Entering into an interview with a veteran insurance technology leader, we expected to hear a seasoned perspective on digital transformation. With over 25 years in Surety and specialty insurance, they have witnessed the full arc of software evolution—from homegrown builds to today’s mature SaaS ecosystem.
We came prepared to talk about the classic dilemma: buy versus build. What we didn’t expect was a definitive mic drop moment. This seasoned technologist doesn’t understand why any insurer would build their own Surety platform in 2025. And here’s the kicker—they’ve built a homegrown Surety platform before. Multiple times. So when they say, “We are an insurance company first. Our IP is our product, our service, our people—not the software,” it means something.
This Q&A spans more than platform philosophy. It dives into how one insurer uses best-of-class tools to deliver frictionless Surety experiences—from automated underwriting workflows to intelligent submission routing. It also outlines the architectural must-haves carriers should expect from SaaS providers.
Q: What does exceptional technology delivery in the specialty insurance marketplace look like?
A: It starts with an ecosystem approach—providing frictionless service and experiences for agents, producers, and insurers. Seamless, web-based interfaces and ease of doing business are table stakes now. To differentiate, you must stitch together cloud and SaaS capabilities— automated submission intake, underwriting orchestration, quoting, and referral workflows. For example, when a submission comes in via email, we ingest it automatically, run market assessments, and surface it to underwriters in under 20 minutes.
We focus on product, rates, service, and people—and tie it all together through technology that’s configured and connected into a cohesive, modern experience.
Q: What’s your perspective on when carriers should build a proprietary Surety platform versus buy a SaaS solution?
A: I’ve worked with carriers that built their own Surety platforms—because they had to. Twenty years ago, off-the-shelf options didn’t exist or weren’t mature.
Today, with cloud availability, advanced languages, AI/ML capabilities, and SaaS platforms with strong roadmaps, building from scratch no longer makes sense for insurers.
We are not a software company. Our intellectual property is our products, rates, services, and people—not the code. Most of what we need is already available in the cloud or via SaaS, with capabilities we wouldn’t develop internally. Why build software when others already provide it?
For carriers navigating digital transformation, the priority should be focusing on what you do best. Let modern tech providers handle the infrastructure, and use their tools to build differentiated customer experiences.
That’s why we choose to buy, configure, and integrate best-of-class solutions rather than build. This approach allows us to deliver exceptional experiences without reinventing the core or maintaining legacy systems.
Q: When selecting a Surety software provider, what should carriers consider?
A: Choosing the right technology partner involves a structured, multi-dimensional evaluation. We look at:
- Functional capabilities that meet specific business needs
- Non-functional requirements like scalability, performance, and security
- Vendor implementation track record and customer references
- Pricing models that align with long-term value
- Industry validation through firms like Datos or Celent
- Integration options—APIs, third-party support, and ecosystem fit
This process should include collaboration across business, IT, and partners. Even when a provider is already in place, running a targeted RFP during key inflection points—like a cloud migration—can validate ongoing alignment.
A disciplined approach ensures confidence in modernizing operations without disruption, and reinforces the focus on what matters: delivering value through core expertise while relying on scalable platforms to power it.
