NEXT Insurance partners with ZestyAI on small biz insurance

Small business digital insurance provider NEXT Insurance announced a partnership with ZestyAI, an insurtech provider of AI-enabled property and climate risk analytics. The carrier will use two of ZestyAI's property and wildfire risk assessment models, Z-PROPERTY and Z-FIRE, in its underwriting processes.

"ZestyAI's peril-based risk models stood out for their ability to provide precise, actionable insights at scale, perfectly complementing our mission to help entrepreneurs thrive," said Lance Poole, head of AI Underwriting at NEXT Insurance, in the press release. "By streamlining workflows and enhancing decision-making, we're able to create innovative, tailored insurance solutions that meet the unique needs of small business owners, all while staying true to our commitment to simplicity and excellence."

The Z-PROPERTY model leverages aerial imagery and AI-powered analytics to assess individual property attributes, such as roof and structural conditions or environmental risks, to further inform underwriters. The insurtech's Z-FIRE offers wildfire risk assessments based on data from over 2,000 historical wildfires, satellite imagery and topographical data.

Attila Toth, CEO of ZestyAI, said, "At ZestyAI, we are committed to bringing the power of AI-driven risk intelligence to the insurance industry. NEXT Insurance is redefining small business insurance with a fully digital experience, and we are proud to support that vision by providing precise, property-specific risk insights. With Z-PROPERTY and Z-FIRE, NEXT can enhance underwriting efficiency, optimize risk selection, and ultimately deliver smarter, more tailored coverage to small business owners across the country."

Since the start of 2025, ZestyAI has announced partnerships with SafePoint Holdings, offering coverage in states with high climate risk like Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama, as well as with Texas-based company THORE Insurance. 

The insurtech also recently received regulatory approval to offer severe convective storm products in Missouri and Minnesota, and its wildfire risk model remained available in California for rate segmentation and underwriting amid regulatory changes.