Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

In the long run, yes, but Lemonade and other insurtechs have struggled to actually get that right. Their loss ratio (claims paid / premium collected) has historically been close to or above 100% (i.e. losing money), though I think Lemonade has finally been getting that under control recently.

Distribution is also a huge factor in who wins. You can have the best product, but if you can't get it out to enough people, whether direct to consumer or through agents, you're going to struggle. A lot of startups have focused on direct-to-consumer plays, but there's value in taking a hybrid approach to distribution and incorporating agents into your distribution strategy. It's surprising sometimes, for those of us with a tech background, to see how sticky human insurance agents have proven to be. I can make a better potato chip than Frito-Lay, but if I can’t get stores to stock it, it doesn’t matter how good it is.




Consider applying for YC's Summer 2025 batch! Applications are open till May 13

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: