NEXT Insurance And ZestyAI Join Forces To Bring AI-Powered Risk Insights To Small Business Insurance

By leveraging AI-powered risk models, NEXT Insurance enhances risk assessment for smarter commercial insurance for SMEs.

ZestyAI, the leading provider of AI-powered property and climate risk analytics, today announced a strategic partnership with NEXT Insurance, a top commercial insurer specializing in small to medium-sized businesses.

Under this agreement, NEXT will adopt ZestyAI’s Z-PROPERTY and Z-FIRE models to enhance its underwriting processes with precise, property-level risk insights. Z-PROPERTY uses high-resolution aerial imagery and AI-powered analytics to assess roof condition, structural risks, and environmental hazards, helping insurers make more informed underwriting decisions.

Z-FIRE, adopted by over one-third of California’s insurance market, delivers highly accurate wildfire risk assessments based on 2,000+ historical wildfires, satellite imagery, and topographic data, ensuring that premiums reflect true wildfire exposure.

“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.

This partnership strengthens our underwriting capabilities by delivering advanced data analytics that allows us to offer a faster, fully digital purchasing experience while maintaining best-in-class underwriting.

"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."

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."