Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) announced a five-year enterprise partnership with The Andover Companies, Inc., a mutual property and casualty insurance group operating in the northeastern United States, to modernize core systems, build a data platform, and explore artificial intelligence applications in underwriting and claims.

Under the agreement, Cognizant will integrate Andover's core policy administration platform with its digital properties, construct an AWS-native enterprise data platform using a layered "Medallion" architecture, and strengthen cybersecurity across Andover's policyholder- and agent-facing portals, including support for New York Department of Financial Services cybersecurity compliance.

The partnership covers four primary areas: core platform integration and optimization, enterprise data foundation development, security and compliance modernization, and responsible AI exploration. Cognizant plans to use its Neuro AI platform to prototype generative and agentic AI use cases across underwriting, claims, and software development, with humans retaining final decision-making authority.

"Cognizant's deep experience with insurance platforms and as a leading global consultancy, combined with our objective to scale downstream and upstream digital capabilities, unlock the responsible use of AI, and protect our data and the trust of our stakeholder community was a winning combination," said Kevin McNamara, Chief Information Officer of The Andover Companies.

Nageswar Cherukupalli, Chief Sales Officer and Head of Banking, Capital Markets, and Insurance at Cognizant, said the engagement reflects the company's approach of establishing trusted data foundations before applying AI in ways that "support underwriters and adjusters rather than replace their judgment."

The Andover Companies operates three insurance subsidiaries — Merrimack, Cambridge, and Bay State Insurance Company — writing business across eight states. The company was founded approximately 198 years ago and holds an AM Best rating of "A" or higher.