While Athena Intelligence is positioned as an InsurTech startup, our focus is not assisting underwriting decisions. Our overarching goal is to help “the land” share insights about its conditions, as clearly as possible, for humans to use in business decisions. The model comes from agriculture and the current module has…

In the world of property and casualty insurance, there have been a number of AI/ML entrants in wildfire risk assessment. Arguably, Athena Intelligence is just another one. Most of the insurance world is still focused cat models based on the US government’s Wildland Hazard Potential (the WHP). Here is an example of Athena’s model in an area of Montana. By highlighting the Green areas, where wildfires are unlikely to spread, underwriters can accept high premiums without adverse…

Do you remember — Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires — Today, August 9, is the Birthday of Smokey, the iconic bear which in 1944 became the symbol used to promote fire safety. Today, Smokey is 79 and has the longest running public service campaign in US history. The famous tag line was initiated in 1947, with the change to the…

Managers within electrical utilities, with responsibility for reducing wildfire exposure, tend to be in second careers. Almost without exception, they spent years, usually decades, fighting forest fires. They have a different, and more pragmatic attitude towards wildfire than others with less direct experience. This quote, from Michael Herrman, a German…

Andrew Johnston has just published Gallagher Re InsurTech report, for 2Q23. He believes InsurTechs are now at an inflection point that is worthy of attention by Insurers, AI developers, emerging InsurTech firms and Venture Capitalists. By way of background, between 2012 and 2021, $42 Billion USD were invested as generalist…

There has been a lot of discussion in tech circles about the “artificial” nature of artificial intelligence. …

The Differing Perspectives of Utilities & Insurers Wildfires are increasing and assessing the risk is surprisingly different depending upon the vantage point. For insurers, wildfire risk is tied to specific location and the damage to the structure or business. For a utility, risk is understood much more broadly. …

Athena, Goddess of Warfare and Military Strategy, is feeling pugnacious. If you are a property insurer, mortgage underwriter or a large property manager in the Western United States, Athena wants to go head-to-head with your current wildfire risk tool. We are midway through the year and wildfire season is starting. We want to run a real time trial with your portfolio, or your recent declines. …

Chris Hebard has a unique perspective on insurance for residential and commercial properties. Her firm, Hebard Insurance Agency, has been in the insurance industry in the Sacramento area for 75 years and works with many carriers. …