Collaboration Over Competition: Why the Future of Claims Innovation Depends on Ecosystem Thinking
In a rapidly shifting insurance and economic landscape, real innovation isn’t born in isolation; it happens when companies team up to solve shared challenges across the ecosystem. That was the message at the heart of the recent podcast-style webinar, “How Does Collaboration Spark Innovation?” featuring Boogie Tate, SVP of Business Development at itel, alongside Tim Kempe and Scott Severe from Cotality.
But while many talk about partnerships, itel is walking the talk, redefining what it means to be a flexible, platform-agnostic solutions provider that drives value no matter where or how you work.
A Conversation Grounded in Reality—and Possibility
The webinar was a candid conversation about the long-standing partnership between itel and Cotality that quickly evolved into a broader discussion on what it takes to future-proof the property claims industry and the human-centered collaboration that will get us there.
“itel’s not trying to control the ecosystem,” said Boogie. “We’re trying to improve it. That’s why we build platform-agnostic tools—so the value we bring can plug into whatever workflow, carrier, or contractor system is already in place.”
That’s a rare stance in an industry where many technology providers are still vying to “own” the process. itel’s position? Empower it.
What Platform-Agnostic Really Means
Whether it’s through integrations with Verisk, Cotality, or direct-to-field tools like the itel NOW app, itel is committed to reducing friction in the claims process without asking our customers to change how they already work.
“We don’t believe innovation should come with a learning curve,” Boogie shared. “It should just work—whether you’re an adjuster in the field, a contractor in the office, or a carrier trying to hit KPIs.”
That’s why itel has built solutions that seamlessly layer into the claim’s workflow, from real-time pricing on flooring, siding, and roofing materials to image intake and optical recognition. And it’s why the partnership with Cotality has thrived for over a decade.
The Power of True Collaboration
The podcast panel didn’t shy away from calling out the friction points in property claims, bringing up delayed decisions, inconsistent estimates, and the dreaded “black box” of post-event contractor-carrier disputes. But instead of finger-pointing, they focused on what’s working.
In Boogie’s words, “You can’t innovate in a vacuum. Real change happens when everyone—carriers, vendors, TPAs, contractors—works together with shared data and a shared philosophy of fairness.”
itel’s Role: Connector, Not Competitor
One of the most powerful takeaways from the discussion was itel’s evolving identity as a connector in the industry.
itel doesn’t just process samples anymore. It enables smarter decisions, faster estimates, and fairer outcomes through solutions that prioritize accuracy, accessibility, and adaptability.
Whether it’s streamlining cabinet repair decisions, accelerating roof report turnaround, or benchmarking flooring pricing across thousands of SKUs, the aim is the same: empower everyone in the process.
The Takeaway: Innovation Demands Inclusion
The property claims ecosystem is changing. itel understands that. And as Boogie Tate made clear throughout the conversation, collaboration isn’t just part of the strategy—it is the strategy.
The answer isn’t to build walls or lock users into rigid systems. Our focus is on building bridges between people, platforms, and processes with the homeowner as the ultimate focus.
So, if you missed the webinar, now’s your chance to catch up. Because the future of claims isn’t just about data or technology. It’s about people, trust, and the partnerships that move us all forward.
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