Exclusive: Hippo names Sebaski head of investor relations after stint leading IR at Ambac

By James Thaler

Aug 15 - (The Insurer) - Homeowners insurtech Hippo has hired Chuck Sebaski as its head of investor relations, effective 25 August, a company spokesperson has said, adding a seasoned capital markets voice as the company signals it is back on the offense following an improved second quarter and a new strategic partnership with The Baldwin Group.

Hippo said Sebaski will report to CFO Guy Zeltser and will build and maintain relationships with research analysts and institutional investors to expand coverage and strengthen long-term shareholder ties.

He will lead all investor communications, including earnings releases, presentations, financial reports and events such as quarterly calls, conferences and roadshows, while also delivering actionable market intelligence to the leadership team by monitoring market trends, shareholder sentiment, competitor activity and broader industry developments to inform executive decision making.

In his first 12 months, Hippo said, Sebaski will focus on broadening investor and analyst awareness of the strategy presented at June’s Investor Day, highlighting priorities of strategic diversification, unlocking market growth and optimizing risk management.

He will immediately support the busy September conference season and play a key role in preparing for Hippo’s Q3 2025 earnings call in November.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Charles Sebaski to Hippo. He’s highly respected within the P&C investment community, bringing over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry and more than a decade as an analyst. Chuck’s deep expertise and trusted relationships will be a tremendous asset as he leads our engagement with institutional investors, building on the momentum from our June Investor Day to drive understanding and support for our strategic plan,” Zeltser said.

Sebaski added: “I’m excited to join Hippo at such a pivotal time. The clarity of mission and alignment I saw at Investor Day was inspiring, and being part of a tech-native organization is a unique advantage in an industry where many legacy businesses are still catching up. Hippo’s strategic diversification across personal and commercial lines and the insurance value chain positions us well for sustainable growth.”

His arrival follows a quarter in which Hippo reported a 46-point improvement in its consolidated net loss ratio to 47%, while the Hippo Home Insurance Program (HHIP) posted a 55% net loss ratio, a 58-point year-over-year improvement.

Hippo also posted Q2 net income of $1.3 million, or $0.05 per share, versus a $40.5 million loss a year earlier and raised 2025 guidance.

Management now expects gross written premium of $1.07 billion to $1.10 billion, a consolidated net loss ratio between 67% and 69% and net income of $35 million to $39 million, with adjusted net income guided to around breakeven at the midpoint.

Management has outlined four growth drivers that underpin the strategy: organically expanding existing hybrid fronting programs on Spinnaker, adding new fronting programs, scaling the new-homes channel within the HHIP and extending HHIP beyond new homes.

The Baldwin partnership is central to this plan. Spinnaker will extend capacity across more of Baldwin’s MGA programs, Hippo will distribute its newly built homes product through Baldwin’s Westwood Insurance Agency (tripling access to new home closings) and Hippo has transferred its homebuilder assets to Baldwin for $100 million, aligning near-term growth with predictable, diversified business.

CEO Rick McCathron said the company’s recent results reflect years of work and position Hippo to grow premiums, revenue, net income and return on equity without compromising underwriting profitability. He added that Hippo’s risk participation on new programs starts low and can increase over time where performance supports higher returns.

Sebaski joins Hippo after a little over three years as head of investor relations at Ambac Financial, where he resigned last week.

Sources said Ambac’s management sought to retain him, but he declined an offer to remain with the company.

His exit from Ambac came amid share-price pressure and a series of senior departures, particularly at Ambac’s fronting subsidiary Everspan.

Ambac recently reported a widened quarterly net loss and a year-over-year decline in Everspan’s gross written premium, while the parent’s stock remains down significantly over the past year.