A tipping point in electric vehicle adoption and the implications for insurers will be the subject of an insightful masterclass at the upcoming Beyond the Buzzwords insurtech conference.

The full-day event – organised by Insurance News and Insurtech Australia – takes place in Sydney on July 29, and discounted early bird tickets are available.

The EV session, led by Taylor Fry director Tom Moulder and Tesla insurance business manager Paul Sofronoff, asks whether insurers are ready to cope with a rapidly accelerating transition.

“When Tesla's Model Y topped new car sales in Australia this May, it certainly signalled something significant is happening,” Mr Sofronoff told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

“The thing about innovation – it happens slowly, and then all at once. That creates a real challenge for an industry built on historical data.”

Mr Sofronoff warns those that play it too safe could miss out on opportunities, because customers are not known for their patience, and insurers will need to tap into new data sources.

“With limited data, many insurers defaulted to what they knew, a risk premium. That’s why, until recently, insuring an EV cost considerably more than other vehicle types.

“Insurers made assumptions about accident frequency, repair costs, and worried about specialised training and parts availability.

“But the smart manufacturers were ready. Tesla now operates its own parts distribution centres across Australia and New Zealand, and the data we need for insurers is starting to flow.

“Every insurer will adapt eventually, but the leaders have already started reshaping their products, pricing and claims models.”

Beyond the Buzzwords, supported by gold partners Instanda, Endava, and Entsia, breaks down how digital tools are transforming the industry.

Attendees can expect targeted sessions, panel discussions and live demonstrations, giving insight into the systems and platforms improving speed, service and certainty across the value chain. They will also earn eight ANZIIF CIP points and 4.25 NIBA CPD points.

Keynote speakers include Bizcover CEO Michael Gottlieb, who will explore the issue of agentic customers, and IVAA MD Matthew McHutchison discussing the threat from deepfakes and synthetic fraud.

Other masterclass sessions include quantum computing readiness and managing third-party cyber risk.

After lunch, the great tech debate will see teams argue whether tech is the “golden thread” that finally binds promises to delivery, or a “digital wedge” driving us further from the customer.

Debate participants include Simfuni CEO Shaun Quincey, Suncorp technology and business transformation lead Stuart Fisher, Stella Insurance MD Victoria Smith and CBN’s broking operations EGM Wendy Foweraker.

The day will finish with a tech leaders panel focused on the road map to 2030, featuring QBE Ventures global head of emerging technology Alex Taylor, Allianz chief information officer Joanne Walker and Insurance Advisernet systems GM Steve Dymond.