The following are winners of the 2026 PropertyCasualty360 Insurance Luminaries Awards in the category of Insurance Vendors and Partners.

Excellence in Catastrophe Response

Cotality

The Cotality Hazard HQ Command Central™ team demonstrated exceptional leadership during the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires by providing insurers, lenders, government agencies, and the public with critical, data-driven insights during a rapidly evolving catastrophe. Working around the clock, the cross-functional team of climate scientists, geospatial experts and communications professionals transformed complex risk data into actionable intelligence that informed response efforts, supported displaced families, and helped organizations understand the disaster's financial and operational impacts. By combining technical expertise with a strong focus on real-world outcomes, the team delivered meaningful support that strengthened resilience across the insurance industry and affected communities. cotality.com

Excellence in Claims Management

RoadZen

Roadzen's xClaim platform elevated claims management by using AI, automation, and real-time communications to streamline the entire claims lifecycle, from first notice of loss through settlement. The platform delivers measurable results, including a 65% reduction in claims processing times, a 35% decrease in fraudulent claims, and a 30% reduction in operational costs, helping insurers improve efficiency while enhancing the customer experience. xClaim is trusted by more than 55 insurers and ecosystem partners worldwide. roadzen.ai

Excellence in Community Outreach

Reed Smith LLP

Reed Smith LLP's Insurance Recovery Group combines deep insurance expertise with extensive pro bono service and policyholder advocacy. Following major catastrophes such as the Los Angeles wildfires and Hurricane Ida, the team provided critical guidance to affected individuals and organizations, contributing more than 947 hours of pro bono legal assistance valued at over $1 million. The group also supports broader community resilience through educational resources, disaster recovery guidance, and ongoing collaboration with United Policyholders, a leading consumer advocacy organization. The Group is dedicated to helping policyholders better understand their rights and secure fair recoveries during times of crisis. reedsmith.com

Excellence in Customer Experience

ReSource Pro

ReSource Pro transformed Hub International's lead management process through a customized, data-driven solution that improved visibility, accountability, and operational efficiency across the organization. By redesigning workflows, centralizing lead data, and implementing rigorous data cleanup efforts, ReSource Pro eliminated thousands of duplicate records and missing data points while creating a more streamlined and accurate sales process. The initiative delivered measurable business results, including improved pipeline reporting, enhanced producer accountability, and an estimated $455,571 in revenue impact, leading Hub to expand the solution across its U.S. and Canadian operations. This successful partnership demonstrates ReSource Pro's commitment to understanding client needs, delivering tailored solutions, and driving meaningful improvements in both customer experience and business performance. resourcepro.com

Excellence in Employee Advocacy

Tim Nickerson | Vice President of Risk Management | Metropolis Technologies

Tim Nickerson distinguishes himself as a champion for employee development and industry engagement by using his leadership role at Metropolis Technologies to create meaningful growth opportunities for risk management professionals. He actively encourages mentorship, cross-functional learning, and exposure to brokers, carriers and industry experts. He helps employees build relationships and broad perspectives needed for long-term success. Nickerson's commitment also extends beyond his own team, as he regularly connects interns and emerging professionals with experienced industry leaders and advocates for their visibility within the broader insurance community. Through his intentional focus on mentorship, professional development, and career-building experiences, he is helping cultivate the next generation of insurance leaders. metropolis.io

Excellence in Marketing/PR

Anna Conger | Chief of Staff | Kyber

Anna Conger played a pivotal role in establishing Kyber's presence in the insurance industry by building the company's marketing, content, community, events, and public relations functions from the ground up as a one-person team within a six-person startup. Over the past year, she helped transform Kyber from a little-known startup into a recognized name in claims technology through strategic content development, industry events, executive networking programs, and high-profile partnership announcements. Her efforts strengthened Kyber's reputation as a trusted partner to claims professionals while helping showcase significant company growth and innovation. Beyond her marketing achievements, Conger is an active advocate for women in insurance and contributes to industry education and leadership through speaking engagements and community-building initiatives. askkyber.com

Excellence in Risk Management

Xceedance

Xceedance demonstrated exceptional risk management leadership through its pivotal role in launching the Colorado FAIR Plan — the first FAIR Plan established in the United States in four decades. Faced with a tight legislative deadline and growing catastrophe exposure from wildfire and hail risks, Xceedance designed and operationalized a complete insurance infrastructure in just 16 weeks, including underwriting, claims, policy servicing, billing, and customer support. The company also helped manage critical financial and operational risks by coordinating funding, reinsurance, technology integrations and regulatory compliance. By enabling continued access to insurance for high-risk Colorado property owners, Xceedance strengthened community resilience while showcasing the power of disciplined execution, innovation, and integrated risk management. xceedance.com

Excellence in Workplace Culture

Kyber

Kyber built a high-performance workplace culture centered on customer focus, innovation, accountability and community engagement, enabling a six-person team to achieve outsized results in the claims technology market. Guided by clearly defined core values, the company rapidly expanded its platform capabilities, increased document volume by 100 times, achieved SOC 2 Type II certification, and delivered measurable operational improvements for customers. Kyber's culture emphasizes close collaboration with claims professionals, continuous learning, and active participation in industry initiatives that promote inclusion, representation, and professional development. The firm combines ambitious goals with a strong commitment to its people and customers to create an environment where innovation and exceptional performance thrive. askkyber.com

Executive of the Year

Jacob Labrie | Executive Vice President of Insurance Solutions | Cotality

Jake Labrie has spent more than two decades driving innovation in property insurance with a focus on improving outcomes for policyholders and claims professionals. Inspired by his own experience navigating a complex claims process after a devastating house fire, he has pioneered technologies that digitize inspections, automate estimating, improve compliance, and streamline claims operations. In 2025, he helped reshape Cotality's insurance strategy by aligning underwriting and claims functions and spearheading new solutions that reduce supplement cycle times while improving efficiency. His leadership continues to advance a more human-centered insurance experience by using technology to free professionals to focus on empathy and customer care. cotality.com

Insurtech of the Year

Roadzen

Roadzen leverages AI, telematics, computer vision, and automation to address some of the insurance industry's most persistent challenges. Serving 126 enterprise clients and thousands of fleets worldwide, the company has processed more than 12 million vehicles while delivering measurable improvements in underwriting, claims, fraud detection, and customer engagement. Its solutions have helped reduce claims processing times, improve fraud detection, enhance risk assessment accuracy, and increase customer satisfaction, demonstrating the real-world value of scalable AI applications. With rapid revenue growth, a global footprint, and a strong focus on outcomes-driven innovation, Roadzen continues to set new standards for efficiency and customer experience across the insurance ecosystem. roadzen.ai

M&A Leader of the Year

Peter McMurtrie | Partner, Insurance | West Monroe

Peter McMurtrie quickly established one of the industry's most influential insurance M&A advisory groups by combining more than 30 years of carrier leadership experience with deep operational expertise. A former president of Commercial Insurance at Nationwide, McMurtrie has advised on more than $2 billion in insurance transactions, helping private equity firms and strategic buyers navigate complex acquisitions, carve-outs, integrations, and value-creation initiatives. His work extends beyond deal execution. He delivers measurable post-close results through technology, analytics, and operational transformation programs that have generated millions in EBITDA improvements for clients. Through his strategic vision, industry credibility, and focus on long-term value creation, McMurtrie has become a trusted leader in insurance deal-making. westmonroe.com

Product or Service Innovation

First Connect Insurance Services

First Connect Insurance Services is transforming insurance distribution through a digital marketplace that connects independent agents with more than 130 insurance carriers and MGAs on a single platform. By combining innovative technology with data-driven insights, the company helps agents access markets more efficiently while enabling carriers to expand distribution and identify growth opportunities. Its suite of tools — including Appetite Finder, Carrier Store, Quote Connector, and the Carrier Insights Portal — reduces administrative friction, improves visibility, and streamlines the quoting and appointment process. With more than $500 million in annual gross written premium and rapid growth across the industry, First Connect is helping create a more accessible, efficient, and connected insurance ecosystem. info.firstconnectinsurance.com/carrier-access

Rising Star of the Year

Arvind Sontha | Founder & CEO | Kyber

Arvind Sontha, age 29, has emerged as a rising leader in insurance technology, building Kyber into a rapidly growing insurtech focused on transforming claims correspondence through AI. Under his leadership, the company has achieved significant growth, including a 100-fold increase in document volume, integrations with leading insurance platforms, SOC 2 Type II certification, and measurable customer results such as reduced drafting time and faster claims communications. Sontha combines technical innovation with a deep understanding of insurance operations, drawing on experience as a licensed P&C broker to develop solutions that address real industry challenges. Beyond his business success, he actively contributes to the claims community through thought leadership, industry speaking engagements, and initiatives that help shape the future of claims professionals. askkyber.com

Risk Manager of the Year

Nandish Kanthraj | Assistant Manager | Exdion Insurance
Nandish Kanthraj has distinguished himself as a leader in insurance risk management by embedding governance, compliance, and quality controls directly into automation and product design. With more than 12 years of experience in P&C insurance, he helped Exdion Insurance scale digital transformation initiatives while maintaining regulatory integrity, audit readiness, and client trust. His leadership in developing confidence-based Straight Through Processing (STP) governance frameworks improved automation accuracy, reduced manual rework, strengthened compliance outcomes, and enabled scalable operational efficiency. By positioning risk management as a strategic enabler rather than a downstream control function, Kanthraj has driven measurable business results while supporting responsible, human-centered innovation across the organization. exdioninsurance.com

Thought Leader of the Year

Robert F. Tyson, Jr. | Founding Partner | Tyson & Mendes

"Bob" Tyson is one of the insurance industry's leading voices on combating nuclear verdicts and addressing the growing impact of social inflation. In 2025, he co-authored Nuclear Verdicts®: The Apex – Break the Pattern, a groundbreaking, data-driven analysis of 100 nuclear verdicts that provides defense strategies for reducing outsized awards and lowering insurance costs. Tyson expanded his influence through Apex Defense Consulting as well as insurtech initiatives focused on applying education, collaboration, data, and AI to improve claims outcomes and litigation strategies. Through his thought leadership, industry education, and commitment to innovation, Tyson continues to shape how insurers, claims organizations and defense professionals address some of the industry's most pressing challenges. tysonmendes.com

Special Reports /

PropertyCasualty360's Class of 2026 Insurance Luminaries: Vendors/Partners

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