The integration, delivered through the Betterview platform by Nearmap, gives Zurich Middle Market underwriters access to regularly updated property details such as roof condition scores, signs of deferred maintenance, and other risk indicators that may not be captured even in physical inspections. By consolidating these insights within its underwriting platform, Zurich aims to reduce manual processes, improve consistency, and enable timely quotes for coverage that reflects the unique risk profile of each property.
“This is part of our dedication to being inventive to make underwriters smarter and faster in their analysis and broker consultations,” said Alex Wells, Head of U.S. Middle Market at Zurich North America. “Integrating these insights directly into our underwriting enablement platform reduces friction, supports simplification and ultimately helps us deliver more value to our customers.”
During the initial rollout, Zurich underwriters were able to identify risks that may have been overlooked or misinterpreted using traditional methods, resulting in more accurate classification of accounts. The streamlined access to enhanced property data also allowed underwriters to focus on higher-complexity risks, contributing to improved portfolio performance. Following these positive results, Zurich extended the technology across its U.S. Middle Market underwriting offices.
David Tobias, Chief Product Officer at Nearmap, emphasized the significance of the integration. “Zurich is proving what’s possible when insurers move beyond experimentation and fully operationalize AI and frequently updated aerial imagery at scale. With direct access to high-resolution imagery captured and owned by Nearmap, Zurich gains a level of certainty and consistency that traditional methods like satellite data or fragmented public records cannot provide. Analyzed through the Betterview platform, this proprietary content powers precise, AI-driven property intelligence, enabling Zurich’s underwriters to lead with confidence and precision.”
Zurich’s work with Nearmap builds on its Innovation Championship program, launched in 2018 to identify startups with transformative solutions. The integration represents one of the most significant applications of Nearmap’s technology in a large commercial insurance provider’s systems and highlights Zurich’s ongoing investment in artificial intelligence and advanced technology to support underwriters, brokers, and customers in managing risk.
For Nearmap, the collaboration underscores its role as a leader in high-resolution aerial imagery and geospatial analytics for insurers. Its Betterview and ImpactResponse platforms apply proprietary AI and computer vision to aerial imagery and geospatial data, delivering actionable insights throughout the policy lifecycle. By embedding these insights into underwriting workflows, Zurich is equipping its teams to move faster, act with greater certainty, and provide clients with tailored coverage in an evolving risk environment.
