By Retailist Editorial Team
Global speciality insurance provider Markel has announced a partnership with insurtech provider, Cytora to evolve their underwriting processes.
Cytora uses AI-supported workflows to automate pre-underwriting activities and perform the upfront evaluation of underwriting tasks.The brand has been working with Markel since 2021 to transform its underwriting process into digital workflows by leveraging AI to automate processes, perform upfront evaluation of risks, and eliminate rekeying of data.
The partnership has led to a reduction in quote turnaround times from an average of one day to just two hours. As a retail-specific offering, Markel also offers Markel Specialty for brick and mortar store owners.
Read more about the Cytora partnership here.
Related Articles

A Practical Guide to Retail AI Use Policies for Retailers and HQ Teams
AI can bring new opportunities for retailers, but this innovation must come with responsibility.

Shoppers Warm to AI: 45% Say They Don’t Care if Product Picks Come from Humans or Algorithms, Constructor-Shopify Report Finds
Half of shoppers who’ve tried GenAI on retail sites say it’s always or often helpful; 1 in 5 would even trust AI over their partner to pick out a gift — report also highlights rise in social media for product discovery, sharp generational divides, and opportunities to improve ecommerce search.

The September Reset: Why Brands Should Reassess Media Presence and Storytelling Before Q4
September isn’t just about correction, it’s about intentionality. Brands that take time to reset now finish the year with stronger visibility, sharper narratives, and deeper trust. They enter Q4 not reacting to the noise, but shaping it. A great reset positions you to capture more than just media mentions; it builds durable trust that sustains into the following year.

Extracting Helpful Data To Improve Your Customer Journeys
When trying to improve your customer journey, you’ll want to take a close look at your website metrics. Try to look past page views or overall organic traffic volumes and try to discern the behaviors of your users.