Hippo Appoints Chief Claims Officer to Bolster Claims Innovation

Former Hiscox and Homesite Insurance executive brings cutting-edge data & analytics expertise to further enhance the reliable, personalized claims experience Hippo provides its customers

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hippo (NYSE: HIPO), the home insurance group that created a new standard of care and protection for homeowners, today announced that Grace Hanson will join the company as Hippo’s first Chief Claims Officer, effective January 2022. Hanson will oversee the growth and sophistication of Hippo’s claims organization as the company expands to reach more than 90 percent of U.S. homeowners this year.

“Hippo is at the forefront of the customer-first approach in the home insurance space, leveraging cutting-edge technology to anticipate and solve homeowner problems before they emerge, and guiding them when they experience a loss,” said Hanson. “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.”

Hippo is transforming the home insurance industry by protecting the joy of homeownership through proactive and consumer-focused products and services. A key component of Hippo’s approach is its personalized approach to claims, which Hanson will oversee, that works directly with customers to provide a reliable and painless claims experience. In her 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 and an empathic shoulder to lean on throughout the process.

“Hippo has done an exceptional job of modernizing the customer flow, risk mitigation through the use of IoT devices, and enhancing automation of the underwriting process; all of which create a delightful customer experience,” said Rick McCathron, President of Hippo. “As Hippo takes the next step in becoming a holistic home protection partner for our customers, we are investing the same level of technology and innovation into the claims handling process to maintain a high bar and commitment to customer satisfaction.”

Hanson has developed a deep pedigree of insurance expertise and refined the ability to look at the claims function in a unique way. She has her finger on the pulse of the industry and is eager to drive modernization across Hippo’s claims organization. Previously, she was the Chief Claims Officer for Hiscox where she brought significant change to the claims function. 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. In her role, Grace built a claims organization that not only handled 400 percent growth in eight years but was also at the forefront of using emerging technology.

“To Hippo, the best claims experience is not just managing a claim quickly and efficiently, but helping homeowners avoid the claim entirely. When you have someone with such a deep institutional background as Grace, who also understands the rate of change in the industry, she can absolutely help guide us in the areas of preventative, proactive services that help avoid that claim from happening,” said McCathron. “Her contributions to the company will transcend the claims function and it’s our belief that she will add value in almost every aspect of our company.”

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.

About Hippo

Hippo’s goal is to make homes safer and better protected so customers spend less time worrying about the burdens of homeownership and more time enjoying their homes and the life within. Harnessing real-time data, smart home technology, and a growing suite of home services, we are creating the first integrated home protection platform. Hippo is headquartered in Palo Alto, California with offices in Austin and Dallas, Texas and insurance products available to more than 80 percent of U.S. homeowners in 37 states. Hippo Insurance Services is a licensed property casualty insurance agent with commercial and personal lines products underwritten by various insurance companies. For more information, including licensing information, visit http://www.hippo.com.