As a new member of our Motor Innovation team, Taylor McSweeney spends his days looking at some of the most exciting developments in mobility. From autonomous vehicles and micromobility to embedded insurance solutions, Taylor is helping us navigate risks that don't always come with a rulebook.
We caught up with him to learn more about his background, what excites him about the future of motor insurance and, of course, his dream car.
From customer advisor to Motor Innovation
"I got my first insurance job at 16 as a customer advisor and have worked my way through the industry ever since."
Over the last 12 years, he's held a variety of roles across personal and commercial lines, most recently working as a Motor Trade binder underwriter for an MGA. Joining ERS was a natural next step.
"Everyone knew ERS. Even in my first job people were talking about the transition from Equity Red Star to ERS. When the opportunity came up to join the UK's largest specialist motor insurer, and specifically the Motor Innovation team, it was impossible to ignore."
Turning childhood fascination into reality
For Taylor, the appeal of Motor Innovation goes back much further than his insurance career.
"Let's be honest, autonomous vehicles are the exciting bit. As a kid, you thought about robot cars and self-driving vehicles. As I got older and moved into insurance, that question became: who is going to insure them?"
That curiosity is what drives him today.
"Being one of the first insurers willing to underwrite these emerging risks gives us a real opportunity to help shape the market and establish ourselves as leaders in the space."
Underwriting the unknown
One of the biggest challenges in Motor Innovation is assessing risks that don't have decades of claims data behind them. Taylor's approach is to focus on what is already known.
"While a vehicle might now be capable of driving itself, it's still operating on roads, in warehouses or in ports. We understand those environments."
The team also looks at experience from more mature markets, such as the US and China, while recognising that every market has its own nuances.
"Ultimately, underwriting is about understanding uncertainty, assigning an appropriate price to risk and ensuring a sustainable outcome for everyone involved."
What does the future of mobility look like?
Taylor is particularly excited about the impact of the Automated Vehicles Act and what it could mean for the wider transport sector.
"Passenger vehicles grab the headlines, but I'm equally interested in the logistics side. The day we see an autonomous lorry travelling down the M1 without a driver behind the wheel, that's when we'll all realise just how far this technology has come."
He's also keeping a close eye on micromobility.
"The data coming out of UK trials is incredibly valuable. If it helps reduce congestion, lower emissions and provide people with alternative ways to travel, that's a really positive step forward."
Looking further ahead, Taylor expects mobility to become increasingly based on access rather than ownership.
"We'll likely see continued growth in peer-to-peer vehicle sharing, car clubs and other flexible transport models. Combined with advances in automation, that could significantly reshape the motor insurance landscape over the coming years."
Quick fire round
Tea or coffee?
"Probably the hardest question yet. Coffee. Definitely coffee. An Americano, no milk, no sugar. If you ever see me putting sugar in it, you'll know I'm having a bad day."
Early bird or night owl?
"Early bird. You'll rarely catch me awake past 10pm these days."
Favourite car of all time?
"Nissan Skyline GT-R R34. Fast & Furious definitely influenced that choice."
Dream road trip?
"Route 66. You can't beat the classic drive from Chicago to Los Angeles."
One word colleagues would use to describe you?
"Eccentric. But in a good way."
If you weren't in insurance?
"I'd run a mental health charity. Giving people a space to tell their story is something I'm really passionate about."
Whether it's autonomous vehicles, micromobility or entirely new business models, Taylor is enthusiastic about helping brokers and partners navigate the next generation of motor risks. As mobility evolves, he's looking forward to learning from the innovators driving that change and helping provide the confidence they need to keep moving forward.
