AM Best Radio Podcast

Helen Andersen, industry research analyst, AM Best, outlines a new Best's Special Report that finds P/C insurers make record returns while health and life/annuity segments are challenged.

A new Best's Market Segment report discussed by AM Best Associate Directors Connor Brach and Vicky Riggs, finds that MPL insurers have generated an underwriting loss in each of the past five years, reflecting slippage in rate adequacy and increased loss severity.

Senior Associate Editor Renee Kiriluk-Hill explains how global broker Acrisure plans to lay off about 11% of its workforce as advancing technology and artificial intelligence are fundamentally changing how businesses operate, according to a memo distributed to employees.

Greg Donaldson, senior vertical market manager, market intelligence, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, discusses evolving auto insurance shopping trends, consumer behavior, affordability pressures and shifting retention dynamics.

Senior Associate Editor Steve Hallo discusses his reporting that details how the Illinois Senate's passage of an automobile insurance rate bill is triggering warnings from insurance industry trade groups of impending rate increases should the legislation be enacted.

AM Best Senior Associate Editor Steve Hallo discusses proposed FEMA and National Flood Insurance Program reforms that could expand the role of private flood insurers, reshape risk-based pricing and increase consumer flood coverage options.

Karen Terry, corporate vice president, head of insurance research, LIMRA, discusses 2026's strong start in the U.S. individual life insurance market, with a 10% rise in first-quarter sales driven by demand, distribution growth and underwriting.

Aon Edge President and CEO John Dickson discusses how rising flood exposure, shifting weather patterns and growing protection gaps are reshaping underwriting, risk management and coverage strategies across the insurance industry.

Elizabeth Henderson, head of fixed income; Principal and director of corporate credit at AAM said that the integration between research and trading allows the company to pair strong credit conviction with efficient execution.

 Sarayli, head of Barings North America Infrastructure Group spoke with Best's Review to explore how infrastructure debt is being used within insurer assets. 

Hélène Schernberg, director of public policy and regulation at the Geneva Association, outlines how rising climate, cyber, and systemic risks are widening the gap between economic and insured losses.

John Huff, CEO, Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers, discusses trends shaping the global reinsurance market, including catastrophe capacity, climate risk, alternative capital and Bermuda's leadership in risk transfer innovation.

Edin Imsirovic, director, and Kaitlin Piasecki, industry research analyst, both of AM Best, discuss the results of a recent AM Best survey that evaluates the industry's position on strategy and implementation of artificial intelligence.

Benjamin Collier, associate professor, risk and insurance, University of Wisconsin-Madison, discusses research he co-authored on Hurricane Harvey, showing how severe climate events strain small businesses and create opportunities for insurers.

Record attendance, expanded programming, and growing global participation underscore increasing interest in Cayman's reinsurance market and its evolving regulatory framework, said Faramarz Romer, CFO, Greenlight Re, and chair, CIRCA. Romer spoke with AM Best TV at the CIRCA ReConnect Conference in Grand Cayman.

Kevin Kajiwara, global chair, political risk advisory, Teneo, discusses how shifting global dynamics are influencing insurance markets, underscoring the importance of adaptability and strategic risk assessment. Kajiwara spoke with AM Best TV at the CIRCA ReConnect Conference in Grand Cayman.

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.