Optio Chooses Guidewire Cyence for Risk Management and Small Business Growth

Optio Group (Optio), which comprises MGAs Ascent Underwriting, Cove Programs and broker Bay Risk Services, and Guidewire Software, Inc. (NYSE: GWRE), provider of the industry platform general insurers rely upon, today announced that Optio has chosen Guidewire Cyence for Cyber Risk Management to enhance its data warehouse capabilities and underwriting performance, and Guidewire Cyence for Small Business to support profitable small business growth.

Through its founding partners, Optio provides comprehensive insurance products, underwriting and broking services. It has been writing cyber insurance since 2013, with a cyber proposition distributed through its proprietary broker platform. Optio’s seamless access to product and deep cyber underwriting experience continues to propel its growth in the cyber insurance market.

"Optio is always looking to improve and transform across all areas of the business, both back-office and client-facing," said Kevin Hastings, CEO, Optio. "The decision to introduce a more data-driven approach to underwriting, claims and actuarial analysis, through Cyence, was driven by the desire to innovate and create new products based on insights and actionable information collected at scale and curated to better reflect the financial impact of a cyber event."

Guidewire Cyence products will enable Optio to:

• Augment its own data warehouse with curated external data and apply predictive data insights to the business;

• Improve pricing granularity and accuracy to protect profitability;

• Increase risk selection to improve key financial metrics; and

• Introduce streamlined access to its product suite, increasing distribution opportunities.

"Guidewire Cyence will provide more granular, real-time views across our portfolio that will support us in identifying areas of untapped opportunity and further provide our distribution partners with information to assist their clients’ cyber risk exposure and risk management," added John Merchant, managing director, cyber - US & Canada, Optio. "Data-driven augmentation of our underwriting, actuarial, claims management and new product development capabilities will enhance our position as a leader in the global cyber insurance market."

"We are delighted that Optio has chosen Cyence for their risk aggregation and small business risk selection services to support the delivery of expert insight and specialist protection to their customers," said Paul Mang, chief innovation officer, Guidewire Software. "At Guidewire we look forward to working with Optio as they grow their portfolio."