...
Open Access to Data is Critical
February 23, 2018 21:00 - 30 minutes - 17 MBWhat's going to happen with agents in 2018? We discuss five predictions for agents this year and whether we agree or not. 2018: 5 Predictions for Agents (http://insurancethoughtleadership.com/2018-5-predictions-for-agents/)
Working in the Insurance Industry
February 16, 2018 21:00 - 31 minutes - 17.4 MBConsidering that the average age of an insurance agent is 59 and that only 4% of millennials see the insurance industry as a career option, we have work to do to promote the benefits of working in the insurance industry. Drunk driving suspect on Bay Bridge says Tesla was on auto-pilot (http://abc7news.com/chp-drunk-driving-suspect-on-bay-bridge-says-tesla-was-on-auto-pilot/2969860/) February is insurance careers month (http://www.propertycasualty360.com/2018/02/08/february-is-insurance-care...
Trusting Autonomous Cars
February 09, 2018 21:00 - 21 minutes - 12.7 MBWould you trust an autonomous car? In this episode we talk about autonomous cars and Laird's "research" project. Big Brother on wheels: Why your car company may know more about you than your spouse - https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/innovations/wp/2018/01/15/big-brother-on-wheels-why-your-car-company-may-know-more-about-you-than-your-spouse
Insurance is About Data
February 02, 2018 21:00 - 31 minutes - 17.6 MBIn this episode, we talk about insurance carriers, data, and how they can use it better. Plus, find out what visionary Laird admires most and how Becky became an independent insurance agent customer. Bot playing Mario Bros (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv6UVOQ0F44) Why AI Will Eat Insurance and How (http://insurancethoughtleadership.com/why-ai-will-eat-insurance-and-how/) Clearsurance names top auto, home and renters insurance carriers for 2018 (https://www.clearsurance.com/blog/clears...
Crushing It Is Relative
January 26, 2018 21:00 - 30 minutes - 16.8 MBWhat were the insuretech companies doing in 2017? Laird talks about independent insurance agents and the insuretech movement. Plus, what agents shouldn't see as a lifeboat from rising insuretech competition and what Becky is excited about for 2018. Wendy's slams McDonald's over failed Black Friday tweet (https://www.today.com/food/wendy-s-slams-mcdonald-s-over-failed-black-friday-tweet-t119262) Wendy's 1984 commercial "Where's the Beef?" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U80ebi4AKgs) Insurt...
Five Auto Insurance Trends to Watch in 2018
January 19, 2018 21:00 - 29 minutes - 16.8 MBIn the pilot episode of Insurance Happy Hour, we talk about five trends to watch in auto insurance this year. Plus, what Laird doesn’t want his auto insurance company to know and what trend Becky thinks will have the biggest impact on auto insurance. Telematics CEO: 5 Trends to Watch in 2018 in Auto Insurance (https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2018/01/05/475870.htm)