INSHUR secures $19M to build global momentum
INSHUR, a global embedded insurance provider for the on-demand economy, has secured $19 million in its latest funding round. This round was led by Viola Growth, with contributions from MS&AD Ventures and existing backers, bringing INSHUR's total funding to $78.5 million.
The achievement comes at a time when tech investment is increasingly focused on growth, profitability, and market leadership. Viola Growth’s General Partner, Natalie Refuah, will join INSHUR’s board as Chairperson, offering extensive experience in scaling global companies.
In 2023, INSHUR achieved nearly fourfold growth. Following its acquisition of American Business Insurance Services (ABI) in April, the company expanded its services across the US, further strengthening its offerings for drivers and platform partners worldwide. This latest funding is another milestone in INSHUR’s journey, reinforcing its leadership position in the insurance space for the on-demand economy. The new capital will be used to scale operations globally, especially in the US, build stronger relationships with platform partners, and grow its team of insurance and technology experts.
Additionally, INSHUR has appointed Bill Walrath as its Director of US Markets. With over 20 years of experience in insurance leadership, Walrath will oversee US operations, including reinsurance and carrier management. His previous roles include Head of MGA/Reinsurance at Gateway and various senior leadership positions during his 23-year tenure at Farmers Insurance.
Driving Growth Through Partnerships and Product Innovation
INSHUR’s strong partnerships with the world’s leading on-demand economy platforms are key to INSHUR’s ongoing success. Since 2018, INSHUR and Uber have been working together to deliver seamless integrations of innovative tech solutions to provide insurance products tailored for on-demand livery drivers. Now, INSHUR is working towards a full US rollout of its digital rideshare product in collaboration with Uber. At the same time, the global car sharing market is projected to reach $15.78 billion by 2029, according to Statista Market Insights, and INSHUR is making waves in this market. Its car sharing insurance product saw 100% growth in the past year to date and is projected to drive 3x growth this year.
Category Leading On-Demand Insurance and Technology Expertise
Insurance for the on-demand economy is a challenge for drivers. According to INSHUR’s recent report, Driving the On-Demand Economy, over a quarter (26%) of drivers in the US say that vehicle insurance is one of the biggest burdens on their finances, with 26% of Rideshare claiming that insurance is too expensive. A quarter of drivers (25%) say that on-demand platforms should offer advice and/or assistance when buying insurance. While women (27%) are more likely than men (23%) to say they need help buying insurance, men are six percentage points more likely than women to say better pricing is a priority for them (29% vs 23%).
INSHUR solves this challenge through its superior underwriting capabilities and exceptional claims handling, enabled by its innovative technology platform, to offer a suite of products tailored specifically for the on-demand lifestyle – helping workers to stay on the road and keep earning. By leveraging AI as well as new technology features including enhanced self-service functionality, INSHUR is able to focus on enhanced customer satisfaction and retention as well as achieving a market leading loss ratio.
Dan Bratshpis, CEO and Co-Founder at INSHUR, comments: “The future is on-demand. In just a few years, the way we access services like taxis and the way we purchase our groceries and pizzas has changed forever. In fact, our report found that nearly half of on-demand drivers had doubled their hours in 12 months. As the on-demand economy gains momentum around the world, it’s our mission to support the world’s biggest platform and insurance partners in ensuring that insurance coverage is fair and accessible for on-demand economy drivers.”
He continues: “2023 was truly a break-out year for INSHUR, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the support of our investors and partners in helping us realise our goal of becoming the on-demand economy insurance market leader. We know from our research that on-demand economy drivers need new approaches from the insurance industry to support their lifestyles, and Viola Growth and MS&AD Ventures have demonstrated their commitment to helping to build the new generation of technology-driven insurers. As Natalie joins the board and Bill takes the reins as Director of US Markets, I know their experience and insight will prove invaluable as we continue to grow in 2024 and beyond.”
Natalie Refuah, General Partner at Viola Growth adds: “Despite challenges faced by certain areas of Insurtech in recent years, companies that focused on specialised insurance and demonstrated excellence in technology, operations, and financial performance have managed to scale rapidly and outperform incumbent insurers. INSHUR, with its unique and innovative approach to on-demand economy drivers' insurance – an embedded solution featuring cutting-edge technology and deep insurance expertise – has gained a leading market position and impressive revenue growth. We are excited to join the journey!”
Elias Davis, Partner at MS&AD Ventures, concludes: “INSHUR's deep expertise in both insurance and technology has enabled them to successfully modernise global insurance solutions for the fast-growing on-demand economy. Coupled with their platform partnerships, INSHUR is a valuable addition to our portfolio and we are looking forward to supporting their growth.”
For more startup news, check out the other articles on the website, and subscribe to the magazine for free. Listen to The Cereal Entrepreneur podcast for more interviews with entrepreneurs and big-hitters in the startup ecosystem.