Why If X, Then Y: Tim McCosh

Episode summary In this episode of Humanizing Insurance, Daniel Grimwood-Bird sits down with Tim McCosh, Founder and CEO of Yokahu — an MGA and digital marketplace for worldwide parametric natural catastrophe and extreme weather risk insurance. Tim shares the very human reality of building a startup while becoming a new dad to twins, his unexpected route into insurance, why he left broking after years in the market, and the lessons that forced Yokahu to rethink its original approach.We unpack what parametric insurance really is (“if X then Y”), why Yokahu is aiming to become an infrastructure layer for the market, and what’s changed in the industry — from the early “is this even insurance?” conversations to today’s push for innovation through Lloyd’s Lab. Along the way, Tim gives a candid view on why insurance change takes time, why product-market fit is harder than it sounds, and why he’d still tell his kids: yes, work in insurance.What you’ll hear aboutBecoming a dad of twins while scaling a startup — “hard mode” leadershipFrom rural Scotland to the Lloyd’s market: how Tim stumbled into insuranceWhy broking can feel reactive — and why Tim couldn’t do “another 30 years”Parametric explained in plain English: the logic and the valueWhy SMEs are the missing middle for parametric (not personal lines, not sovereign/corporate)The biggest early mistake: building what carriers would offer vs what customers wantedThe cultural and structural blockers to innovation (value chains, slow onboarding, proof points)Lloyd’s Lab, interconnected InsureTech, and why the revolution may arrive faster than expectedTim’s five-year view: better certainty for customers, and what success would changeGuest Tim McCosh — Founder & CEO, YokahuHost Daniel Grimwood-Bird — Host, Humanizing InsuranceHumanizing Insurance is bought to you by Daniel Grimwood-Bird. It's a passion project, driven by the evergreen phrase 'Insurance is a people industry'.Through each conversation, we explore the stories, experiences, and ideas that make our world of insurance more human - from the pioneers and innovators shaping its future to the quiet leaders who hold its traditions together.This podcast exists to remind us that behind every policy, premium, and claim is a person, someone making decisions, taking risks, and protecting what matters most.If these stories resonate with you, please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a colleague or friend who still believes in the people side of this business.You can also connect with Daniel on LinkedIn to continue the conversation, recommend guests, or request a topic that you'd like to know more about.Humanizing Insurance — one conversation at a time.