IWD 2025: Beyond the Policy: The Human Impact of Insurance in Women's Lives

When Everything Changed

Almost ten years ago, as I was about to start an exciting new job, my world turned upside down. The pediatrician called with news that my one-year-old son had a rare brain disorder. With my head spinning about what this meant for our family, I called my soon-to-be boss in tears, unsure if I should even take the job. Her response was simple: "Just come."

That moment taught me what true workplace support looks like. Within a week, a senior leader quietly told me to take whatever time I needed for my son's appointments. With over 100 appointments that first year alone, this flexibility was a lifeline while my husband and I adjusted to our new reality.

What Caregiving Really Means

Being a parent to a child with disabilities isn't running to soccer practice – it's juggling speech therapy, doctor visits, and home exercises. It's constantly thinking, "This isn't sustainable," and worrying how both parents can keep working when there are endless appointments. It's the fear of affording therapies, the guilt about working, and anxiety about your child's lifelong care.

My employer's support made all the difference. I could do my job around appointments without fearing I'd lose it. This security showed me how crucial good support systems are for families facing unexpected challenges.

What Great Employers Do

Not everyone is so lucky. Many women, especially caregivers, struggle to balance work and family. The best employers I've known understand that "making the complex simple" isn't just a catchy phrase – it's essential.
A great employer for me is one that values both career growth and personal wellbeing. I look for evidence of flexibility in practice and leadership that recognises employment as a two-way partnership. At JAVLN, each leadership team executive has at least one documented health and wellbeing goal with attached success metrics. We're expected to report on these regularly, holding each other accountable while providing mutual support.
In my experience, these are the qualities that truly set great employers apart:

• Create truly flexible work focused on results, not hours
• Have straightforward policies for family needs
• Train managers to support team members through tough times
• Build cultures where asking for help is seen as a strength
• Cut red tape from accommodation requests
• Understand that a split attention doesn't mean split commitment

Smart companies know that supporting employees through both personal and work challenges isn't just kind – it builds loyalty, retention, and brings diverse thinking to the table.

Insurance That Understands Women's Lives

This is where good insurance matters. It's not just about protecting stuff – it's about giving families financial resilience when they need it most. It's knowing you have backup when life throws its worst at you.

For women, who often care for children and aging parents, proper insurance coverage provides crucial protection and peace of mind. Having worked in insurance for over 10 years and more recently in Insurtech, I've seen how the right products transform lives by lifting the mental burden of uncertainty. When families and businesses know they're protected, they can focus on healing and rebuilding instead of financial worry.

Bringing Empathy to Innovation

The biggest lesson from my journey to Insurtech? Empathy isn't soft – it's strategic. In an industry built on trust, understanding diverse experiences is key to creating technology that truly serves people.

As a mum advocating for my child, I've learned to see the world through his eyes. This perspective shapes how I approach my work, where understanding emotional journeys matters as much as mapping digital ones.

In Insurtech, customer-centricity isn't just a buzzword - it's what makes innovation meaningful. As AI becomes more prevalent, we must ensure it enhances, rather than erodes, human connection. This approach influences how we design onboarding processes, craft communications, train support teams, and develop products that solve real problems.
Insurance is about protection in life's toughest moments. Technology can make this protection more accessible and claims experiences more humane, but only when the teams building these solutions reflect the diverse people they serve.

Moving Forward Together

On International Women's Day, I challenge the insurance industry to think beyond policies and focus on human impact. We need insurance that's accessible and affordable for all women and recognises diverse family needs.

For women considering Insurtech careers: your perspective isn't just valuable – it's vital. Your experiences bring the insights our industry needs.

And to my fellow working mums juggling complex responsibilities: your ability to balance priorities, advocate for others, and find creative solutions isn't a weakness – it's leadership training of the highest order.

Insurance isn't just about protecting things – it's about protecting people and ensuring that when life gets tough, families have what they need to face challenges and build a brighter future.