“The advantage comes when data flows across the ecosystem and becomes usable where decisions happen. If your technology partner can’t support that, if your platform can’t integrate, normalize data, and surface insights in context, then you’re at a major disadvantage. In 2026, insurers won’t have the patience for disconnected systems that require manual workarounds just to see the full picture. The winning organizations will be the ones who can connect their data, trust it, and act on it quickly.”
— Ashish Nair, VP of Product & Innovation
This article is an excerpt from the P&C Insurance Leaders’ Outlook 2026.
Ashish Nair, VP of Product & Innovation, is passionate developing ways for customers to leverage their own data for better business outcomes across the DigitalEdge Insurance Platform. Developing state of the art dashboards and data accessibility, Ashish and his team are building competitive edge for Cogitate’s customers with exciting new releases in 2026.
Michael: Looking ahead, what role do you believe data will play in shaping the insurance landscape?
Ashish: Data is going to be one of the defining forces in 2026. Insurance has always generated huge volumes of data, but what’s changing is our ability to actually use it well, in real time, and with greater depth.
Historically, a lot of that data has been underutilized. It sits across systems and silos, isn’t consistently structured, and hard to activate at speed. In 2026, the carriers and MGAs that stand out will be the ones who can turn their data into decisions: better underwriting, better servicing, and better risk management.
And Michael, the opportunity isn’t just “more data.” It’s extracting more meaning from what we already have, using it to create sharper insights, drive faster actions, and generate more value from existing data sets.
Michael: Do you think the success of this transformation depends on the technology partner insurers choose?
Ashish: Great question, and the answer is, absolutely. Choosing the right technology partner is crucial because it’s not just about having tools; it’s about whether those tools help you make the business better. A strong partner should be able to work with your ecosystem, understand how insurance operates, and help you connect data across functions, so insights can actually drive outcomes. If a partner can’t support that, if they only provide a narrow technology component without context, you’ll struggle to realize the value.
In 2026, the partner relationship becomes strategic. It’s not simply “can you build this feature,” it’s “can you help us activate data in a way that improves underwriting, operations, and customer experience.”
Michael: So it’s not only about technology capability, but how it integrates and impacts the business?
Ashish: Exactly. Integration is everything. We’re generating so much data across underwriting, policy, billing, claims, and external data sources, but if it remains siloed, it doesn’t help. The advantage comes when data flows across the ecosystem and becomes usable where decisions happen. If your technology partner can’t support that, if your platform can’t integrate, normalize data, and surface insights in context, then you’re at a major disadvantage.
In 2026, insurers won’t have the patience for disconnected systems that require manual workarounds just to see the full picture. The winning organizations will be the ones who can connect their data, trust it, and act on it quickly.
Would you like to connect with a member of our team? Reach out to our experts today.
Receive latest insights in your inbox
