Digital home insurer Hippo hired a former Hiscox executive to be its first Chief Claims Officer, with a mission to expand claims operations for the now publicly-traded California-based InsurTech as it grows nationally.

Grace Hanson will take on the new position as of January 2022.

“Protecting the home is a passion of mine and I’m excited to build on Hippo’s innovative successes to push the bar for customer experience in claims and take care of our customers when they need us most,” Hanson said in prepared remarks.

Hippo bills itself as standing out, in part, with a personalized approach to claims as well as home insurance coverage itself. In her new role, Hanson will extend the company’s use of technology and data to increase claims efficiency and ensure that customers are able to complete claims with limited effort.

Previously, Hanson was the Chief Claims Officer for Hiscox where she brought significant change to the claims function, Hippo’s hiring announcement notes. In her career, Hanson built deep experience with InsurTech companies as SVP Chief Claims Officer of Homesite Insurance, the first insurer to offer a fully digital homeowner product.

Hanson has a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Tulane University, an MBA from Northeastern University, and a CPCU designation. She is also a board member of Build Change, leveraging technology and strategic differentiation to improve the structural stability of housing in emerging countries vulnerable to seismic and cyclonic risk.

Hippo, which went public in August through a special purpose acquisition company/reverse merger, lost $84.5 million in the 2021 second quarter, a sizable increase compared to the previous year due largely to heavy storms in Texas. Hippo President Richard McCathron told Carrier Management that the company will overcome this in the month ahead with more geographical and product diversification.

Hippo plans to report 2021 third quarter financial results on Nov. 10, 2021 after the markets close.

Source: Hippo