CFC Pilots Agentic AI System That Underwrites in Seconds
Specialty insurer CFC has begun piloting an agentic underwriting system called Lane Assist, positioning the London-based firm at the center of a growing market for AI-driven insurance technology. The system processes submissions from email to quote recommendation in seconds.
The pilot went live this month within CFC's cyber underwriting team, handling a limited number of real new business submissions. Every quote the system produces is reviewed and approved by an underwriter before issuance.
How It Works
Lane Assist automates data extraction and quote construction on low-complexity submissions, drawing on CFC's established underwriting rules. The company aims to increase the share of business handled on a low-touch basis without compromising underwriting quality.
Chris Mullan, CFC's head of data and AI, said the pilot is "working with real submissions, in live workflows," describing it as a genuine shift in how underwriting can be augmented responsibly. The limited initial scope allows the company to validate outcomes before any broader rollout.
For brokers, Lane Assist should mean shorter turnaround times on straightforward risks. Underwriters would be freed to devote more attention to complex inquiries and client relationships.
Market Growth and Performance Data
The pilot arrives as investment in agentic AI systems across insurance accelerates. The market is projected to reach $7.26 billion this year, up 26% from 2025.
Research from BCG found that AI can improve underwriting efficiency by up to 36% in complex commercial lines. A 2025 analysis reported that the technology cut average decision times from several days to roughly 12 minutes for standard policies.
CFC has not disclosed specific performance targets for Lane Assist.
Regulatory Environment
The push toward agentic underwriting comes amid tightening regulation. The EU AI Act, which entered into force in August 2024, will impose strict obligations on high-risk AI applications in insurance starting this August.
In the United States, 23 states and Washington, DC had adopted the NAIC's AI Model Bulletin by late 2025. The NAIC launched a multistate pilot of its AI Evaluation Tool in January, with 12 states participating.
The UK, where CFC is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, has adopted a principles-based approach. Compliance across borders remains a challenge as the EU's codified regime diverges from the UK's evolving framework.
Mullan said the company's focus remains on "scaling agentic underwriting in a way that is genuinely valuable - for brokers, underwriters and ultimately our customers." CFC described the pilot as a first step, with plans to assess performance before any expansion.
The initiative is part of a wider organizational overhaul at CFC, where at least half of the departments are transforming in some way. Nearly 40% of the firm's new business inquiries now arrive through digital channels.
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