Scout InsurTech Spotlight with John Pettit

John Pettit is the CEO of QuantivRisk, focusing on collecting connected data from vehicles and using it in the claims adjudication process. Their goal is to provide fair, objective information about what really happened in a car accident. John was interviewed by Andrew Daniels, Co-Founder at Scout InsurTech and Co-Founder and President at CrashBay.

John , you’ve worked across the insurance ecosystem, from carriers to consulting to startups. What has changed the most in how the industry approaches claims over the past decade?

“Over the last decade, the biggest change has been the shift from building foundational infrastructure to enhancing it with new capabilities. A lot of carriers spent years implementing modern claims management systems, and that was the heavy lifting.

Now, with those systems in place and better data flowing through them, insurers are layering on tools to improve the customer experience and operational efficiency. We’re seeing customer communication platforms that help adjusters respond faster, and AI tools that can flag severity, accelerate triage, assess vehicle damage, and even detect fraud. These capabilities make the process faster and more transparent for policyholders while improving how carriers manage claims.”

With today’s vehicles generating enormous amounts of sensor data, how should insurers be thinking about this shift from eyewitness reports to data-driven “robo-witnesses”?

“Historically, insurers have been laser-focused on reducing loss adjustment expenses and making adjusters more efficient. With today’s vehicles producing sensor data, and in some cases video, there is now an opportunity to meaningfully impact loss costs.

The challenge is that claims systems are not naturally designed for exception processing. Since not every vehicle has these sensors, insurers must decide where this data can have the most impact right now. Many are starting with areas like first notice of loss for certain vehicle types, large casualty claims, or subrogation cases.

This data lets them resolve single-vehicle accidents faster and with more confidence. It also helps avoid lengthy arbitration and litigation in driver-versus-driver scenarios by providing clear, objective information earlier in the process.”

Claims fraud is a persistent issue in the industry. Where do you see real potential for technology, especially telematics and vehicle data, to move the needle on prevention or resolution?

“There are two big opportunities. First, validating claims with vehicle data helps insurers determine what really happened. It can uncover staged accidents, “swoop and squat” or “jump in” claims with extra passengers, and even owner “give ups” where a supposedly stolen car turns up burned in a field.

Second, the existence of this data acts as a deterrent. Once plaintiff attorneys realize this level of information is available, some questionable claims never get filed in the first place. That helps reduce both frequency and severity on the insurer side.”

You’ve spent time working with regulators across the country. How do you see regulation keeping pace with advances in vehicle and claims technology? What is working and what is still missing?

“We’ve met with more than 30 state insurance commissioners and their teams to educate them about connected vehicle technology. They see real value in using this data to fight fraud. Many have fraud divisions specifically tasked with improving affordability in their states.

Some regulators are even considering whether connected vehicle data should be part of what constitutes a ‘reasonable investigation’ under unfair claims settlement statutes. That is a significant shift.

One challenge is that definitions of vehicle data, such as event data recorder information, vary by state. Regulators are realizing they may need to modernize legislation so that connected vehicle data can be used appropriately and consistently across jurisdictions.”

There is growing interest from multiple industries, including law enforcement, legal, and insurance in vehicle performance and scene data. How should access and data sharing be governed in this next phase of auto risk?

“The starting point is that the data belongs to the consumer. Laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act and similar statutes in other states are clear on that point.

Companies need to be transparent about how they intend to use this data and must obtain explicit consent. Too often, consumers sign connected services agreements at the dealership, thinking they are only enabling navigation or infotainment, without realizing how else the data might be used.

At QuantivRisk, we make sure that when we use this data for claims, the consumer has given clear consent for that specific purpose. We also ensure that the information is not sold to outside parties for unrelated uses. Trust and clarity will be essential as data sharing expands across insurance, legal, and law enforcement applications.”

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