Jim Daggett is the co-founder and executive director of the Insurance Technology Association and he also serves as publisher
of the ITA Pro magazine, which will debut in February. He has
worked in the insurance technology market for eight years,
serving as publisher of Tech Decisions magazine. He also served
as publisher of Claims magazine, gaining a broader view of the
insurance market. As the ITA unveils its website, ITAPro.org,
Daggett answered a few questions on why he felt the need to
start this new organization.
What was involved in your decision to start the
Insurance Technology Association (ITA)?
Jim Daggett: This specialized market has never had a dedicated organization specifically focusing on their informational
and resource needs up until now. Based on conversations I
have had with stakeholders, they feel they were being somewhat underserved. I believe that this community will benefit
from an organization that is solely dedicated to the insurance
technology community.
Why did you start this as an association? What
do you hope to accomplish by going in this
direction?
JD: An association, at its core, is about offering collaboration
opportunities among companies that make up an industry. To
begin, the ITA will develop with grassroots offerings: publications, digital content, and web seminars. On the horizon, we
have several projects that are top of mind for the association: a
national industry event, networking opportunities, and possibly
educational programs if these are some of the things are membership and our ITA advisory board—which we view as the
guiding force of the ITA—feel are important. We have to lay a
solid foundation before adding to the framework.
What will make the ITA stand out from other or-
ganizations in the insurance technology space?
JD: The ITA will serve all lines of business and will create
programs and resources dedicated to business and technology
functions for those that are tasked with preparing their company for the future.
How has your media background shaped the
planning for the ITA?
JD: The media business has been a balancing act for the past
several years with the
advent of new technologies
and the many channels of
content consumption. As
a publisher, the key has
been to develop the best
content that your audience
finds value in while dis-
tributing that content in a
broad number of formats.
Everyone has a preference
in format so you need
to position your content
in every channel your
audience may prefer. These
changes are related to what
insurers face to remain
current and viable.
I have had the plea-
sure to be a part of the
insurance technology community for eight years and listened to
CIOs on what they find to be valuable resources.
What do you feel are the main benefits to
members of the ITA?
JD: Our focus is to really listen to what insurers find value in,
what are the topics of interest to them, what tools can help them
be successful in their strategy and decisions, and what types of
events have the right format and content. The advisory group
we are forming and the committees that we are forming will
help to shape a program that the overall market can reap many
benefits from.
What do you view as the biggest challenges
facing the insurance technology market?
JD: One of the biggest challenges I see is the need for carriers,
brokers, and MGAs to stay current with their technology and
how insurance is purchased and sold in the fast-paced world
that we are living in.
Personal: Daggett is married and the father of three children.
He makes his home in Yaphank, N. Y. on Long Island. When he
is not tending to work or family issues, he can be found casting
a line into the Atlantic fishing for tomorrow night’s dinner. ITA
A Conversation with Jim Daggett
The executive director of the Insurance Technology Association
explains the ITA’s purpose and goals.
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