AM Best Radio Podcast

Brandon Nuttall, chief digital and AI officer at Xceedance, said insurers must align AI initiatives to measurable business outcomes and embed governance into their deployment strategies to move beyond pilot programs and achieve enterprise-scale value.

Rob Walling, principal and consulting actuary at Pinnacle Actuarial Resources, reminds us that actions have consequences, both foreseeable and unexpected. It would serve captive insurers well to understand that innovation and change come with unexpected outcomes. He asserts that while AI, for example, brings efficiency, it will likely bring some things that may be considered unwelcome: a classic double-edged sword.

In her book “The Future of Insurance, Volume IV: Asia Rising,” Theresa Blissing, co-founder, Asia InsurTech Podcast, explores how Asia is driving the next wave of insurance innovation through digital-first and embedded solutions.

AM Best Director Ann Modica explains that Kevin Warsh could steer the Federal Reserve toward a smaller balance sheet, stricter limits on quantitative easing, and a more traditional approach to central banking.

Philadelphia Insurance Cos. is leveraging automation and AI to streamline operations and strengthen agent relationships—all while maintaining the flexibility needed for complex risks. Brent Skiles, chief transformation officer, discusses how the company is balancing efficiency with flexibility in a rapidly evolving market.

Senior Associate Editor Terry Dopp discusses his BestWire article that shows Prudential Financial Inc. could see an impact of about $1 billion over two years from a voluntary suspension of new sales the life insurer instituted after disclosing employee misconduct.

Expanding reinsurance activity is strengthening Cayman's economy while creating new career opportunities and driving investment in regulatory and technological innovation, said Andre Ebanks, premier of the Cayman Islands. Ebanks spoke with AM Best TV at the CIRCA ReConnect Conference in Grand Cayman.

Sean Kevelighan, CEO, Insurance Information Institute, and Mark Grazman, CEO, Fenix24, discuss the evolving cyberthreat landscape and insurers' increasing focus on resilience, recovery and preparedness.

AM Best Senior Director Sridhar Manyem discusses a presentation he gave at RIMS RISKWORLD in Philadelphia that looked at how combined social and economic inflation are creating challenges for the insurance industry and how insurers are responding.

AM Best expects the profitability of London Market companies to moderate over 2026 but remain positive, subject to normal catastrophe experience in the remainder of the year, according to a recent Best's Market Segment Report discussed by Kanika Thukral, associate director, analytics, AM Best.

Senior Associate Editor Steve Hallo details his BestWire reporting that shows Oklahoma and Georgia emerging as pivotal political battlegrounds where debates over regulation, accountability and affordability are shaping the future of insurance oversight.

Amelia Fitch, president of the Society of Insurance Research, and host Tony Cañas discuss the SIR's new podcast, which highlights behind-the-scenes insurance careers, fosters member engagement, and shares industry insights. 

Nancy Moussa, associate research director, LIMRA Insurance Product Research, discusses key trends shaping the Canadian life insurance market, including recent growth drivers, product performance and expectations for continued industry momentum.

News Editor Dave Pilla discusses his BestWire reporting that details how a new $40 billion U.S.-backed reinsurance facility, led by Chubb, aims to stabilize maritime trade through the Persian Gulf as shippers navigate ongoing geopolitical risk and safety concerns.

Senior Associate Editor Renee Kiriluk-Hill discusses her BestWire story explaining Farmers' plans to add new agency owners to its ranks, some for their new high net worth “Elite Owner Program.”

Susan Ghalili, SVP and chief underwriting officer at Pacific Life, explains how insights from the 2026 Underwriting Outlook Survey show insurers embracing AI as a powerful tool to enhance efficiency and decision-making while emphasizing that human expertise remains essential to maintaining trust, credibility, and sound risk assessment.

A new Best's Special Report discussed by AM Best Associate Director Jason Hopper finds the 2025 net income for U.S. life/annuity industry rose to the highest level in the past five years.

Lynn O'Leary, president of Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions, explains that in 2026, business leaders should strengthen their short-term risk awareness and long-term resilience.

Sr. Associate Editor Steve Hallo reports the National Association of Insurance Commissioners is requiring insurers to submit detailed homeowners data from 2018–2025 to assess affordability, carrier strength, and the impact of rising climate and litigation-driven costs.

AM Best Senior Director Wai Tang and Director Matthew Tuite discuss a new Best's Special Report that finds that the ILS market is expected to grow in 2026, albeit slower than 2025.

Michael Barrett, principal/agent, Trusted Choice board member, Vermont national director for the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, discusses how few Americans review their insurance annually, leaving coverage gaps and opportunities for agents to engage clients proactively.

Helen Andersen, industry research analyst, discusses two new Best's Special Reports that find upgrades and downgrades both declined for the P/C segment in 2025, while life and health insurers saw an increase in upgrades but not downgrades.

Joseph Roethel, director, AM Best, discusses two Best's Special Reports that found no catastrophe-driven P/C impairments following three years of elevated storm losses, while recent health impairments include a number of troubled affiliates.

Ben Diaz-Clegg, associate director, analytics, AM Best, discusses a Best's Special Report that finds the stability of macroeconomic conditions through 2024 and 2025, in addition to generally robust levels of profitability in many segments, underpinned the strengthening of key balance sheet strength fundamentals.

Jason Ragsdale, AVP risk management technical specialization at Nationwide, discusses a company survey revealing while more than 90% of commercial property owners are confident in their buildings' structural integrity, fewer than 40% feel fully protected against severe weather, highlighting a gap between awareness and preparedness.

David Blades, associate director, AM Best, discusses a new Best's Special Report that finds muted insured catastrophe losses during the second half of 2025 significantly benefitted net underwriting income for the year.

Hollie Campe-Astridge, assistant vice president in the Sports & Recreation Department at Philadelphia Insurance Cos., said health and wellness trends are continuing to support demand for outdoor experiences.

David Bock, associate vice president, head of Midwest and West Public D&O for Nationwide's commercial liability team, discusses how micro- and small-cap public companies differ from larger public companies in risk profile, claims activity and governance structure.

Brian Botkin, chief underwriting officer at MSIG USA, said that the company's growth has come through a very disciplined underwriting approach and a build-out of its specialty underwriting capabilities.

Majesco Chief Strategy Officer Denise Garth, who is regarded as one of the most influential executives in insurance, has built expertise with leveraging both the analytical and creative sides of her brain for her role at the insurance software developer and also when she guides startups.

Jennifer Kostyrna, director of product management, identity solutions at LexisNexis Risk Solutions, explains how generative AI is rapidly transforming the identity risk landscape for personal lines insurers, enabling more sophisticated and scalable fraud across the policy life cycle.

Senior Associate Editor Steve Hallo discusses his BestWire story detailing how The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services intends to suspend enrollment in Elevance Health Inc.'s Medicare Advantage Part D over persistent noncompliance with risk-adjustment data reporting rules.

AM Best Director David Blades and Senior Industry Research Analyst Chris Graham discuss a new Best's Commentary that finds by year-end 2025, the D&O liability market appeared to be moving toward more modest downward premium adjustments, on average.

Enforcing the use of secure photo technology and maintaining "a human in the loop" are among the strategies proving to be effective at deterring claims fraud, said Dustin Lemick, CEO, BriteCo.

 In his book “Guardians of Uncertainty: The Making of Influential Risk Managers in the Modern World,” Ernest Legrand, co-founder and chief product officer, MAPTYCS, discusses how risk-focused leaders navigate uncertainty to drive resilience and long-term strategic value.

BestWire Senior Associate Editor Terrence Dopp discusses his recent article explaining how life insurers are seeing paid family and medical leave insurance as a growth opportunity as more U.S. states begin mandating coverage. 

Montclair State University Assistant Professor Abena Owusu discusses her co-authored study on how insurers can use machine learning to improve risk culture and oversight.

Christopher Westfall discusses how his podcast, Risky Science, brings together researchers, investors and insurers to unpack the science, data, and real-world impact of risk models that shape markets, public policy and emerging threats.

Senior Associate Editor Renee Kiriluk-Hill discusses her recent BestWire story highlighting how Florida's largest personal auto insurers are cutting rates and issuing dividends to policyholders, driven by improved underwriting results, changing driving patterns, and landmark tort reform that has helped stabilize the market.

AM Best News Editor David Pilla discusses reinsurers' strong 2025 results, driven by underwriting gains and low catastrophe losses, even as softening pricing pressures revenue.

AM Best Director Joseph Zazzera discusses a new Best's Market Segment Report that finds strong health segment financial flexibility and capitalization despite major operating performance concerns.

Wild Horse Fire Brigade Founder and Executive Director William Simpson, an ethologist, discusses how super-hot wildfires create novel toxins, driving health and property risks, and why insurers must rethink prevention and modeling strategies.

Kate Steffanelli, associate director, AM Best, discusses a new Best's Market Segment Report that finds the US annuity market delivered another strong performance that continued into 2025, aided by retirement product demand, favorable rates and product innovation.

AM Best Senior Associate Editor Steve Hallo discusses how ACA, Medicaid and Medicare changes are reshaping U.S. health insurers' strategies and margins in 2026.

This session, ideal for agents and brokers who need to efficiently track insurer financial strength, shows you how to set up custom notifications, monitor the carriers you work with and use timely alerts to protect your clients and stay ahead of competitors. (Event Date: February 26, 2026) View the Powerpoint Presentation.

Nick Abraham, CEO, Amwins Global Risks, discusses how abundant capacity, social inflation concerns, and growing delegated authority opportunities are shaping broker strategy and client outcomes in the London specialty insurance market.

Michael Streit, president, Ivans, discusses how real-time insights and seamless workflows are helping carriers become the partners of choice in today's insurance market.

Professors Albert Cohen of Michigan State University and Annette Hoffman of the University of Cincinnati, discuss their study, Regretful Risks, revealing how the fear of future regret, rather than rationality, drives decisions about risk management.

Northeastern blizzard is expected to result in significant, but manageable losses for P/C insurers, according to a new Best's Commentary discussed by AM Best Industry Research Analyst Helen Andersen.

David Benyon, host of The Political Risk Podcast, explains how he connects geopolitical flashpoints from war, hybrid threats, trade policy and expropriation with the evolving needs of specialty insurance and reinsurance markets.

AM Best Senior Associate Editor Steve Hallo explains how state proposals to limit credit scores could impact insurance pricing and risk assessment.