Kalepa, an InsurTech firm, and James River Insurance Company, a specialty insurer operating in the excess and surplus lines market, have entered into a technology partnership focused on advancing underwriting efficiency and decision-making.
The partnership has been formed to support James River’s strategic objective of improving operating efficiency, speed to market and portfolio management within the competitive E&S insurance landscape.
By deploying Kalepa’s AI platform, James River aims to augment underwriting decisions with data-driven insights while reinforcing underwriting discipline and long-term profitable growth.
James River Insurance Company provides specialty insurance solutions across the US, with a strong presence in the E&S market. The insurer focuses on disciplined underwriting, prudent risk selection and delivering sustainable returns for shareholders. As part of James River Group Holdings, Inc., the company continues to invest in technology that enhances its competitive positioning and operational capabilities.
Kalepa develops professional grade AI designed specifically for insurance underwriting teams. Its platform supports the full underwriting lifecycle, from automated submission intake through to risk triage, embedded rating and the centralisation of risk-critical information from multiple data sources. The technology is designed to deliver a decision-ready quote and comprehensive risk profile, enabling underwriters to act decisively and manage portfolios more effectively.
Through the integration of automation and actionable risk intelligence, Kalepa’s platform reduces the time underwriters spend on manual tasks while enabling deeper and more consistent risk evaluation. This approach is intended to enhance individual productivity and reinforce enterprise-wide underwriting standards, both of which are critical to sustainable profitability in specialty insurance markets.
The engagement reflects a broader trend within the InsurTech sector, as insurers increasingly adopt AI-enabled platforms to navigate complex risk environments and rising competitive pressures. For James River, the deployment of Kalepa’s technology underscores its commitment to innovation, disciplined growth and leveraging advanced tools to support underwriters and strengthen portfolio performance.
James River president Todd Sutherland said, “This investment directly supports our focus on disciplined underwriting and our commitment to providing our employees with state-of-the-art technology to deliver shareholder value.”
James River group chief information officer Valdean Langenburg said, “Unleashing AI enabled technology and fostering a culture of continuous improvement is a winning formula and what we will be known for. Kalepa’s integrated platform, deep understanding of insurance underwriting and proven ability to drive measurable results were key in our selection process”
Kalepa CEO Paul Monasterio said, “James River has a clear vision for how they want to operate – disciplined underwriting, faster, data-driven decisions, and profitable growth.”
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