Andrea Collins, Hippo Insurance

Lately, when talking to friends, the topic of insurance has come up a lot. Whether it’s the rising number of catastrophic events, from floods to wildfires to tornadoes, or simply an increased awareness of the need to be prepared in case of any emergencies, a lot of people I know are focusing more time and effort on finding the right insurance providers. So, for the latest edition of Hidden Layers, I sat down with Andrea Collins, VP of Marketing at Hippo Insurance, to learn more about the insurance industry and, in particular, how homeowners’ insurance has changed with the times.  Insurance is typically thought of as a fairly dry, unsexy industry. Since Hippo burst onto the market in 2015, however, the company has set out to redefine homeowners’ insurance - and with it, the relationship people have with their homes. As Collins notes in our conversation, traditional coverage tends to include items like fur coats and pewter bowls, neither of which are common household items today. Instead, Hippo’s goal is to focus on providing products and services that modern homeowners need that will protect the joy of home ownership. In the episode, we talk about the obstacles that Hippo faces as a challenger brand in an industry with many heavy-hitters, some of which have seemingly bottomless advertising budgets, as well as the steps that the company has taken to overcome them. We also discuss how the company has leveraged technology, from smart home kits to satellite imagery to telemaintenance, to develop a more proactive approach to insurance.