Behind the Scenes with Shazan Ashroff, Metromile’s New Vice President, Product Growth

Shazan Ashroff joins Metromile as VP of product growth

Many people love their cars, but few love their auto insurance.

It’s our mission to change this. We’re reimagining insurance to make it fairer and delightful. It’s why we’re obsessed with providing savings, great service, and smart driving features you’ll actually want to use.

Shazan Ashroff recently joined Metromile as our new vice president, product growth. He previously led product management and user experience efforts at leading consumer brands, including Tinder and TrueCar. 

At Metromile, Shazan’s focus is bringing pay-per-mile insurance to even more people and bringing our experience forward to make auto insurance something you’ll love.
We spoke with Shazan about why he decided to join Metromile and what might be ahead for Metromile and the automotive industry.

Shazan, what should people know about you?

I am a student of martial arts and a Brazilian jiu-jitsu blackbelt. I consider myself blessed to have trained with some incredible professors over the past two decades. I bring the practical philosophy they have bestowed on me to how I lead growth and user-experience product management teams.

It takes more than 10 years to achieve a blackbelt in jiu-jitsu, and when one finally achieves it, they realize they are simply beginning their journey. I view product management in the same way. 

There are always new problems to solve, industries to disrupt for the better, and challenges around the corner. It’s why I love product management, as it closely resembles the obstacles I face on the mat as I train jiu-jitsu.

We learn to escape submissions in jiu-jitsu, and as product managers, we learn to find solutions to problems that present themselves.

You joined Metromile from one of the world’s most popular dating apps. What can insurers do to create a more engaging or exciting experience?

Insurance has long been a set-and-forget commodity. It’s time to change that.

I believe it all starts with creating a feedback loop and building engaging experiences. Drivers should want to interact with Metromile and use our features. 

With pay-per-mile auto insurance, we can make insurance equitable with a usage-based model. Then, when drivers see the savings compared to the outdated flat-fee models, we can engage them with features that make it easier and less stressful to own or drive their cars.

I think that’s what we’re doing at Metromile: People come for the savings, but they stay for the experience.

What interested you the most about Metromile?

The people I work with have been phenomenal. We are all passionate and driven to make Metromile available to more drivers so that everyone has an opportunity to benefit from more personalized auto insurance. Our fight for equity is inspiring.

What are you most excited to work on at Metromile?

Metromile has a lot of opportunities to grow. If I had to pick, I’m most excited about helping more drivers understand why they’re a fit for Metromile and pay-per-mile auto insurance and creating an experience that makes it super easy to connect with us. 

I see how Metromile can connect with people in my driving habits. I now work from home at Metromile, and there are millions of people like me who will continue to work from home at least part of the time. I’m confident we are the insurer for them. 

I’m also excited about the opportunity to define our mobile app. I’m looking forward to contributing my perspective from outside of the insurance industry throughout the user experience.

Earlier in your career, you spent a lot of time in the automotive industry. Did you learn anything interesting about cars or the relationship people have with their cars?

I spent more than six years in automotive tech, and I loved every minute of it. I am a car enthusiast myself, and I find car enthusiasts are some of the most passionate people I’ve met.

Many people see their car as an extension of their identity. Cars can become the ultimate form of self-expression because you can customize them in any way or form you’d like. Now, I’ve come full circle, working at a company making insurance just as customizable.

Most importantly, how do you spend your time?

I spend most of my time with my family. Pool time is a must with my kids as they are learning to swim. I spend the rest of my free time with my wife and jiu-jitsu training.

Speed round:

Are you a better driver or passenger?

100%: I’m a better driver than a passenger.

What are you listening to in the car these days?

It depends on who I’m driving with. When I’m with my daughter, we have the Black Eyed Peas’ “Translation” album. She loves the song “Feel the Beat.”

With my wife, it’s usually the latest Latin and reggaeton hits. When I’m driving alone, I’m listening to 90s West Coast hip hop.

Do you have a favorite road trip you like to take?

I love the drive up to Santa Barbara from Los Angeles along the ocean. Honestly, anything by the sea works for me.

Interested in building the future of insurance? Shazan and the rest of Metromile are hiring in Boston, San Francisco, Tempe, Arizona, and the rest of the country.