How the Proliferation of Ridesharing Created a New $2B Insurance Segment (w/Les Schlesinger, CEO ClaimRide)

Les Schlesinger is CEO at ClaimRide. Claim Ride is the leading facilitator of ride share/hailing service providers (Uber, Lyft, YellowCab) for policy holders receiving transportation (rental reimbursement) benefits under their automobile insurance coverage. The solution provides access to ride share services that enhance and or replace a typical rental car benefit received from an insurance company, Motor Club or Roadside Assistance Company. Claim Ride offers an end-to-end solution including a Mobile Application that facilitates ride share benefits in the event of a covered loss.

Les talks about seeing this major opportunity early as a reputable industry insider, and still having to move the market along towards adoption step-by-step.  The challenge is not about the confirmed opportunity, but rather the implementation challenges of a new product and the "not-invented-here" syndrome that exists in the top 10 carriers. However the other 300+ carriers are more attune to taking advantage to new market offerings and quicker to adopt. Les also comments on the proliferation of MGAs, the impact of insurtech and the role for niche expertise in the industry to provide a quicker response to new market needs.

Les is also Owner at Links Insurance Services. Links Insurance Services is a Managing General Agency (MGA) representing insurance carriers in the State of Florida, Texas and California for the sale of automobile insurance. Partner carries have included Direct General Insurance Company, AssuranceAmerica Insurance Company, Hudson Insurance Company and Federated National Insurance Company. 

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